Hotel Six - Episode 1 "Pilot" 2nd Draft

8/2/2019 Hotel Six - Episode 1 "Pilot" 2nd Draft

1/57

HOTEL SIX

"Pilot"

Written by

Anthony Suen

BDC 947 - Special Project: WritingProf. Michael CoutancheRTA School of MediaRyerson University, Toronto, CA


2/57

COLD OPEN

ON BLACK:

A LOW RUMBLE underscores A MASS of screams and cries.

The rumble clears into METAL LURCHING and ROCK CRUMBLING.

Over it, subdued PANTING and frantic FOOTSTEPS.

CUT TO:

EXT. RUINED CITY STREET - DAY

The BACK OF A MAN, wearing advanced field gear, weavesbetween waves of civilians rushing past him. He snakesthrough them, moving precisely and deliberately.

He STOPS. His HEAD aims skyward.

EXT. GROUND ZERO - CRATER - SAME

HANDS shake uncontrollably. EYES flutter under dirty lids --pupils milky white, glazed over.

They belong to an ARGENTINEAN BOY, his face sweaty, breathingerratic. Blood stains caked on his nose and ears.

He arches his back, face to the sky, and SCREAMS in pain.

Everything starts SHAKING.

EXT. RUINED CITY STREET - CONTINUOUS

The street SHAKES VIOLENTLY. Around the Man, people scatterfor cover and trample over one another. He turns to the side.

A building beside him RUMBLES and CREAKS.

A dull metallic POP as the buildings supports cave in.Rubble explodes outwards.

The Man -- back still to US, watches stilly while the DEBRISrains down and fills the FRAME IN BLACK.


3/57

ACT ONE

EXT. RUINED CITY STREET - CONTINUOUS

DEBRIS continues to fall down. The Man is still, looking up.

His face is weathered with a thick beard -- sweaty hair peaksout from under a beret. This is JURRIAAN FOX VOS, mid 40s,flak jacket sporting a NAME TAG: J. VOS|OP-DEP H-6.

Everything SLOWS while the building comes down onto thestreet. The shadow of the rubble smothers him, but Foxs faceis stone.

Amidst the DEAFENING collapse, Fox breaks into a run again --a concrete slab slams down onto where he stood a second ago.

Fox keeps moving. He spins to the side before another slabexplodes into the ground. The manoeuvre jolts off hisEARPIECE, flying into the clouds of dust.

He snakes between falling metal and brick as easily as hesnakes between escaping civilians -- NOTHING can scathe him.

THE COLLAPSED RUBBLE settles.

The street quietly stirs, devoid of people.

He brings his wrist up -- on it is an advanced touch-screendevice: his Field Environment Information Display (FEID).

Swiping his fingers, biometric info pops up -- the heart ratedisplayed is dangerously rapid.

Beside it, a NAME: N. BARANOV. H-6.

Reaching to his ear, he feels for his earpiece. Communicationis gone. His EYES gaze down a ruined street -- it only getsworse from here.

EXT. CEMETARY - DAY - PRESENT

Those same EYES linger on a funeral procession up ahead.Foxs face is clear of grime and grit -- his beard thick, butgroomed. He grips his beret tightly in hand.

Hes well back from the mourners -- three caskets are laidout while HOLY MEN recite prayers in LATIN, performing anunrecognizable burial ritual. A soldier raises a DUTCH FLAG.

2


4/57

Fox caps his beret, and walks towards an UNMARKED CAR. In thecrowd, an ELDERLY OFFICIAL, HENRIK - mid 60s, notices himand slips away.

HENRIK

Fox, is that you?

Fox manages a few steps before turning around.

FOXCommander.

He gives a tired salute. Henrik returns with a stiffer one.

HENRIKWhat are you doing here?

FOXWanted to see these boys off.

He nods to the direction of the funeral, eyes stuck there.

HENRIK(gently)

Good man, good man.

Fox gives a dismissive nod.

HENRIK (CONTD)Retirement treating you well, then?

FOXIts different.

HENRIKYou know, we could still use you.The entire service could. We canput you in an HQ position. Maybe,away from the field?

FOX(scoffing)

Really?

HENRIK(firmly)

What you can do is irreplaceable.

Cold eyes finally turn to Henrik. Fox steps a bit closer.

