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by David E. Graham (collective.ventures@hotmail.com)

Rated:

Genre: Science Fiction/Fantasy User Review:

When a Billionaire Industrialist hires a group of architects and scientists to translate an unknown artifact; not only do they find that it is alien in origin, but it may foretell the apocalypse in...EIGHT DAYS.

FADE IN:

EXT. ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE-PERU - DAY

DAY ONE

A large archaeological dig is underway, and has been for
what seems like some time, at the base of a large mountain
somewhere in Peru, several porters and archaeologists are
working the area. Trucks, tents, and various equipment dot
the landscape around this vast site. Meanwhile an old
seemingly military issue jeep wonders up from the valley
bellow containing three men, Dr. Julius Browning, the head
archaeologist, Dr. Aaron Pearson, and their driver and
translator Pablo Nunez. The jeep climbs and hops the rugged
dirt road leading to the dig.

            AARON
      (WIPING SWEAT FROM
       HIS BROW)
So...when do I learn what it is
where looking for out here Jules?

            JULIUS
      (TAKING A SIP FROM
       HIS CANTINE THEN
       HANDING IT TO
       AARON)
As soon as we find it. What is it
that worries you so much, Aaron?

AARON
(BETWEEN SIPS)
I just don't like digging up the
past...

JULIUS
Ofcourse you do that's why you
became an archaeologist.

            AARON
      (HANDING THE
       CANTINE BACK)
...you didn't let me finish. I
don't like digging up a past that
doesn't want to be found.

            JULIUS
      (PULLING OUT A
       CIGARETTE)
You sound as superstitious as the
locals 'round here. Isn't that
            (MORE)

JULIUS (cont'd)
right Pablo?

PABLO
There "is" something wrong with
these mountains Doctors, I can
feel it.

JULIUS
You see what I mean.

AARON
No nothing quite like that Jules.
It's just why all the secrecy, why
won't you tell me what you intend
to find here? This place has
never been slated for digging
before what makes it important
now?

The jeep pulls up to one of the tents at the base of the
mountain and the three men exit the vehicle. Aaron is still
looking intently at Julius awaiting an answer he knows will
never come. Dr. Browning puts on his jacket and get's out a
tool pouch from the back of the jeep and lights the
cigarette that has been dangling from his mouth for some
time now. The three men make their way into the tent inside
there are several men standing around a map, as the new men
enter they turn to greet them.

ALEX
Ahh...Dr. Browning I thought you
might come in today.

JULIUS
Alex Hatcher...Dr. Aaron Pearson,
Dr. Pearson...Alex.

ALEX
Greetings...are you a new recruit
come to help us slave away at this
pointless hell hole.

JULIUS
Do excuse Mr. Hatcher, Aaron, he's
shall we say in over his head on
this one and doesn't like it.

ALEX
I don't believe I'm the one "in
over his head" as you like to put
it, I am merely here to watch you
fail Julius. I have told you
there is nothing in these
(MORE)

ALEX (cont'd)
mountains, and all you have found
so far is just that...NOTHING.

JULIUS
I guess we shall see, won't we.

Dr. Browning turns to leave the tent and Pablo and Dr.
Pearson follow him out. The noon day sun hits hard upon the
workers digging and hauling dirt around the site, they all
continue their work without noticing the gentlemen walking
around them.

AARON
He seemed about as hopeful as I do
about this dig.

JULIUS
Where's the trust Aaron? I thought
I taught you better than that.

AARON
Trust? Trust, would be you telling
me what we're doing here, I'd say
your asking for blind fai...

The site of the vast dig took the words out of Aaron's mouth
and left him speechless for a moment. This was the first
time he had seen a site this large.

JULIUS
Are you coming?

The three men continue touring the vast area going from hole
to hole.

EXT. ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE-UPPER END - DAY

Two locals hired on by the archaeologists are working with
in a isolated area that looks as though they just started
on. One of the archaeologists is with them, a woman, Dr.
Rachel Manning. A young but experienced archaeologist,
Rachel is an expert on the Incan culture, and was personally
hired by Dr. Browning to work on this project.

RACHEL
How far down are we Eddie?

EDDIE
Looks like five feet here in the
trenches Dr. Manning. Hey Carlo!
How far up there?

Carlo, Eddie's partner does not respond when he attempts to
contact him.

RACHEL
Let's go see what that jackass did
this time.

Dr. Manning and Eddie begin walking toward Carlo's last
location, which was about twenty yards up from theirs.

EDDIE
You better not be fucking sleepin'
again if you are you got some
grande cojones.

The two wonder upon a small hole in the side of the
mountain, about 4 feet high and two feet wide. Carlos'
shovel lies next to it.

RACHEL
That little bastard.

She hops down in to the trench and ducks her head in to the
hole, she then proceeds further in. She stops and motions
for Eddie to follow, and turns on a flashlight. They see a
small tunnel that runs about thirty feet to the right and
begin to follow it to it's end. When they reach the end of
it they see Carlos standing staring at something in the wall
but they cannot see it from where they are.

RACHEL
Carlos? Why didn't you come tell
me you found this tunnel?

EDDIE
Carlos answer the Doctor!

Carlos remains quite but raises his arm and points at the
wall in front of him. The two move in closer to view what
he has found. As they come up on it they see part of a
large orb sticking out of the wall, it is gold colored and
covered in writing.

