Weung stares over at the countdown clock. It rolls down from three minutes... two minutes fifty-nine seconds...
WEUNG
Hold weapons status.
Both crewmen let out a sigh of relief. Eamax punches a few buttons and the countdown clock stops.
EAMAX
Weapons status hold.
INT. ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE - CONTROL ROOM
A Lieutenant, TERRANCE IRVINE, African-American, waves a wired telephone receiver.
IRVINE
Sir, I have the radio astronomer on the line.
Stewart reaches over and grabs the handset.
STEWART
Yes, Doctor Cromwell.
INT. MINERAL PROCESSING CHAMBER
Patricia stands near an alien console. Two Marines are behind her.
PATRICIA
I'm in the isomer processing cavern. I'd like to get started, but your friendly troops need authorization.
INTERCUT AS NEEDED
She listens for a moment, then hands the receiver over to one of the men.
MARINE TWO
Yes, sir.
(beat)
Yes, sir.
He hangs up.
MARINE TWO
Alright, Doctor. You're calling the shots.
EXT. EARTH'S UPPER ATMOSPHERE
The Ringship slowly descends through a deep blue sky. Stratospheric clouds stretch out far below.
EXT. TIMBERWOLF LAKE - DAY
Troops setup machine gun emplacements. Tanks move into hidden positions behind trees and at the base of a ravine.
INT. MINERAL PROCESSING CHAMBER
Patricia stands next to the same alien table where Charles Burwell received his brain chip implant. A military TECHNICIAN watches from a few feet away.
PATRICIA
This is going to look very strange, but it's how they interface to the equipment.
She lays down on the same table. Multicolored lights flash from several racks of nearby test equipment. The technician moves closer.
PATRICIA
Don't interfere.
Mechanical arms unfold from the sides of the table and wrap around her. Patricia's eyes flutter and she losses consciousness.
More robotic arms emerge and a spinning drill bit moves toward the top of her head.
TECHNICIAN
Oh, my God!
The drill bit pushes into the top of Patricia's skull. It pulls back out and another tube suctions away tiny amounts of blood.
Another probe inserts a tiny printed circuit into the freshly bored hole. A third arm quickly seals the cranial entry shut.
The technician steps back as the mechanical arms withdraw, but the astronomer doesn't move.
INT. ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE - CONFERENCE ROOM
Voam sits with Walters and Lewis, the two armed guards.
VOAM
Tell General Stewart that I am ready to return to the hafnium chamber and assist with the transfer.
WALTERS
The General has asked you to remain here for the moment.
Voam stands up. He takes a couple steps toward the door. Lewis points his machine gun at Voam's head.
VOAM
We had an agreement.
WALTERS
General Stewart is just arranging transportation. He doesn't want a VIP like you wandering around unescorted.
Voam reaches for his head like he has a sudden headache. He sits down. His eyes flutter. His face goes blank and he stares straight forward.
Voam's thoughts are heard in voice over.
VOAM (v.O.)
Doctor Cromwell, what have you done?
INTERCUT AS NEEDED
Back in the ore cavern, Patricia lays on the table. Her eyes pop open.
TECHNICIAN
Doctor, are you alright?
She ignores him and stares straight ahead. Her thoughts are in voice over as well.
PATRICIA (v.O.)
Use me like you did Burwell. Repair the equipment.
VOAM (V.O.)
I can't drive your consciousness and my own at the same time.
Patricia sits up and stares straight ahead.
TECHNICIAN
Are you alright?
PATRICIA
Yes, I'm fine.
Patricia rises from the table and scans the damage.
TECHNICIAN
I think I'll let you handle all the alien interfacing.
PATRICIA (v.O.)
I seem to have access to your memories and knowledge. You're right, there's too much damage. We won't be able to repair the equipment in time.
VOAM (v.O.)
It doesn't matter. The general has agreed to let us have the ore. Weung is bringing the Ringship down to the cavern.
EXT. ALASKA - FROM 30,000 FEET - DAY
INT. JET COCKPIT
The PILOT's jaw hits the floor as the Ringship fills the cockpit window before him. The COPILOT tries to snap him out of it.
COPILOT
Captain!
INT. JET MAIN CABIN
Passengers are glued to the windows. The alien ship is so large, it is easily visible from either side of the plane. A TEENAGE TRAVELER records it with his smart phone.
TEENAGE TRAVELER
I'll get a billion hits on youtube.
Back in the cockpit.
COPILOT
Captain!
PILOT
Emergency descent!
EXT. ALASKA - FROM 30,000 FEET
The jet banks hard right and dives for safety.
INT. UNDERGROUND SAUCER CONNECTING TUBE
Patricia keys in an access code and the hatch slides open. She closes it behind her.
INT. SAUCER - CONTROL ROOM
Patricia enters and confidently takes a seat in front of an array of control panels and monitor screens. She manipulates the controls.
INT. ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE - CONFERENCE ROOM
Voam sits, staring off into space as Walters and Lewis look on. Lewis waves a hand in front of Voam's face and gets no reaction.
LEWIS
Weird.
INTERCUT AS NEEDED
VOAM (v.O.)
