0a5shuttledown
Copyright 2004 Titan-Rainbow Media Productions All Rights Reserved.
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FADE IN:
1 SATELLITE VIEW OF THE ARCTIC 1
From this altitude we can clearly see ranges of snowy
mountains along fields of ice.
A small blip is moving high over this zone, although not as
high as we are.
We hear the sound of the engine over revving and then burning
out followed by other SOUNDS consistent with a vehicle in
flight having mechanical difficulty.
In step with this we see the vehicle lurch and a puff of
black smoke erupts from the aft end of it.
1A INT. SHUTTLE 1A
The shuttle is a small craft. It has a tiny command pod up
front separated from the short aft cabin by an airlock.
At the starboard controls is FINN, a mid-30's black male
Briton military officer. In the cabin, behind a well lit
security barrier, is ETHAN, a mid-40's male wearing a black
turtleneck under a loose fitting, bright orange long sleeve
shirt.
A series of warning ALARMS bleet as Finn attempts to correct
the problem.
ETHAN
What happened?
FINN
We just lost the Driver!
A small EXPLOSION in back is heard, then a mechanical THUD,
followed by more warning ALARMS and other engine distress
noises.
FINN (cont'd)
Damn!
The vehicle starts an aerial dive.
ETHAN
Pull up! We're still over the
Arctic!
FINN
It's not responding.
ETHAN
Let me help!
FINN
Stay put!
Finn slaps a distress button and a generalized "MAYDAY" alert
is heard in the background. The sound of the dive gets
worse.
FINN (cont'd)
Hold on.
Finn quickly triggers a sequence that through the console
displays we see is him jettisoning the engine housing. With
that motion there is a sharp WHINE and another THUD.
Through more cuts to the displays we can see the approaching
ground. Finn fights the controls. Ethan attempts to get
into a crash position.
We also see that a series of units, GRAVITY REACTION PLATES,
along the bottom of the craft are overheating.
The entire Port Side line begins RED LINING just as the
vehicle touches down.
There is a YELP from Ethan as the prolonged SCREECH of metal
grating foretells the tumbling and jostling of the slowing
vehicle skidding across a snowy surface in a manner it
probably wasn't designed for.
Finally, as motions stops, silence returns.
1B EXT. ARCTIC - AT CRASHED SHUTTLE - DAY 1B
The shuttle is on it's side. The entire driver section of
the craft is long gone. A long path, cut through the snow
and ice by the sliding vehicle is the only imperfection in
the wide snowy field.
Steam rises from the underside of the craft, as well as the
power bus connectors and aft section where the driver used to
be.
2 INT. SPACECRAFT 2
Only small spots and pools of emergency lights illuminate the
interior of the craft. Ethan is moaning and clutching his
leg as Finn, crawling along the overturned bulkhead,
approaches him.
ETHAN
(distressed)
I think it's broken...
(attempts to move then
SCREAMS)
OK, that answers that.
Finn checks, even in the dim light we can see that it's not
at the proper angle. Finn turns and searches for the proper
cabinet, which in the overturned craft is now the ceiling.
FINN
I'll get a splint.
ETHAN
Right. Good answer.
Finn starts pulling out items, they spill out actually.
ETHAN (cont'd)
How many parka's do we have?
FINN
Why?
ETHAN
Because we need to get off this
ship.
FINN
We're not leaving.
ETHAN
What do you mean we're not leaving?
The ship superheated on re-entry.
FINN
We're staying put.
ETHAN
What if we melt through? We could
be over ocean for crying out loud!
FINN
We're not melting through.
ETHAN
But...
FINN
Look. Nothing we've got is rated
for this climate.
The only exit is through the
ceiling hatch which quite frankly
you'd have a hard time going
through even without your injuries.
ETHAN
Lef-tenant...
FINN
We're not moving. End of story.
Finn continues to forage through the various cabinets for
items they need. Finn pulls something from a pouch and
offers it to Ethan.
FINN (cont'd)
Take this, it'll dull the pain.
Finn reaches down and starts tightening the splint around
Ethan's leg, this causes a howl of anguish to rush from
Ethan.
ETHAN
All right, hold on! Let me take
the damn painkiller first!
Ethan swallows the painkiller, it's a bitter pill.
FINN
Ready?
Ethan is already a little dopey. He nods.
ETHAN
(groggily)
Fast...
