GHOSTS OF ANDROMEDA

by Albert Barrera

Short Film
Email: [email protected]

"Ghosts of Andromeda" for consideration. Logline: Three people wake up aboard the Transport Vessel Andromeda with no memory of who they are or how they got there. To further complicate matters, a slimy alien is loose on the ship.

FADE IN:

SPACE

A box-shaped, TRANSPORT VESSEL hangs motionlessly in the blackness of space.

TELESCOPE IN through one of the windows until we're inside ¬a dimly lit corridor. The lights are FLICKERING.

INT. TRANSPORT VESSEL - BRIDGE

The LARGE, DIGITAL VIEW SCREEN against the far wall, like a large window, displays the endless expanse of space.

No one is at the controls. The only SOUND is that of OXYGEN as it is pumped through the air vents.

Hovering inches above the NAVIGATION CONTROL PANEL, a HOLOGRAPHIC SCREEN displays the words: AUTO-NAVIGATION ACTIVE.

INT. TRANSPORT VESSEL - KITCHEN

E.C.U. of A YOUNG MAN, mid 20s, sitting at the table with his head down against the metal tabletop. Sleeping.

He straightens abruptly, staring WIDE EYED at CAMERA, SCREAMING at the top of his lungs. An EMBLEM on his uniform shows his name, MATT. Across the top is the name TRANSPORT SHUTTLE ANDROMEDA.

He stops. Turns to see TWO INDIVIDUALS, KIM, mid 20s, and DAWG, early 40s, sitting at the table with him. They're wearing the same uniforms.

Kim is a thin and attractive Chinese woman. Athletic. Her COTTON-WHITE HAIR is so short it looks painted on.

Dawg is a hairless, towering black man wearing a muscle shirt that seems to be a couple sizes too small. They're staring at Matt, not at all surprised at his violent awakening.

MATT
(out of breath)
Sweet Jesus.

DAWG
You, too, huh?

MATT
What?

DAWG
You were dreaming you were being eaten by some alien piece of shit creature.

MATT
How the fuck did you know that?

KIM
We had the same dream before waking...
(looks around)
¬here.

Matt stands. Backs away from table.

MATT
Who are you? What is this place?

DAWG
What's the last thing you remember?

Matt thinks for a moment.

MATT
Going to sleep.

KIM
Where?

Matt jogs his memory some more.

DAWG
You don't know, do you?

MATT
Jesus. What's happening? Why are we here?

Dawg stands. Approaches the exit door but it fails to open.

DAWG
I say we've been kidnapped.

KIM
Why?

Matt analyzes the emblem on his uniform.

MATT
And why are we dressed the same? Our names are on these things.

Kim and Dawg glance down at their names on their uniforms.

DAWG
This doesn't make sense.

Matt approaches the sliding doors and looks up at the motion sensor.

DAWG (CONT'D)
Sensor's broken or jammed by whoever has us here.

Matt locates an electrical box near the door and pulls the cover off. He pulls out a bundle of wire and uses the sharp edge of the electrical box to cut one of them.

Kim and Dawg exchange glances. After cutting the wire, he shorts the exposed wire to the metal box, short circuiting the sliding door's electronics. The door SLIDE OPEN.

ON KIM AND DAWG, REACTING to something they see in the corridor before them as the door opens. Matt joins them and also REACTS.

MATT
Holy shit.

INT. CORRIDOR -- CONTINUOUS

The corridor is BRIGHTLY LIT. A TRAIL OF BLOOD leads from where the group is standing to a door at the far end.

KIM
I don't like this.

DAWG
A very bad thing happened here, guys. I have a funny feeling things are gonna get worse.

MATT
This can't be real.

Kim bends down and, using her index finger, picks up a blood sample. She rubs the blood between her thumb and index finger, bringing it up close to her nose.

KIM
It's fresh. An hour, maybe.

DAWG
How do you know that?

KIM
I don't know. I just know.
(looks closer at blood)
Something else. It's a mixture.

MATT
A mixture?

KIM
Blood and mucus.

DAWG
Christ.

O.S., SOMETHING HISSES AS IT WALKS across the level above their heads. Everyone glances up.

DAWG (CONT'D)
What the hell was that?

KIM
We're about to find out.

MATT
I say we lock ourselves in the kitchen again and wait 'til this craft reaches its destination.

KIM
What if there is no destination? What if whoever was navigating this ship is dead and we're aimlessly wandering through space?

