Copyright 1997 by Rob Perry and NorthStarr Productions
All Rights Reserved
Agiss III Bio-Center
FADE IN
EXT. MARS COLONY AGISS III MORNING
EXT. AGISS III BIO-CENTER - COLONY TARMAC
INT. CONTROL CENTER ROOM
Frank and Myra are reviewing additional volcanic
data with rolf.
ROLF
So what else have you and
Frank found out about our
volcanic activity.
The entire Bio-Center building is violently shaken
with loose articles hitting the floor. The MARS
QUAKE finally stops and Frank begins his report.
FRANK
The geophysical data indicates
that shallow intrusive activity
has increased daily by as much
as 50%. If CO2 flux has been
continuous over the last few
days at rates comparable to
1,200 t/d, it is unlikely that
all or most of this gas could
have been supplied by a single
intrusion of the size allowed
by the geophysical data.
ROLF
Do you see any chance of this
volcanic activity slowing down.
FRANK
Gas release from a single intrusive
event would also be expected to
show a temporal decrease in the
days following the intrusion,
which is inconsistent with
the available evidence. However,
long-period earthquake activity
immediately southwest of Beta
Ridge Caldera suggests continuing
input of basaltic magma at
MID-CRUSTAL depths. It will get
much much worse!
MYRA
Degassing of deeper, multiple
intrusions of basaltic magma
could supply CO2 at a constant
or increasing rate. Alternatively,
gas from such deep intrusions
or from magma previously placed
within the edifice could gradually
collect in a high-pressure
volatile-rich zone that was
breached during and yesterdays
intrusive event.
ROLF
And . . .
MYRA
Such a model could involve cooling
and chemical reaction in the storage
zone to help explain why the diffuse
emissions are cold and contain none
of the more reactive magmatic gases
such as H2 and H2S. Geophysical
evidence for a vapor zone under
Beta Ridge Caldera is very volatile.
ROLF
So what do we do?
FRANK
Although the anomalous gas discharge
carries uncertain implications for
future volcanic activity, detection
of the discharge has resulted in
a heightened awareness of magmatic
unrest at the Beta Ridge Caldera,
as distinct from the central part
of the CALDERA. Most, perhaps all,
volcanic eruptions are preceded and
accompanied by geophysical and
geo-chemical changes in the state
of the volcanic system. Common
precursory indicators of volcanic
activity include increased Seismicity,
and ground deformation, variations
in the nature and rate of gas
emissions.
ROLF
I need suggestions, something!
FRANK
Rolf, what we have is Ground
deformation, Up-to-date plots
of data from continuously
recording tilt-meters, strain
meters bore-hole DILATOMETERS,
and line-lengths from frequent
two-color GEODIMETER measurements.
ROLF
Has this happened before?
FRANK
Yes, A brief sketch of the geologic
evolution of Beta Ridge Caldera and
vicinity over the last four million
years, including the Caldera-forming
eruption 760,000 years ago. Major
Mars-quake activity within the
Beta Ridge Caldera has continued at
a rate of 40 to 60 events/day as
detected by the real-time system.
ROLF
Could we stop this activity if we
set another device near this anomaly?
MYRA
A widely accepted measure of the
"SIZE" of an explosive volcanic
eruption is the VOLUME of lava
ejected as pumice and ash TEPHRA
during the explosive phase of the
eruption. Eruption volumes are
commonly expressed in cubic
kilometers (km3). One km3 is roughly
equivalent to the volume in a cube
3,000 feet on a side or to 0.2
cubic mile. A related measure of
"SIZE" is the "Volcanic EXPLOSIVITY
Index", or VEI. This scale is similar
to the Richter scale used for indicating
earthquakes size. Like the "Richter
magnitude" scale, the VEI scale is
logarithmic such that each unit
increase in VEI (from 2 to 3, for
example) corresponds to a tenfold
increase in the volume of lava
ejected during explosive eruptions.