What are you doing?
PATRICIA (V.O.)
The general will never let you have the isomer.
She punches up an outside view of the lakeshore. Tank and infantry positions are visible.
PATRICIA
Bastard.
(V.O.)
Can you see what I see?
VOAM (V.O.)
He's going to attack the Ringship!
PATRICIA
I'm not going to let Stewart kill half the human race.
INT. MINERAL PROCESSING CHAMBER
A dull RUMBLE penetrates the chamber. The technician that witnessed the chip implant and several others grab table tops and test equipment racks to steady their feet.
TECHNICIAN
What the hell?!
INT. SAUCER - ACCESS HATCH AREA
The technicians and a couple Marines reach the closed hatch on the connecting tube. Looking through the hatch window, they see the saucer jerk away and water gush into the tube.
INT. SAUCER - CONTROL ROOM
An underwater view of the lake fills a monitor in front of Patricia. Voam's voice echoes in her mind.
VOAM (V.O.)
You can't stop them. The saucer is unarmed.
She stares at a particular control.
INSERT: The labeling underneath is in unrecognizable alien scribble. As she focuses on it.
Deep inside Patricia's mind, the tiny alien circuit has connected itself to brain neurons.
INSERT: The alien lettering blurs into English: Power Control.
Patricia smiles and turns up the power to full.
EXT. TIMBERWOLF LAKE - UNDERWATER
The anti-gravity field around the saucer whips the water into a violent swirl. The craft banks and heads for th
e surface.
EXT. TIMBERWOLF LAKE - DAY
The water's surface explodes outward and the saucer leaps into the air.
DOTSON
What the hell!?
The saucer rapidly flies past at tree-top level.
Another shock from a different direction. A soldier jerks his head skyward.
SOLDIER
Look there!
The giant Ringship slowly descends from the clouds. The long end of its central shaft points straight at the center of the lake.
INT. MINERAL PROCESSING CHAMBER
The Technician pulls out his cell phone and punches in a number.
TECHNICIAN
Sir, that woman you put in charge just stole the saucer!
INT. ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE - CONTROL ROOM
On the wall monitors before him, General Stewart can see the Ringship hovering over the lake. Other displays show various tank and troop positions.
STEWART
We'll deal with her later. Get your men out of there.
EXT. TIMBERWOLF LAKE
The long end of the Ringship descends into the water.
EXT. TIMBERWOLF LAKE - UNDERWATER
The metal shaft plows through the water and into the ground at the lake bottom.
INT. MINERAL PROCESSING CHAMBER
The metal shaft punches through the chamber ceiling. Wrecked beam generators and shattered rock goes flying. A couple of remaining technicians scramble for the connecting tunnel.
Water gushes through the gapping hole in the ceiling as the shaft pushes through into the gleaming ore below. Like an unstoppable freight train, the Ringship continues downward.
INT. ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE - CONTROL ROOM
STEWART
Signal all ground troops, prepare to open fire on my command.
IRVINE
Yes, sir.
The building starts shaking. Ceiling tiles fall.
STEWART
What the hell?
The shaking suddenly jumps to a ten on the Richter scale. Furniture goes flying. Walls crumble. The ceiling is suddenly torn away.
Ext. ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE - control complex
The saucer floats over the building. It's anti-gravity field rips at the structure.
Int. SAUCER - control room
Patricia bites her lower lip and presses a softkey control.
Ext. ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE - control complex
The saucer descends into the roof of the building, which immediately disintegrates into a thousand flying pieces.
INT. ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE - CONFERENCE ROOM
Voam and the two guards are thrown to the ground. Voam rolls on top of Lewis and knocks him unconscious.
WALTERS
What the-
Voam grabs Walters before he can retrieve his weapon and knocks him out with a right to the jaw.
The floor heaves upward. An explosion of wood and metal outside the conference room blasts the door off its hinges.
Voam staggers past the doorway to see the saucer hovering in the center of the gutted building.
A hatchway opens on the side of the saucer.
INT. SAUCER - CONTROL ROOM
Patricia gingerly manipulates the controls.
Back in the blasted out building, the craft lowers toward Voam.
INT. ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE - CONTROL ROOM
General Stewart picks himself up off the floor. He lets out a YELL and staggers backward. His arm is broken.
IRVINE
Sir, are you alright?
STEWART
Order the attack!
IRVINE
All communication is down, sir.
An Airman rushes in.
AIRMAN
It's the saucer. It's blown out the building!
Surrounded by chaos, Stewart remains calm. He takes his belt off and quickly fashions a sling for his broken arm.
STEWART
Lieutenant, raise Colonel Dotson.
When Irvine throws his arms up in despair.
STEWART
Use your cell phone.
IRVINE
Yes, sir.
STEWART
Tell them to attack immediately.
INT. SAUCER - CONTROL ROOM
Patricia manipulates the power control to its lowest setting.
Within the hollowed out building, the saucer drifts closer to Voam. Several guards push debris out of the way and point their weapons.
The anti-gravity distortions over the saucer's open hatchway cease and the alien leaps inside. Bullets bounce off the craft's metal skin.
The hatchway slams shut. The saucer leaps back into the sky.