DAWG
The navigator's not dead.

Kim and Matt glance at Dawg.

DAWG (CONT'D)
I'm the navigator.

MATT
Why didn't you say so before?

DAWG
'Cuz I didn't know until just now. I'm the fucking navigator. Shit.

KIM
What else do you remember? Where're we going?

DAWG
(thinking)
Uh...Docking Station A.

KIM/MATT
Docking Station A?

DAWG
One of five space ports orbiting Earth. That's our destination. It's all a blur right now, but, holy shit, we have to make sure we're still on course.

Dawg starts walking down the corridor to the door at the far end. Kim and Matt follow close behind.

MATT
Do you know what that thing we heard is?

DAWG
We'll deal with it later.

MATT
Deal with it later? Are you fucking insane, man?!

Matt grabs Dawg by the shoulder. Dawg spins around, SLAMS Matt against the wall.

DAWG
Touch me again and it'll be your fucking blood all over this place!

KIM
Dawg! Let him go!

MATT
Listen, man, something's out to eat us.

DAWG
You don't know that. It probably doesn't even know we're here.

MATT
Oh, I think it knows.

KIM
It's deaf.

Dawg and Matt turn to face her.

DAWG
What?

KIM
Don't ask how I know this. Probably has something to do with how I know about the blood sample but it can't hear a damn.

MATT
You serious?

KIM
It uses motion to locate it's prey. If you don't move it can't see you.

DAWG
Guys, our survival here depends on how much we can remember. And we better start remembering shit fast.

O.S., more HISSING SOUNDS.

MATT
Kim, you seem to know a lot about this thing. What does it look like?

KIM
I don't know. But I'm sure we're about to find out.

Dawg stares at the electrical box by the sliding door.

DAWG
Matt, work your magic with this thing.

Matt is reluctant to see what's behind door #2. He shakes his head.

MATT
I don't think we should open that door.

DAWG
Matt. Open the fucking door.

Matt takes several steps back.

DAWG (CONT'D)
Damn it, Matt!

As he approaches Matt to pound his face in, the door slides open. Everyone turns to face what activated the door. The expression on their faces is one of ABSOLUTE HORROR.

THE BALD HEADED CREATURE at the door stands about three feet tall and it's entire body is COVERED IN MUCUS.

It's five foot long, blood-covered tail gently SWAYS back and forth on the floor, SMEARING THE FLOOR WITH BLOOD AND MUCUS.

TWO BULGING EYES AND A MOUTH FULL OF TEETH is all that fit on this odd creature's head. It has no ears. No nose.

KIM
(under her breath)
Nobody fucking move.

Matt is bathed in sweat. Trembling. CRYING.

DAWG
(to Matt)
Keep it together, man.

The bald headed creature HISSES at them as it walks into the corridor with them.

MATT
(under his breath)
Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit.

DAWG
Matt. Shut your trap.

The creature scans the area as if sensing the fear. It continues passed Kim, Dawg and Matt, leaving another trail of blood and mucus on the floor.

It disappears into the kitchen from which the group came. Everyone hurries through the open door just as it slides shut.

INT. MAIN CORRIDOR -- CONTINUOUS

DAWG
Run.

He doesn't have to repeat himself. Kim and Matt follow close behind as Dawg leads the way through the winding corridors.

FURTHER ALONG THE MAIN CORRIDOR -- MOMENTS LATER

Dawg reaches the door to the bridge. Kim and Matt arrive seconds later.

DAWG (CONT'D)
Matt. Get us in there asap!

O.S., the bald headed creature's HISSING ECHOES throughout the ship. Kim worriedly looks back down the corridor.

KIM
Hurry, Matt.

Matt tears apart the door's electrical box and short circuits the electronics inside. The door slides open. Everyone spills into the bridge.

INT. MAIN CORRIDOR -- CONTINUOUS

The creature is running at top speed toward the bridge.

INT. BRIDGE -- CONTINUOUS

Kim and Matt are standing in the doorway, SCREAMING, paralyzed with fear as the creature runs toward them. O.S., A SHOT RINGS OUT.

When the creature hits the floor it has a SMOLDERING BULLET HOLE in it's forehead.

Kim and Matt turn to face Dawg, who's holding a LARGE WEAPON in his hand. He lowers the weapon. Turn to face a holographic screen and scans the data on it.