FRANK
What she is trying to say, is maybe
we can do here what that famous
American Hero RED ADAIR did in Oil
fires. He would use explosives to
remove the oxygen from the well
head fire thus extinguishing the
flames, thus putting the fire out.
MYRA
But of course as we all know, this
is not the case here, first we have
little or no Oxygen on Mars. And
what we have is a very powerful device
that generates so much heat it will
literally fuse caps on the volcanic
vents now active.
ROLF
Brilliant idea guys!
FRANK
We thought you would be happy
about that idea, so we went
ahead and made computer model
of what we are proposing.
ROLF
I'm all ears!
MYRA
The location of this activity
indicates a very large Mars
Canal is within two miles. So
by placing four 40 kilo ton
devices on this trajectory
we have a ready made Lava
River bed, just in case it
doesn't work. It will relieve
itself into the canal which
extends all the way to the
south pole. If the run-off
is extensive when it gets to
the south pole the Ice will
cool it down and solidify it.
ROLF
So it's a NO BRAINER!
FRANK
Exactly!
ROLF
how soon can we do it?
MYRA
Before we set a date let me give
you a little better picture of
what we are dealing with down there.
Estimates of the TEPHRA or Lava
volumes are usually obtained by
mapping the distribution and
thickness of the TEPHRA deposits
on the ground after the eruption
is over. The TEPHRA volumes are
measured in this way must be
corrected for void spaces, bubbles
within the pumice, empty spaces
between individual chunks of
pumice or ash, etc. To get an
estimate of the original volume
of lava erupted. This correction
can be made by comparing the
bulk density of the TEPHRA Lava
deposit with the known density
of the rock-type that makes up
the TEPHRA. The result is
referred to as the "dense rock
equivalent" of the erupted volume.
FRANK
During the last 35,000,000 years,
volcanic activity in this region
has been confined to the Beta Ridge
Caldera volcanic chain. Some 20
moderate eruptions have occurred
somewhere along the chain in the
last 5,000,000 years. Some of these
were closely clustered in time
and space.
MYRA
The Beta Ridge Caldera was built
up by a series of some 20 to 25
separate eruptive episodes between
20,000,000 and 50,000,000 years ago.
These eruptions were fed by a separate
magma body located somewhere beneath
the Caldera. The average interval
between eruption episodes was about
8,000,000 years, and the most recent
magmatic eruptive episode was
8,000,000 years ago.
FRANK
A steam blast, or PHREATIC eruptions
formed several craters on the west
flank of the Beta Ridge Caldera.
During the same time interval that
the Caldera was active, a series of
effusive eruptions from vents in the
west moat of the Caldera fed fluid,
basaltic lava flows that covered
the west moat and flowed around
the crater on the north and south
moat areas of the Caldera.
MYRA
The magma chamber under the central
part of the Caldera has produced
just three eruption sequences over
the past 16,000,000 years.
ROLF
So what both of you are saying the
clock was ticking, it was just a
matter of time before the Caldera
would erupt, we just hurried the
process a little.
FRANK
Yes, and Volcanic eruptions typically
begin with multiple steam blasts
PHREATIC explosions as magma reaches
shallow depths flashing the ground
water to steam. The resulting blast
hurls large blocks and pulverized
rock fragments hundreds of meters
or yards in the air leaving a crater
in the ground. These Craters are
prime examples of the craters
excavated by PHREATIC explosions
8,000,000 years ago.
MYRA
When RHYOLITIC magma that has produced
most of the prior eruptions reaches
the surface, hot, high-pressure gases
contained within the magma escape
explosively blasting small fragments
of solidified magma, pumice and
volcanic ash, collectively called
tephra more than 30,000 feet vertically.
The tephra may drift ten to twenty
miles downwind from the eruptive vents.
Accumulations of wind-blown tephra on
the ground generally decrease in both
particle size and thickness with
distance from the eruptive vents. The
Nukes will create new Vent Caps for
the Caldera.
FRANK
An explosive magmatic episode may also
produce occasional PYROCLASTIC flows.
