Collision Course
| Screenplay |
Anthony Terpiloff |
| Director |
Ray Austin |
|
| Final shooting script 13th August 1974 |
Titles
| Martin Landau |
John Koenig |
| Barbara Bain |
Helena Russell |
| Barry Morse |
Victor Bergman |
In Show Credits
| special guest star |
Margaret Leighton |
Arra |
End Credits
| Prentis Hancock |
paul morrow |
| Clifton Jones |
david kano |
| Zienia Merton |
sandra benes |
| Anton Phillips |
dr mathias |
| Nick Tate |
alan carter |
Uncredited
| Suzanne Roquette |
Tanya Aleksandr |
| Sarah Bullen |
Operative Kate |
| Vic Armstrong |
Main Mission Operative |
| Mike Stevens |
Main Mission Operative |
| Alan Harris |
Alphan |
| Andy Dempsey |
Main Mission Operative |
| Loftus Burton |
Main Mission Operative (Lee Oswald) |
| Annie Lambert |
Main Mission Operative Julie |
| Alf Joint |
Balcony Alphan |
| Glenda Allen |
Nurse |
Int. Main Mission
Int. Corridor outside Main Mission
Int. Command Office
Int. Medical
Int. Koenig's Quarters
Int. Launch Pad Airlock
Int. Alpha Corridor
Int. Eagle Pilot Section
Int. Eagle Passenger Section
Int. Alien Spaceship Antechamber & Chamber
1. EXT. MOONBASE ALPHA (SFX)
Low shot.
INT. MAIN MISSION
Watching Big Screen
PAUL: "Eagle Two Nine "
-Big Screen (SFX): Eagle travels to asteroid.
PAUL (VO): " approaching asteroid, Commander. Eagle Ten descending with nuke."
3.EXT. SPACE (SFX)
An Eagle with no pod lowers a nuke on a cable.
4.INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION
The tense pilot.
EXT. SPACE (SFX)
Eagle continues to lower nuke onto asteroid surface.
CU as nuke released.
4.INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION
PILOT: "Eagle Ten to Alpha. Nuclear charge in place."
EXT. EAGLE (SFX)
PILOT (VO): "Mission completed. Returning to base."
Eagle rises from nuke.
5.INT. MAIN MISSION
Victor places a mark on a diagram board.
PAUL: "Eagles Ten, Eleven and Twelve have laid their charges and are returning to base, sir."
VICTOR: "What's happened to Alan? Still nothing from Eagle One."
KOENIG (walks down): "Kano. What's happened to Eagle One?"
DAVID (at desk): "Eagle One's in trouble."
7.INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION
ALAN: "Yeah. The problem's in the main booster. I can't get the speed."
8.INT. MAIN MISSION
VICTOR: "He's got to make it. We need twelve nuclear explosions to guarantee the chain reaction that will destroy the asteroid and avoid a collision."
DAVID: "We're losing the time-line, Commander. Alan needs a minimum of a hundred and ten seconds to get out before we detonate." ((Beat))
KOENIG: "Delay the blast forty seconds."
VICTOR: "Can't do it. We've gotta destroy that asteroid. Timing's vital to avoid being caught in radiation from the blast ourselves."
KOENIG: "Delay the blast forty seconds!" ((David types)) "Alan, we must detonate those nukes in two minutes. Can you make it?"
ALAN: "All the way, Commander."
6.EXT. SPACE (SFX)
Eagle heads to asteroid.
8.INT. MAIN MISSION
KOENIG: "Alan. Don't worry about perfection, just get in and get out."
9.EXT. ASTEROID (SFX)
Eagle lowers nuke onto asteroid.
11A.INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION
Alan strains to move a lever. He tries again with both hands.
ALAN: "The release mechanism's jammed."
11B.INT. MAIN MISSION
PAUL: "Time's running out."
EXT. SPACE (SFX)
Asteroid heads to Moon.
11B.INT. MAIN MISSION
KOENIG: "Alan. We've got to have it there. Or else we'll all die."
13.INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION
Alan crosses to the other side of the cabin & pulls open a panel.
EXT. EAGLE (SFX)
Hovering over the nuke on the asteroid surface.
13.INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION
Alan shorts out a panel & returns to his seat. He pulls the lever; no effect. He takes the control sticks.
12.EXT. EAGLE (SFX)
The Eagle rises from the asteroid.
INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION
Alan pushes down on the control sticks.
14.EXT. ASTEROID (SFX)
The Eagle descends & the nuke hits the surface.
INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION
Alan tries the lever.
ALAN: "She's going."
EXT. ASTEROID (SFX)
CU as nuke hits the surface & is released.
19.INT. MAIN MISSION
ALAN(VO): "She's gone!"
PAUL: "We've lost the time line."
DAVID: "Blast in ten seconds. Nine."
INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION
DAVID (VO): "Eight."
KOENIG (VO): "Delay ten."
EXT. EAGLE (SFX)
Eagle leaves nuke.
19.INT. MAIN MISSION
PAUL: "Blast now T minus fifteen."
KOENIG: "Alan. You've got another thirteen seconds."
20.INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION
ALAN: "Thanks."
19.INT. MAIN MISSION
Bleeps count the countdown.
KOENIG (quietly): "Good luck." ((generally)) "Red alert." ((emotional))
EXT. SPACE (SFX)
Eagle leaves asteroid.
CU nuke on asteroid.