FOX(louder, pointing tofuneral)

3

(MORE)


5/57

What I did was see too much ofthat.

More heads turn their way. They tone it down.

HENRIKTwo years and youve been doingwhat -- lounging in a cabin?Catching up with the world? You ledmen, Jurriaan. Your platoons brokethrough whole fronts -- Georgia,Manchuria, Iran!

FOXAnd not a scratch on me.

HENRIKNot a scratch.

Fox steps back, weighing Henriks words before turning forthe escort car.

HENRIK (CONTD)The wars wont stop for you,Jurriaan.

FOXIm done stopping for them.

Henrik watches Fox disappear into the car, before turns back

to the funeral. Soldiers lift their rifles in unison.When they FIRE:

EXT. CITY STREET - DAY

The Boy paces with an older man -- his FATHER. He holds himby the shoulder and pushes him to keep the pace.

The Boy is sweating, his face trying to hide intense pain.His father grips him tightly with one hand, the other holds

A SCRIBBLED NOTE -- Dont Enter, under a street address.

The Father stops his son. Theyre at the spot.

FATHER(in Spanish)

Stay here!

He sets him down on the curb. The Boy looks up through painedeyes and the Father grips his arms tightly.

4

FOX (CONT'D)


6/57

FATHER (CONTD)Can you control it?!

BOY(in Spanish)

Im scared, papa.

The Father cant wait -- he dashes into the alleyway.

EXT. THE LODGE - BACKYARD - DAY

The Lodge sits amidst a snowy landscape of alpine trees andthe outline of the Alps in the distance.

Its logged exterior is embedded with high-tech metallicattachments. The devices on the lodges sides passively blinkbehind TWO MEN in the backyard.

An elderly Japanese man, DOC KATAYAMA, a benign but livelyprofessional, sits on porch steps, enjoyably observing thebear-ish presence of NIKOLAI BARANOV, mid 30s.

Nik hammers away at a wood plank -- an outdoor ice rink is inthe works. He has a bruisers build, but moves with finesse.

Doc fiddles with something hidden inside his jacket pocket.

DOCSo, this has been a week-long

project then, Nikolai?NIK

No. When there is downtime, I canwork on building this. Not muchdowntime until now.

Doc nods gently. Makes his way down the steps to Nik.

NIK (CONTD)What is this, Doctor?

Nik finally looks up from his work to a grinning Doc. Niks

stern, looking for an answer past the smile.

DOCA simple check-up.

He goes back to hammering away.

NIKThe rest of the team should arrivesoon.

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7/57

DOCNo worry, I can enjoy thisremarkable air for a bit longer.

Doc takes a deep breath in. Revels in the crispness of it.

DOC (CONTD)Theyre lucky to fly back hereunder this beautiful weather. Andyou, Nikolai?

NIKAnd me?

He sets down the hammer, moving up the porch.

DOCThe idea of being on leave, is thatyou leave.

NIKIts better here. Listen.

They both tilt their heads to the sky. The lull of the windshakes the branches of the forest, cutting through thesilence. Nik is in a trance, eyes shut for a moment.

DOCWhat about home?

NIK(opening his eyes)Not much for me back there.

Nik spots Doc fiddling with his fingers in the jacket pocket.

NIK (CONTD)This is preferable. What is in yourpocket?

DOCWhy I came.

He pulls out a cylindrical metal pillbox. The Protectoratesemblem emblazoned into the surface. Doc holds it out to Nik,who simply stares back at him.

DOC (CONTD)Were working on solutions foroperatives in the field. Riskmitigation. Preventative measures.Ive been working on ways to helpyou and your team.

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8/57

NIKSo, youve read my debriefs?

Doc pulls back the pillbox.

DOCYes, the last three assignments.

NIKAnd?

DOCNo red flags. The data checks out.Optimal performance.

He gestures them again. This time, Nik grabs them. He flipsopen the lid -- inside are RED and WHITE pill capsules.

Nik glares at Doc. He puts them in his pocket.

DOC (CONTD)Use them when you stretch yourabilities to their limits. Wheneveryou feel you must, ingest thecapsules. They will help.

(getting up)Come, they should be arriving soon.

Doc eggs Nik on, letting him through the porch door first.


The Boy sits on the curb. He taps his FEET on the ground,staring at them fearfully. His HANDS shake too, flat on thepavement, watching them quiver against a still ground.