These are hot, gas-rich clouds of pumice
and ash that move laterally from vents
at speeds of over 100 miles per hour
Such flows pose a serious threat to life
and property. PYROCLASTIC flows have
extended up to 10 mile in narrow,
tongue-like patterns from several of the
Caldera vents over the past 8,000,000
years.
ROLF
Ok, lets see if I have this right.
We basically nuke a vent cap or
provide a very nice Panama Canal
for the Hot Lava to dump into that
will finally be solidified by the
South Pole, right?
FRANK/MYRA
Right!
CUT TO:
EXT. MARS BETA RIDGE CALDERA DAY
EXT. UNITED ALLIANCE SHUTTLE CRAFT
The shuttle craft is seen slowly hovering over
the site of the Caldera. The Shuttle Craft has
found a large opening between the two visible
vents billowing smoke and ash.
MYRA (V.O.)
(Crafty)
Rolf, you have to get us
to a point between the
vents so we can place the
first Easter egg!
INT. UNITED ALLIANCE SHUTTLE CRAFT (INSIDE)
Myra and Frank are studying the model showing the
exact locations of the four Nuclear Devices.
Rolf is controlling the craft and is slowly
making corrections then stopping.
ROLF
Myra, check and see if this is
where you want me to hover for
deposit of number one.
Myra and Frank push a few buttons on the censor
control board and lights are flashing and
indicators are making sweeps.
FRANK
Hover right here Rolf, this is
perfect. Ok, let it go now!
Rolf releases the first device and the package is
seen going down to the ash covered sand. Then the
craft moves two number two, three and four. After
releasing all the devices the craft heads for home.
ROLF
Well, we will either be
heroes or Villains!
CUT TO:
EXT. MARS COLONY AGISS III DAY
EXT. AGISS III BIO-CENTER - CONTROL CENTER
Frank, Myra and Rolf are in their Bio-Center
control room. They have a long range video
pointing at the target area twenty-five miles
away.
ROLF
Ten seconds to go guys.
five . . .four . . three
two and bang!
A nuclear mushroom cloud is seen at a distance and
the blast is heard a few seconds later. The Bio-
center vibrates, but holds together.
ROLF
Myra, tomorrow morning, Frank and I
will shuttle over to the target area
and see what the Caldera looks like.
CUT TO:
EXT. MARS BETA RIDGE CALDERA DAY
EXT. UNITED ALLIANCE SHUTTLE CRAFT
Rolf, Frank and Myra are in the Shuttle Craft
hovering over the location of the GROUND ZERO
Nuclear device detonation site. They can see
the four blasts sealed three of the vents and
only one is dumping lava.
INT. UNITED ALLIANCE SHUTTLE CRAFT
Rolf is pointing to the open vent spewing hot lava into
the desolate Martian landscape.
MYRA
Well we were almost successful.
FRANK
It's amazing how much accuracy you can
have with a Tactical Nuke, look at the
nice new canal we made. All the lava
will go down the ridge Canal and flow
into the old main canal.
ROLF
That's what I like about you Frank, with
you the glass is always half full!
Rolf heads the shuttle back to the BIO-CENTER and
is about at the half-way point from ground zero
when Myra checks her monitors and is alarmed by
the readings on one of the crash locator beacon
sensors.
MYRA
What the hell is that? I have an
emergency transmission going off
inside that pyramid looking building.
During the excavation process, supersonic winds
have blown the ash covering off of a stone
structure resembling a large pyramid. It has
emerged from the sand in a butte area twelve
miles from ground zero. Rolf sets a new course
with the shuttle and arrives over the structure
in a few minutes.
ROLF
Well I'll be damned! Myra do
we have any residual radiation
down there?
MYRA
Very little, not enough to
worry about! But, we should
wear our suits.
ROLF
What is the outside temperature
readings near that structure?
FRANK
We were + 20 degrees above zero
at the Bio-center, and at the
structure about + 30.
CUT TO:
EXT. MARS BETA RIDGE CALDERA DAY
EXT. UNITED ALLIANCE SHUTTLE CRAFT
The shuttle craft is seen flying in circular
patterns then descends and lands near the
structure. The team emerge from the craft
wearing their bright orange RACAL BIO SUITS.
