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Rated: 13+ · Book · Sci-fi · #1369089
The main characters are introduced, also hard science, political and religious intrigue.
#558302 added January 1, 2008 at 10:21pm
Restrictions: None
EPISODE 4 - THE SHIP
FADE IN:

EXT. FRONT YARD

Mike is sitting in the lawn chair with a Guinness when a
woman's voice comes through the laptop.

                                                 SVETLANA (OS)
                             Mikhail Ivanovich?

                                                 MIKE ANGEL
                                       (Startled the call
                                       hadn't been announced)
                             Da, ya. Govorite po-angliski,
                             pozhalusta.

                                                 SVETLANA (OS)
                                       (Almost no discernable accent)
                             All right. You wish my son and
                             me to accompany you on an
                             untested space flight?

                                                 MIKE ANGEL
                             Mrs. Gerasova, I presume.

                                                 SVETLANA (OS)
                             Yes. Why have you requested we
                             come with you?

                                                 MIKE ANGEL
                             I need a qualified meteorologist,
                             and a good reporter who can tell
                             the world exactly what is
                             happening as it happens. You are
                             the best I've seen. I have your
                             program relayed to me by
                             satellite every day and wouldn't
                             miss it for the world. Besides
                             that, you're the only weather
                             person in Moscow that has a
                             decent record of accuracy.

                                                 SVETLANA (OS)
                                       (Sternly)
                             And my son?

                                                 MIKE ANGEL
                             I want him because he has talents
                             that I need for this trip. This
                             will not be a free ride for him.
                             I plan on putting him to work
                             that he is suited for.

                                                 SVETLANA (OS)
                                       (Almost incredulous)
                             He has talents? And that work is?

                                                 MIKE ANGEL
                                       (Devilish smile in his voice)
                             You will find out if you decide
                             to join me.

                                                 SVETLANA (OS)
                             Your Mr. McKinney is a very
                             persuasive man, as is Vladimir
                             Grigorovich. I still do not
                             understand why you require me and
                             my son.

                                                 MIKE ANGEL
                             McKinney is the best there is;
                             about the only one in his line of
                             work that I would trust. I'm
                             sure you understand that this
                             mission requires a qualified
                             person to observe and predict
                             weather. Satellites have
                             measured wind speeds and sand
                             storms in excess of 300 kilometers
                             per hour. I certainly don't want
                             to be outside in something like
                             that. More important, I want the
                             world to be with us and I need a
                             good news reporter aboard to keep
                             them informed. You have both
                             qualifications so I chose you. I
                             will also promise that you will
                             be your own editor. I will have
                             no control over what you broadcast.

                                                 SVETLANA (OS)
                                       (Hesitantly)
                             I will accept that for now.
                                       (beat)
                             Convincing my son may be another
                             matter. He has not much interest
                             in anything since his father died
                             and may not choose to come. The
                             only skill he has demonstrated
                             lately is with video games at the
                             GUM department store.

                                                 MIKE ANGEL
                             That is precisely why I need him.
                             This really is a package deal,
                             and as I asked President
                             Puchinskiy, I would appreciate
                             all you can do to persuade him.
                             I think he will find this to be
                             the adventure of a lifetime.
                             Your late husband was an
                             adventurer, a pilot with
                             exceptional judgment and reflexes.
                             From what I know about your son,
                             he will someday follow his
                             father's example. I would like
                             to offer that opportunity now.

                                                 SVETLANA (OS)
                                       (Sounding hesitant and discouraged)
                             You have more faith than I.

                                                 MIKE ANGEL
                             You're being a typical mother.
                             You forget when you were a
                             teenager that you were rebellious.
                             You decided to go into science
                             and journalism against your
                             father's wishes for you to become
                             a nurse at one of the State
                             hospitals.

                                                 SVETLANA (OS)
                             You did your investigation of me,
                             then?

                                                 MIKE ANGEL
                             Of course. You and Mikhail
                             Illyich are my first choices for
                             this trip. I hope you will
                             decide to come with us.

                                                 SVETLANA (OS)
                             I would like to come. I will try
                             to convince Misha also, but I
                             cannot give any guarantees.

                                                 MIKE ANGEL
                             You might tell him that he will
                             be pleasantly surprised if he
                             agrees. I have a special
                             position for him, and he will
                             also miss one month of school.

                                                 SVETLANA (OS)
                             The missing of school he will
                             like. What is the position?

                                                 MIKE ANGEL
                             In due time, Mrs. Gerasova, in
                             due time.

                                                                                          CUT TO:

EXT. RUNWAY OUTSIDE LOCKHEED B2 BUILDING

Several tow motors are pulling several shiny stainless-steel
cylinders on a wheeled flatbed from the building onto the
tarmac.

The prototype ship slowly descends over scene from the
clouds. The ship hovers above the first section, then the
second. The low pitch of the engines changes slightly and
both sections of the main cabin rise with the ship until
they are out of sight.

The engineers and workers who had gathered around the
flatbed vehicles that had brought the sections out of the
building onto the field just stand there with their mouths
open. The Air Force officers on the other side of the field
just keep their cameras rolling and take notes.

                                                                                          DISSOLVE TO:

INT. MIKE'S WORKSHOP

A few minutes later, the ship with its cargo in tow descends
through the defense shield and deposits her load in the
building behind the house. This time there are no missiles,
only a small crowd of press corps assembled in the street.
Flashes go off, even though it was just past noon. A half
dozen paparazzi were in evidence speaking into microphones
in front of various broadcast trucks, surrounded by
curiosity seekers equipped with enough paraphernalia for a
Boy Scout camp out.

There is now a special foundry in one corner of the workshop.
We see several large toroidal masses on the floor underneath
several large ceiling cranes.

The workshop has been prepared months before to handle the
task of inserting several immense cylinders of super
conducting material into the troughs of the sections. There
are also a half-dozen large coils placed at various
positions outside the cylinders. Mike has turned off the
camera on the Internet link for this operation.

                                                                                          DISSOLVE TO:

INT. MIKE'S WORKSHOP

We see the two halves of the main section being fit together.
Mike is moving around the seam tightening bolts as the
cranes lower the top section.

                                                                                          CUT TO:

EXT. MIKE'S FRONT YARD

Mike is back in the lawn chair with a Guinness. A young man
carrying an attache case, JOHN MOLINAR, walks up to the
shield, opposite Mike.

                                                 JOHN MOLINAR
                             Mr. Angel?

                                                 MIKE ANGEL
                             Yes?

                                                 JOHN MOLINAR
                             I'm John Molinar from Johnson
                             Controls. Bill Simmonds sent me
                             over to finish the installation.

                                                 MIKE ANGEL
                             "Great! I've been expecting you.
                             Step over here and look directly
                             into the lens."

Mike indicates a camera-like affair on a tripod.