Finn reaches down and resumes tightening, the pain reawakens
Ethan quickly who cringes and GRUNTS trying to hold back his
screams. When Finn is done Ethan lets out a series of short
breaths of air then slumps to one side.
ETHAN (cont'd)
You're enjoying this aren't you?
Finn crawls to a locker and opens it starting to pull things
out. Some survival gear. A couple of knapsacks, a yellow
stand, a small black bag. He also finds a Parka, a green and
black high visibility parka.
ETHAN (cont'd)
Where are you going?
FINN
I'm going to set up a perimeter
beacon and fetch some water.
ETHAN
What about the ship's supplies?
FINN
No power, no access. Welcome to
the 23rd Century.
Ethan slumps back against the bulkhead. This is not going
according to plan.
Finn moves to the hatch with a small lit device, activates it
and then magnetically affixes it to the bulkhead. Finn
triggers a sequence with no luck, again and then finally the
hatch pops. It pops but doesn't fall away.
Finn starts shouldering the hatch, harder and harder until it
gives. As it falls to the ground we see beyond there is
nothing but white.
3 EXT. ARCTIC - DAY 3
The Hatch is a top hatch, an auxiliary port mostly for
escape. Finn stands as best he can in the open hatch wearing
the emergency exposure gear which seems inadequate.
He has a hood that is far too light for this climate and a
pair of space gloves but little else to protect himself from
the biting cold.
He shields his eyes from the glare and then turns back
inside.
4 INT. SPACECRAFT 4
Finn opens the cabinet again searching for something he can
use. He pulls out a long strip of silvery plastic which he
quickly removes from it's packaging and wraps around his
head.
5 EXT. ARCTIC - DAY 5
Finn returns a moment later with the emergency pair of
snowglasses on. He turns back inside a moment pulling out
packs which he tosses clear of the hatch before carefully
climbing out the tiny hatch.
Finn removes the yellow stand and black bladder bag from one
kit and then rises, walking to a spot nearby. He sets up the
stand and the black bladder which he fills with snow before
closing.
Finn is standing and looking around the region.
It's snow and ice as far as the eye can see. A few
mountainous caps but otherwise nothing.
He looks up and around for signs of other vehicles. Nothing
as well.
5A INT. SHUTTLE - AFT 5A
Ethan painfully shuffles closer to the wall. He reaches up
trying to re-sequence the access. The struggle isn't easy.
Ethan pauses. Thinks. Sees something among the spilled
items and gropes for the item.
He takes the small unit and then holds it up to a interface
patch. He triggers the unit and the interface starts to
light up. Power starts to come online. It builds and then
just as the "desktop" display is appears it crashes.
A second attempt results in nothing. A third elicits nothing
but CLICKING. Ethan tosses the unit across the room in
frustration.
5B EXT. ARCTIC - DAY 5B
A PING indicates the black bladder bag has completed it's
work. Finn pulls a small bag out of his pocket, fills it
with more snow and then picks up the black bladder bag and
turns, moving back to the Shuttle.
6 INT. SHUTTLE 6
Finn crawls back inside the shuttle through the narrow hatch
opening. He has the bladder bag with him. He taps the snow
from his heels and pulls the hatch back up jerking it into
place.
He then removes a glove, pulls back the hood and wipes the
sweat from his head before moving aft.
He stops, half crouched beneath one locker, to open another.
He searches through the mess of gear inside for two mugs
which he removes before closing the cabinet and continuing
aft to where Ethan is.
Finn sits on something that obviously isn't a chair and then
brings up the black bladder bag which he pulls a spout from
and uses to pour hot steaming water into the two mugs.
Placing both mugs on the deck, he refills the black bag with
the snow he just collected and then seals it up.
Ethan tries to sit up but with his injured leg everything is
painful. And he's cold.
ETHAN
Is it because you don't have a tent
on board?
FINN
Is what?
ETHAN
The reason we're not getting off
this ship. Is it because you don't
have a tent on board?
FINN
The tent isn't rated for this
climate. You know that.
ETHAN
We could build a snow shelter.
They're very effective. The Inuit
have lived in them for centuries.
FINN
We? That's pretty funny, Major.
ETHAN
Look, it's just...
FINN
What are you worried about? If we
were going to melt through the ice
it would have already happened.
ETHAN
I just... I'm feeling a little
claustrophobic right now.
FINN
Then moving into a tiny snow
shelter won't be an improvement.
Ethan takes it and then nods to the large sack he in.
FINN (cont'd)
Besides. It's more than 40 below
out there, and that's not including
the wind chill.