ROLF
Frank, keep your radiation
scope pointing to an area
immediately to the front
of us. We don't know what's
inside, plus we don't know
if there is any radiation inside.
FRANK
You got it chief!
They group near the front entrance to the large
pyramid.
ROLF
I will go in first then Frank
and if everything is ok then Myra.
FRANK
I'm ready, let's do it.
Rolf goes in the entrance and through a long
corridor partial filled with volcanic ash.
The corridor opens out into a large room
also partially covered with ash. Rolf calls
for Frank.
ROLF
(Yelling)
Ok Frank, come in, and you can
come in too Myra.
The balance of the crew walk into the large room
and all have their EXIN light source scanning
the room for safety.
MYRA
I expected to see solidified
bodies like pictures from
MT. VESUVIES.
Frank pulls a canister marked OXYGEN from his large
jock bag and opens the valve pouring Oxygen into the
room. He positions three other canisters strategically
in the room and opens the valves.
FRANK
Myra, let me know when the Oxygen
reaches breathable level in here
so we can take the suits off.
ROLF
We need at least 10 minutes, right
Myra?
FRANK
Maybe.
Myra checks her sensors and taps one of the gauges.
MYRA
We are now at 6 percent and
moving up very rapidly.
ROLF
More than enough time.
Frank and Myra roll out a large piece of plastic
covering and tape up the entrance to prevent
loss of Oxygen.
FRANK
Ok Rolf, go for it!
Frank removes the head gear and takes a deep breath.
He smiles and remarks.
FRANK (Cont.)
The air mixture is good, you can
take your headgear off guys.
Frank pulls the release on the headgear and it
comes off.
ROLF (Cont.)
Ok, yeah the air is fine.
Myra takes off her head gear.
MYRA
yes, the air is good. Frank check
the map and tell me where we are?
FRANK
(Looking at map)
This is ARES VALLIS, an ancient
seabed on Mars, and may be the
most significant geological site
in the Universe.
MYRA
Significant?
FRANK
Mars has been a source of mystery and
fascination for decades. A hundred
years ago it was widely believed to
be inhabited by intelligent beings
who had built a network of canals to
bring melted water from the poles
to irrigate the arid equatorial zone.
The early space probes revealed
unmistakable signs of natural river
valleys etched into the terrain.
They believed ARES VALLIS was the
Martian Sea, millions of years ago.
ROLF
No shit.
MYRA
Look at the way this room ,,,,,
Myra stops short of her statement as a large aftershock
hits the building.
MYRA
Shit, were back to that again.
Elevated ash comes down from the ceiling and powders
all the team. Rolf finds a large stone chair to sit
on, Myra is sitting on the floor and Frank is
standing just inside the corridor.
ROLF
Frank, let's go back to the shuttle
and get the large upright emergency
lights and set them up in here. It's
too damn dark, we can't work this way.
CUT TO:
EXT. MARS ARES VALLIS DAY
EXT. MARS ARES VALLIS STRUCTURE
INT. MARS ARES VALLIS ROOM
The Team is seen cleaning up the inside of the
main room in what appears to be a replica of
a Mayan Pyramid.
ROLF
Ok guys let's take a break.
The crew is having lunch and Myra has set up sensors
on a long stone shelf.
MYRA
You know what Frank, I'm really
disappointed we didn't find ,,,,
FRANK
Some bodies, or at least skeletal
remains?
MYRA
Yeah, like where in the hell did
everybody go?
FRANK
It's the issue of water, or rather
the lack of it, that lies at the
heart of the Martian enigma.
Today the surface of Mars is a
parched and frozen wasteland with
a pitifully thin atmosphere. But
all the signs are that long ago
it was a comparative Garden of Eden,
with gurgling springs, surging
rivers and a balmy climate.
ROLF
One of the reason we are here is to
get more information about the how
and when of the hydrological processes
that have shaped this planet.