Fuller view: mine on top of ridge on asteroid
19.INT. MAIN MISSION
KOENIG: "Activate radiation screens." ((Covers face))
PAUL: "Five. Four."
21.EXT. SPACE (SFX)
Eagle leaves asteroid.
PAUL (VO): "Three. Two. One."
DAVID (VO): "Activate."
Asteroid explodes.
Moonbase: a white glow descends over it.
FADE OUT:
COLLISION COURSE
special guest star Margaret Leighton
screenplay by Anthony Terpiloff
story consultant Christopher Penfold
moon city costumes designed by Rudi Gernreich
directed by Ray Austin
EXT. SPACE (SFX)
Cloud in space. TITLES OVER
Moonbase, with wispy cloud over.
23.INT. MAIN MISSION
Koenig at desk in foreground, brooding.
PAUL: "Eagle One, do you copy? Come in, Eagle One."
VICTOR (by Paul): "No, he didn't stand a chance. No."
KOENIG (reaction): "I want damage reports from all sections."
PAUL: "Getting them now, sir."
KOENIG (using his own desk): "Come in, Eagle One. Eagle One, do you read me? Alan, do you read me?"
SANDRA: "Radiation screens at full power now."
TANYA: "Full power confirmed."
PAUL: "So we just wait for the screens to crack?"
VICTOR: "Let's be grateful we've got this far."
PAUL: "Thanks to Alan."
KOENIG (reaction): "Come in, Eagle One. Come in, Eagle One. Alan, do you read me?"
VICTOR (coming to him): "John. That's not helping any of us."
KOENIG: "Sandra. I want a scanner report."
SANDRA: "I am trying, sir, but these readings do not make sense. It is the radiation."
KOENIG: "What about the orbital satellites?"
SANDRA: "Their transmissions cannot penetrate the radiation cloud."
PAUL: "Structural damage in Maintenance Section B four."
DAVID: "Computer reports power failure in Residence Buildings C and D."
PAUL: "Medical section reports fourteen casualties."
KOENIG: "Radiation?"
PAUL: "No. Conventional injuries only, so far."
KOENIG: "Keep calling Alan."
PAUL: "Come in, Eagle One."
KOENIG (to Victor): "It may help him to know we're still alive."
PAUL (bg): "Alan, can you hear me?"
VICTOR: "John, please.."
KOENIG (stands): "Victor, if you're trying to tell me I made the wrong decision, tell me that. If you're trying to tell me that I'm wasting my time trying to reach Alan out there, through that radiation cloud, tell me that. But if you're telling me that you don't think Alan is alive out there... I don't want to hear that."
VICTOR: "It was a human decision, John. None of us would have decided any other way. But now we've got a new situation to face."
KOENIG: "Yeah, but very few facts."
PAUL (bg): "Eagle One, do you copy? Alan, can you hear me?"
KOENIG: "Wait a minute. Wait a minute."
Koenig goes down to Paul's desk & types. Then he goes to a keyboard at the end of the desks to type, before returning to tap more keys on Paul's desk. A pinging is heard.
KOENIG: "There it is. We're still getting our own orbital satellite identification signal."
SANDRA: "Yes. But that is on the interstellar frequency band."
KOENIG: "Exactly. Which Alan doesn't have. But if we equip an Eagle with one and send it up through the radiation cloud, we can establish three way contact between it, Alan and Alpha. Paul, I want you to prepare an Eagle for the job. If Alan's anywhere out there we're going to find him."
PAUL: "Commander, we are at risk from radiation here on Alpha. If you fly an Eagle through that radiation cloud.."
KOENIG: "Alpha has radiation screens and so do the Eagles."
VICTOR: "Effective against certain classes of radiation that we know about, but out there is a kind of radiation we know nothing at all about."
KOENIG: "Victor. If he's not out there I want to know it for a fact. Paul. Put an Eagle on Pad Two."
PAUL: "Pad Two's damaged."
DAVID: "Pad Four might function."
KOENIG: "Make it function." ((Storms to office))
24.EXT. LAUNCH PAD (SFX)
Eagle raised on pad onto misty surface.
26.INT. EAGLE 4 PILOT SECTION
Koenig enters & sits. As he starts to strap in, he notices his copilot is Paul.
PAUL: "I have four warning lights here. On the secondary systems. But they're minor. I say we disregard them."
KOENIG: "I agree. Otherwise we're ready to lift off."
PAUL: "Clear to go."
KOENIG: "Good."
27.EXT. LAUNCH PAD (SFX)
Eagle launches.
KOENIG (VO): "Main Mission. This is Koenig. We have lift off."
28.INT. MAIN MISSION
KOENIG (VO): "Visibility nil."
SANDRA (at Paul's desk): "No instruments, visibility nil and he has no idea where Alan is, or even if he is alive at all."
DAVID: "It defies logic."
VICTOR: "Yes. It's a thing called faith."
29.EXT. EAGLE (SFX)
Eagle enters the wisps of the plasma cloud.
30.INT. EAGLE 4 PILOT SECTION
PAUL: "Hello, Eagle One. Hello, Eagle One. Eagle One, do you copy?"
KOENIG: "Keep trying."
PAUL: "Come in, Eagle One. Eagle One, do you copy? Can you give me your last position, Alan? We're on our way to bring you in."
EXT. SPACE (SFX)
The plasma cloud.
PAUL: "Come in, Eagle One."
32.INT. EAGLE 1 PILOT SECTION
Alan lies unconscious.
PAUL (VO): "Eagle One, do you copy?"