The young man complies and shortly a green light on the top
of the apparatus comes on.

                                                 MIKE ANGEL
                             Let him through, house.

Mike motions the man to step in.

Molinar is a bit hesitant, but steps through when he feels
no resistance.

Mike leads him down to the workshop where the incomplete
ship is sitting.

                                                 JOHN MOLINAR
                             So this is your Mars express.

                                                 MIKE ANGEL
                             Hopefully.

Mike opens a hatch and they step into the engineering
section of the vehicle. Mike shows John where the parts are
stored.

                                                 MIKE ANGEL
                             I haven't filled the engines with
                             liquid helium yet, so the
                             positions for the sensors and
                             controls are still exposed.

Molinar nods as they go up a lift to the next deck where
Mike shows him around the galley and staterooms.

                                                 JOHN MOLINAR
                             Wow. This is more of a cruise
                             ship than a space ship!

                                                 MIKE ANGEL
                             That's what I'm hoping for.
                             Since we're all going to be
                             civilians, I figure we don't need
                             to be Spartan like the military.

He shows him the placement of several thermostats and
controls for each stateroom before they go up to the command
deck.

This proves a spacious room with video monitors on all of
the walls and ceiling. Comfortable looking stuffed chairs
are around the room. At one end is an obvious control panel
with its own set of monitors and controls. It looks more
like a living room with a home theater setup than the
mission control center for a flight to Mars.

                                                 MIKE ANGEL
                             Here's where all of the sensors
                             and controls will join.
                                       (indicates the control panel)
                             Computer interfaces should be
                             clearly marked and if you have
                             any questions, just ask her.

                                                 JOHN MOLINAR
                             Her?

                                                 VESNA (OS)
                             Me.

A feminine voice comes over the speaker on the wall making
John jump.

                                                 JOHN MOLINAR
                             What's that?

                                                 MIKE ANGEL
                             That's the ship, or rather, the
                             ship's computer system. Her
                             programming is complete and she's
                             in learning mode now. She has
                             full knowledge of all of her
                             circuitry and schematics, so just
                             ask anything if you run into a
                             problem.

                                                 JOHN MOLINAR
                                       (Wide eyed)
                             It understands my voice commands?

                                                 VESNA (OS)
                                       (Coldly)
                             Yes she does.

                                                 MIKE ANGEL
                             She also has an attitude problem
                             I think she picked up from the
                             house. Treat her nicely and you
                             should get along.

Molinar opens his case and retrieves a sheaf of printouts
showing what needs installing and the approximate locations.

Mike leaves him on his own and returns to his seat in the
front yard.

                                                                                          DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. MIKE'S FRONT YARD

(Indicating time has passed)

Molinar joins Mike in the front yard.

                                                 JOHN MOLINAR
                             That should do it.

                                                 MIKE ANGEL
                             Fantastic. You're ahead of
                             schedule, too.

Mike motions the young man to another lounge chair and hands
him a cold Guinness from the cooler.

                                                 MIKE ANGEL (CONT'D)
                             We should be just about ready to
                             fill her up and test everything,
                             then.

                                                 JOHN MOLINAR
                             She's ready whenever you're ready.
                             That machine is a marvel and that
                             computer is something else all
                             together! She even had
                             explanations why certain cables
                             were run the way you had them. I
                             wish all my jobs were this easy.

                                                 MIKE ANGEL
                                       (Smiling at the young man)
                             The truth is, you must be pretty
                             good. If she detected anything
                             wrong, she would have told you
                             immediately and made your life a
                             living hell. Moreover, she'd
                             have told you in not so nice
                             terms, either. She's a stickler
                             for detail.

The two finish their stout and head back down the slope to
the shop.

                                                                                          CUT TO:

INT. MIKE'S WORKSHOP

Mike uses several large, insulated hoses to fill the ship's
voids with liquid helium.

                                                 MIKE ANGEL
                             House, what do you think?

                                                 HOUSE COMPUTER (OS)
                             I can detect no flaws and no
                             leaks. All of my tests show that
                             this is exactly by our
                             specifications.

                                                 MIKE ANGEL
                             Can you spin up the engines?

                                                 HOUSE COMPUTER(OS)
                             Yes.

The new ship begins making a low rumble and lifts a few
inches off its supports.

                                                 MIKE ANGEL
                             How are the readings?

                                                 HOUSE COMPUTER (OS)
                             They appear within specifications.

                                                 MIKE ANGEL
                             Good. I'm not getting any
                             younger, so it's time now to give
                             your counterpart full control.

                                                 JOHN MOLINAR
                             Why does it have to be so cold?

                                                 MIKE ANGEL
                             The liquid helium keeps all of
                             the superconductors at about 2
                             Kelvin. Helium has almost zero
                             friction. This way the engines
                             can spin almost independently
                             with almost no inhibition after
                             the initial inertia and not slow.

                                                                                          CUT TO:

EXT. MIKE'S FRONT YARD

An endless stream of journalists and curiosity seekers have
replaced military surveillance, their numbers great enough
that it is difficult to drive down the street safely.

Cameras roll as the new ship slowly lifts off from the
building and ascends into the the Atlanta sky.

                                                                                          DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. MIKE'S FRONT YARD

Mike is in his lounge chair wearing an Atlanta Braves T-
shirt. He taps a few keys on the laptop.

                                                 MIKE ANGEL
                             Mr. President, I hope you have
                             good news for me today.

                                                 PRESIDENT FOREST (OS)
                             I'm ready to send you our
                             recommendations. I understand
                             that Mrs. Manson has agreed to
                             join you in your insanity.

                                                 MIKE ANGEL
                             Yes. Both she and her daughter
                             will be accompanying us. They no
                             longer think that this is too
                             crazy. I just wish you and NASA
                             could get on board and understand
                             that you don't have to go
                             bankrupt to go to Mars. So far,
                             I've done this out of my pocket.

                                                 PRESIDENT FOREST (OS)
                                       (Ignoring Mike)
                             I noted that your new craft left
                             your premises yesterday.

                                                 MIKE ANGEL
                             She's going through sea trials,
                             as it were. I want a fully
                             unmanned test before I risk the
                             lives of the best geniuses on the
                             planet. I sent her out to Pluto
                             and back just to make sure. She
                             should be back by tomorrow or the
                             next day.

                                                 PRESIDENT FOREST (OS)
                             That's not possible! All of my
                             advisors and the head of NASA
                             have assured me that it's
                             impossible to go that fast. Even
                             what I remember from high school
                             tells me that you can't get there
                             and back in three days.