MYRA
Earlier missions sparked furious
controversy, with some scientists
contending that Mars Was warm
and wet in the relatively recent
past, others arguing that it had
remained a freeze-dried desert
for most of its 4.5 billion-year
history. The answer hinges on the
elaborate processes that cycle
water and gases between the atmosphere and the Martian crust.
FRANK
As planets go, Mars is supposed to
have had a relatively quiescent
history, avoiding the wholesale
geological upheavals of Earth,
where the crunching and submerging
of crystal plates has reprocessed
the surface many times. However,
when Sojourner analyzed the quaintly
named Barnacle Bill rock, it turned
out to resemble ANDESITE, a type of
South American quartz forged by
successive cycles of heating.
MYRA
Until now, scientists thought they
had a pretty clear outline of Mars's
history. It went something like
this. The first 700 million years
were eventful enough as the planet
was mercilessly pounded by enormous
asteroids. The impact craters, still
visible today, are peppered across
the surface. Flying debris from these
high-speed collisions formed a global
layer of rubble, or REGOLITH. The
cosmic bombardment not only churned
up the surface, it also delivered
vast quantities of gas and water.
ROLF
Then Mars became cloaked in a dense
atmosphere, consisting mainly of
carbon dioxide. The resulting
greenhouse effect kept the planet
warm even though the sun was dimmer
then. The early crust was hot too,
and volcanism widespread.
MYRA
Nobody knows for sure how much
water Mars had at the end of
the bombardment, but it may have
been enough to cover the whole
planet to a depth of a mile
or more.
FRANK
However, much of it soaked into
the porous REGOLITH, to form
extensive underground aquifers.
On this much there is general
agreement. Experts are sharply
divided, however, about how the
river channels formed. Some of
the valley networks in the
highlands look just like
conventional river systems
on Earth, and may have formed
by run-off from rainfall or
melting snow.
MYRA
Others are shaped quite differently,
and seem to be the product of wasting
or sag, caused by subsurface water
undermining the terrain. The most
spectacular water channels are not
river valleys at all, but swathes
of land scoured by sudden huge
catastrophic floods. We are sitting
near the mouth of one of one these
flood plains, called ARES VALLIS.
FRANK
As expected, its surroundings are
littered with debris that has
been swept along by the torrent
and deposited haphazardly. This
grab-bag of rocks has information
about the planet's remote past.
ROLF
Yeah but, the cause of the floods
is unclear. One theory is that
water became trapped under a layer
of permafrost, and slowly built
up pressure until it burst through,
releasing a huge geyser of liquid.
MYRA
Another theory is that ice dams
abruptly burst, discharging
pent-up reservoirs of water.
Whatever triggered these vast
floods, the water must have
gone somewhere. Most experts
think it soaked back into the
ground, but it's possible that
Mars once had a substantial
ocean.
FRANK
Photographs from earlier missions
hint at ancient shorelines with
cliff faces and cusp-like boundaries.
There are also suggestions of
sedimentary rocks laid down by
bodies of standing water. Myra and
I were admiring horizontal layers
down in the bottom of the canyon.
ROLF
Soon after the cosmic bombardment
abated, the atmosphere started to
thin, much of it gobbled up by the
crust. As the pressure inexorably
fell the temperature plunged with
it, desiccating the surface and
creating the hostile frozen desert
that persists to this day.
FRANK
The mix is loosing Oxygen, so we
better head back to the Bio-Center,
CUT TO:
EXT. MARS COLONY AGISS III DAY
EXT. AGISS III BIO-CENTER - COLONY TARMAC
INT. CONTROL CENTER ROOM
Frank and Myra are having a discussion over the
finding of an ancient structure.
MYRA
You now Frank, isn't amazing how
all the real Ancient structures
look like Egyptian Pyramids. The
Mayan, Aztec, ours, Lyrans and
on and on.
FRANK
The Triangle structure is the most
solid ever designed. It will take
any earthquake the Earth can come
up with.
MYRA
Do you think Mars ever had
an atmosphere?