DAWG
The ship's been in auto-navigate since we left Craylon 5.
(beat)
Twenty years ago.

MATT
Craylon 5? That name sounds familiar.   Twenty years ago? How's that possible?

KIM
Cryo-sleep.

MATT
What?

DAWG
We're supposed to be in our cryo-beds. Suspended animation.

Matt thinks for a moment. He sits down on one of the leather chairs facing the large VIEW SCREEN in front of him.

FLASHBACK

INT. CRYO ROOM

TWO MEN are WRESTLING on the floor. It's Dawg and Matt. Kim is standing nearby, YELLING at them to stop.

Matt has a gun. He jams it against Dawg's neck but before he can pull the trigger, Dawg forces it away and HEAD BUTTS him unconscious.

Kim rushes to Dawg, who's bleeding from one eye.

KIM
You okay?

DAWG
I'm fine.

Dawg lifts Matt and carries him over to one of the cryo-capsules, laying him inside and shutting the glass cover.

DAWG (CONT'D)
(activating cryo-capsule)
Sweet dreams, asshole.

Matt wakes. He tries to break out.

HIS POV FROM INSIDE

Dawg is smiling. Waving bye-bye. He and Kim embrace. Matt's VISION BLURS as the sleeping gas completely engulfs him.

PRESENT DAY

INT. BRIDGE -- CONTINUOUS

Kim approaches Matt.

KIM
You remembered something just now.

Matt is staring at Dawg.

DAWG
What the hell you looking at?

Matt says nothing.

KIM
Matt, you okay?

MATT
I'm fine. It's nothing.

KIM
What did you remember? Tell us.

MATT
It's nothing. It's not important.

KIM
Anything we can remember about our past is important, Matt. You have to tell us, please.

MATT
(blows top)
I said it's not important! Leave me alone!

Kim turns to face Dawg.

KIM
How long before we reach that docking station?

DAWG
Eighteen hours.

Kim kneels down by the dead creature's side and studies it.

KIM
We were bringing it back with us from Craylon 5.
(beat)
Why?

MATT
Who the fuck cares. I'm glad the fucker's dead.

DAWG
What makes you think we were bringing it back? I say he got on board undetected.

Kim, realizing something, jumps to her feet.

KIM
Shit!

MATT/DAWG
What?

KIM
He's not all we were bringing back!

She quickly exits the bridge.

MATT
Kim, where're you going?

DAWG
Follow her. I'll try and establish contact with the station.

Matt follows her down the main corridor, turning right into a much smaller, tighter corridor until they reach a CIRCULAR DOOR at the end.

The door has no motion sensor overhead. Instead, there is a HAND SCANNER nearby.

MATT
Where are we?

Kim places her hand over it but the device fails to activate.

KIM
Specimen holding area.

MATT
Specimen holding area? Please tell me there aren't more of those things in here.

She wipes her hand on her pants and tries again. The device fails again.

KIM
Come on, piece of shit! Read my hand!

MATT
What's in here, Kim? What kind of specimens we talking about?

KIM
They're nothing like what we saw back there. Can you open the door or not?

Matt nears the device. He places his hand on the scanner and enters some data into the keypad with his other hand. A BRIGHT BLUE SCANNING LIGHT moves underneath his hand. O.S., a COMPUTER'S VOICE SPEAKS.

COMPUTER'S VOICE
(female voice)
Place your hand firmly on the scanner and wait for the scanning process to terminate.

MATT
I fucking did that!

KIM
Nothing on this sorry ass ship works!

Matt tears apart the scanner and, using his mastery of electronics, short circuits the necessary circuitry.

The circular door opens. Kim immediately leaps inside. Matt hesitantly follow.

INT. SPECIMEN LAB -- CONTINUOUS

This lab is the largest room in the ship. HUNDREDS OF METAL CAGES that were once stacked on top of one another now lay scattered throughout the floor.

There is blood everywhere. Each one has its door broken apart. Kim is in tears.

MATT
Son of a bitch.

Kim leans down and picks up a DIGITAL TABLET. There is a large crack running horizontally across the screen. She glances up at the empty cages.

KIM
(teary-eyed)
So many life forms. Gone in an instant. It ate them all.

MATT
(remembering)
We were sent to Craylon 5 to take what we could before the asteroid hit.

KIM
And now Craylon 5 is no more. And Dawg just put a bullet through the last surviving life form from that planet.