ARRA (VO): "Are you feeling better?" ((Alan leans back in his seat & raises an arm to flip a switch)) "You're quite safe now."
33.EXT. EAGLE (SFX)
Eagle One, floating scorched beyond the fringes of the cloud.
34.INT. EAGLE 1 PILOT SECTION
Alan still unconscious.
PAUL (VO): "Come in, Eagle One. Eagle One, do you copy? Can you hear me?"
ARRA (VO): "Speak to them."
ALAN (barely conscious): "Hello, Alpha. Alpha, this is Eagle One."
35.INT. EAGLE 4 PILOT SECTION
KOENIG: "He's alive. Paul, did you hear that? He's alive."
PAUL: "Alan, this is Paul. We're up here in Eagle Four. Steer us to your position." ((No reply)) "Alan, this is Paul. Did you get that? Eagle One, do you copy? He's not receieving us."
KOENIG: "Paul. Fix his position. Give us a course."
ARRA (VO; CU Koenig's ear): "Your friend is at orbital reference three four nine." ((Sc 37))
KOENIG: "Course computed and programmed."
PAUL: "I haven't got his position yet."
KOENIG: "I have."
38.EXT. EAGLE (SFX)
Rescue Eagle flies through cloud.
40.INT. EAGLE 4 PILOT SECTION
PAUL: "There he is."
39.EXT. SPACE (SFX)
Eagles close beyond fringes of cloud.
KOENIG (VO): "Hello, Alpha."
40.INT. EAGLE 4 PILOT SECTION
KOENIG: "We've found Eagle One. It's drifting just outside the plasma cloud."
41.INT. MAIN MISSION
KOENIG (VO): "Not too much damage."
VICTOR: "Well done, John."
40.INT. EAGLE 4 PILOT SECTION
KOENIG: "We're moving in now to dock."
VICTOR: "Good luck."
42.INT. EAGLE 4 PILOT SECTION: VIEWPORT SHOWING EAGLE (SFX)
KOENIG (VO): "Docking procedure checked and programmed."
42A.INT. EAGLE 1 PILOT SECTION
ARRA (VO): "Check docking procedure and program."
Alan lifts an arm.
43B.INT. EAGLE 4 PILOT SECTION
PAUL: "Confirmed."
44.EXT. EAGLES (SFX)
The two Eagles move alongside.
INT. EAGLE 4 PILOT SECTION
Koenig.
44.EXT. EAGLES (SFX)
Eagles align up.
INT. EAGLE 1 PILOT SECTION
Alan holds the control sticks.
44.EXT. EAGLES (SFX)
Eagles correctly positioned.
45.INT. EAGLE 4 PILOT SECTION
KOENIG: "Docking secure."
45A.INT. EAGLE 1 PILOT SECTION
Alan lets his hands drop.
45B.INT. EAGLE 4 PILOT SECTION
PAUL: "Check. Well done, sir."
KOENIG: "Yeah. He handled that docking beautifully. I don't think he's too badly hurt. You hold her steady, I'm going in there."
46.INT. EAGLE 1 PILOT SECTION
High view down to Alan, who looks up.
46A.INT. ALIEN SPACESHIP CHAMBER
Dark. Alan looks round, & sees Arra illuminated beyond.
ARRA: "Your own people will take care of you now."
ALAN: "Who are you?"
ARRA: "A friend."
INT. EAGLE 4 PILOT SECTION
Paul waits.
KOENIG (VO): "Paul."
PAUL: "How is he?"
46.INT. EAGLE 1 PILOT SECTION
KOENIG (using comlock): "He's alive but unconscious. The effort of that docking must have been too much for him." ((Looks forward)) "My God..!"
47.INT. EAGLE 4 PILOT SECTION
PAUL: "Commander? Commander, what's wrong? Commander?"
He unstraps & leaves.
48.INT. EAGLE 1 PILOT SECTION
Paul joins Koenig.
PAUL: "Commander."
KOENIG: "Return to base."
PAUL: "Why?" (points)
49.EXT. PLANET HORIZON (SFX)
KOENIG (VO): "Another collision course. Only this time it's a planet. A massive planet."
50.INT. EAGLE 1 PILOT SECTION
KOENIG: "There's no getting away with this one, Paul."
51.EXT. PLANET HORIZON (SFX)
FADE OUT
52.EXT. LAUNCH PAD (SFX)
The two Eagles, still docked, descending on the still misty pad.
INT. EAGLE 1 PILOT SECTION
Paul with Alan in cabin.
52.EXT. LAUNCH PAD (SFX)
The two Eagles land.
53.INT. EAGLE 4 PILOT SECTION
KOENIG: "Thanks, Paul. Stay with him til the medics arrive. Then report to my office."
54.INT. EAGLE 1 PILOT SECTION
PAUL: "Decontamination procedure?"
55.INT. EAGLE PASSENGER SECTION
Koenig uses his comlock as he runs to the door.
KOENIG: "Forget it. We're running out of time."
56.INT. AIRLOCK
Koenig goes through, but the end door is closed. He is in the blue decontamination light.
KOENIG (uses comlock): "Medical."
57.INT. MEDICAL
HELENA (to comms post): "Yes, John?"
KOENIG (on screen): "Skip the radiation check. We're in trouble."
HELENA: "It won't take a moment. Medical Team is standing by."
58.INT. AIRLOCK
KOENIG: "Look, you can't keep me here, I've got lots to do."
59.INT. MEDICAL
BOB: "Doctor. He's clear."
60.INT. AIRLOCK
The door opens. Koenig passes the stretcher team.