INT. MEETING TENT - DAY

Dr. Browning, Dr. Pearson, and Pablo have made their way
back to the tent after touring the main site and are now
viewing the map and drinking coffee with Alex and a
topographer named Frank Jennings has joined them.

            FRANK
      (POINTING AT THE
       MAP)
So you see if we were to blast
away this area we could get to the
lower levels and find those
tunnels you were talking about,
Jules.

JULIUS
(SHAKING HIS HEAD)
No, if we blast we risk losing any
artifacts at all. And that can't
happen this is going to take a
while but it must be done this
way. We'll reach the tunnels when
we reach th...

Dr. Rachel Manning enters the tent swiftly and interrupts
Dr. Browning.

RACHEL
I think we already found them Dr.
Browning. And something more.

EXT. ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE-UPPER END - DAY

Two jeeps rumble through the uncut paths toward Dr.
Manning's find. In the first jeep Dr. Pearson, Dr. Manning,
and Dr. Browning ride with Pablo. Frank and Alex ride in
the second one.

JULIUS
Tell me what you've found Rachel.

RACHEL
Well, whatever it is, it sure had
Carlos scared. He wouldn't speak
a word.

AARON
More superstition Jules?

Julius looks at Aaron and rolls his eyes.

RACHEL
There's just one thing Doctor, I
can guarantee you this is not of
Incan origin.

INT. TUNNEL-SITE UPPER END - DAY

RACHEL
It's just through here.

The explorers turn the corner and notice Eddie seated and
waiting for them, while Carlo is standing in front of the
wall. Dr. Browning moves toward the wall with his
flashlight. And shines it from the top down till he notices
the large gold orb only partially exposed in the wall.

            JULIUS
      (MOTIONING TOWARD
       CARLO)
Can someone get him out of here
please?

Eddie moves toward him and grasps him by each arm and moves
him toward the exit. Everyone's flashlights are on the
golden sphere buried in the wall. Dr. Pearson and Alex move
up closer to Julius.

            ALEX
      (TAKING OFF HIS
       HAT)
What the bloody hell have you
found Julius?

No one replies. Frank moves up to the sphere and runs his
hand along the relic. Julius takes a knee and begins to try
to make since of the hieroglyphics.

EXT. ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE-UPPER END - NIGHT

Night has fallen now on the large work camp and all
attention has moved to the large artifact that has been
found. We see a excavator backing away from a hole that has
recently been made to allow easier access for the
archaeologists. Inside the tunnel Dr. Browning and the
others work swiftly and carefully to remove the large,
golden sphere. After a few moments they step back and the
size of the orb is revealed.

            ALEX
      (DUSTING OFF HIS
       SHIRT)
It must be four feet in diameter.

AARON
Should we move it yet?

            JULIUS
      (LETTING A MOMENT
       OF THOUGHT PASS
       BEFORE ANSWERING)
Pablo...I want the artifact placed
in a crate and moved to the
campsite. I am personally putting
you in charge, no one and I mean
'No One' is to get near it till I
return.

After his statement Dr. Browning moved toward the now
enlarged hole behind him making his way through several
workers. Rachel, Aaron and Alex followed quickly behind
him. After clearing the crowd they make their way back to
the jeeps.

            ALEX
      (TAKING A SIP FROM
       HIS CANTINE)
Are we leaving?

            JULIUS
      (OPENING THE
       DRIVER'S SIDE
       DOOR)
"We?"

            ALEX
      (OPENING THE
       PASSENGER DOOR)
Wherever your planning to go I
intend to follow Julius. I am not
about to stand idly by and watch
as this discovery makes you and
only you famous, especially not in
my own bloody backyard.

JULIUS
(NOW IN THE JEEP)
As I recall you considered this
whole thing a waste of time.

ALEX
Your not about to hold that over
an old friend's head are you?

            AARON
      (FILING IN TO THE
       BACK OF THE JEEP
       WITH RACHEL)
So where are "we" going?

            JULIUS
      (PUTTING THE JEEP
       IN GEAR)
To see our investor.

We watch as the jeep speeds down the now dark path toward
town. All the workers continue to push and shove trying to
get a glimpse of the large golden sphere that now lies on
the ground covered by a large tarp.

EXT. AIRPORT RUNWAY-PERU - NIGHT

The jeep enters through an open gate onto an airport runway.
A medium size private jet is waiting prepped for their
departure. The jeep pulls up about ten meters from the jet,
and the passengers begin to file out. Julius Browning and
Aaron Pearson are the first two to head up the step ladder
to the private craft as Rachel and Alex bring up there rear.
Once everyone is on board two airport workers wheel the
step ladder away as the door is pulled to from the inside. A
moment passes and the jet begins to turn and head down the
runway.

We watch as it then takes off in to the air.

INT. PRIVATE JET - NIGHT

Inside the personal plane the lights are well lit in the
front where Julius, and Aaron sit conversing with Rachel. In
the Back area, however, The lights are off as we see Alex
passed out and covered by his Jacket.

            AARON
      (POURING A DRINK)
So who is our...
      (LOOKING AROUND
       THE JET)
...Generous, to say the least,
investor anyway Jules?

            JULIUS
      (SMILING WHILE
       STARING OUT HIS
       WINDOW)
I believe you'll remember him once
you see him.

            RACHEL
      (MOVING TO A SEAT
       IN FRONT OF THE
       TWO MEN)
Listen Doctor, there is something
            (MORE)

RACHEL (cont'd)
your not telling us about this
expedition and I don't like being
kept in the dark especially when
it's something of this magnitude
we just unearthed.