EXT. TIMBERWOLF LAKE - DAY
The top of the Ringship hovers over the lake. Colonel Dotson watches as wavy lines of energy reach down from the bottom of the ring to the surface, kicking of turbulent waves that crash onto the shore.
INT. MINERAL PROCESSING CHAMBER
A blue light fills the cavern. The walls and floor implode, crushing inward onto the central shaft. The orange ore swirls and compacts on top of the shaft as well.
EXT. TIMBERWOLF LAKE
Near Colonel Dotson, a military RADIO OPERATOR listens intently on a satellite phone.
RADIO OPERATOR
Sir, the order to attack is confirmed.
DOTSON
Signal the tank battalions and artillery, commence firing.
Heavy shells erupt from dozens of shore positions. Tanks and artillery spit fire and destruction at the alien craft.
The projectiles slam into the shimmering waves of energy. Explosions erupt from all sides, but the destruction does not reach the ship's structure.
INT. RINGSHIP - CONTROL ROOM
The concussions reverberate against the ship's hull.
AELLA
We are under attack!
WEUNG
So much for cooperation. Voam is a fool!
Back with the ground attack. An Air Force CAPTAIN stands next to Dotson.
CAPTAIN
We can't get through.
A single round punches through the anti-gravity distortions and strikes a section of the outer ring. It rips into the metal skin, but there is no explosion.
CAPTAIN
A hit!
DOTSON
It must be the kinetic high velocity projectiles.
Dotson yells to the soldier with the radio.
DOTSON
Get through to fourteenth tank company.
EXT. countryside
The saucer flies past fields and over tree tops.
INT. SAUCER - CONTROL ROOM
Voam deftly manipulates the navigation controls. He pauses long enough to glance at Patricia.
VOAM
What happened to your desire for revenge?
PATRICIA
I've spent my whole life looking for an answer to my parent's death. When I found it, I... hated you for taking them away from me. For robbing me of my childhood.
VOAM
I'm very sorry. I should have been more careful.
PATRICIA
Then, I robbed my daughter of her childhood. It wasn't your fault for taking me to the future. I had to know. I didn't care about anyone else.
VOAM
You cared enough to rescue me...
PATRICIA
Maybe, if we work together we can fix this.
VOAM
Maybe, I did find a life form more advanced than my own.
Flashes of light from the battle up ahead show on the control room monitor. The sound of shell concussions reach inside.
Ext. TIMBERWOLF MINE
The saucer dodges gunfire as it skims over the army emplacements. It dives into the man-made lake.
EXT. TIMBERWOLF LAKE - UNDERWATER
The saucer plows through a whirlpool of water and heads for the submerged central Ringship shaft.
EXT. TIMBERWOLF LAKE
&n
bsp; The saucer breaks the surface behind the protective anti-gravity shield and docks at the underside of the alien mothership.
INT. RINGSHIP - CONTROL ROOM
Weung and a crewman watch an instrument display with multiple flashing red and green lights.
WEUNG
What's the loading status?
EAMAX
Ninety percent complete.
From across the control room, Aella reports.
AELLA
Damage to ring segment one forty-seven from human shell fire.
WEUNG
Restart Omega weapon.
VOAM (o.S.)
Delay that.
Voam charges into the control room.
WEUNG
WEUNG
The humans are attacking this ship!
Patricia enters behind Voam.
WEUNG
What is she doing here?!
VOAM
We can succeed without mass murder.
WEUNG
You're a fool!
EXT. TIMBERWOLF LAKE - FOURTEENTH TANK COMPANY
Three tanks let loose an EARSPLITTING salvo. The shells slice into the Ringship.
Two officers stand next to a stack of high velocity shells.
TANK OFFICER ONE
The Colonel wants us to increase the rate of fire.
TANK OFFICER TWO
Best we can do.
TANK OFFICER ONE
Can't the other tank companies use these kinetic rounds?
TANK OFFICER TWO
We're fitted with smooth bores. The others are rifled.
INT. RINGSHIP - CONTROL ROOM
A red column on a digital indicator in front of Eamax goes green.
EAMAX
Isomer loading complete.
VOAM
Get us out of here.
Eamax and Aella manipulate several controls. The Ringship begins to vibrate. A dull ROAR penetrates the control room.
EXT. TIMBERWOLF LAKE
Dotson and his men are violently thrown from their feet. Over the lake, the Ringship rises.
INT. MINERAL PROCESSING CHAMBER
The shaft of the Ringship pulls upward. The floor of the chamber rises with it. Countless tons of ore cling to the shaft as it smashes into the chamber ceiling.
EXT. TIMBERWOLF LAKE
Dotson sees the long central axis is fat with clinging mineral. A virtual mountaintop of ore pushes the lake water out of the way, forming a twenty-foot wave.
DOTSON
Get to the trees!
Officers and enlisted men scramble to climb the nearby trees as the water crashes toward them, swallowing up equipment and men.
The Ringship continues to rise. The mountaintop of ore clears the half-empty lake. The flow reverses, rushing to fill in the void left behind. Several SCREAMING men are swept out into the middle of the lake.