Another HAND comes up behind him and grabs his shoulder. Theboy spins around, terrified.

His Father stumbles back, yelping. Hes more terrified.

FATHER

Calm down! I have it!

He holds up a plastic bag -- inside are a dozen PILLCAPSULES. But these are BLUE and SILVER.

FATHER (CONTD)Take them, now. Please, son.

BOYWhere did you get them?

7


9/57

His father grabs him by the collar -- hes sweating, buggyeyes almost going berserk.

FATHERIt doesnt matter! They told me it

would stop everything, all of it!

He relaxes the grip and turns it into an embrace.

FATHER (CONTD)I just want you back.

BOYOkay, Papa.

The Fathers look relaxes. He take pours out two pills andgives his son a water bottle, watching him gulp it down.

EXT. RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBOURHOOD - DAY

Rows of single-door houses stretch down the quiet street.ROBBIE MCDORMICK, lean and light in his early 20s, jogs upthe steps to a homely FRONT DOOR.

Looking back at the street, a black car waits, window down.Inside, a DRIVER in shades watches him impatiently. Robbieknocks on the door. No answer.

ROBBIE

Ma?! Ma, you in there?He peers through the thin window: all the lights are off.

In his hand, he grips a silver necklace, an intricatelyweaved CELTIC KNOT. Clenching it, he vaults over the steps.

He lands limber, on solid footing -- he does this a lot.Peeking through the backyard door and into the basementwindows, he tries to spot any sign of it being lived in.

Coming up behind him, the DRIVERs HAND taps him on the back.

Robbie YELPS in surprise, and while he spins around --

AROUND HIS HEAD

Materializes PALE BLUE PARTICLES -- an ethereal mist ofPSIONIC ENERGY that forms around him. It flattens out andSNAPS TOGETHER in an instant --

-- The driver recoils, falling to the ground, avoiding whatnow lies in front of Robbie, whose still gasping in surprise:

8


10/57

a PALE BLUE PLATFORM, translucent and glowing, hovers in theair while Robbie tries to hold back a laugh.

ROBBIE (CONTD)Oh, shit. My bad, I kinda lose it

when, uh...

Robbies psionic platform DISSOLVES back into a mist aroundhis head before disappearing altogether.

ROBBIE (CONTD)...Yeah.

He extends a hand towards the DRIVER on the ground, who swatsit away.

ROBBIE (CONTD)Alright, alright.

DRIVERWere behind schedule andtransports north of the border.Miss this one, and youll be AWOLfor a week and a half.

The driver enjoys Robbies defeated look. He brushes the dustoff his suit and heads for the escort car.

DRIVER (CONTD)They leave at 1100 hours.

Robbie puts on the necklace, placing it under his shirt. Helooks one last time at the empty front door of Mas house.

I/E. CAR - PRIVATE AIRPORT - DAY

ALLISON MICHIELS, mid 20s, a solemn smile on her soft face,stares down at the litter of colourful letters in her lap.

She takes one from the pile -- some spotty cursive spells outMs. Michiels - WE MISS YOU!!. She laughs quietly.

DRIVERLots of fans, Agent Michiels?

She folds it back up and stuffs it in her bag.

ALLISONYeah, something like that.

She shuffles the rest inside too. Out the window, at the farend of the runway, a TRANSPORT HELICOPTER waits.

9


11/57

Allison slumps down into her seat. Grips her bag tightly.

Above the car, the CANADIAN FLAG: a strange coat of armsinstead of a maple leaf, flutters against the breeze.

INT. APARTMENT - DAY

The Father feels his boys forehead, tucking him in bed.

FATHERAre you calm now?

BOYI think so.

He takes the Boys hands -- theyre quaking still.

FATHERBe strong. For Mama.

BOYIll try my hardest.

His Father smiles at him. Leaving his bedside, he walks tothe closet. He pulls out a brown bag and reaches inside.

He pulls wads of cash out -- more than a thousand worth.

The Boy watches his Father count it quickly. His worried face

organizes the piles before stuffing it all back inside.A worried face turns to a smile for his son.

FATHERWe did it.

The Boys hands still quake at his sides -- they wont stop.

FATHER (CONTD)Ill be back. I have to handle somebusiness.

BOYWhen are you coming back?