KOENIG: "Carter's in Eagle One, with Morrow."
61.INT. MAIN MISSION
KOENIG (enters): "Kano. Process this information from the on board computer. Give me a report as quickly as you can. Victor, we're in trouble." ((they go to map))
VICTOR: "Yes, but if you hadn't gone out there we wouldn't have known anything about this planet til it hit us."
KOENIG: "We never would have known. Probably been better off."
VICTOR: "Well... I've been thinking."
KOENIG: "It's the best news I've had today." ((they smile. Paul enters)) "How's Alan?"
PAUL: "Clean as a whistle."
KOENIG: "No radiation?"
PAUL: "No radiation. What are we going to do about it?"
KOENIG: "One thing's for sure. We won't be able to destroy it like we did the asteroid. My guess is it's thirty times the size of the Moon."
DAVID: "Thirty four. And it is on a collision course. Impact will be in one hundred and five hours and some thirteen minutes from now."
Stunned silence.
EXT. SPACE (SFX)
Planet horizon
63.INT. MEDICAL
Alan is wheeled in on a stretcher. Two nurses and Bob lift him onto a bed. Helena uses a stethoscope.
HELENA: "I'm worried."
BOB: "Well, the Eagles have radiation screens."
HELENA: "Yes, I know. But he spent three hours in that cloud. I'd be surprised if he wasn't affected in some way."
64.INT. MAIN MISSION
Paul and Victor are by the diagram.
PAUL: "How about this?"
VICTOR: "Mm?"
PAUL: "We alter our own trajectory by setting up a blast on the other side of the Moon."
Koenig approaches, giving his spacesuit to a girl as he wipes himself with a towel.
KOENIG (to girl): "Julie."
VICTOR (to Paul): "Yes."
KOENIG (to Paul): "Go on."
PAUL: "We recreate by design the accident that originally blasted us out of Earth's orbit."
DAVID (in Command Office): "Save the planet the trouble by blowing ourselves up."
PAUL: "We survived it once."
DAVID: "By a miracle."
PAUL: "Isn't that exactly what we're asking for!?"
DAVID: "Fine, but don't ask computer to work it."
KOENIG: "Easy, come on. We're trying to come up with a realistic plan to avoid disaster. We've no time for this."
VICTOR: "Just a minute, John. The, ah, the principle of Paul's suggestion is dead right. We've gotta alter our trajectory relative to the planet. But p'r'aps we can do it another way. Now, suppose we make a force between ourselves and the planet. We could put down a chain of nuclear charges like mines moored in space, and make a shockwave between the Moon and the planet which might force them apart. Change their trajectory."
KOENIG: "It makes a lot of sense."
VICTOR: "I think it's the only possibility."
KOENIG: "Alright, Victor. Get to work on it. I'd like to see a detailed plan." ((Walks down into Main Mission)) "Sandra, what have you learned about the planet?"
SANDRA: "It has an atmosphere."
PAUL: "Go on."
SANDRA: "But it is not ideal."
KOENIG: "Breathable?"
SANDRA: "I think we could survive. Temperatures range from a high of approximately ten degrees centigrade to minus thirty. So it is almost certain that some kind of life could exist there."
KOENIG: "Yeah. The question is what kind of life."
PAUL: "We'll bombard that planet with every kind of communication we can devise."
KOENIG: "Paul, you've overlooked something. We're still isolated by that radiation cloud. All the information we've gotten has come from the on-board computers on my Eagle. If we want to glean more information from that planet it means a reconnaissance flight."
VICTOR: "John. If that planet is habitable, even though conditions may not be ideal, we could evacuate all our people to the far side."
KOENIG: "Yeah. The question is can that planet withstand a collision with the Moon?"
VICTOR: "How long is a piece of string?"
KOENIG: "Alright, Victor. I'll tell you what. I'm going to go out there and take a look at that planet. Meantime you start Operation Shockwave. If I find that planet's habitable...we'll have to make a spot decision as to whether we chance an evacuation."
Koenig leaves.
65.INT. MEDICAL
Dark. Alan stirs in his sleep & looks up. Arra stands as a dark figure at the end of his bed. He sits up.
ALAN: "Who are you?"
ARRA: "A friend."
Alan stands & staggers to her.
ALAN: "Why have you come to me? Where have you come from?"
ARRA: "You are quite safe now."
ALAN: "Who are you?" ((lifts his hands to her veil)) "Who are you?" ((Lifts veil- but cut to Alan lifting Helena's hair))
HELENA: "Alan."
ALAN (distressed): "No. Where are you? Come back. Don't leave me now."
HELENA: "Nurse."
ALAN: "Take me with you. Take me with you! Take me to your people!"
HELENA: "Bob."
ALAN: "Where are you?" ((Bob gives him an injection in the neck))
HELENA: "It's alright, Alan. It's alright." ((Alan groans)) "You'll be alright now, Alan. Give him sedative will you?" ((they carry Alan back to bed))
KOENIG (entering): "What's all this about?" ((Sc 66))
HELENA: "Hallucination, disorientation,..classic symptoms of radiation sickness. He has been affected."
KOENIG: "Well, that's not possible. The instruments cleared him."
HELENA: "Well, they're wrong, and they're probably wrong about you too."
KOENIG (he draws her away): "Now, Helena, look. The man's been unconscious. Dreaming. Maybe having a nightmare."
HELENA: "That was no nightmare."
KOENIG: "Now how the hell can you be so sure?"
HELENA: "Because I know my job. Look, except for Alan, both you and Paul have had the greatest exposure."