                                                 MIKE ANGEL
                             If sunlight can do it, so can I.
                             Tune in to CNN, then. They're
                             carrying a direct feed from the
                             new ship. I know that your radar
                             and detection satellites tracked
                             her out of Earth orbit. In fact,
                             have NASA retune their receivers
                             to the 9Ghz band and they can
                             pick up the feed directly. I had
                             her make some preliminary surveys
                             of Mars yesterday, and then
                             proceed to Pluto at just below
                             light speed. If it works as
                             advertised, great. If not, I'm
                             out somewhere near a half-billion,
                             you're out nothing. I get to
                             spend the rest of my life behind
                             this force field so you don't rip
                             off a new weapon.

                                                 PRESIDENT FOREST (OS)
                             You still don't trust me?

                                                 MIKE ANGEL
                             Not even a little bit.

                                                 PRESIDENT FOREST (OS)
                                       (Sighs)
                             Please look over our
                             recommendations and contact my
                             office so that we may proceed.

                                                 MIKE ANGEL
                             Yes Sir. Thank you.

The connection goes dead.

Mike monitors the ship's progress on the laptop screen.

                                                 MIKE ANGEL
                             House. Make a note that we're
                             going to have to translate the
                             video to shift the ultraviolet
                             from the Doppler Effect back into
                             something the human eye can
                             understand.

                                                 HOUSE COMPUTER (OS)
                             I can see it just fine.

                                                 MIKE ANGEL
                             Smart alek! You realize if we go
                             at three percent light speed, we
                             can make it to Mars in around
                             three hours.

                                                 HOUSE COMPUTER (OS)
                             Don't you think that's a little
                             slow? She's doing a little over
                             90% light at the moment.

                                                                                          CUT TO:

INT. MIKE'S LIVING ROOM

Mike goes back into the house for a moment to where the
paper FAX machine is located and then returns to his lounge
chair in the yard. He studies the paper for a moment.

                                                 MIKE ANGEL
                             House, can you retransmit this to
                             McKinney?

                                                 HOUSE COMPUTER (OS)
                             You know I can, so why ask.

                                                 MIKE ANGEL
                             You realize that you're becoming
                             a total pain?

                                                 HOUSE COMPUTER (OS)
                             Then don't ask questions you
                             already know the answer to.

Mike gives a loud raspberry in the direction of the laptop
and then places the paper on the tray table.

                                                 BILL SIMMONDS (OS)
                             Mike!

                                                 MIKE ANGEL
                             What's up, Bill?

                                                 BILL SIMMONDS (OS)
                             Your ship, for one thing. You
                             crazy son of a...you actually did it!

                                                 MIKE ANGEL
                             I told you I would.

                                                 BILL SIMMONDS (OS)
                             Honestly, I figured we'd see a
                             pile of parts hit the Atlantic
                             the other day. According to CNN,
                             NASA says you've been tracked
                             just about to the edge of the
                             solar system.

                                                 MIKE ANGEL
                             Yeah. If all goes well, she
                             should be back sometime tomorrow
                             night.

                                                 BILL SIMMONDS (OS)
                             They've got to be dying with this
                             one! Look, the reason I called
                             is that our branch is having our
                             annual picnic at the office on
                             Saturday and wondered if our
                             number one celebrity client would
                             care to join us. Our CEO's
                             coming in from Milwaukee and
                             would really like to meet you.

                                                 MIKE ANGEL
                             OK if I bring a friend?

                                                 BILL SIMMONDS (OS)
                             Sure. It'll be on the lawn at
                             the office around one.

                                                 MIKE ANGEL
                             I'll be there, then.

The connection breaks and Mike pauses for a minute.

                                                 MIKE ANGEL
                             House, see if Sharon Manson is
                             still at the station, will you?

There is a slight pause.

                                                 SHARON MANSON (OS)
                             This is Sharon Manson.

                                                 MIKE ANGEL
                             Mrs. Manson, this is Mike Angel.
                             We haven't officially met yet and
                             I thought this would be as good a
                             time as any.

                                                 SHARON MANSON (OS)
                                       (Off-balance)
                             Uh, what did you have in mind?

                                                 MIKE ANGEL
                             They're having a little get
                             together at JCI here in Roswell
                             this Saturday and I figured it
                             might be a good time for you and
                             Carol to find out that I've had
                             all my shots and haven't bitten
                             anyone in weeks.

                                                 SHARON MANSON (OS)
                             Uh, what time?

                                                 MIKE ANGEL
                             It's supposed to start at one, so
                             I can pick you up around twelve
                             thirty. Traffic shouldn't be too
                             bad up 400 on the weekend.

                                                 SHARON MANSON (OS)
                             That sounds good. Carol, too, right?

                                                 MIKE ANGEL
                             Especially Carol! I'll pick you
                             up around twelve thirty.

                                                                                          CUT TO:

EXT. MIKE'S FRONT YARD

Mike emerges from the house wearing a pair of good Dockers,
white turtleneck and sports jacket and his backpack flier.
In a few minutes, he takes off straight up and exits the
force field at around 10,000 feet. He quickly changes
direction toward the west and drops to treetop level about
three miles from the house to another property on Johnson's
Ferry Road.

He lands in the front yard of another of his "safe houses"
where he keeps a car garaged.

Mike opens the garage with a remote and removes his flier.
He gets into the driver's seat of a nondescript older Buick
and is quickly moving down the street in the direction of
the main road heading to downtown Atlanta.

                                                                                          CUT TO:

EXT. STREET IN FRONT OF THE MANSON'S

Sharon appears at the door in a green business suit with flats.

                                                 SHARON MANSON
                             Dr. Angel?

CAROL MANSON follows behind with a loose blouse over blue
jeans and sneakers.

                                                 MIKE ANGEL
                             First rule. It's Mike. If you
                             absolutely have to, I'll answer
                             to 'Mister', but never, ever, is
                             it Doctor. Second rule, casual!
                             You're not on camera here and I
                             like everybody around me to be
                             comfortable. Life's too short
                             not to enjoy yourself.

                                                 CAROL MANSON
                                       (Petulantly)
                             I told you so, Mom. I've watched
                             him more than you have.
                                       (turning to Mike)
                             She's been on me all morning to
                             dress up. I kept telling her
                             this was a picnic.

                                                 MIKE ANGEL
                             You and I are going to get along
                             just fine!

                                                 SHARON MANSON
                                       (Sheepishly)
                             I'll remember that.

Sharon trails behind as Mike leads them to the car and opens
the passenger door for her. He looks around sees no
evidence of anyone following.

                                                                                          CUT TO:

EXT. FRONT LAWN AT JOHNSON CONTROLS

Mike pulls into a parking space and spots a caterer's tent
on the lawn.

There are about a hundred people there so far with children
playing Frisbee and other games on the lawn off to one side.

Bill Simmonds meets them as Mike walks around the car to
open Sharon's door.

                                                 BILL SIMMONDS
                                       (Extending his hand)
                             Glad you could make it.