AARON
I agree it's quite a find, but i
wouldn't put that much enthusiam
behind it. It's not like we're
going to cash this gold chunk in
to a merchant somewhere. The most
we'll receive is a party and pat
on the back while the tote that
damn thing off to some museum to
rest along side the other
"priceless" artifacts.

            JULIUS
      (TURNING TO FACE
       THE TWO OF THEM)
Not this time.

RACHEL
Look enough with the secrecy...who
is signing the checks for this
venture?

Julius just smiles and hands Rachel a small business card.
She peers at it for a quick moment then her eyes get large.

EXT. MEXICO CITY - DAY

DAY TWO

A large black limosine pulls up in front of what very well
could be the larges manor in Mexico. The gates open
automatically and guard booths can be seen dotting the area.
As the limo pulls up to the front of the great mansion it is
easy to see there is more to this home than there appears to
be.

INT. MARCEL'S MANSION - DAY

A casually dressed man leads the group down a hallway. Alex
and Rachel are in front while Aaron and Julius lag behind.

            AARON
      (TO JULIUS)
Since when do we work for Marcel
Costa? This guy has his hand in
            (MORE)

10.

            AARON (cont'd)
every shady pocket in the Western
Hemisphere...
      (HIS WORDS CHANGE
       TO MUMBLINGS TO
       HIMSELF)
...not to mention all the public
officials he has put in to off...

JULIUS
(CUTTING HIM OFF)
He's your boss too the moment you
accepted the job. But if you must
know he's promised to fund us for
another five digs...

The group turns a corner as Aaron stops for a second.

AARON
And what a wonderful boss he is I
might add.

Doors swing open to reveal a large office decked out with
several priceless artifacts and a large library of rare
books off to the right, to the left is a large picture
window looking out upon the courtyard of his estate.

A middle-aged man of american and spanish decent, this is
Marcel Costa. He is sitting behind the desk in the middle of
the room. In front of him is a state of the art computer
which he has been working on.

            MARCEL
      (STANDING TO GREET
       THEM)
Julius, my friend, I hear you have
good news for me.

            JULIUS
      (REMOVING HIS HAT
       AND TAKING A SEAT
       IN FRONT OF THE
       DESK)
You could say that. I however
would say I have uncovered
something very...well
unprecedented.

MARCEL
(SITTING BACK DOWN)
I see...

11.

            AARON
      (STEPPING UP
       BEHIND JULIUS)
You don't sound suprised sir.

MARCEL
Dr. Aaron Pearson, I presume,
Julius has told me quite a bit
about you. You are said to be
something of a prodigy of his.

JULIUS
Let's cut the small talk shall we.

MARCEL
Yes, well, what did you find Dr.
Browning?

JULIUS
(RAISING HIS HANDS)
I'd like you to imagine for a
moment a perfectly rounded sphere
about this big...of solid gold.

MARCEL
That's quite the find you have
there Julius...Where is it now?

AARON
It's safe. Now you wanna tell me
why your not suprised by any of
this?

            MARCEL
      (REACHING FOR THE
       PHONE)
I think it's time...you all met
the rest of the crew.

JULIUS
Crew? I thought it was understood
that I was able to pick my own
crew. Besides the dig is done
what do we need more crew for?

            MARCEL
      (SPEAKING IN TO
       THE PHONE)
Send them in Sara...Thank you.

The large doors behind them open once again to reveal three
people. They quickly enter and head toward the desk where
the others wait. Leading them is Dr. John Carter, a young

12.

self-centered chaotician. Behind John is Professor Steven
Prescott, a middle aged linguist. Bringing up the rear is
Terra Gouldstein a young woman who has worked along side
Professor Prescott since she finished college.

MARCEL
Your right Julius, you have
finished with the dig. Now I need
you to start the research.

JULIUS
(STANDING UP)
That wasn't part of the deal. I'm
finished...You seem to have a
capable team already set up. What
do you need me for?

MARCEL
Simple, I need the best. Now, what
will it take to change your mind,
Doctor?

JULIUS
What?

MARCEL
How much?

            JULIUS
      (PAUSING FOR A
       MOMENT AND
       LOOKING AT HIS
       CREW)
Enough funding to last five more
digs in addition to what we
already agreed on.

MARCEL
Done.

            AARON
      (LAUGHING IN
       AMAZMENT)
That simple huh?

JULIUS
Also I want you to stop keeping
secrets and jerking me and my crew
around. Anything you know, I
wanna know.

13.

JOHN
You should come with us then, if
you want answers...

MARCEL
Dr. Browning this is Dr. Jonathan
Carter. He specializes in...

JULIUS
(INTERRUPTING)
The chaos theory yes I know I've
read some of your columns.

MARCEL
This gentlemen beside him is
Professor Steven Prescott, I
believe you two already know each
other.

JULIUS
Yes we've worked on a few digs
together in the past. You helped
translate a large portion of that
new Egyptian glyph they uncovered.
Am I right?

MARCEL
He broke the code that allowed
them to translate the entire wall.

STEVEN
I had quite a bit of help though
from my assistant, Terra.

MARCEL
Yes Terra Gouldstein, graduated
six years ago, head of her class,
under the Professor here. Ever
since, the two have been partners.

            TERRA
      (MOTIONING TOWARD
       THE DOOR)
Shall we?