KOENIG: "Look, I'm not hallucinating. Okay, maybe, maybe my reactions were a bit hasty, but so was your assessment."
HELENA: "My assessment is based on experience. And with no help from the clock. Extensive tests take time, John. Look, I think he has been affected, and if I'm right then you've gotta be suspect."
KOENIG: "Now look, Helena- " ((Comlock buzzes; he answers)) "Yes, Paul?"
PAUL (VO): "Reconnaissance Eagle ready on Pad Four. Copilot Pierre Daniel is standing by."
KOENIG: "Thanks Paul, but I'm going alone."
HELENA: "You're not going out again?"
KOENIG: "Don't worry. I'll wear my galoshes." ((leaves)).
67.EXT. SPACE (SFX)
Eagle rises from cloud shrouded Moonbase Alpha.
68.INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION
KOENIG: "Main Mission. This is Koenig calling on interstellar frequency."
69.INT. MAIN MISSION
KOENIG (VO): "How do you read?"
PAUL: "Very loud and very clear."
68.INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION
KOENIG: "Looks like the radiation cloud is dispersing."
69.INT. MAIN MISSION
PAUL: "Sandra's data from your on-board computer confirms that. We're receiving it's information and we copy."
68.INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION
KOENIG: "How's Operation Shockwave coming along?"
69.INT. MAIN MISSION
PAUL: "Professor Bergman's made his first computation. Looks possible."
KOENIG (VO): "Good."
68.INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION
KOENIG: "Soon as Victor's happy with the plan, I want you to start placing the nuclear charges in position."
69.INT. MAIN MISSION
PAUL: "Alpha Main Mission, we copy."
68.INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION
Koenig looks out.
70.EXT. SPACE (SFX)
Eagle moves over planet horizon.
71.INT. MAIN MISSION
PAUL: "Well, Professor. Are you happy?"
VICTOR (at command desk): "Far from it, Paul. I suppose it makes some sort of sense."
PAUL: "Then we go ahead."
VICTOR: "I think so." ((Paul nods to David & they go))
72.EXT. EAGLE (SFX)
-Small Eagle flies into space.
-Eagle flies to planet horizon.
INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION
Koenig piloting.
74.EXT. SPACE (SFX)
Mammoth spaceship approaches from planet.
73.INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION
KOENIG: "There is life on the planet."
PAUL: "We read you, Commander."
INT. MAIN MISSION
PAUL: "Punch in long range cameras."
KOENIG (VO): "A mammoth spaceship."
75.INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION
KOENIG: "Heading right towards me."
74.EXT. SPACE (SFX)
POV of spaceship.
KOENIG (VO): "Tremendous velocity. I'm taking evasive action."
76.EXT. EAGLE (SFX)
The Eagle sways, but flies on in the same direction.
79.INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION
KOENIG: "It's dragging me towards it. Retrorockets ineffective."
80.INT. MAIN MISSION
PAUL: "Why doesn't he open fire?"
VICTOR: "If it's strong enough to drag him towards it, it could be strong enough to stop his lasers."
81.EXT. SPACE (SFX)
-Small Eagle approaches ship.
-Spaceship 'mouth' opens (view from front)
INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION
Koenig reaction.
81.EXT. SPACE (SFX)
Mouth of spaceship opened wide.
82.INT. MAIN MISSION
The staff watch.
-Big Screen (SFX): side view as Eagle enters mouth.
83.EXT. SPACE (SFX)
-Interior view in spaceship mouth: Eagle enveloped, jaws beyond close.
-Alien ship flies to Moon.
FADE OUT
EXT. MOONBASE ALPHA (SFX)
84.INT. MAIN MISSION
PAUL: "Eagle Four. Come in, Eagle Four. This is Main Mission. Do you copy? Eagle Four, come in."
SANDRA: "There is no communication at all. I am getting nothing from the on-board instruments."
PAUL (sighs): "Well, what do we do?"
VICTOR: "There's a slim chance he may have survived, even within that other ship. So we can't attack."
PAUL: "What can we do?"
VICTOR: "Their technology is much more advanced than ours."
PAUL: "Operation Shockwave, do we go on with it?"
VICTOR: "Ah, we must at least go on with the preparations."
PAUL: "Okay. The planning meeting for Operation Shockwave is brought forward. We'll start it right away in the Commander's office." ((to Tanya)) "Keep calling, and if you hear anything -anything at all- let me know."
Paul, David, Sandra and Victor go up to the office.
EXT. SPACE (SFX)
Alien spaceship.
85.INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION
KOENIG: "Moonbase Alpha, do you read me?" ((takes comlock)) "Main Mission. This is Koenig. Do you read me? Do you read me?"
The door slowly opens behind him. Tensely he holds his laser. Then he gets up.
87.INT. EAGLE PASSENGER SECTION
Dark. Koenig advances. The main starboard door slowly slides open, & Koenig swiftly doubles back. He cautiously walks out. The door closes behind him: he rushes back up the steps, but it is closed before he can stop it.
INT. SPACESHIP ANTECHAMBER
A geometric pattern on the wall, seen through the Eagle door in the previous scene. Koenig walks to it & feels it.
88.INT. SPACESHIP CHAMBER
It splits open. Koenig advances into the dark chamber. The geometric door closes the Eagle door off from him. He walks on into the chamber. Lights come on, filling the dusty chamber of geometric planes with shadows. Arra's figure, seated on her throne, is illuminated.