                                                 MIKE ANGEL
                                       (To Sharon)
                             Bill Simmonds, regional sales
                             manager for JCI, this is Sharon
                             Manson and her daughter Carol.
                             They're both coming along with me
                             for the ride.

                                                 BILL SIMMONDS
                             You've certainly called for some
                             great weather for our picnic Ms.
                             Manson. You realize you've hooked
                             up with a crazy man here.

                                                 SHARON MANSON
                                       (Smiling)
                             You may be right. But if I did,
                             I'm just as insane to accept,
                             even if it is the President
                             twisting my management's arms to
                             send me.

                                                 CAROL MANSON
                             Well, I don't think he's crazy.
                             This whole thing is so exciting I
                             can't wait!

All four laugh and the ice is broken.

                                                 BILL SIMMONDS
                             Let me introduce you around.

Bill leads them to a group of people by the tables. They
approach an older gentleman in a dark business suit, WARREN
SHUTT.

                                                 BILL SIMMONDS
                             Mike, Sharon, this is Warren
                             Shutt, our President and CEO. He
                             came down from Milwaukee for our
                             party and especially to meet you.

                                                 MIKE ANGEL
                                       (Extending his hand)
                             Mr. Shutt, a pleasure indeed.
                             You really didn't have to come
                             all this way.

                                                 WARREN SHUTT
                                       (Accepting Mike's hand)
                             Nonsense! I try to keep in
                             personal touch with all of our
                             branches. I was due for a trip
                             here anyway. Besides, it's cold
                             as the dickens in Wisconsin now
                             and I really needed an excuse to
                             break out the short sleeves. I
                             also wanted to meet our most
                             famous customer.

                                                 MIKE ANGEL
                             Oh, come on. You outfit half of
                             NASA and your gear is on every
                             shuttle and 90% of our jets. I
                             just bought a couple hundred
                             grand worth of your equipment and
                             some time from your installers.
                             That hardly qualifies me as a
                             prime customer. I'm sure you
                             make more from outfitting an
                             office complex.

                                                 WARREN SHUTT
                             "But an office complex doesn't
                             get 24-hour coverage on CNN or
                             fly to other planets on standard
                             issue parts. Actually, I have a
                             favor to ask.

                                                 MIKE ANGEL
                                       (Shrugging)
                             Anything.

                                                 WARREN SHUTT
                             I've got a marketing department
                             that's wetting its pants to use
                             this in their next campaign. I'd
                             like your permission to tell the
                             world in our next round of
                             advertising that everything you
                             bought was off-the-shelf.

                                                 MIKE ANGEL
                                       (laughing)
                             No problem. Truth in advertising,
                             what a concept! The sooner the
                             world learns to stop placing
                             impossible demands on each other,
                             the better off we'll all be. I
                             insisted on standard parts so
                             that I could get spares.

                                                 MIKE ANGEL (CONT'D)
                             If your sensor didn't exactly fit
                             my design, it's easier to change
                             my design than to insist you make
                             one to my specs. Tell them that,
                             and you'll start a revolution in
                             manufacturing. Find a good
                             product and work with it, not
                             against it.

Shutt's eyes glaze wide at this.

John Molinar wanders over balancing a paper plate with a
hamburger and chips on top of a can of soda.

                                                 JOHN MOLINAR
                             You'd better get in line before
                             this stuff is all gone. It's not
                             as good as your food, but it
                             fills a void.
                                       (turning to the CEO)
                             Wait until you see this spaceship
                             of his. It's a luxury liner, not
                             a shuttle!

                                                 WARREN SHUTT
                             I'd like that very much.

                                                 MIKE ANGEL
                             Unfortunately, we're really not
                             ready for tours yet and she's
                             still somewhere out around
                             Jupiter at the moment. In fact,
                                       (removing what looks
                                       like a large cell
                                       phone from his jacket)
                             house, please patch me through to
                             the ship.

                                                 HOUSE COMPUTER (OS)
                             Chirp.

Mike's eyebrows raise and he looks to the sky.

                                                 VESNA (OS)
                             Yes, sir?

                                                 MIKE ANGEL
                             Just checking to see how
                             everything's working.

                                                 VESNA (OS)
                             So far, everything checks out
                             perfectly.

                                                 JOHN MOLINAR
                             Are all of the thermal sensors
                             and interfaces working all right?

                                                 VESNA (OS)
                             John! Yes they are. You did an
                             excellent job. I trust you are
                             alright, also.

                                                 JOHN MOLINAR
                             Yes, thank you.

The CEO just stares at his employee in disbelief.

                                                 WARREN SHUTT
                             That's a computer?

                                                 JOHN MOLINAR
                             She's much more than that,
                             believe me sir. I got to know
                             her quite well while I was
                             finishing up the wiring. It
                             doesn't take long before you
                             totally forget she's not alive.

Sharon just stares at everybody blankly. She hasn't been
prepared for a computer that could not just speak, but also
seemed to think.

Carol, however, is beaming at the conversation.

                                                 CAROL MANSON
                             Can she do math, too?

                                                 MIKE ANGEL
                                       (Smiling)
                             Not quite as well as you. I mean
                             she can get the right answers,
                             but she hasn't the intuition and
                             feel beyond the pure mechanics
                             that you have. That's one of the
                             main reasons I asked your mother
                             to bring you too.

                                                 VESNA (OS)
                             Is that Carol Manson?

                                                 CAROL MANSON
                                       (Tentatively)
                             Yes.

                                                 VESNA (OS)
                             I'm very glad to finally meet you.
                             I read one of the papers you did
                             in summer school on string theory
                             and I am really looking forward
                             to working with you.

The girl blushes, but it is obvious that the compliment
pleases her no end.

                                                 CAROL MANSON
                                       (Almost pleading)
                             When can we see her?

                                                 MIKE ANGEL
                             Probably not before we leave.
                             Believe me, after a month on
                             board, you'll be begging to come
                             home to normal gravity, polluted
                             air, and a pollen count over 2,500.

She looks disappointed, but accepts it.

The afternoon passes pleasantly even though Sharon was still
looks somewhat in shock. Her moment in the celebrity
spotlight had been short.

                                                 SHARON MANSON
                                       (Under her breath)
                             The president of a Fortune 500
                             company, a man who was either the
                             world's most brilliant scientist
                             or its craziest, and an advanced
                             computer system are lavishing
                             their complete attention on my 16-
                             year-old daughter.

Sharon tags along with the group in a daze.

                                                                                          CUT TO:

EXT. EVENING BACK IN CAR

                                                 SHARON MANSON
                             Are you always like this?

                                                 MIKE ANGEL
                             Pretty much. I like to be
                             comfortable and I like the people
                             around me to be comfortable.
                             That way everything's out on the
                             table and you don't have to worry
                             about what face this person has
                             seen or anything else like that.