Kim approaches one particular cage laying on its side. She attaches a cable between her electronic tablet and a small electronic box on the cage. Kim enters her password on the tablet.

INSERT ELECTRONIC TABLET

Across the broken screen are the words: DOWNLOADING DATA FILES...please wait.

INT. BRIDGE -- CONTINUOUS

Dawg is at the controls trying to establish a communications link with the docking station.

DAWG
This is the transport vessel Andromeda en route to Docking Station A from Craylon 5. Estimated arrival in 18 hours. Do you read me?

Nothing.

ON BALD HEADED CREATURE, as the bullet hole in its forehead fills in with mucus. Healing. He opens his eyes. Stands. He scans his surroundings.

HIS POV

Due to Dawg's lack of motion, he blends in with his surroundings. The creature sees nothing.

DAWG (CONT'D)
If you can hear me, something odd has happened aboard our vessel.

He turns around so he can see the dead creature. The creature is no longer there.

DAWG (CONT'D)
Holy shit.

INT. SPECIMEN LAB -- CONTINUOUS

Kim and Matt are staring into the electronic tablet as a VIDEO CLIP PLAYS.

INSERT TABLET

The video is that of the inside of the cage Kim's tablet is attached to. The date shown across the top of the screen is 5/15/2110.

In the video, Kim is shown placing a mouse-sized creature into the cage. It's the same bald headed, mucus covered creature loose in the vessel but a much smaller, cuter version.

As Kim fast forwards the video, the creature is shown growing quite rapidly. In one scene, he's rocking the cage back and forth. Biting the bars. Biting himself.

Another scene shows the creature the size it is now. It manages to bend the bars enough for it to escape.

BACK TO SCENE

Kim and Matt exchange glances.

INSERT TABLET

In the video, nearby cages of other CREATURES are visible. The bald headed creature overturns these cages and breaks into them so he can eat whatever's inside.

BACK TO SCENE

KIM
He ate every last one.

Dawg's voice ECHOES from overhead speakers.

DAWG
(speaker)
Damn thing's alive, guys. Get back to bridge, now!

MATT
No way.

KIM
We have to get out of here.

She drops the tablet and she and Matt hurry to the exit door.

INT. BRIDGE -- MOMENTS LATER

Kim and Matt enter the bridge. They find Dawg still trying to communicate with Docking Station 5. Matt stares at the puddle of blood and mucus on the floor where the creature lay dead earlier.

MATT
We're gonna die aren't we?

Kim grabs hold of a large piece of equipment.

KIM
Help me move this thing to the door.

Matt helps her drag the heavy device across the floor toward the door.

DAWG
(into radio)
This is the transport vessel Andromeda returning from a mission to Craylon 5. We have a situation up here.
(no response)
Damn it!

Kim approaches him.

KIM
We brought it aboard.

DAWG
What?

KIM
Our mission to Craylon 5 was to save as many life forms as possible before the asteroid hit. We were bringing all sorts of life forms back to earth.

MATT
It was such a tiny, cute baby when we brought it aboard.

ON COMMUNICATIONS PANEL, as it comes alive with a VOICE from Docking Station A.

MALE VOICE
(heavy static)
Andr..da. Come in. ...ocking Station A.

DAWG
This is the Andromeda. Communications is bad. Can you...

MALE VOICE
(interrupting)
Come in, Andromeda. Hope ..you guys a... awake. Wel..me  home.

Dawg turns to face Kim and Matt.

DAWG
They can't hear us.

EXT. DOCKING STATION A -- SPACE

DOZENS OF SHUTTLES are moving to and from the enormous space station. Earth is in the background.

INT. DOCKING STATION A - COMMUNICATIONS ROOM -- CONTINUOUS

HEAVILY DECORATED MILITARY TYPES are standing around a nervous, sweat-covered COMMUNICATIONS GUY, JERRY, early 20s.

JERRY
(into radio)
Captain Grossman of the transport vessel Andromeda, this is Docking Station A requesting a status report on the life forms you carry aboard your ship.

INT. TRANSPORT VESSEL ANDROMEDA -- CONTINUOUS

Dawg, Matt and Kim exchange glances.

KIM
Captain Grossman?

MATT
Who the hell's Captain Grossman?

DAWG
It doesn't matter, now. He was probably eaten by our slimy friend along with God knows how many others.

KIM
Why were we spared?