FATHERVery soon.

He kisses his forehead and runs out the apartment door.

The Boy goes back to his hands -- he concentrates hard onstopping the shaking, somehow. His focus is stern, but heyelps suddenly -- the pains back.

10


12/57

The bag of pills sites on the beside table. He pours out twomore and gulps them down.

OUT THE WINDOW: his Father exits tot he street. The Boy spotshim waiting on the side of the street while an UNMARKED CAR

pulls up. He gets in, and it drives off.

BOY(yelling)

Papa!

He jumps out of bed and dashes for the door -- he stops andturns back for the pills, grabbing them in a haste.

EXT. CITY STREET - CONTINUOUS

BOYPapa?! Papa?!

Hes gone. The boy struggles to hold back tears. The quakingis uncontrollable now. Crumbling to the ground, he kneelsdown and holds his head in his arms, hands still crazed.

They make CONTACT the pavement. The shaking ceases -- hispalms sit stilly against the ground. Hes astonished.

And then, the ENTIRE STREET begins to QUAKE instead.

EXT. THE LODGE - FRONT PORCH - DAYDoc stands on the front steps, patiently looking upwards atthe alpine sky. Nik brings him some steaming tea in a mug.

NIKCamomile.

DOCYou seem to know everyonesfavorites.

NIK

A talent.

Doc pats him on the back -- he cant even reach his shoulder.They both hear a CHOPPING break the airs stillness.

Nik runs back to the front door and opens a metal panel bythe door frame. He slams a BIG RED BUTTON. A Klaxon BLARES.

A TRANSPORT HELICOPTER breaks through the treeline. In frontof the two on the ground, the snowy terrain mechanicallygrinds open to reveal flat black tarmac -- a hidden HELIPAD.

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13/57

The mechanism loudly clangs into place underneath the ground.The chopper hovers for a moment, kicking up the snow, beforegetting low enough for Fox to jump out with his bags.

The moment he sees the two, his stone face lightens up a bit.

FOXStill cold as hell?

NIKManageable.

They shake hands firmly. Fox gives Doc a hug.

DOCI thought a check-up was in order.

FOXHow did you get here?

Fox turns to Nik, who turns to Doc, who shakes his head.

DOCThat doesnt matter, Fox. Whatmatters is I get to see all of youin one place, finally.

FOXYou managed to find time out of theoffice?

NIKSomething like that.

Doc motions for Nik to stop sharing. Nik keeps back a smirk,and the three notice another CHOPPING NOISE in the distance.

NIK (CONTD)Go on inside, Ill greet ourguests.

FOXGood to see your face, Nik.

NIKWelcome back, Captain.

INT. THE LODGE - CONTINUOUS

Fox sets his bags in the LOUNGE AREA before moving straightfor the coffee pot in the KITCHEN --

Where a fresh brew is already waiting.

12


14/57

FOX(chuckling)

Nik, you bastard.

DOC (O.S.)

Something funny?

Doc walks in with that cheery smile.

FOXOh, no, nothing.

He stares out the window at Nik -- the chopper hovers above.

DOCI gave him something for the field.

FOX(swigging his coffee)

Mmm.

DOCAnd how capable are you, at thisvery moment?

It catches Fox off-guard. Doc stares into him.

FOXIm ready, Kata.

Doc keeps the glare.FOX (CONTD)

I followed some funerals back home.Boys, no older than twenty-three.Kids I wouldve seen -- did see --back then. Closed casket wake, anda ceremony the same morning.

(takes another sip)They even want to rush death now.

DOCHow did they die?

FOXPakistani border...

(responding to Docs look)Unconfirmed. Extra-normal.Circumstance.

He lists it out in the air with his hands, like its anewspaper headline. He turns back to the window.

Allison rushes to Nik, hugging him, while Robbie laughs.

13


15/57

FOX (CONTD)So youre here to make sure I dontchoke, and give Nik some medicine?

DOC

Hell need it. Youll need him.

They hear the DOOR open and the ROBBIE talking immediately.

ROBBIE (O.S.)Is it done yet? Do you have glassfor boards? How we gonna lay theice?

Doc takes out a small data card.

DOCHere. The protocols we set up forNik. Upload that to your FEID,itll tell you what you need toknow.

FOX(taking it)

Yeah.