                                                 MIKE ANGEL (CONT'D)
                             What you see is what you get.
                             I'm me and I'm happy with that.
                             It doesn't bother me if I'm not
                             what someone else wants me to be.

                                                 CAROL MANSON
                             I can't wait now.

                                                 MIKE ANGEL
                             Soon, young lady. Soon.

                                                                                          CUT TO:

EXT. SERIES OF SHOTS

Prototype lowering one science section at Hartsfield airport.

Prototype lowering another science section at Sheremetyevo.

Jim McKinney's men installing and calibrating the equipment
provided by organizations sponsoring each individual scientist.

McKinney overseeing provisions and stores locally purchased
in each country.

McKinney's men storing the Mars suits which are modified and
insulated high-altitude flight suits. Each is equipped with
two-way radio communication.

Each suit also has a special "back pack" containing
environmental control units and oxygen re-breathers that
would allow each close to six hours outside time. Helmet
visors are tinted deep yellow to filter out the ultraviolet
spectrum that will be intense on Mars' very tenuous
atmosphere. Two of the helmets also have side mounted
television cameras for the journalists.

                                                                                          CUT TO:

INT. MIKE'S LIVING ROOM

                                                 MIKE ANGEL
                             House, get me a conference call
                             between the Kremlin and the White
                             House if you please.

It takes a few minutes before the house replies,

                                                 HOUSE COMPUTER (OS)
                             Done, sir.

                                                 MIKE ANGEL
                             Mr. Presidents, I thank you both
                             for agreeing to talk today.

                                                 PRESIDENT PUCHINSKIY (OS)
                             I understand that you are nearing
                             the end of your preparations.

                                                 MIKE ANGEL
                             Yes, Sir. We should be completely
                             ready within the next several
                             weeks. How does a launch date of
                             March 1st sound to each of you?

                                                 PRESIDENT FOREST (OS)
                                       (Short Pause)
                             That would be a Monday, I believe.
                             Are you absolutely certain that
                             you must use civilian facilities?

                                                 MIKE ANGEL
                             Yes Sir. I want to have as much
                             of the public on hand as well as
                             the press at each site. It's not
                             every day that humans run off to
                             another planet and I think this
                             has to be a public spectacle. I
                             like Mondays because that's
                             usually a slow news day, so this
                             will give the networks something
                             to do.

                                                 PRESIDENT FOREST (OS)
                                       (Showing some stress)
                             Very well.

                                                 PRESIDENT PUCHINSKIY(OS)
                             We will notify the people of this
                             date so that they may prepare. I
                             do not think that there will be
                             any problem from here.

                                                 MIKE ANGEL
                             Thank you both very much. We are
                             coming up on an exciting time in
                             history and I sincerely appreciate
                             your participation.

                                                 PRESIDENT PUCHINSKIY (OS)
                             Pazhalusta.

                                                 PRESIDENT FOREST (OS)
                             You're welcome. I will need a
                             favor from you. The people at
                             Jet Propulsion Lab have asked if
                             you could find their old Viking
                             lander and put some new batteries in.

                                                 MIKE ANGEL
                             I don't have any problem with
                             that, just get Jim McKinney the
                             materials and he'll make certain
                             that they're stowed. Have them
                             send me the coordinates of its
                             last known position and we can do
                             that.

                                                                                          CUT TO:

INT. MIKE'S LIVING ROOM

                                                 MIKE ANGEL
                             Thank you both for your time.
                             I'm just calling each of your
                             stations to make certain that the
                             communication equipment I sent
                             has been installed and is working
                             properly.

                                                 NEWS DIRECTOR (OS)
                             Our chief engineer had no problem
                             and he assures me that the
                             quality is excellent.

                                                 RUSSIAN NEWS DIRECTOR (OS)
                             Our is also installed and
                             operating properly. We have
                             tested the intercom and your ship
                             assures us that it is working
                             properly.

                                                 MIKE ANGEL
                             That brings up one question of
                             mine, sir. You realize that the
                             official language aboard ship
                             will be English, even though I
                             have insisted that all personnel
                             be bi-lingual?

                                                 RUSSIAN NEWS DIRECTOR (OS)
                             Yes, I do. I do not believe that
                             this will be a problem. Svetlana
                             Illianovna has told me that she
                             would be sending her reports in
                             Russian and would translate
                             anything that is important.
                             Besides, many of our people also
                             speak English.

                                                 MIKE ANGEL
                             I'll tell you what. I can go
                             that one better. If you wish, I
                             can have the ship simultaneously
                             translate everything in the
                             voices of the speakers
                             automatically for your television
                             feed. That way Mrs. Gerasova
                             wouldn't have to worry about
                             keeping up.

                                                 RUSSIAN NEWS DIRECTOR (OS)
                             Your ship can do that?

                                                 MIKE ANGEL
                             Definitely! She speaks better
                             Russian than St. Cyril and being
                             so large and fast, she can handle
                             at least 12 conversations at the
                             same time.

                                                 RUSSIAN NEWS DIRECTOR (OS)
                             That may be interesting; we will
                             see if it is needed.

                                                                                          CUT TO:

INT. MIKE'S WORKSHOP

Mike and the house double check all of the ship's diagnostic
systems just for safety's sake. Mike makes certain to top
off the helium and LOX storage tanks at maximum, and checks
that the CO2 scrubbers are in place and functioning.

He makes certain that the power storage coils are fully
charged and that the fuel cells that double as their fresh
water recycling system are functioning properly.

                                                                                          CUT TO:

EXT. SUNRISE IN ATLANTA

Zoom to a dark speck descending on Hartsfield International
Airport.

                                                                                          CUT TO:

INT. VESNA'S COMMAND DECK

We see on a video monitor a crowd estimated at about 10,000
people on the pad in front of the hangar and surrounding the
American laboratory section. We also make out several dozen
network television cameras scattered around the runway and
the crowd.

EXT. HARTSFIELD INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

From the ground, everyone can see the craft descending
slowly and silently over the shiny stainless steel cylinder
on the concrete runway in front of them. There is a slight
vibration, but no noise. The crowd draws back slightly out
of reflex on seeing something that large coming straight down.

A police line keeps them back about a hundred feet, but
still human nature makes them flinch. The ship resembles a
very large coffee can with a slightly domed top. It is 30
meters in diameter and close to 15 meters tall. Evenly
spaced around the circumference are four large cylinders
that run vertically for the height of the vehicle. These
are the gravity focusing generators. The main engine is
unseen by anyone outside, being contained in the lower third
of the ship.

There is a slight "click" as the ship gently sets down in
perfect alignment with the laboratory section.

                                                                                          CUT TO:

INT. VESNA'S COMMAND DECK

Mike checks the clamping readouts and then descends into the
lower section using a magnetically driven elevator. When
the two sections are attached, the elevator shafts on each
automatically open creating one long shaft. This would
repeat when they acquire the final section in Moscow.