ETHAN
Bloody hell.
(pause)
I suppose repairs are out of the
question.
FINN
(nodding)
I jettisoned the Driver. Didn't
want to risk critical mass.
ETHAN
Right. I guess that means we have
no idea what caused the
malfunction?
FINN
The driver clogged up. Maybe the
last scheduled maintenance wasn't
performed properly.
ETHAN
Yeah.
FINN
(jokingly)
Then again, maybe it was sabotaged.
The way this last week has gone,
nothing would surprise me.
Ethan stares back at Finn blankly. He tries to move, wincing
as he does. Finn spies a portable light among the debris, he
grabs it and then moves toward Ethan for a better look at the
injury.
ETHAN
How bad is it?
Finn sees Ethan's leg for the first time in proper light.
It's bad. Blood continues to seep through the bandage.
FINN
You need a tourniquet.
ETHAN
What for?
FINN
You're bleeding. I'm surprised you
haven't gone into shock already.
ETHAN
I'm too pissed off for shock, wait
until the adrenaline fades.
Finn tears a strip off something from one of the packs and
proceeds to tie a tourniquet around the injured leg, much to
Ethan's protests.
ETHAN (cont'd)
Ow! You sick bastard!
Finn turns for one pack.
FINN
I can give you more for the pain.
ETHAN
No! Thanks. That first dose was
giving me visions.
(pause)
And not the good ones, there was a
guy with a scythe in that last one,
I'm sure of it.
Ethan yelps as Finn secures the tourniquet.
FINN
You need medical attention.
ETHAN
Do you think!
Finn pulls through the gear, removing a thermal blanket from
one of the cabinets which he hands to Ethan.
He starts pushing clear a path when he finds one of the
smaller packs he was looking for. He opens the pack and
pulls out an Emergency Communicator and starts the activation
sequence.
ETHAN (cont'd)
You're wasting your time on that.
(pause)
You won't get anything.
Finn activates the unit and sure enough, all he gets is an
odd static, an electronic warbling with some digital
interference.
ETHAN (cont'd)
The same charged particles that
clogged your driver are going to
play havoc with your communication
ceiling.
FINN
This units supposed to cramp around
that.
ETHAN
Not up here. It's a whole
different set of rules up here.
You probably can't even get a fix
on our location today.
Finn tosses the unit back on the pack he removed it from. He
reaches down and pulls up his mug sipping some of the warm
liquid while thinking.
ETHAN (cont'd)
What'd you take the polar route for
anyway?
FINN
It was faster.
ETHAN
(sarcastically)
Yeah, we're plugging along at a
real good clip here aren't we?
FINN
I figured the less time you were
cooped up the better.
ETHAN pauses. He shrugs.
ETHAN
There was no hurry, you know.
(pause)
Not for me anyway.
FINN
I've done Polar a hundred times
before. I've never had the
driver's clog up like that.
ETHAN
Obviously you've never polared
during a high density period.
FINN
I can't see how that matters.
ETHAN
Are you kidding? Charged particles
are spilling over our atmosphere at
the highest rate in two decades.
FINN
And it's the same all over...
ETHAN
It's denser where the magnetic
shield is weak. Up here at the
poles.
FINN
How do you know that?
ETHAN
I know communications remember.
We're at a twenty two year peak for
sunspot activity, plays havoc with
the comm channels.
FINN
Not to mention intake manifolds.
Ethan finishes his mug and places it down pulling the blanket
tight around him as he tries to stay warm.
ETHAN
Wait until tonight, you'll love the
show.
Finn starts pulling items out of the packs trying to figure
out how to build some sort of cook fire.
7 EXT. ARCTIC - EVENING 7
The days are very short in the Arctic and it's already
getting dark.
8 INT. SHUTTLE - EVENING 8
Ethan is laying on the inverted bulkhead of the craft
sleeping. The odds and ends which have spilled out are
laying in a sorted pile to one side of a clearing where Finn
has set himself up.
In the middle of the space a small makeshift heater is
buzzing away cooking four pieces of meat on a hotplate.
Finn is no where to be seen, then the upper hatch opens and
he climbs in from the frigid north, pulling the hatch closed
behind him.
Ethan stirs at the rush of cold air that bursts inside. He
starts to awake.
Finn is holding a part he's recovered from the outside of the
craft. He returns the tool he used to pry is loose back into
a tray of tools and then moves past the makeshift grill and
sits.