DOCMy times up, Im afraid.

Nik leads the two into the KITCHEN, smiling behind them. They

catch a look at Doc and their jaws drop.ALLISON

Woah, my God, Dr. Kata!

DOCRadiant as ever, Allison.

Allison hugs him tightly.

ROBBIEHey, Doc! Been a while, you catch alook at this rink yet?!

(grabbing Niks arm)Come on, Im seeing this.

DOCPlease, Id recommend you all standback.

Doc shuffles into the foyer. He stands there, still.

FOXNik, you mind sharing now?

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16/57

Nik squirms out of Robbies grip.

NIKHe brought a Tango.

FOXOh, n--

The air SHIMMERS and DISTORTS in front of them. Somethingsucks the air into itself before a BURST OF LIGHT:

XIAN, mid-30s, stands in front of them. Weedy and dry, hescans the team, annoyed.

XIANWheres Katayama? Breaking protocoltwice isnt my kind of fun.

DOCHere, Agent Xian.

He steps into view in front of the team. Xian looks down.

XIANThe money?

FOXSection Squad and Designation. Now,Agent.

XIAN(to Nik)Didnt tell your friends about me,Baranov?

(to Fox)Xian Qi-Lui. Tango-Seven, SpecialtyTeams and Operations. Raised inGeneva, explains the fluency. Sixyears with The Protectorate, lostcount of my ports after the third.And he gave me these coordinates,so dont get nervous.

DOCIm sure thats sufficient. Weshould be going.

XIANWheres my payment?

DOCWhen we arrive, Xian. Patience.

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17/57

FOXTheyll find out about this, Doc.

DOCOh, and then what?

He smiles while he grabs onto Xians shoulder.

XIANEyes and mouth closed. Hold yourbreath. Count down from ten.

DOCSave some lives, Six.

The air distorts, wind whirls inwards, and another FLASH.

The four are left dumbfounded by the exit.

FOXYou could have brought up the rogueporter before he pops inside oursecret base.

NIKI was out back.

FOXCoffees in the pot for those whowant it.

ROBBIE(to Nik)

Lets lay down this ice.

The two head for the porch door while Allison and Fox watch.

ALLISONDoes it get any easier? Coming backto this?

FOXGuys like them? They help.

Robbie gawks at the rink beyond the door, to Niks enjoyment.

An ELECTRONIC BEEP pulses through the ceiling speakers inevery room of the Lodge. The four dart their heads up,anticipating something after --

INTERCOM (V.O.)Attention: This is a division-widealert. Operations and DeploymentOrder 755-1A is now in effect....

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18/57

Foxs eyes widen. Allison covers her mouth. Theyre stricken.

INTERCOM (V.O.)...All relevant squad personnelcontact section bases immediately.

Repeat: Order 755-1A is in effect.Contact section bases immediately.

Allison grabs her head in disbelief. Fox is still, assessing.Robbie cant manage to piece together words. Nik calmlynudges the porch door closed, locking out the gentle wind.

ALLISONGod, not right now. Not now.

Robbie moves to the center table, slumping in a chair.

ROBBIEBoss, cant be us, can it?

Fox shakes his head. Robbie SLAMS his hands against the table-- on it is a sleek intercom that Fox approaches. Before hepresses down on a button, he looks to Nik, who nods.

FOXHotel Base, Hotel Base. This isSquad Captain Jurriaan Vos of Hotel-Six, over.

INTERCOM (V.O.)

Solid copy, Six. Youre confirmedfor deployment under 755-1A.Pulling up Code Green info on yoursquad -- priority personnel areactive? Confirm, over.

They all look up at Nik. His face is stone.

FOXAll agents are active, Base, butfresh off leave. Were a weekwithout training or conditioning,over.

INTERCOM (V.O.)The Code Green is coming straightdown from OP-DEP, Six. Heavyseismic activity in Buenos Aires,Argentina. Crowd controls in highdemand for your assigned sector.Briefings will be provided duringtransport -- ETA fifteen minutes,over.

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19/57

Fox curses under his breath. He holds back his next answer.The three look to him anxiously, waiting for the call.

FOXCopy, Base. Prepping for

deployment. Six, out.

ROBBIEThanks for the welcome back,pricks.

ALLISONCaptain--

Fox moves past them to the other end of The Lodge. In frontof him is LARGE BLAST DOORS.