Mike swings a lever on the bulkhead and a large door in the
laboratory section opens outward, hinged like an aircraft
door, and he steps out.

All the cameras instantly zoom in to try to get a shot of
the interior, but all they see is a picture of a short
hallway because of the angle of the lenses.

Mike is wearing a pair of blue coveralls with an American
flag on the right shoulder and a Russian flag on the left.
There is a patch over the left breast with a depiction of
the Solar System and a lightening bolt through it. Around
the patch in Latin lettering it said simply "Per Aspera, Ad
Astra" the old Roman saying "Through determination, to the
stars".

Mike is also wearing what appears to be a belt purse, a
small black case attached around his waist.

Mike looks and sees a wooden podium set up about 10 meters
away with several dozen microphones arrayed on it. He makes
his way over to it and sees the Vice President with a
contingent of Secret Service bodyguards approaching from the
edge of the crowd.

                                                 MIKE ANGEL
                                       (Under his breath)
                             Figures, I get the B-team to see
                             me off.

He steps to the platform and waits for the Vice President to
reach him from his position near the edge of the crowd.
Suddenly there is a "zing" as a bullet ricochets off the
force field protecting him that emanated from the device on
his belt. The bullet's impact only makes him miss a step.
Three of the Secret Service immediately jump on the Vice
President and shield him on the ground.

                                                 MIKE ANGEL
                             I really wish you wouldn't do
                             that, Sir.

                                                 VICE PRESIDENT LINK
                                       (Protesting)
                             Honest to God, that wasn't one of
                             ours.

The Vice President gets up and brushes off, now closely
surrounded by agents.

                                                 MIKE ANGEL
                             Not a federal employee, then?

The VP shakes his head as he extricates himself from the
Secret Service and continues to dust himself off.

                                                 MIKE ANGEL
                                       (Pulling a communicator
                                       from his pocket)
                             OK.
                                       (beat)
                             Ship?

                                                 PROTOTYPE (OS)
                             Yes?

                                                 MIKE ANGEL
                             Did you see where that came from?

                                                 PROTOTYPE (OS)
                             Yes.

                                                 MIKE ANGEL
                             Please take care of it for me,
                             will you?

                                                 PROTOTYPE (OS)
                              Done.

We see a black speck rise quickly from the roof of concourse
D and disappear into the clouds.

The Vice President unsteadily ascends the steps, still
surrounded by his bodyguards now in a tight circle. The VP
is definitely pale from the experience and Mike hopes that
his heart doesn't give out on camera. He covers the
microphone with his hand

                                                 VICE PRESIDENT LINK
                             What did you do?

                                                 MIKE ANGEL
                             You really don't want to know.
                             Plausible deniability.

                                                 VICE PRESIDENT LINK
                             Probably not.
                                       (turning to the microphones)
                             My fellow citizens, let me
                             welcome you to the dawn of a new
                             era in America's exploration of
                             space.

Mike rolls his eyes, but bites his tongue.

                                                 VICE PRESIDENT LINK (CONT'D)
                             We are here this morning to
                             witness mankind's furthest step
                             toward understanding the universe
                             we live in. With American
                             technology,
                                       (Mike's eyes almost
                                       invert themselves in
                                       his skull)
                             we are about to embark on the
                             greatest adventure in the history
                             of mankind.

                                                 VICE PRESIDENT LINK (CONT'D)
                             By late this afternoon east coast
                             time, human beings will be
                             setting foot on another planet.
                             This is the culmination of a
                             dream we have all held since we
                             stopped walking on our knuckles
                             and stood upright, wondering what
                             those lights were in the dark.
                             This is an answer to the
                             challenge that President John
                             Kennedy made to our great country
                             50 years ago and President Bush
                             did earlier in this century.
                             Today, mankind will step onto our
                             neighbor Mars and claim it for
                             future generations of human beings.

There s a mild round of applause as the Vice President
pauses. Mike, being on a tight schedule, grabs the
opportunity to step forward and cut the VP short before he
begins to gag.

                                                 MIKE ANGEL
                             Thank you Mr. Vice President. I
                             would like to introduce to all of
                             you, the brave scientists who
                             have graciously consented to come
                             with me on this adventure.

He points at a small group of people assembled apart from
the rest of the crowd while the cameras follow his motion.
The Vice-President scowls, but the cameras were already
panning and miss it.

                                                 MIKE ANGEL
                             First I'd like to introduce Mrs.
                             Sharon Manson and her daughter
                             Carol. Those of you in English
                             speaking countries will become
                             intimately familiar with her face
                             and voice during the next month.

The reporter and the young, dark haired girl advance toward
the ship.

                                                 MIKE ANGEL (CONT'D)
                             She will be your representative;
                             your eyes and ears aboard ship
                             and will keep you informed every
                             step of the way - even the boring
                             parts.

                                                 MIKE ANGEL (CONT'D)
                                       (A low chuckle sweeps
                                       the crowd)
                             She will serve not only as one of
                             our meteorologists but also as
                             the English-speaking journalist
                             that will report to you everything
                             that we do - especially when I
                             screw up.

There is another low ripple of laughter from the crowd.

                                                 MIKE ANGEL (CONT'D)
                             Doctor Joseph Belisar, whose
                             discoveries in the Jungles of
                             Peru gave us so much new insight
                             on the life and times of pre-
                             Columbian civilization on the
                             American continents.

A rugged looking, dark-skinned man with wire-rimmed glasses
detaches himself from the group and strolls toward the
podium. While not exactly Indiana Jones, Doctor Belisar
looks more as if he were a trainer at a yuppie physical
fitness center than a scientist from the jungles of Central
and South America. His dark tan shows his original ancestry
as being from south of the United States' border.

                                                 MIKE ANGEL (CONT'D)
                             Doctor Peter Stromberg. Doctor
                             Stromberg's research in ground
                             water discovery and reclamation
                             is one of the major reasons
                             people in Southern California
                             have drinking water today.

A stereotypical professor nervously joins the group by the
ship. Doctor Stromberg has obviously spent much time in the
laboratory and his pale skin contrasts with Belisar's deep tan.

                                                 MIKE ANGEL (CONT'D)
                             Doctor James Kitch, our
                             microbiologist. This is the man
                             who discovered the vaccines to
                             prevent anthrax and the Ebola
                             hemorrhagic virus.

Another pale researcher comes across the tarmac. Doctor
Kitch dislikes being in the spotlight, much preferring to be
left in peace with his slides and microscope. He had almost
skipped the ceremonies last year in Stockholm when he
received the Nobel Prize for medicine for just that reason.

                                                 MIKE ANGEL (CONT'D)
                             And this is Doctor Peter Jameson,
                             whose discovery of the iridium
                             layer in the soil indicated that
                             the primary cause of the die-off
                             of the dinosaurs was from a hit
                             by an asteroid in the Gulf of
                             Mexico several million years ago.