INT. DOCKING STATION A -- CONTINUOUS

JERRY
Do you copy, Captain Grossman? If you can hear me, for some reason your ship terminated its auto report generation while you guys were in cryo-sleep.

A GENERAL leans in close to Jerry.

GENERAL
Is there a problem, son?

Jerry tries to remain cool.

JERRY
We have a glitch in communications.
(smiles)
Small glitch, that's all. Everything's fine.

INT. TRANSPORT VESSEL ANDROMEDA - BRIDGE -- CONTINUOUS

Dawg backs away from the communications panel in frustration. He grabs the gun off the control panel and checks to make sure it has plenty of ammo.

DAWG
We can't dock.

MATT
What do you mean we can't dock?

DAWG
Not with this thing running loose in here. If we dock and this thing gets out...

KIM
Dawg's right. We can't risk the lives of those on the docking station. We have to kill this thing before we arrive.

MATT
Kill it? Dawg just put a fucking bullet through its head and it's still alive! How do you kill something like that?

TIGHT ON DAWG.

DAWG
We get a bigger gun.

INT. STORAGE ROOM -- MOMENTS LATER

Dawg grabs two LARGE GUNS from an open locker and hands them to Matt and Kim. He pulls out a much LARGER WEAPON for himself.

MATT
Why do you get the bigger gun?

Dawg folds open the butt of the gun and checks it for ammo. He snaps it back.

DAWG
Because I'm fucking bigger than you are.
(turns to Kim)
Ready?

KIM
Let's do this.

MATT
What if we miss and blow a hole through the vessel's hull?

DAWG
Don't miss.

INT. MAIN CORRIDOR -- MOMENTS LATER

The three of them cautiously make their way down the corridor in search of the creature.

DAWG
Kim, you take the kitchen and specimen lab. Matt will search the engine room and the cryo-room and I get the rest of the ship.

MATT
I have a better idea.

He approaches a BLACK, FLAT MONITOR and enters data using the built-in keypad. Dawg and Kim exchange glances.

INSERT MONITOR

The layout of the vessel is displayed. FOUR BLINKING LIGHTS are shown. Three of them are huddled together in the main corridor. The fourth is some distance away.

MATT (CONT'D)
(facing Dawg and Kim)
Cryo-Room.

DAWG
I'm impressed. Let's go kick some mucus ass.

EXT. CRYO-ROOM ENTRANCE -- MOMENTS LATER

The three of them are standing before the closed door to the cryo-room. Matt is looking for a way in.

MATT
We have a problem.

KIM
What is it?

MATT
The door can only be opened from the inside.

DAWG
This door can't be closed from out here, right?

MATT
That's correct.

DAWG
And we're all outside.

KIM
So who closed the door? Could our slimy friend have closed it?

MATT
You need a password to close or open this door.

KIM
Let me see if I got this right. This door is normally always open, right?

MATT
Yes.

KIM
The only way to close it is from the inside when we're all getting ready to go to sleep and the only way to open it is if someone from the inside opens it.

MATT
Where're you going with this?

DAWG
How did we get out? We're all standing here outside this room. This door should be open.

MATT
Shit. Good question.

DAWG
I have another one. How'd the little bastard get in?

MATT
Ventilation system.

He glances up at the ventilation opening in the ceiling. It's a small four inch by four inch opening.

MATT (CONT'D)
There's no way we can get in. We're screwed.

DAWG
Everybody stand back.

MATT
What are you gonna do?

DAWG
I'm getting us in.

Matt and Kim stand some distance away while Dawg points his weapon at the door. He FIRES. The BULLET RICOCHETS off the door, STRIKING a CEILING LAMP.

DAWG (CONT'D)
Son of a bitch!

MATT
Impenetrable door.

DAWG
No shit.

KIM
What now?

DAWG
We stay alive long enough to warn the others when we dock.

INT. BRIDGE -- MOMENTS LATER

ON VENTILATION OPENING, as it's being sealed shut with tape.

WIDE ANGLE

Dawg is on the communications panel trying again to link up with the docking station. Matt leaps off the chair he was standing on while sealing the vent openings.

MATT
Someone tell me again how a piece of duct tape's gonna stop this thing from coming in?

KIM
He can see the air molecules as they pass through. With the tape in place, there's no air flow into this room.

MATT
He can see air molecules?

KIM
He can see anything that moves no matter the size. Of all the life forms we were bringing back, he's the one the military had the most interest in.