He slides open a panel to a number pad, entering the codebefore the doors hiss open.

THE ARMORY

Reveals four steel cabinets separated by dividers, screendisplays situated by each of them, waiting for hand scans.

FOXTen minutes to suit up. Prep yourgear in five. Ready in eight.

EXT. GROUND ZERO - CRATER - DAY

EYES SLOWLY OPEN. The Boy gets up. Around him, DESTRUCTION.

A five-story-high crater surrounds him from all around.Buildings, rubble, and bodies litter the craters ground.

He wears a face of horror. SIRENS and SCREAMING in thedistance, out of sight, over the distant edge.

He looks down to his HANDS -- theyre brown and black withdirt. And now, theyre QUAKING once more.

BOY(whimpering)

Papa.

INT. THE LODGE - ARMORY - DAY

Fox and Nik wear identical FIELD GEAR -- cargoes, flakjacket, utility belt. Nik slides the pillbox into one of itspockets. Fox watches him intently.

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20/57

Robbie wears custom gear: EXOSKELETAL LEG SUPPORTS to bracehis joints. Allison is the most specialized: her form-fittingsuit has a SPINAL HARNESS riding up to the back of her head --a pulsing COLLAR latches around her neck, buttons glowing.

She presses a switch on it -- her helmet cascades forwards,cocooning around her head. The VISOR pieces together insegments in front of her face. Holographic data comes online.

ALLISONFlight systems, check. Displays,check. Mobility, all checks out.

ROBBIEJoints are solid, got fullinsulation. Not even rusty.

Robbie springs up and down -- his specialized RUNNING SHOESadapt and to the shape of his feet.

Fox goes to a side cabinet, scans his thumb on a display. Itpops open, and inside are FEIDs, earpieces, and pistols.

FOX(handing it out)

Once we get briefing data, itssector recon first -- damagereports and crisis analysis. Thenwe get Nik to the designated sectorbase camp, and sweep the place for

remaining civilian extraction.Fox pauses at the guns. He stops before grabbing one.

He hands the team their guns -- Allison hesitates.

FOX (CONTD)Itll stay in his holster.

Allison latches it onto her flight suit.

FOX (CONTD)(to Nik)

What Doc gave you, youll be on topof it?

NIKCan I trust that they will do theirjob? Exactly their job?

FOXWont come to that.

Another BEEP. Fox presses an intercom on the ARMORYS WALL.

19


21/57

INTERCOM (V.O.)Six, this is Hotel Base. Change ofplans, that Code Green you havejust got you Tango treatment. Readyup. Should be arriving now.

FOXNot another one.

They turn around to catch the shimmering air and light show.

Standing in front of them is XIAN, this time in FIELD GEAR.

ROBBIEOh, thats fucking golden.

XIANYour advisors clearance level is areal pain in my ass.

FOXYoure the only one they couldsend?

XIANHeres your briefings. Might aswell send a Tango who knew thelocation. Easiest punishment.

He throws them data cards that they slot into their FEIDs --

information starts loading onto their screens.XIAN (CONTD)

You all know group teleportprocedure?

The four encircle Xian and grab points on his shoulder.

XIAN (CONTD)Eyes and mouth closed. Hold yourbreath. Count from ten. And dontlet go.

They all close their eyes. The air sucks into itself, and thefive disappear in a FLASH OF WHITE LIGHT.

END OF ACT ONE

20


22/57

ACT TWO

EXT. ABOVE BUENOS AIRES - DAY

A BUILDING ROOF sits quietly against the billowing smoke andfires raging in the horizon at the core of the city.

The empty air shimmers and a FLASH of LIGHT.

The five come through --

-- except, theyve arrived in MID-AIR. Free-falling, besidethe ROOFTOP, and fifty feet above ground.

Allison is the first to recover. She stops her fall byLEVITATING in the air while the four others fall past her.

She sees Xian, limp and unconscious, WHOOSH by.

ALLISONOh, no.

Her visor pieces together and she dips downwards.

Fox is calm, despite falling -- he aims his body towards thebuilding and hooks onto the FIRE ESCAPE like a gymnast. Hehangs onto the railing while Nik and Robbie fall past.

NIK

Robbie!Robbie psionic energy orbits around head while he falls --concentrating, he shoots his arms out: the PARTICLES follow.