Finn turns the pieces of meat over again before reaching for
the part he just brought in. He picks up another tool and
begins working on it.
Ethan stirs at the commotion regaining consciousness and
trying to move only to cringe at the reminder of his injury.
ETHAN
What time is it?
FINN
Fifteen hundred.
Ethan looks past Finn at the barely visible cockpit viewport
and the dim light beyond it.
ETHAN
Three o'clock? We're lucky we
didn't crash in the winter.
Ethan rises, looking at the food on top of the makeshift
heater.
ETHAN (cont'd)
You found a stove?
FINN
Not exactly. I cannibalized one of
the intake manifolds.
ETHAN
The manifolds! Did you find... Was
there any damage there?
Finn looks at Ethan. His brow furrows, he hadn't thought of
that.
FINN
Yes... the limiter was damaged, it
kept the safety from working.
Finn picks up the rest of the manifold and starts inspecting
it. He reaches down a picks up a tool which he starts poking
around with.
FINN (cont'd)
What made you think of that?
ETHAN
Uh. It's the logical culprit,
right? The driver seized up during
polar transit. What else could it
be?
FINN
I suppose.
Ethan tries to sit up. He shivers again.
ETHAN
Temperature's dropping.
FINN
Aye.
ETHAN
You wouldn't think it could get
much colder.
Steeling himself for the pain Ethan pulls the cover back and
looks down at his mangled leg.
FINN
Has the bleeding stopped?
ETHAN
Yeah, but I'm not feeling anything
below the knee. That's not good.
FINN
It's nothing they can't fix.
ETHAN
Like there's any point in saving
it?
FINN
That is always desirable.
Ethan continues to stare at his leg.
ETHAN
It hardly seems worth it,
considering.
Finn looks at Ethan plainly.
ETHAN (cont'd)
They'd just be putting off the
inevitable.
FINN
There is no situation or
circumstance that won't be made
worse by you losing it. Even that.
Ethan continues to stare at his leg.
ETHAN
I guess.
Finn tosses the tool back into the tool tray.
FINN
Bloody useless.
ETHAN
Clogged?
Holding the part up.
FINN
It's fried. The filters didn't
kick in and the sensors didn't
notice. Whoever did the last
inspection on this unit should have
their licence revoked.
Finn puts the part down for later before picking up the
makeshift plates they'll be using for the food. He puts two
of the pieces of the mystery meat on a plate and then
retrieves a fork.
Finn will like his meat well done so he will leave it on the
grill longer, tending it while they talk.
ETHAN
That smells good.
Finn brings the plate and fork over to Ethan.
ETHAN (cont'd)
Thanks.
Ethan starts chewing. It's very tasty.
ETHAN (cont'd)
What is it?
FINN
You don't want to know.
Ethan swallows his last bite and his brow furrows in thought.
ETHAN
Don't tell me we don't even have
rations on this thing?
FINN
I can get you one if you'd like.
Ethan chuckles.
ETHAN
Then... No way! After all this
time? What is it? Six years?
FINN
Almost.
ETHAN
And you still won't eat rations?
FINN
I eat them.
(pause)
When there is no option.
Ethan laughs.
ETHAN
Now that's funny.
FINN
I'm glad I amuse you.
Ethan looks at Finn while shaking his head.
ETHAN
You're one of a kind Finn.
FINN
High praise, I'm sure.
There is a pause as Ethan continues to look at Finn while
wondering a question that he has never before spoken out
loud.
ETHAN
Why did you ever leave Space Ops
anyway?
FINN
What do you mean?
ETHAN
Space pilot's have it easy. The
grub up there is... well I've only
heard stories but the stories are
enough to make you salivate.
Finn nods.
FINN
They're true.
ETHAN
So why transfer? Why give up that
to slog around in the mud at night
under a hail of bullets?
FINN
It turns out I rather like the mud,
particularly at night.
ETHAN
No really.
FINN
Really.
Ethan shakes his head.
ETHAN
If I had qualified for Space Ops
there's no way you'd find me here.
(pause)
Well, yeah. Particularly now.
Ethan grows quiet again. Finn sees this, he makes a
decision. Toward the end of the line he'll glance forward at
the inverted cockpit and the fading light coming through the
lone viewport.
FINN
You're right. I would never have
chosen Ground Ops. I went into
space because of the prestige...
Finn's speech drifts off and then.
FINN (cont'd)
No. It was because of the stars.
Finn is momentarily lost in thought remembering those days.