DAWG
For years they couldn't find anyone to support the idea of removing it from its natural habitat on Craylon 5 to study it here on earth.

KIM
The asteroid changed all of that. They were given permission to remove it from Craylon 5 only if all other life forms were removed as well.
(beat)
We had the world's largest natural habitat built on earth to support all of them.

Matt sits down, becoming visibly ill as memories of a time long forgotten re-emerge.

KIM (CONT'D)
Matt, you okay?

ON MATT, breathing heavily, sweating, as he looks up at Kim.

INT. DOCKING STATION A - DIMLY LIT ROOM

A MAN in military clothes hands Matt a metal briefcase.

MILITARY MAN
Your top priority is the safe return of that specimen. Do you understand, Mr. Larson?

Matt nods.

MILITARY MAN (CONT'D)
Once you activate the explosive, you have one hour to get as far from Craylon 5 as possible.
(beat)
No one aboard that vessel must know the truth.

MATT
What if I'm found out?

MILITARY MAN
You make sure they can't tell anyone else about it. Do I make myself clear?

MATT
Yes, sir.

PRESENT DAY

INT. TRANSPORT VESSEL ANDROMEDA - BRIDGE

Matt closes his eyes. Lowers his head.

MATT
There was never an asteroid.

Dawg turns to face Matt.

DAWG
What?

MATT
I'm responsible for Craylon 5's destruction. 

KIM
That's impossible. An asteroid destroyed Craylon 5.

Matt is shaking his head.

FLASHBACK

EXT. MOUNTAINS OF CRAYLON 5 -- DAY

It's the brightest, hottest day imaginable as TWO SUNS set high in the sky.

A SMALL 4-WHEELED ROVER cruises the barren landscape.

INT. 4-WHEELED ROVER -- CONTINUOUS

Matt is driving. A metal briefcase lays in the passenger seat. No one else is in the rover.

MATT (V.O.)
There was never an asteroid headed for Craylon 5.

Matt opens the briefcase. Resting snugly in grey foam is MIRROR-POLISHED, BASEBALL-SIZED SPHERE. Matt caresses it.

MATT (V.O.) (CONT'D)
My name's not Matt. My real name is Arthur Larson. I work for the military. Shortly after life was discovered on Craylon 5, my superiors took special interest in our slimy, bald headed friend.

EXT. 4-WHEELED ROVER -- CONTINUOUS

The rover skids to a halt in the middle of nowhere. Matt exits with briefcase in hand and kneels down on the sand. He opens the briefcase. Removes the sphere.

MATT (V.O.)
But when legislation banned the removal of any life form from its natural habitat, they fabricated the asteroid story.

KIM (V.O.)
Oh my God.

Matt sets the sphere down in the sand and stands. He pulls from his pant pocket a REMOTE CONTROL and presses a button.

ON SPHERE, glowing red hot. The sand around it MELTS like butter. The sphere sinks quickly, disappearing from view in less than a second.

Matt throws the remote control away and enters the rover to leave.

PRESENT DAY

Dawg approaches Matt. Stands within inches from him.

DAWG
Give me one good reason why I shouldn't bash your face in.

MATT
No one was supposed to get hurt. It was a simple mission, really.

FLASHBACK

CRAYLON 5

INT. 4-WHEELED ROVER -- DAY

Matt starts up the rover and prepares to leave when a second rover pulls up by his side. Inside this second rover is CAPTAIN GROSSMAN and TWO OTHER CREW MEMBERS.

CAPTAIN GROSSMAN
Odd to see you out here, Matt.

MATT
(surprised)
Captain Grossman, what are you doing way out here?

CAPTAIN GROSSMAN
That's my question to you.
(glances at the ground)
What is it you put in the ground, son?

Matt says nothing.

CAPTAIN GROSSMAN (CONT'D)
Answer me, damn it!

MATT
(nervous)
I'm sorry, sir. I have orders.

CAPTAIN GROSSMAN
Orders? Orders from who?

Matt pulls out a gun and FIRES SEVERAL SHOTS into the Captain's rover, killing everyone inside.

PRESENT DAY

INT. TRANSPORT VESSEL ANDROMEDA - BRIDGE

The GUNSHOTS STILL RINGING in Matt's head as he buries his face in his hands and WEEPS.

KIM
I don't believe this. They used us.