FRANK
Well as you know Mars has a tiny
atmospheric pressure, currently
a mere 7 MILLIBARS, but because
there has been no significant
weathering on Mars for billions
of years. Ancient river valleys
and other features are almost
perfectly preserved.
MYRA
Your right.
FRANK
The surface of Mars provides a
snapshot of what things were
like when the Earth was only
a quarter of its present age.
However, Mars hasn't been
completely geologically inactive.
Although large-scale volcanism
died out long ago, sporadic
eruptions are known to have
continued until the present epoch.
MYRA
No shit, even man made volcanoes
right?
Rolf walks into the room and makes himself known.
ROLF
I just got off the secured line
and Fleming sent his rescue ship
this morning, so they figure nine
days from today they will be here.
FRANK
Are you still going back Rolf?
ROLF
Yes I am, command wants to see me
as soon as possible.
FRANK
Yeah, they probably have a cage
reserved for you.
ROLF
It goes with the territory.
MYRA
I say bullshit to that.
CUT TO:
THE ARRIVAL
TEN DAYS LATER
EXT. MARS COLONY AGISS III DAY
EXT. AGISS III BIO-CENTER - COLONY TARMAC
Frank, Myra and Rolf are standing outside of the
Bio-Center waiting for the arrival of the rescue
team. A large roar is heard and a cargo craft is
seen descending down onto the Tarmac and very
gently sets down with the power plant shutting
down. After the smoke clears the passenger door
opens and a metal staircase descends. Commander
JIM DUNN comes down first then his crew of four.
Salutations are exchanged and everyone goes into
the Bio-Center.
INT. AGISS III BIO-CENTER - MAIN ROOM
The visitors remove their Oxygen breather and sit
down on the large chairs around the conference
table.
ROLF
(Sitting down at the far end)
Welcome to Agiss II gentlemen. This
(pointing to Myra)
is my science officer Myra Jenkins,
And this is Frank May my second in
command.
Commander DUNN introduces his people to the Agiss
III crew and all start conversing.
DUNN
Rolf, Mars has had volcanoes
before, right?
ROLF
Oh yes, signs that water and
volcanoes may have interacted,
creating what is known as
HYDROTHERMAL systems, where
water circulates like a
coolant through porous magma.
FRANK
The importance of HYDROTHERMAL
systems increased markedly with
the discovery that on Earth they
are home to many species of
primitive microbes. Gene sequencing
shows that the bizarre organisms
inhabiting boiling springs are
living fossils, essentially unchanged
in three-and-a-half billion years.
ROLF
If life began on Earth in such a
location, it may have started in
a similar system on Mars too.
We have identified four distinct
rock types and believe that the
white rocks could be fragments
of an ancient hydro-thermal
structure. And who knows, there
may even be material containing
fossilized microbes disgorged
from an underground aquifer
during the flood.
DUNN
I noticed the landing site is covered
in a thin layer of fine material.
FRANK
That was deposited by the dust
storms that howl on Mars
from time to time. There are
vague depressions in the dust
out on the plains reminiscent
of dried-up puddles.
The entire room starts to shake and some of the
visitors are thrown to the floor.
DUNN
What the hell was that?
ROLF
Aftershocks!
The group wait and anticipate a second mars quake
but after ten to fifteen minutes they all sit down
at the table and try to relax.
DUNN
Commander Landers, let me read
you my orders from Earth Command.
Commander Dunn is to leave for
Mars as soon as possible. Upon
arrival at Agiss III you will
contact Commander Rolf Landers
and surviving crew and spend
whatever time is necessary to
document the events leading
to the loss of crew and the
release of Nuclear Tactical
weapons. Within 48 hours you
are ordered to return to Alpha
Space station II with the
entire crew from Agiss III.
The crew from Agiss III will
await the arrival of the
United Space Alliance Transport
and return to Earth as soon as
possible. Signed Rear Admiral
William Edwards.
ROLF
Ok, what do you need from me?
DUNN
Tonight you will give a deposition
to my Legal Officer Wilma Johnson
and first thing in the morning we
will go the field location of the
events.