Crosscuts between zooms into close ups of both their faces. Arra shakily lifts her veil to reveal her ancient face.
ARRA: "I have waited a long time to meet you, John Koenig."
KOENIG: "Who are you?"
ARRA: "I am Arra, Queen of Atheria."
KOENIG: "Atheria?"
ARRA: "The planet whose course has so terrified you and your people. We have expected you for many millions of years. You see your destiny has always been our destiny."
KOENIG: "But.. how can that be possible?"
ARRA: "It was only a matter of time before we met, John Koenig."
KOENIG (steps closer, then puts laser back in holster): "It seems to me we are here by accident. Our Moon was blasted out of Earth's orbit by a nuclear explosion. Noone could have forseen that."
ARRA: "Oh, poor John Koenig. How you belittle yourself in the scheme of things. And yet how small you are to be so great."
KOENIG: "I should very much like to know my place in the scheme of things."
ARRA: "Our two planets have met in the body of Time for the great purpose of mutation. We shall change utterly and the change will reverberate through the galaxies and universes of eternity. You and I are two vital drops in the boundless ocean of Time. We have met with purpose. We must not fail our destiny."
KOENIG: "On this question of the destiny of Man. Please be more specific. What will happen to us?"
ARRA: "You shall continue.. Your odyssey shall know no end. You will prosper and increase in new worlds, new galaxies. You will populate the deepest reaches of space."
KOENIG: "And you?"
ARRA: "Oh. The gene of which I and my people are a part shall mutate. We shall take on another form, unrecognisable. Spiritual, if you like. But once changed we shall become immutable for time inconceivable."
KOENIG: "And what must I do to help you achieve all of this?"
ARRA: "Nothing."
89.INT. MAIN MISSION
VICTOR: "I'm afraid I'm right. Whether intentionally or not the alien spaceship's parked itself in the exact position where we plan to lay our mines and create shockwave."
PAUL: "How much time do we have?"
DAVID: "Well, the Cargo Eagles carrying the nuclear charges should be leaving now."
PAUL: "Tanya. Give all cargo carrying Eagles lift off clearance."
TANYA: "Yes, Paul."
HELENA: "John is still inside that alien spaceship."
PAUL: "There's no need to state the obvious." ((Reactions)) "Main Mission to all Cargo Eagles. Move towards the alien spaceship. Coordinates for the nuclear charges will be transmitted shortly."
HELENA: "No other way?"
VICTOR: "Not that I know of."
90.EXT. SPACE (SFX)
Planet, ship, and 3 small Eagles.
91.INT. SPACESHIP CHAMBER
ARRA: "Your friends are dangerously concerned about you. They are making elaborate plans which could destroy this ship."
KOENIG: "How can you know that?"
ARRA: "I can hear their thoughts and words. And the unthinking calculations of your computers. This activity must cease. They must do nothing."
KOENIG: "Are you asking me to tell them to do nothing? How can I do that? They'll need facts, logical explanations. They're all, all of them, logical men and women. There is a way. If you come with me, Arra. You could help me to persuade them just by your presence."
ARRA: "I cannot come with you. We both have our parts to play. Yours is to do nothing. I... I have much to do."
KOENIG: "What you've told me sounds magnificent here, in this chamber, and from your lips. But how will it sound in the cold light of Moonbase Alpha? They'll never believe me. They already think I'm suffering from radiation sickness. They simply will not believe me."
ARRA: "That is the test of your command. Are you unfit to play the part for which you have been destined since the beginning of time? I have faith in you, John Koenig."
KOENIG: "And I have faith in you. But what is faith against the fact of imminent collision? I'll need to know more. I'll need to know what you are going to do."
ARRA: "I go to shape the future of eternity. And I need your help." ((The lights fade; her figure disappears))
KOENIG: "Arra." ((He retreats slowly))
ARRA (VO): "I go to shape the future of eternity. And I need your help. Your help. Your help. Your help."
92.EXT. SPACE (SFX)
View of interior of spaceship mouth. Jaws open, revealing Moon & 3 Eagles beyond. Eagle 4 retreats out.
93.INT. MAIN MISSION
SANDRA (standing): "Paul." ((Paul comes down from office))
94.BIG SCREEN: EXT. SPACE (SFX)
Eagle leaves jaws of spaceship on Big screen.
95.INT. MAIN MISSION
KOENIG (VO): "Main Mission. Main Mission. This is Koenig."
PAUL: "We read you, Commander. Are you alright?"
96.INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION
KOENIG: "I'm fine. Suspend all operations immediately."
PAUL: "Repeat, sir."
KOENIG: "Repeat. Cancel Operation Shockwave. Pull those Eagles out of there. And most important, do nothing until I return. Repeat."
95.INT. MAIN MISSION
KOENIG (VO): "Nothing. Until I return."
PAUL: "Yes, sir."
97.EXT. SPACE (SFX)
Koenig's Eagle leaves spaceship, returning to planet.
FADE OUT:
EXT. MOONBASE ALPHA (SFX)
100.INT. COMMAND OFFICE
Koenig walks round them, sat at the conference table.
KOENIG: "You don't believe me. I know it's incredible. But I trust her, I believe her!"
SANDRA: "Commander, the radiation cloud has cleared now. The readings we are getting are accurate. David has double checked them with the computer and the fact is we are going to collide with that planet in less than seven hours."
DAVID: "Unless we let shockwave go ahead."
PAUL (stands): "The charges are in position, Commander. The countdown's underway. It would be madness to stop it. Is that what you want?"