Everyone begins following Terra back through the office
doors. Julius stays behind and as Marcel passes he stops
him.

JULIUS
(to Marcel)
One last thing. I'm in charge.

14.

INT. HALLWAY - DAY

The group begins down another hallway that extends downward
in to the basement area of the large establishment.

ALEX
(TO MARCEL)
So, I'm curious, how did you know
where to look for the artifact,
Senor Costa?

MARCEL
Please, call me Marcel. As you
well know Peru is very rich in
resources and that is my business,
to locate and find the means to
extract these resources. One of
my satellites, looking for said
resources, picked up the artifact.

AARON
That's why you weren't suprised.

            MARCEL
      (FOLLOWING THE
       GROUP AROUND A
       CORNER)
Precisely.

ALEX
It's my understanding that the
satellites are programmed to read
heat signatures, and are generally
used to find plutonium deposits.
How did...?

MARCEL
(Smiling)
We detected a heat signature that
registered off the scale. Sonar
imaging confirmed the shape and
size.

AARON
You mean to say this thing is
radioactive?

JOHN
(overhearing)
Not exactly Dr. Pearson...

The group pauses in front of what looks like a warehouse
door. John reaches up with a card that dangles from his

15.

neck and swipes it through a small security lock device. A
BEEP sounds and the door slides open. A light hits the dark
hallway through the now open doorway.

INT. RESEARCH LAB - DAY

The group enters through the hallway in to a large well lit
laboratory. There is several work stations with the latest
in computer technology up and running. a garage door in the
farside of the room is open and a truck is backed up to the
opening. Several men dressed in white coveralls are moving
a large crate from the back of the truck on to a platform in
the middle of the room.

JOHN
(TO JULIUS)
We took the liberty of picking up
your artifact and having it
shipped here...To save you the
trouble.

JULIUS
So you've been watching us Marcel?
What's the problem you didn't
trust me?

MARCEL
With the size of this find Dr.
Browning, trust, really wasn't an
issue. Keep in mind I didn't do
this behind your back or I simply
would have dismissed you, and
given you your money.

JOHN
We meant no disrespect Julius,
just couldn't leave it in
Peru...waiting for someone to
steal it.

            JULIUS
      (NOT LOOKING AT
       THE YOUNG DOCTOR)
It's Dr. Browning, and it was
safe.

STEVEN
Regardless, Doctor of how safe it
was the matter at hand was one of
time...we need to work quickly.

16.

ALEX
What's the hurry? History has all
the time in the world.

John and Terra are looking in to the now pryed open top of
the crate. John has a hand-held pad that he is scanning
over the large artifact.

MARCEL
What's the news?

            STEVEN
      (PAUSING FOR A
       MOMENT)
They're a match.

ALEX
Whoa, whoa, whoa?! What's a match?

JOHN
(To Steven)
Are you sure?

STEVEN
Positive. Identical, just
different patterns.

ALEX
(GETTING IMPATIENT)
What's a match?!

STEVEN
The markings.

RACHEL
Wait a minute what do they match?
I've never seen them before.

Terra and Steven pause and turn looking at Marcel for a
moment as if asking him for permission to answer. Marcel
nods.

            TERRA
      (BEAMING TO THE
       GROUP)
Come with us.

17.

EXT. NEVADA DESERT - DAY

SOMEWHERE IN NEVADA

All is quiet in the middle of the Nevada desert. There is
no movement, except the wind blowing sand around the area.
Suddenly the earth begins to shake, the ground cracks and a
large golden pole begins to erect from the open hole. It
continues to extend upward to about 30 feet then the shaking
stops as sudden as it began. At the top of the large pole a
hole opens and a bright white light begins blinking, the
base of the pole twists and clicks then three small struts
extend outward to lock it in place.

EXT. RICHMOND VIRGINIA - DAY

THE CITY OF RICHMOND, VA

A busy city street in the middle of Richmond. Several cars
are backed up at a red-light. The light turns green and the
cars begin to move, but so does the ground. Some cars
continue to drive through the intersection but suddenly a
car pops up in to the air and tips backwards on to another
vehicle as a large pole protrudes up from the ground where
the car once was. This pole is identical to the one in
Nevada.

EXT. TOKYO - NIGHT

THE CITY OF TOKYO, JAPAN

In the middle of Tokyo another large pole has erupted from
the ground and several hundred people are now staring in awe
at the object.

INT. ST. PETERSBURG,RUSSIA-OFFICE - NIGHT

THE CITY OF ST. PETERSBURG, RUSSIA

We see the Minister of Defense seated at his desk. Suddenly,
a few things on his wall begin to shake, he mearly looks up
from his desk for a moment then begins writing again. A
moment passes and a woman swiftly rushes in to his office.

WORRIED SECRETARY
(IN RUSSIAN)
Sir?!

18.

            MINISTER OF DEFENSE
      (IN
       RUSSIAN-LOOKING
       UP)
Yes?

The woman points out the window, and the Minister stands and
moves toward it. Outside we see a large golden pole
sticking up from the street and several people and cars
crowding the area.

MINISTER OF DEFENSE
(IN RUSSIAN)
Get me the president...

INT. WHITE HOUSE-WASHINGTON, DC. - DAY

The President heads down a hallway with several advisors and
the Secretary of Defense following him.

PRESIDENT GREENE
Please tell me someone has an
answer for this.

The Head Advisor for the President, Janice Caylor, moves
swiftly in front of President Greene to open the upcoming
door for him. She pauses.