Here was another athletic looking man who had obviously
spent much time in the field.

A reporter in the front row shouts out a question and Mike
waves it off.

                                                 MIKE ANGEL (CONT'D)
                             There will be a press conference
                             in about three hours when we
                             reach orbit before heading off to
                             Mars. I hope each of you
                             submitted your questions to Mrs.
                             Manson in advance because she
                             will be your single point of
                             contact throughout this mission.

Mike turns slightly and gestures at the group at his side.

                                                 MIKE ANGEL (CONT'D)
                             Not really the poster children
                             for the astronaut training corps,
                             are they?"

This time the crowd's responding laugh was louder.

He returns to the microphone.

                                                 MIKE ANGEL (CONT'D)
                             President Forest and his people
                             have graciously selected the best
                             scientific minds in the areas I
                             wish to study on this first step
                             into the exploration of our own
                             solar system. These are the
                             people best qualified to advance
                             human knowledge in one quantum
                             leap during the next four weeks.
                             By this time tomorrow, each of
                             them will have set foot on an
                             alien planet and will be busy in
                             each of their specialties to
                             discover what they can in the
                             limited time we have. I would
                             like you to give them all a big hand.

This time the applause from the crowd is deafening.

Mike turns to the Vice President and extends his hand
through the personal shield.

                                                 MIKE ANGEL (CONT'D)
                             Please thank President Forest for
                             his cooperation. You won't be
                             disappointed with the results.

The Vice President nods as he takes Mike's hand. Mike can
see the Vice President is still annoyed that Mike upstaged
his carefully prepared speech and cut it short.

Mike waves to the crowd and cameras and steps from the
podium. The group of scientists follow him through the open
door of the spaceship and Mike pulls the door closed behind
them and latches it.

                                                                                          CUT TO:

INT. AMERICAN SCIENCE SECTION

Once inside, they pass through a second door that Mike also
closes behind them. This would provide an air lock
capability once in space. They enter a relatively spacious
room with doors all around the circumference and plaques
indicating the various laboratory functions.

                                                 MIKE ANGEL
                                       (Waving around the room)
                             All of the equipment you supplied
                             has been installed in your labs.
                             I hope that between you and your
                             Russian counterparts, we will
                             have everything that we need for
                             a good trip. I really won't be
                             able to send out for spare parts
                             once we leave. In a pinch, I can
                             get the prototype ship to ferry
                             some stuff out to us, but I'd
                             rather not if we don't have to.

Sharon smiles at that. Even though she knows that she is
good in her field, Mike can see she looked intimidated by
the company of Nobel Prize winners and geniuses that were there.

Carol's eyes are just wide, trying to take it all in as she
looks around.

Mike motions to a collection of luggage in one corner.

                                                 MIKE ANGEL (CONT'D)
                             I'm sorry, all of your carry-on
                             is here, and you'll have to grab
                             it and bring it up to the living
                             quarters yourselves. We'll stop
                             there on our way up.

Mike leads them to a large elevator on one side of the room.

                                                                                          CUT TO:

INT. LIVING SECTION

The living quarters are located in the main section of the
ship, just below the command deck. When they reach it, each
can see it is similar to the laboratory section. There is a
central open space with couches and stuffed chairs scattered
around. There are doors all around with each of their names
on them. There is also a door labeled galley that reveals a
well-stocked larder and a walk-in freezer.

                                                 MIKE ANGEL
                             I'm afraid that you will pretty
                             much have to fend for yourselves.
                             I'll probably end up doing most
                             of the cooking, since I consider
                             myself a darn good cook. However,
                             don't hesitate to fix whatever
                             you want, whenever you want.
                             We're going to run this like a
                             submarine and it will be open
                             galley 24 hours, seven days a
                             week. Now please make yourselves
                             at home. Your staterooms are
                             marked with your names. You
                             might want to unpack and get
                             acquainted with the ship. Then
                             please join me on the top deck.
                             In the dressers you'll find
                             jumpsuits similar to the one I'm
                             wearing, so you can change if you
                             like.

                                                 CAROL MANSON
                             When will we be taking off?

                                                 MIKE ANGEL
                                       (Smiling)
                             We're already 150 miles up and
                             about half-way to Moscow. You
                             are actually in space at the moment.

                                                 KITCH
                                       (Protesting)
                             But I felt nothing.

                                                 MIKE ANGEL
                             That's the beauty of a gravity
                             drive. If you are inside the
                             field, the forces apply equally
                             to every molecule in your body
                             and the ship; inertia doesn't
                             count. You shouldn't feel a
                             thing the whole trip.

                                                 JAMESON
                             But Newton's laws?

                                                 MIKE ANGEL
                             Don't apply. You are now inside
                             a field of synthetic gravity that
                             is also controlling our movement.
                             You are part of the ship and the
                             forces act on everything equally.
                             When the ship moves, you move
                             with it. The same force causing
                             that acts on your bodies as part
                             of the same mass. Therefore, you
                             don't feel anything that you
                             would in any other type of
                             vehicle. It's not just the
                             vehicle that is acted on, but we
                             are too. Right now, I'm keeping
                             a 1G force inside the ship until
                             you get used to it. We'll
                             gradually decrease that to about
                             half Earth's gravity while we're
                             on Mars just to conserve power.
                             Outside, the gravity of the
                             planet will be only 1/3 that of
                             Earth."
                                       (Turning to Carol)
                             that means you'll weigh about 37
                             pounds once we get there.

The girl grins as Mike continues.

                                                 MIKE ANGEL (CONT'D)
                             I plan on keeping the gravity at
                             half Earth normal inside the ship
                             so that none of you have any
                             problems adjusting when we return.
                             But you will have to get used to
                             it while you're outside.

Mike turns back toward the elevator.

                                                 MIKE ANGEL (CONT'D)
                             Now if you'll excuse me, I'm
                             going up to the command deck.
                             Just push the one on the elevator
                             when you're ready to join me. We
                             should be landing in Moscow in
                             about 30 minutes.

                                                 VESNA
                             Michael.

The voice of the ship comes from speakers around the
perimeter of the room, causing everyone except Mike to jump.

                                                 MIKE ANGEL
                             Yes, what is it?

                                                 VESNA
                             I have detected an anomaly.

                                                 MIKE ANGEL
                             And that is?

                                                 VESNA
                             I feel that we are almost 170
                             pounds over the original stated
                             weights.

                                                 MIKE ANGEL
                             Do you know where it's located?

After a slight pause.

                                                 VESNA
                             I am sensing additional life-
                             signs in Doctor Belisar's laboratory.

Mike frowns and turns to the doctor.

                                                 MIKE ANGEL
                             Will you please come with me?

Belisar looks startled and surprised. They both re-enter
the elevator and return to the lab deck.