ROLF
Fine, no problem. By the way we
found a structure of an Ancient
civilization, two weeks ago.
DUNN
(Excited)
I will look forward to seeing it.
CUT TO:
EXT. MARS BETA RIDGE CALDERA DAY
EXT. UNITED ALLIANCE SHUTTLE CRAFT
The USA Shuttle is seen hovering over the location
of the GROUND ZERO Nuclear device detonation site.
INT. UNITED ALLIANCE SHUTTLE CRAFT (INSIDE)
Rolf, Frank and Commander Dunn are seen looking at
the billowing smoke from the Lava vent. They can
see only one vent is dumping lava. The Lava is
flowing into the new canal and then dumping into
the old Mars canal. Dunn is videotaping everything.
ROLF
As you can see Commander Dunn, we're
able to use clean nukes to kill the
virus and also place a lava cap over
the open vents. We originally had four
vents spewing lava, now we only have
one and as you can see it's dumping
into the new channel then downstream
into the old Mars Canal.
DUNN
So what happens to the Lava flow once
it gets into the main Mars Canal?
ROLF
Is flows down to the south pole and when
it hits the ice and CO2 down there it
goes HYDROTHERMAL.
DUNN
Sounds pretty harmless to me, I guess
over a period of time you could actually
create a substantial atmosphere down there.
Have you taken any readings since the
event to see what you have here?
ROLF
Frank?
FRANK
The geophysical data indicates
that shallow intrusive activity
has decreased daily by as much
as 50%. If CO2 flux has been
continuous over the last few
days at rates comparable to
1,200 t/d, it is very likely that
all or most of this gas could
have been supplied by a single
intrusion of the size allowed
by the geophysical data and the
vent should dry up in a couple of
weeks.
DUNN
You know Rolf, the only thing
that Earth Command is upset
about is that you used the nuke
without the presidents ok, other
than that, they don't have a
problem with your decisions.
ROLF
I hear you.
DUNN
Rolf, I have everything I need for
my report. Do we have time, to stop
and see the ancient structure
you found.
ROLF
We sure do.
CUT TO:
EXT. MARS ARES VALLIS PLAIN DAY
EXT. UNITED ALLIANCE SHUTTLE CRAFT
The shuttle craft is seen flying in circular
patterns then descends and lands near the
structure. The team emerge from the craft
wearing their oxygen re-breathers.
ROLF
The last time we were here
the crew left floodlights
inside and they should
still be there. Ok, let's
go on in!
INT. ANCIENT STRUCTURE - VERY DARK
Frank switches on the flood lights and the
room comes to life.
DUNN
This is amazing!
ROLF
When we found it we sealed the
entrance with MYLAR and pumped
oxygen in here to make the air
breathable. We were able to
work in here for over two hours.
DUNN
Did you find anything?
ROLF
No. I wished we had more time.
FRANK
Rolf, Myra and I were admiring
the ancient writing on some of
the blocks, like this over
here.
(Pointing to large
cinder block)
DUNN
I spent a summer in Mexico and
I saw writing like that.
FRANK
No shit!
DUNN
There was a Mayan stepped pyramid at Comalcalco, Tobasco, Mexico. This
pyramid, also known locally as a
Temple, was constructed of fired
bricks. The pyramid and bricks are
not anomalous, but the language
inscribed on thousands of the
bricks is, for it is typical of
Roman North Africa. Punic, Libyan,
and Arabic scripts. The current
theory is that the temple was
constructed by Christians and
Moslems captured by the Mayans
long before Columbus ventured
westward into the Atlantic.
FRANK
Do you think there's a connection?
DUNN
There seems to be certain
similarities.
ROLF
As in?
DUNN
Look Rolf, let me call command
and I'll get an extension of
another 48 hours and it'll
give us a chance to check out
this place with a fine tooth
comb. Ok?
ROLF
Sure, why not.
CUT TO:
TO BE CONTINUED
Copyright 1997 by Rob Perry and NorthStarr Productions
All Rights Reserved