            JANICE
      (HOLDING THE DOOR
       KNOB)
Answers? Answers aren't what we
provide sir...we merely make
suggestions.

She continues by opening the door to a room containing a
large conference table with several seats around it. Four
men are already seated in various places around the table
and they quickly rise when the President enters.

            PRESIDENT GREENE
      (TAKING HIS SEAT
       AT THE HEAD OF
       THE TABLE)
Please don't spare my feelings
people...I want to know what you
know, regardless of it's
consequences.

19.

The people at the table all retake their seats once the
president has been seated. Except the Secretary of Defense,
Samuel Hennisen, who preceeds toward a screen on the wall
behind him.

            SAM
      (TURNING ON THE
       SCREEN WITH A
       REMOTE)
Mr. President, here's what we
know.

A map appears on the screen with several dozen red dots
scattered across the nation.

SAM
As of 10:00 A.M. we have been
receiving sattelite signals that
validate the reports. At least
three dozen of these large poles
have been spotted and seemingly
they all emerged from the ground
at the same approximate time.

PRESIDENT GREENE
As far as we know there hasn't
been any substances released or
triggered by these objects is that
right?

ADVISOR RICK
Uh, that's correct Mr. President
however we should not rule out the
possibility of it occuring.

SAM
Now sir we've just received
further reports that Mexico,
Canada, parts of South America,
Europe, and Asia have also had
identical objects appearing. As
far as we've been able to
calculate there has been atleast
two-hundred of them around the
world not including ours.

A sense of dread washes over the President as he fears the
worst...

20.

            PRESIDENT GREENE
      (LEANING BACK IN
       TO HIS CHAIR)
So there's upwards of two-hundred
fifty of these objects.

ADVISOR #2
Perhaps double that amount sir.

PRESIDENT GREENE
My God. How? Suggestions.

            SAM
      (MOTIONING TO HIS
       ASSISTANT TO PASS
       OUT FOLDERS)
There is a tactical team working
under the supervision of the CIA
and the Center For Disease Control
they are trained to infiltrate and
asses emergency anti-terrorist
events. My suggestion is we
utilize this team as quickly as
possible and evacuate the
surrounding areas with the
National Guard atleast in a
two-hundred meter radius.

            ADVISOR #2
      (CLOSING HIS
       FOLDER)
Evacuate? Mr. President the last
thing we need is panic we can't
just evacuate a city sir...The
consequences of that could be far
greater. Rioting, mass panic,
looting.

SAM
Granted, there is a number of
problems with evacuation, but it's
safe to say with the mass scale of
this event it is not something to
be taken lightly.

Gathering his thoughts the president slowly looks up from
his folder.

PRESIDENT GREENE
Sam...What country has the ability
to do something like this?

21.

SAM
Sir, frankly we don't know...and
that's why we should worry.

JANICE
Further more no one as of yet is
claiming responsibility for these
intrusions.

ADVISOR #2
Guess that rules out terrorists,
they like to send a postcard every
time they so much as kick an
American Mule.

SAM
Mr. President, all kidding aside,
we have no idea who is behind
this. The Russians were hit, the
Chinese, the Koreans, as far as we
know, this phenomenon is literally
world-wide.

The President's face goes blank as he listen's to the
Secretary's words.

PRESIDENT GREENE
Give me an hour... I'm going to
address the nation. Then we can
send in your team.

INT. ASSEMBLY AREA-QUANTICO,VA - DAY

20 men and women of varying backgrounds and descent stand in
a partial formation in front of a small stage awaiting
instructions. Several engineers and mechanics are
inspecting four seperate army helicopters. Others are
loading hi-tech equipment on to them. General Nathan Grant
steps up on stage, he is a highly decorated man with age and
wisdom marking his face. General Grant is the military head
of the CIA/CDC joint task force.

GENERAL GRANT
As of 0900, we are in a process of
stand-by. We are no longer
conducting a training excercise
here today. We are now active. We
will brief your team leaders
shortly and they will in turn
brief you. No one leaves the
assembly area until we stand down
from this alert. Stand by, and in
the mean time, check your gear
(MORE)

22.

GENERAL GRANT (cont'd)
people, I don't want anything
going wrong today.

The group stands in formation until the General leaves the
stage. They then begin to talk amongst themselves and
scatter toward their equipment and assigned helicopters. Dr.
Michael Fine and Lt. Andrew Marcum are in team Alpha the
lead team of researchers. They are assisted by, Dr. Nora
Greene, Lt. Bradley French, and Dr. Daniel Riley. They are
gathered around their equipment waiting for their orders.

MJR. MARCUM
(TO DR. FINE)
Bet you're really sick of the
military now aren't you Doc?

            DR. FINE
      (RUFFLING THROUGH
       HIS PERSONAL BAG)
As you're so fond of saying 'where
there's a will, there's a brass.'
Never knew how true that was until
I joined this collaboration.

            DR. RILEY
      (SIPPING SOMETHING
       FROM A THERMOS)
I for one like having a little
fire power behind us Mike. Who
knows what we might stumble on to
out there.

MJR. MARCUM
French, let's get an equipment
check, you heard the General...

            LT. FRENCH
      (heading for the
       large crates and
       bags)
I'm on it... Dr. Riley if you
wouldn't mind?

DR. RILEY
(to Lt. French)
So you what do you think this
alert is all about? Some kind of
terrorist attack?