They SNAP together below, and the platform bounces a bit whenRobbie lands -- Nik HITS the platform too, only he bouncesharder and rolls for the edge.

Robbie slides to catch Niks arm before he falls off.

Allison reaches a limp Xian and grabs him. She slowsgradually and floats.

ALLISONSo glad youre lanky.

Looking up -- Nik is hanging by a thread.

She takes a deep breath before cradling Xian, and flyingupwards, straight for Nik.

ALLISON (CONTD)Nik, Brace!

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23/57

Nik puts his shoulder out to protect him from the impact.Allison tucks her head in and body-checks him upwards.

The momentum flings Nik back onto the platform.

Robbie collapses on all fours, panting.

EXT. BUILDING ROOFTOP - CONTINUOUS

Allison brings the unconscious Xian over the ledge and placeshim against it. Fox paces anxiously. Spotting Xian, he gripshim by the collar and furiously shakes.

FOXWhat the hell was that?!

Xians eyes flutter open.

XIANWhat? What happened?

He releases his grip from Xian, scoffing. Robbie arrives withNik, jumping off another platform and onto the roof.

ROBBIEYou fucked up. Badly.

XIANI must have lapsed -- my bearings

were screwed with, I can feel it.FOX

What are you talking about?

XIANLook!

Xian shows him his FEID -- its on a digital compass, thepointer is going haywire.

XIAN (CONTD)Something really fucking wrong

here.

FOXWe need to get to sector camp.

XIANIm telling you--

NIKSomething is out here. I can feelit. Faint. But there.

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24/57

FOX(to Xian)

Can you teleport one person?

Xian backs off. He gets up, holding his temples.

XIANYeah. I can get your Code Greenhere to the camp.

NIKAgent, are you sure--

XIANI can handle one, Baranov.

FOXGo. Camps waiting. Wellrendezvous there.

Xian gives Allison an appreciative nod. She returns it.

Another FLASH and Nik and Xian are gone.

FOX (CONTD)Keep that frequency up on yourFEID. You see anything off, wholeteam will know.

Allison floats upwards and shoots down the street.

The two leap off the ledge and onto one of Robbiesplatforms, using them as bridges to the other rooftops.

EXT. RELIEF CENTRE - DAY

A WIDE SOCCER STADIUM

Has been turned into an field hospital and base camp for amass of first responders, Gendarmaria, and civilians.

Under a large tent, some UNIFORMS -- same as Hotel Sixs,

huddle together. Behind them, another SHIMMER and FLASH.

Xian and Nik arrive -- Xian strains from the port.

One of the UNIFORMS -- AGENT GUERRERO, approaches.

GUERREROAre you the Code Green?

He keeps a hushed tone against the civilians around them.

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25/57

NIKBaranov, Nikolai. Hotel Six. Thisis Agent Xian, a Tango. He needs torecover from--

XIANThis whole area is unstable -- itsnot a good place to be.

GUERREROWhats he talking about?

NIKWe ported into the area off-mark.

The Agent glances at Xian, dismissing him.

GUERREROWe dont have a profile on you.Base just wants crowd control,dont know how you do it, just doit.

NIKIll need high ground.

The Agent looks up behind them. They both turn around, seewhat the Agent is looking at -- a WATCHTOWER POST.

NIK (CONTD)

Can you port?Xian looks around -- the people around them scramble and rushpast each other. Its all smothered in chaos.

XIANYes. This camp though--

The Agent nods to them and turns back to the main tent. Xianlooks to Nik, who shrugs. He grabs Xian, and they disappear

-- and reappear on the WATCHTOWER. Xian kneels down, spent.

Nik take out a thermos from his belt and hands it to him.

XIAN (CONTD)(gulping it down)

So, what now?

Niks already sitting, cross-legged, on the metal surface.

He scans below -- people littered amongst tents and emergencyvehicles. Scattered and hectic like ants in a colony.

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Niks breathing steadies. His eyes flutter under their lids.

Biometric info pulses on his FEID display -- it slows to acrawl. But his brain activity starts rising, fast.


Allison swims through the sky -- around her are crumbling andbuildings. The tallest scrapers creak and moan, waiting tobreak at any moment.