KOENIG: "Exactly. That's what I want."
PAUL: "Then you are mad."
KOENIG: "Paul."
PAUL: "Commander, it's an open and shut case. We either make some attempt to save ourselves or we die. Anyway, what's so different about this situation to any other danger we've been in?"
KOENIG: "Arra."
PAUL: "Then tell us what she's going to do?"
KOENIG: "I don't know."
PAUL: "You don't know!"
HELENA: "Now look, Paul. There have been two constant factors in all the troubles we've been through. One, we've survived them all. Two, John Koenig has been commander throughout. Now I see no reason to doubt his command now."
PAUL: "But it's absurd.."
HELENA: "Is it? You didn't see Arra. She has convinced John Koenig and as far as I'm concerned I see no reason to doubt his command now."
DAVID: "It's against every fact and calculation.."
HELENA: "Facts, calculations, you're beginning to talk like a computer."
VICTOR: "Hmm. Of course, reason and fact are against Arra. But then the commander's case is not based on reason or fact. But on faith. And I think we should have faith in him."
PAUL: "But you set up Operation Shockwave."
VICTOR: "Yes I did. And now I believe it should be cancelled."
KOENIG: "Paul, cancel Operation Shockwave. This meeting is closed."
102.INT. MAIN MISSION
Leaving Koenig, the staff leave the office for Main Mission.
HELENA: "Paul. You'll have to take over now." ((to Victor)) "Radiation sickness. Hallucination, disorientation. Same symptoms as Carter's."
VICTOR: "Is it permanent damage?"
HELENA: "I don't know. Alan is still affected. John's going to have to be confined to his quarters and mildly sedated."
PAUL: "Do we continue with Shockwave?" ((Victor nods)) "Countdown is six hours and thirty two minutes."
VICTOR: "And you'll look after John?"
HELENA: "Yeah." ((takes comlock)) "Security."
SECURITY (VO): "Security. Identify."
HELENA: "Doctor Russell. Have two guards report to me in Medical Centre immediately please."
EXT. SPACE (SFX)
Planet and tiny Moon.
103.INT. LIVING QUARTERS
CU an empty beaker in foreground. Beyond focus on Koenig asleep in bed.
107.INT. MAIN MISSION
-Big Screen (SFX): Four mines before planet.
Victor is under the Big Screen and taps tensely. The screen changes from 1700 to 1659. He goes to Kate and places a hand on her shoulder supportively, then he goes to Paul.
106.EXT. SPACE (SFX)
Four mines and Atheria.
107.INT. MAIN MISSION
SANDRA: "All generators are working at minimum capacity."
PAUL: "Activate radiation shields to medium power. Technical Section. Seal all launch pads. Evacuate maintenance areas and decompress."
RADIO (VO): "Yes sir."
Tanya looks to Paul. He nods slightly & types. Paul opens a hatch on his desk. The top part is labelled 'SAFE'.
-Big Screen (SFX): Mines and planet.
PAUL (VO): "Nuclear charges fused and ready to detonate."
108.INT. SPACESHIP CHAMBER
ARRA: "Your friends have betrayed you, John Koenig."
109.INT. LIVING QUARTERS
KOENIG (stirring): "Betrayed?"
Koenig wakes & gets up. (sc 111) He moves to open the door with his comlock, but hesitates, and goes instead to the comms post. The screen shows the two guards outside his door. (Sc 113) Koenig starts to the door at a run, using his comlock as he does so (sc 115), and pushing both guards into the door on the opposite side of the corridor. He pushes one guard into his room. The other guard draws his stun gun, but Koenig uses an inside out block on his arm, knocking the laser away, & using the same arm to hit his stomach. He then throws him toward his own open door. But the guard grips the frame. Koenig pushes him, then punches him in the kidneys to force him inside. He picks up the stun gun & uses his comlock.
KOENIG: "Computer, lock my door."
116.INT. SPACESHIP CHAMBER
ARRA: "Alan Carter. It is I, Arra."
117.INT. MEDICAL
ARRA (VO): "We need your help now."
ALAN (stirring): "Arra. Arra."
Helena is about to inject him in the chest, but he catches her arm. He gets up, still holding her. She lifts her comlock.
HELENA: "Doctor Mathias."
Alan takes the comlock from her before she can say more. He then leaves.
118.INT. CORRIDOR
Alan & Koenig meet (POVs of both in pyjamas).
ALAN: "Arra. She called. Where is she?"
KOENIG: "You saw her too? Alan, I need your help. Here's what I want you to do."
120.INT. MAIN MISSION
Screen clock counts down from 3.10. Paul presses a button so the hatch cover opens: the label reads 'Armed'.
PAUL: "Arming nuclear trigger."
EXT. SPACE (SFX)
Atheria and 4 bombs.
120.INT. MAIN MISSION
Clock reads 3-00.
DAVID: "Two minutes fifty nine to detonation."
GIRL (service, runs to office in panic): "No!"
VICTOR (catching her): "Alright, alright, alright."
Alan looks round from the office.
DAVID: "Gravitational pull increasing to strength four."
Alan runs in to throw a box down. Everyone turns to him. (Sc 121) Koenig then enters from the front of Main Mission, carrying the laser.
KOENIG: "Hold it!" (Advances) "Go on, move in there." (directs Sandra & a man into centre of desks) "Sandra. Tanya, get away from that button. Computer. Close and lock Main Mission doors."
As the big doors close Helena and Bob run in from the office. Clock reads 2 40.