            LT. FRENCH
      (opening one of
       the crates)
I'm not one to speculate Doc, as
            (MORE)

23.

LT. FRENCH (cont'd)
far as I know it's probably just
another part of the drill.

INT. WHITE HOUSE-PRESS ROOM - DAY

Several reporters have filed in awaiting the promised
address by President Greene. The white house press
secretary is currently at the podium entertaining a few
preliminary questions.

Behind the scenes in somewhat of a conference waiting room,
the President sits with Janice and Sam.

PRESIDENT GREENE
(rubbing his eyes)
Is it time?

JANICE
Not yet sir. We're waiting for
the final word from Rick. He
wants to make sure the three
research teams are ready to go as
soon as you begin your speech.

SAM
I wasn't aware we had three ready
and prepped.

JANICE
Apparently the CIA/CDC Research
Teams were easier to round up than
we'd thought. It seems they were
running a training mission this
morning at Quantico.

President Greene stands up and faces the wall behind him. He
stares out as if the wall were not there, and the reporters
were already watching.

PRESIDENT GREENE
I don't like to tell the country
nothing. But nothing is exactly
what we know.

            JANICE
      (personal and
       soothing)
Allen...

The president holds up his hand to discourage her help.

24.

INT. RESEARCH LAB-MARCEL'S MANSION - DAY

Our Group of archaeologists and scientists have gathered in
another well lit room. We see the faces of Julius and his
crew as they stand in awe...

            AARON
      (LOOKING OVER AT
       JULIUS' FACE)
Does someone want to explain all
this please?

We now see what the group was staring at. A large platform
has been placed in the middle of the room much like the
previous room...However, upon the platform lie two large
identical spheres... Also identical to the one the crew had
just unearthed in Peru.

JOHN
(A MOMENT PASSES)
Two months ago I received a call
from Mr. Costa, he instructed me
to assemble a crew of interpreters
to begin working on two unknown
artifacts.

Julius and the others listen intently waiting for a more
meaningful answer.

            STEVEN
      (FINISHING THE
       BRIEF FOR JOHN)
When we arrived we began work on
analyzing these spheres...I can
assure you they are unlike any
language found on earth...they are
in that sense unique. However the
fact that we only had two of them
made it nearly impossible to
translate we needed the whole
source.

TERRA
And now, thanks to you and your
team Dr. Browning. We have the
third and final piece of the
puzzle.

A few other scientists are now seen on the back side of the
two spheres. They are Doctors Frank Elam and Taylor Silva.
They are working at adjacent computer consoles. Their
screens are processing code at a blindingly fast pace.

25.

            ALEX
      (Motioning to the
       two scientists)
More 'crew' Dr. Carter?

JOHN
Some of the world's best. Dr.
Frank Elam world renowned
phycisist and astronomer, and Dr.
Taylor Silva our resident skeptic.

MARCEL
What Dr. Carter means is he's a
fine Chemist, I've worked with him
dozens of times before.

The two Doctors both turn almost at the same time and nod to
the new guests, they then immediately snap back to their
screens.

            AARON
      (Sarcastically to
       Rachel and Julius)
Atleast they're friendly.

Rachel manages a slight chuckle at Aaron's observation,
while Julius pays him no mind. He just continues to stare
in amazement at the two spheres held in place by nothing.

JULIUS
(to Steven)
What is holding the spheres in
their current position?

MARCEL
(from behind them)
We were hoping you and your crew
might be able to tell us that.

            JOHN
      (looking up from
       Dr. Silva's
       screen)
They appear to be attracted to
each other. When we had only one
we had to use a harness to keep it
on the platform... However since
we found the second, they are, as
you can see self-sustaining.

AARON
You mean to tell me that they're
magnetic Gold spheres?

26.

JULIUS
No that would be impossible, gold
is not magnetic.

TERRA
You mean you didn't tell them yet
Marcel?

Marcel only shakes his head, perhaps to say that he was
waiting for them to do the honors.

TERRA
It's not gold.

AARON
Looks gold to me... It's certainly
not brass.

DR. SILVA
(partly ashamed)
We don't know what 'IT' is.

            DR. ELAM
      (from his computer
       on the other side
       of the spheres)
It's alien.

No one has a chance to respond when one of Marcel's
assistants bursts through the door.

MARCEL'S ASSISTANT
(IN SPANISH)
Mr. Costa, the Preisdent of the
United States is speaking about a
global alert. It's all over the
TV.

Marcel grabs a remote and clicks on a large flatscreen on
the far wall and punches the volume up as high as it can go.
The President is being introduced by the Press Secretary.

INT. WHITE HOUSE-PRESS ROOM - DAY

PRESS SECRETARY
Ladies and Gentlemen, the
President of the United States.

The reporters stand some clap as the President steps up to
the podium. He shakes the Press Secretary's hand, and the
Secretary then quickly scurries away.
The President motions for everyone to take their seats and

27.

then he pauses for an extended moment almost seeming like an
eternity.

            PRESIDENT GREENE
      (CLEARING HIS
       THROAT)
Ladies and Gentlemen of the United
States. I'm sure many of you have
become aware of the current
phenomenon sweeping our great
nation, and many other nations
across the globe. There is
currently no reason to panic. This
is not an act of hostility on
anyone's part as far as we can
tell. We are sending several
research teams out as I speak to
determine the purpose of said
objects. I am not telling any
town or city within the vicinity
to evacuate. I would simply like
to issue a message of caution.
Steer clear of the area until we
can find out what these things
are. Your local police are
quarantining these areas of
intrusion up to 200 meters. Please
make their jobs easier by avoiding
them as much as possible. I don't
want to see mobs, this is not an
oppurtunity to begin wreaking
havoc on your fellow Americans. We
are better than that. We will
have more information on this
occurance for you soon. Thank you
all, and God bless.