                                                                                          CUT TO:

INT. AMERICAN SCIENCE SECTION

Mike picks up a pry bar from a clip on the bulkhead and they
open the door leading to the archeology section.

In addition to the magnifiers, examination tables, and other
equipment that is already set up and ready for use, are
several wooden crates in a corner that contain various tools
to be used in excavation. Mike spies one large crate that
is about six feet long.

                                                 MIKE ANGEL
                             If you'll do the honors, Doctor?

Belisar takes the pry bar from Mike, inserts it under the
lid, and pulls it loose from its nails revealing a layer of
Styrofoam "peanuts" as packing material. Mike brushes these
aside to reveal a young boy, about 18, laying rather
uncomfortably on a bed of screens and digging tools.

                                                 BELISAR
                                       (Shouting)
                             John! What the??

The boy sits up, brushing the plastic from his body. Mike
stands to one side, relieved that this wasn't another NSA agent.

                                                 JOHN BELISAR
                                       (Defensively)
                             You have never taken me along on
                             any of your expeditions, Dad. Now
                             you're going on the greatest dig
                             in the history of mankind. I
                             just wanted to be with you!
                             You're always off somewhere and
                             leave us at home. I thought that
                             I would come with you for a
                             change to see what you do.

                                                 BELISAR
                                       (sputtering)
                             This is insane!

                                                 MIKE ANGEL
                             Do you realize that I was
                             thinking of depressurizing this
                             section during the trip? How do
                             you think your father would have
                             felt tonight when we reach Mars
                             and he found a dead body in one
                             of his boxes?

The boy hangs his head.

                                                 JOHN BELISAR
                                       (defiantly)
                             I had to come with you on this
                             trip. I never see you.

                                                 BELISAR
                             Does your mother know where you are?

                                                 JOHN BELISAR
                             No.

                                                 MIKE ANGEL
                             When you get up to your room you
                             can call her, Doctor. We don't
                             have the time to return to
                             Atlanta, so he comes along. Just
                             ask the ship's computer to make
                             the connection.

Mike turns to the boy.

                                                 MIKE ANGEL (CONT'D)
                             Well, you'll get your wish to
                             come along on a dig. However,
                             you may not enjoy it. Everybody
                             here has a specific purpose.
                             Yours is going to be gopher.

                                                 JOHN BELISAR
                             Gopher?

                                                 MIKE ANGEL
                             What ever anybody here needs,
                             you'll gopher it. If your father
                             needs something dug, you'll dig
                             it. If one of the other people
                             needs a piece of equipment,
                             you'll gopher it. If something
                             needs lifting, you'll do it.
                             This won't be a joy ride.

                                                 JOHN BELISAR
                                       (Brightening)
                             Cool,

                                                 MIKE ANGEL
                             Tell me that a month from now.
                             You'll bunk with Mikhail Gerasov.
                             I'll have the extra supplies
                             waiting for us in Moscow.

                                                                                          CUT TO:

INT. COMMAND DECK

Mike reaches the bridge.

Overhead is a large screen television monitor that is
currently displaying a magnificent view of the stars.

Several of the other monitors on the control panel show that
same view and one also have a brilliant display of the Earth
below.

                                                 MIKE ANGEL
                             Ship?

                                                 VESNA
                             Yes.

                                                 MIKE ANGEL
                             Get McKinney on the phone, please.

After a brief pause

                                                 JIM MCKINNEY (OS)
                             Everything OK so far?

                                                 MIKE ANGEL
                             Not really. We've picked up a
                             hitchhiker.

                                                 JIM MCKINNEY (OS)
                                       (Shouting)
                             Say what?

                                                 MIKE ANGEL
                             Yeah, Belisar's kid stowed away
                             in an equipment box and I don't
                             have time to take him back. I
                             need a couple of favors really quick.

                                                 JIM MCKINNEY (OS)
                             Anything!

                                                 MIKE ANGEL
                             Have your scrounger in Moscow get
                             me two more outside suits, size
                             medium. I'll need two dozen more
                             uniforms, also medium. About a
                             hundred kilos each of sausage and
                             cheese, and around 50 kilos more
                             bread. And anything else he can
                             think of delivered to the lab at
                             Sheremetyevo.

                                                 JIM MCKINNEY (OS)
                                       (sarcastically incredulous)
                             That's all?

                                                 MIKE ANGEL
                             I need it in 30 minutes.

                                                 JIM MCKINNEY (OS)
                             You don't ask for much, do you?

                                                 MIKE ANGEL
                             You're the best. I know you can
                             come through.

                                                 JIM MCKINNEY (OS)
                             Yeah, right. Would you like me
                             to raise the dead while I'm at it?

                                                                                          CUT TO:

INT. COMMAND DECK

As they descend over Moscow, Mike can see a repeat of the
scene at Hartsfield. There are several thousand people
already gathered around the laboratory section on the tarmac.
He can also see a forklift pulling away and several people
carrying boxes into the section.

He watches the requested supplies moving on a tow motor to
the Russian section. He slows the ship slightly to give the
workers time to finish loading and clear the Russian
laboratory section before making the final descent and
attaching to it.

Again, a soft click as the sections match up and the ship
settles above the runway. Several of the crewmembers had
come up in the meantime and are watching over his shoulder,
fascinated by the view on the monitors. A good deal of sky
and an almost 360-degree panorama are visible from this
vantage point. The monitor labeled "down" is blank now and
won't be on again until they take off.

                                                 MIKE ANGEL
                             Please wait here while I greet
                             your counterparts. This will be
                             your home for the next month, so
                             go ahead and wander around and
                             get acquainted. If you have any
                             questions, the ship will be more
                             than glad to answer them.

                                                 CAROL MANSON
                             How do we access the ship's computer?

                                                 MIKE ANGEL
                             Just talk to her. She's voice
                             activated, there are microphones
                             and speakers everywhere with the
                             exception of the bathrooms, and
                             there are no cameras in your
                             rooms.

                                                 MIKE ANGEL (CONT'D)
                             There are also television cameras
                             for her use everywhere except in
                             your rooms so she can see you. I
                             thought you would appreciate at
                             least a little privacy.

Mike dons his belt shield again and goes down in the elevator,

                                                                                          CUT TO:

INT. RUSSIAN SCIENCE SECTION

The men who brought Mike's last-minute supplies on board
have left the airlock door open. Mike ignores the boxes in
the middle of the floor for the moment and steps outside.

                                                                                          FADE OUT:

Ben W. Gardner
Sedona, Arizona

"I do not fear computers. I fear lack of them." --Isaac Asimov

http://ca.geocities.com/vladilyich/

In The Beginning - ISBN: 1-4116-3848-4
Just In Time - ISBN 1-4116-3851-4
Ad Astra - ISBN: 978-1-84728-518-8
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