KOENIG: "Two minutes, thirty eight seconds."
ALAN: "Commander. Where is Arra?"
KOENIG: "She's with her people, on the planet Atheria. They're waiting for our two worlds to touch. When that happens they'll be transformed into a higher form of life."
PAUL: "Or death."
KOENIG: "Now listen, you've got to believe me. This is our only chance of survival. Operation Shockwave will destroy us unless we wait and do nothing."
HELENA: "John. Give me the gun."
KOENIG: "Helena. You tried to ignore and deceive me. But you couldn't deceive Arra. Operation Shockwave will not take place!"
PAUL: "Then we'll die for certain."
DAVID: "Gravitational pull increasing rapidly now."
EXT. SPACE (SFX)
Mines.
DAVID (cont, VO): "We must detonate."
121.INT. MAIN MISSION
HELENA (advancing): "John. Please. Let me help you."
KOENIG: "You think I'm suffering from radiation sickness, don't you?"
HELENA: "Both you and Alan.."
KOENIG: "It wasn't radiation. Arra saved Alan. Just as she'll save all of us."
HELENA: "John. Believe me. The medical facts-"
KOENIG: "Helena. Why don't you believe me!?!" (she moves to button) "Helena. If it's a choice."
-Big Screen (SFX): Mines
Paul grabs and pulls Helena from the button & advances himself.
KOENIG: "Paul!"
Clock now reads 1 minute 00. Close: Koenig, Helena; 0 52
-Big Screen (SFX): Mines.
Close: Alan; Paul, Victor. A man on the balcony watches them. 0-43.
PAUL: "We're all going to die in a minute. I'll take my chances a few seconds early. Shoot me, if you choose."
The balcony man jumps on Koenig. Alan jumps on Paul. Koenig throws off his assailant while Victor struggles with Alan. Koenig judo throws a Main Mission man. Paul throws a punch at Alan but is blocked & hit in the stomach.
-Big Screen (SFX): Mines, planet.
Alan reaches out but Victor hold him in an armlock. The Main Mission man and David hold back Koenig. Helena advances to the button.
KOENIG: "Helena! No! Please! Trust me! Trust me!"
EXT. SPACE (SFX)
Moon and planet.
121.INT. MAIN MISSION
Helena reaches forward.
VICTOR: "Too late!"
Clock: 0 00.
122.EXT. SPACE (SFX)
Moon and planet.
123.INT. MAIN MISSION
-Big Screen (SFX): planet fills screen
-All eyes stare at Big Screen. All back except Koenig.
-Big Screen (SFX)/ Main Mission: staff back, Koenig watching
EXT. MOONBASE ALPHA (SFX)
Planet over base.
123.INT. MAIN MISSION
KOENIG: "Arra!"
-Big Screen (SFX): planet sky
KOENIG (VO): "Arra, where are you?"
-Main Mission: Koenig grabs and shakes Victor, but he is unhearing.
KOENIG: "Victor, I believed her! Victor, I believed her!"
-Big Screen (SFX): Planet's atmosphere.
-Main Mission: They back.
124.EXT. SPACE (SFX)
Planet and Moon on point of collision. Planet disappears.
125.INT. MAIN MISSION
They look up in amazement, while spot explosions break out.
-Big Screen (SFX): An empty star field. (sc 126)
-Main Mission: Paul moves forward and they use the extinguishers on the fires.
PAUL: "Come on. Quick. Get those fires out. Sandra, Kano, keep monitoring. To your posts everyone. Attention all sections Alpha, report your damage. Technical Section, issue damage control equipment to all sections. Medical Section, prepare to receive casualties."
129.EXT. SPACE (SFX)
Starfield.
FADE OUT:
132.EXT. CORRIDOR OUTSIDE MAIN MISSION
Shooting through window at Koenig, Alan is background in arch. Helena walks up and Alan goes into Main Mission.
HELENA: "John. I'm sorry."
KOENIG: "You were right. Totally right. If you'd done anything else I'd want to know why."
HELENA: "But-"
KOENIG: "But nothing. Helena. If you went out to that spaceship and came back with a crazy story like I did, I'd be a fool not to lock you up. How could anyone possibly know that "
EXT. SPACE (SFX)
Stars.
KOENIG (cont, VO): "That a planet on a collision course would not collide."
132.INT. CORRIDOR
KOENIG (cont): "But simply touch."
He walks away.
FREEZE FRAME:
series created by Gerry & Sylvia Anderson
An ITC RAI co-production
produced by GROUP THREE for world-wide distribution
c ITC -Incorporated Television Company Ltd. MCMLXXIV
paul morrow Prentis Hancock
david kano Clifton Jones
sandra benes Zienia Merton
dr mathias Anton Phillips
alan carter Nick Tate
music by Barry Gray associate Vic Elms
special effects Brian Johnson production designer Keith Wilson
production manager Ron Fry
director of photography Frank Watts BSC
casting director Michael Barnes
script editor Johnny Byrne
supervising editor David Lane
camera operator Neil Binney
assistant director Ken Baker
sound recordist David Bowen
editor Alan Killick
sound editor Peter Pennell
music editor Alan Willis
continuity Gladys Goldsmith
Processed at the Rank Film Laboratories
make-up Basil Newall
hair designer Helene Bevan
wardrobe Eileen Sullivan
Filmed at Pinewood Studios, Buckinghamshire, England
SPECIAL EFFECTS
director Nick Allder
lighting cameraman Harry Oakes
camera operator Frank Drake
electronics Michael S. E. Downing
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