The President abruptly turns to leave. We see the reporters
hurriedly trying to ask questions as he disappears behind
the wall. The commotion does not stop.
On the television screen we see images of the objects in
great detail shown from around the globe. In the back of the
conference room we see an older man in a fine suit seated
while the others are standing in chaos. He is on a cell
phone and has a briefcase next to him. On his hand is a
distinguishing tattoo.

28.

INT. RESEARCH LAB - DAY

Marcel's television screen turns from a view of the White
House Press room to a view of a large Golden pole standing
high in the street of Richmond, VA. Then they show another,
and a another.

            JULIUS
      (walking slowly
       toward the screen)
Do you have Tivo?

MARCEL
Yes, why?

JULIUS
Pause the feed... pause it now.

Marcel pauses the screen on a view of one of the many poles.
Julius cocks his head to one side then back again staring
at the TV.

AARON
(to Julius)
What is it?

Julius is shaking his head in disbelief, then turns to the
others all staring at the screen as well.

JULIUS
(to Steven)
Dr. Prescott, you might want to
see this.

INT. CIA/CDC HELICOPTER-OVER THE NEVADA DESERT - DAY

Team Alpha is enroute to their assigned pole to begin their
research. The members of the team we saw earlier are all
seated within the large Helicopter with a second helicopter
containing their equipment following along side.

            DR. GREENE
      (peering out the
       window)
Anybody see anything yet?

The rest of the group are all peering out whatever window
they are closest to.

DR. RILEY
Nothing, not even a damn camel.

29.

            MJR. MARCUM
      (over the comm to
       the pilot)
What's our ETA?

HELICOPTER PILOT
(over the comm)
Five minutes out now Major.

LT. FRENCH
Shouldn't we see something by now
sir?

            DR. RILEY
      (gets closer to
       his window)
Wait a minute... there over there.

The group all scrambles to his side of the helicopter and
look out the window. In the distance we see several police
vehicles and many more civilian vehicles. There is a large
group encircling the Golden Pole. The light atop the pole
is blinking in a rythmic pattern.

EXT. NEVADA DESERT - DAY

The helicopters touch down and cut their engines in an open
area inside the quarantined zone. There are a few officers
standing around to greet them. Many are wearing bio-hazard
suits. Mjr. Marcum and Dr. Fine walk up to the lead
officer, Sheriff Walter Black. The others from the
helicopter quickly move to begin unloading their equipment
with the assistance of a few of the deputies.

            SHERIFF BLACK
      (Wearing a
       Bio-Hazard Mask)
It's about time you guys showed
up. I was beginning to think
they'd forgotten about us.

            DR. FINE
      (Shaking the
       gloved hand of
       the Sheriff)
What's the situation so far
Sheriff?

            SHERIFF BLACK
      (Looking around
       the area)
No change... We've got the local
gawkers under control so far, but
            (MORE)

30.

SHERIFF BLACK (cont'd)
I'll rest a lot easier when we
know what it is we're dealing with
here.

MJR. MARCUM
That's why we're here Sheriff.

The team begins assembling the mobile inflatible base that
will act as the main research facility and staging point for
the scientists. The large inflatible structure is fully
sealed and air processors and recyclers are being attached
to make the atmosphere breathable. Other inflatible
structures begin to go up nearby.

INT. MOBILE HQ-NEVADA - DAY

Alpha Team is all gathered inside the Mobile HQ watching as
the rest of their equipment is brought online and assembled.

MJR. MARCUM
(to Dr. Fine)
This is your show Doc.

            DR. FINE
      (takes a deep
       breath)
Right... Lt. French and Dr. Riley,
the two of you will remain here
and finish bringing the equipment
online. Major, Dr. Greene...
Let's suit up.

INT. RESEARCH LAB-MEXICO CITY - DAY

Dr. Julius Browning and the research team are pouring over
the new data the three spheres 'together' have produced.

STEVEN
(to Julius)
You were right Doctor. The
markings are identical, with only
mild variations. They are from
the same source.

ALEX
Is that even possible? One day no
one has even seen this language
before, and the next...

31.

JOHN
He's right. Unearthing the three
spheres could be the key.

AARON
(skeptical)
Let me get this straight. You
think we've inadvertenly
resurrected some kind of ancient
technology? Just by digging up
these golden spheres?

JULIUS
It's a logical assumption Aaron.
There are endless mysteries about
Earth that we may never uncover.
The human race as we know it has
only existed for a short time. Our
history... Even shorter.

ALEX
This is just getting too bloody
deep.

STEVEN
(to Terra)
Bring up as many pictures on the
computer as you can find. Download
everything that's flooding the
internet. I need to see as many
angles of these poles as we can
get.

            TERRA
      (moving to a
       computer)
I'm on it...

AARON
(to Julius)
So, any ideas as to what it is
exactly we've started?

RACHEL
Whatever it is, the answer is in
the text. I hope you are as good
as they say Prescott...

            JULIUS
      (still watching
       the live images
       on the TV)
Wait...

32.

The group turns their attention to Julius once again as he
begins to walk closer to the screen.