He snaps out of it, he returns to the grill, tending his
still cooking pieces of meat.
FINN (cont'd)
But we blew it.
Ethan tries to shift, his leg is aching and he's starting to
wince from it talking to keep his mind off the pain. The
fatigue is taking it's toll on him and his nerves are frayed
because of it.
ETHAN
That business on the farside of the
moon...
Finn nods as he serves himself and turns off the unit.
FINN
We violated a treaty, stuck our
noses where they didn't belong.
He starts to eat.
ETHAN
You prevented a war.
FINN
Perhaps. But we failed to obey the
chain of command.
ETHAN
At least you weren't executed for
it.
FINN
No, but they split us up. Sent
each of us to separate spots in the
outer system.
ETHAN
Now that's a sweet assignment.
FINN
Not for me.
ETHAN
You see that's what I don't get.
There hasn't been a conflict in the
outer system in over fifty years.
What could be the problem?
FINN
All you do is patrol territory your
side already controls. You're
never less than a million
kilometers from your opponent.
ETHAN
Is that why you didn't go?
A pause. The answer that immediately lept to Finn's lips
doesn't ring true. Then...
FINN
No.
Ethan waits expectantly for Finn to continue. He doesn't.
ETHAN
So why the transfer? Why come to
Ground Ops?
FINN
It was the only other option they
gave me.
Ethan pauses, shrugging off the latest wave of pain then
continues.
ETHAN
I still would have taken outfield.
FINN
I couldn't go outfield.
ETHAN
For Pete's sake Finn, quit dancing
around the reason and tell me why!
Finn looks at Ethan. To answer means going into an area Finn
normally wouldn't even consider.
FINN
I've got a son.
ETHAN
Really?
FINN
Here, on Earth. He's nine years
old now. I still don't get to
spend a lot of time with him but
it's more than I would have had if
I went outfield.
Ethan is stunned.
ETHAN
A son...
Finn nods. Ethan doesn't know what to say.
ETHAN (cont'd)
...I've known you all this time and
I just find this out now?
FINN
I've always believed in a strong
division between private and public
life.
ETHAN
No kidding.
(pause)
Wow.
Ethan grows more solemn. He shifts as the pain borders on
unbearable. The move doesn't really help. He slumps.
ETHAN (cont'd)
You're lucky that.
(pause)
I've got nothing to show for this.
FINN
What do you mean?
ETHAN
I've got no family, no wife, no
kids.
(motions to Finn)
I've even lost most of my friends.
Ethan starts to tear up. Finn doesn't know what to say.
Ethan is embarrassed crying in front of Finn and he tries to
turn away but can't.
ETHAN (cont'd)
I'm sorry Finn.
FINN
As am I, old friend.
Ethan tries to shift, he pulls on his leg and YELPS slumping
back where he was and then YELLS in frustration as a variety
of emotions flood from him.
ETHAN
E-i-i-y!
Finn picks up a medical scanner, moves to Ethan, scans and
then starts back for a pack.
FINN
I'll get the painkillers?
ETHAN
No!
FINN
Listen you're not doing yourself
any favours enduring this. The
painkillers will help, at least
until we can get you treatment.
ETHAN
And what's the point in that?! As
soon as we get there, I'm just...
Ethan's back arches as he tries to ensure the growing pain.
When he slumps he looks at Finn.
ETHAN (cont'd)
I don't want to die! I'm not ready
for this, not that way.
He tries to shift again and wrenches his leg even worse.
Finn picks up the painkillers and moves to Ethan.
FINN
Come on Eth--! Take one.
ETHAN
No!
FINN
Why?
ETHAN
Because time goes faster when I'm
on them. It's going too fast as it
is.
FINN
I saw the levels Ethan, you'll
black out if you don't take
something soon. Besides, they're
not going to do anything to you
until you're healed.
Ethan looks at him, between winces he nods. Finn gives him a
dose. It's fast acting. Finn picks the scanner up again and
pulls the cover back to check out the injury.
ETHAN
Isn't that ironic? They'll wait
for me to heal before killing me.
FINN
I've never understood the
bureaucratic mind.
ETHAN
I'd almost rather go here.
Finn shoots him a look.
ETHAN (cont'd)
It would keep me out of the history
books at least.
FINN
True.
Ethan slumps against the bulkhead, drifting off. Finn tries
to make him comfortable.
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Copyright 2004 Titan-Rainbow Media Productions All Rights Reserved.