Dawg hurries to the control panel and begins entering data into the keypad.

MATT
What are you doing?

DAWG
Course correction.

MATT
Course correction? You said we were on course.

DAWG
They're not getting what they want, Matt. If they want it they're gonna have to come after us and get it!

KIM
This is insane, Dawg. Let's just give them what they want.

SHIP'S COMPUTER
Course correction request denied.

DAWG
What?! It won't let me do it!

ON VIEW SCREEN, the docking station is clearly visible in the distance.

KIM
We're already here. There's no turning back.

INT. DOCKING STATION A -COMMUNICATIONS ROOM -- CONTINUOUS

Jerry, the nervous communications guy, talks into his headset as the MILITARY PRESENCE in the room grows.

JERRY
This is Docking Station A to Transport Vessel Andromeda. Come in, Andromeda.
(beat)
Before you can dock we need that life form status report. Copy?

Nothing. Matt faces his SUPERVISOR and shrugs.

SUPERVISOR
Keep trying.

A GENERAL approaches Jerry's supervisor.

GENERAL
Which docking bay will they be docking on?

SUPERVISOR
Docking bay 10.

The general faces one of the COMMANDERS.

GENERAL
Assemble your men around docking bay 10. No one gets off that vessel unless that thing's contained.

The commander nods and exits the room.

SUPERVISOR
What thing? What's in that vessel, General?

GENERAL
Not your problem. Your problem is establishing a link with the vessel. I suggest you solve it before it docks.

INT. TRANSPORT VESSEL ANDROMEDA - BRIDGE -- CONTINUOUS

Jerry's voice can be HEARD from the communications panel.

JERRY'S VOICE
(on speaker)
Come in, Andromeda. If you can hear me, please send us a status report on the condition of the specimens you have and also the condition of your crew.

Dawg pushes aside the large piece of equipment blocking off the entrance to the bridge.

MATT
Where're you going?

DAWG
I don't know about you but I'm getting off this death trap as soon as we dock.

With those words he disappears into the main corridor. Matt and Kim follow.

EXT. TRANSPORT VESSEL ANDROMEDA -- CONTINUOUS

The vessel's LANDING PADS EXTEND as it nears the station's 10th docking bay.

INT. DOCKING STATION A - BAY 10 -- MOMENTS LATER

DOZENS OF ARMED SOLDIERS stand ready for Andromeda's arrival. A portion of the overhead ceiling opens as Andromeda gently floats downward from the level above. It lands.

INT. TRANSPORT VESSEL ANDROMEDA -- CONTINUOUS

Dawg, Matt and Kim are standing in front of the exit door. They take a deep breath. O.S., the bald headed creature HISSES.

KIM
(anxious)
Come on.

A GREEN LIGHT over the exit door lights up. The door slowly slides upward.

EXT. TRANSPORT VESSEL ANDROMEDA -- CONTINUOUS

ON OPENING DOOR, as soldiers standing nearby prepare to enter the vessel.

As the door opens we notice something peculiar. Dawg, Matt and Kim are not standing there. The soldiers rush inside.

INT. TRANSPORT VESSEL - MAIN CORRIDOR -- MOMENTS LATER

The soldiers quickly, yet cautiously, make their way down the corridor to the cryo-room.

Once they get to the closed door, one of them attaches A SMALL EXPLOSIVE DEVICE on the door. Everyone stands back.

The door EXPLODES. The soldiers rush in. As the dust clears, SIX CRYO-CAPSULES are visible.

THREE ARE EMPTY. The glass entry covers of the other three have been broken into. There's blood everywhere.

SOLDIER #1
Sweet Jesus.

E.C.U. of capsules. Dawg's, Matt's and Kim's PARTIALLY EATEN BODIES are in their blood-stained capsules.

SOLDIER #2
They never knew what hit them.

SOLDIER #1
Where're the other three?

EXT. TRANSPORT VESSEL -- MOMENTS LATER

Several soldiers exit the vessel carrying a SPHERICAL, GLASS CAGE between them. In the cage is the bald headed creature.

Also exiting the vessel are soldiers carrying three stretchers. On each stretcher is a BLACK BODY BAG.

With everyone off the vessel, the exit door begins to close. THREE GHOSTLY FIGURES are seen inside.

Dawg, Matt and Kim wrap their arms around one another as they disappear into the ship. The door closes shut.

FADE OUT.

THE END

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