ALEX
Well don't leave us hanging like
that.

            JULIUS
      (holds up a hand
       to dismiss Alex)
The light. Atop the beacon. Count
the flashes... It's a pattern, a
mathematical pattern.

            JOHN
      (staring at the
       screen)
God he's right. 3... 5... 1...
3... 5... 1

JULIUS
(to Prescott)
I think we just found your
dictionary...

EXT. NEVADA DESERT - DAY

Marcum, Fine, and Greene are in their full bio-hazard suits.
They are approaching the Golden Pole.

DR. FINE
(to team)
Watch your distance.

DR. GREENE
(checks a scope)
Roger.

The team continues their slow approach. They are about 15
feet away now.

DR. FINE
(checking a geiger)
No radiation whatsoever. I'm not
picking up any hazardous
particles.

            MJR. MARCUM
      (cautious glance
       toward Fine)
That doesn't mean that won't
change.

33.

            DR. FINE
      (taking out a
       camera)
Benefit of the doubt Major.

Dr. Fine hands the camera to Dr. Greene and then sets the
case he's been carrying upon the ground in front of him.
Greene begins snapping photos of the pole from all sides.
The Major stares up toward the top of the large structure
and his eyes seem to go blank.

DR. FINE
(to Marcum)
Major if you wouldn't mind...

The Major says nothing, he only continues to stare at the
pole as if intranced by it.

            DR. FINE
      (standing and
       nearing the Major)
Major? Are you reading me?

Major Marcums face is blank, his eyes seem distant and
unfocused. His breathing is shallow. As Doctor Fine nears
him and can see his face the Majors nose begins to bleed
slowly. As he crosses between the Major and the Pole he
breaks his line of sight.

            DR. FINE
      (grasping the
       major by the
       shoulders)
MAJOR?!

MJR. MARCUM
(blinking)
I'm... I'm alright Doctor, I'm
just tired. It's been a long
morning.

DR. FINE
Andrew... Your nose.

MJR. MARCUM
(sniffs)
Yes, it's the dry climate. It
never agrees with me.

DR. FINE
Perhaps you should go back and lie
down Major. We can handle things
without you for a while.

34.

The major nods slowly his mind still dazed. He turns and
slowly heads back to the base.

INT. RESEARCH LAB-MEXICO CITY - NIGHT

Alex, Aaron, Rachel, and John are seated around a break
table drinking coffee while the others continue to work.
Julius, Steven and Terra are staring in to one of the
computer screens while Silva and Elam are on the platform
testing the hard metal.

ALEX
I just don't get it. With all the
technology we have today we never
discovered 200 plus poles stuck in
the earth... It's ridiculous.

RACHEL
You're an Archaeologist Hatcher...
You know as well as we that if
something doesn't want to be
found...

ALEX
Yes, well that statement generally
only applies to one small
artifact. Not a plethora of
pre-historic technology hidden
away on nearly every land mass on
the planet.

            JOHN
      (sipping his
       coffee)
It's safe to say, the Spanish
weren't the first to travel the
globe.

ALEX
It's safe to say that anyway.
Pre-historic man traveled far and
wide following game. And as we
all no the continents weren't
always seperate.

AARON
Now wait a minute. That's
assuming a lot. Are we really
suggesting these artifacts are
even that old? We can't prove
that yet.

35.

TERRA
The language proves that. This
could very well be the most
ancient language I've ever seen.
It's almost a form of caligraphy.
Yet it relies heavily on multiples
implying a knowledge of
mathematics.

Julius pays no attention to the banter of the group at the
table until he over hears the mention of mathematics.

JULIUS
(to Terra)
Wait, what did you just say?

ALEX
(turning to Julius)
Which part?

JULIUS
Mathematics...

TERRA
The only discernable pattern we've
truly found in the spheres appears
to be mathematical. Which would
suggest a linear structure to the
writings.

JULIUS
Why haven't you mentioned this
before?

JOHN
That's why they brought 'me' in.
It's all rhetorical though. It's
repetitive all factors of the
number 8. But there is no way to
find the route number for their
calculations. It doesn't help us
decipher anything.

JULIUS
(thinking a moment)
Did they ever give an official
count on how many poles have been
discovered?

RACHEL
Roughly 500 now. They're every
where.

36.

JULIUS
(moves to the TV)
I need an exact number.

Julius switches the large TV screen on. The news is
dominated by pictures of the poles from across the globe.
The number is at the right hand corner announcing the amount
discovered.

            JOHN
      (stands up from
       the computer and
       moves closer)
My God. Five-Hundred Twelve.
That's incredible.

ALEX
I don't get it.

JOHN
The reciprocat value of '8' is
point 1 2 5. The cube value of
eight is 5 2 1...

JULIUS
Five plus two plus one...

AARON
Eight...

John swivels away from the TV and moves quickly toward the
computer. Steven moves out of John's way as he plops down
and begins to run calculations.

JOHN
We have a route set of numbers
now... And a lot of work to do.

FADE OUT.

Feedback

From EJ Walton	Date 5/24/2006
This screenplay is very good! With some revisions it could be ready for the big screen. It flows well and the dialogue is fitting. The characters are 3-Dimensional and the structure is head on. I'd like to see if this writer can get to 100 or so pages at the same pacing!!!

From Greg	Date 1/23/2005
Sounds a little too much like that old Simpson's episode where Lisa uncovers a statue, but it was all in all a well written script.

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