ALLISONPlease, please, please--

She presses one button in the array of switches adorning herflight suits collar:

HER HEADS-UP DISPLAY

Switches to THERMAL IMAGING -- dozens of bright orange specksare scattered within the buildings all down the block.

ALLISON (CONTD)No...

She clicks on the side of her helmet.

ALLISON (CONTD)Fox, Im getting multiple readings

of remaining civilians trapped inthis sector -- high-rises mostly.At least a dozen on each block.

EXT. BUILDING ROOFTOPS - CONTINUOUS

Robbie and Fox dash between the rooftops. Any gaps betweenroofs are filled with platforms Robbie lays down -- the mistof bluish energy flows fluidly around his head.

FOXWere at least ten blocks out of

base camp. Get a clear visual ofthe whole sector, theres no otherfliers deployed here. Were gonnabe the first to get a look at thewhole crisis zone.

Robbie monkeys over rooftop units and ledges. Fox just runs.

FOX (CONTD)Robbie can rendezvous with you whenwe switch phases.

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ROBBIEBoss, what about satellite visuals?

Fox shakes his head. Robbie scoffs.

ROBBIE (CONTD)Some support.

EXT. ABOVE BUENOS AIRES - CONTINUOUS

Allisons already gaining altitude.

ALLISONThese structures are unstable, mostof them will go down in under anhour -- what Xian said...

She stops and hovers. Below her is the broken cityscape.


FOXGet to a clear spot and map thosecoordinates. Need to give theseguys something.

They two see the soccer stadium peak through the horizoncrumbling buildings.

ROBBIE(quietly)

Hello, beautiful.

FOXKeep us posted. Well be at sectorcamp soon.

Fox presses his earpiece. The two head for the stadium.


ALLISONFox--

She presses her helmet, and opens her visor. She finally getsa clear look at what surrounds her:

Plumes of smoke billow up like beacons around the city. TheCRACKS IN THE STREETS run like veins, as if theyre headedtowards something. It catches Allisons eye.

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Clicking her visor down again, she follows the cracks.

EXT. RELIEF CENTRE - GROUND LEVEL - DAY

Guerrero under the main tent talks on his earpiece, when aSECOND AGENT taps him on the shoulder, pointing up.

He walks out and sees Fox and Robbie run and jump on theplatforms, each one disappearing and reappearing as theymove. They stop above the Guerrero.

GUERREROThey couldnt be subtle about it?

The people look up, some in awe, others in terror.

Fox jumps off the platform. Robbie follows and it dissolves.

FOXAgent Guerrero?

GUERREROHotel-Four, Field Lead for thissector. Was that entrancenecessary?

FOXMy flier is out doing recon, andyou already saw the Tango.

Did he mention something screwingwith his ports?

GUERREROBase tells me that we handle thisrelief centre, keep everything inline, thats it. Anything else isout of our jurisdiction.

FOXAnd a plan if things go south?

GUERRERO

Our plan is stay here, and keepyour Green doing his job. Thatswhat the briefing data tells me.

Guerrero points to the watchtower. Robbie darts his head upto it, itching to run up there.

GUERRERO (CONTD)Said he needed high ground.

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FOXSo he knows what hes working with.

EXT. RELIEF CENTRE - WATCHTOWER - SAME

Nik is a statue -- slow breathing and shut eyes. Xian studieshim, unable to make sense of it.

He swipes his fingers on his FEID, then aims the display atNiks name tag. A holographic grid pops out and scans --

-- up pops Niks biometrics. Brain activity is skyrocketing.

XIANBaranov?

The entire setting MORPHS TO BLACK -- in its place, twoCLOUDS of misty energy, one a REDDISH-ORANGE, the other acool, calm BLUE permeate through pitch darkness.

The ORANGE energy can barely contain itself. The BLUE, pulsessteadily in fluid, spherical form.

MOVING DOWNWARDS -- the two clouds give way to an SEA OFCOLOUR -- cooler, bluish cloud mists are speckled against thedominant red energies, making up the canvas of color below.

RUSHING PAST THEM -- these individual clouds, MENTAL ENERGYmade VISUAL, change their hues. All the hot reds deepen

towards bluish tones:The SEA OF COLOR gradually transforms into thousands of tinyblue mental mists -- each matching the first:

NIK

And back to his shut eyes.

Xian leans over the railing, amazed. This is how Nik seesover, and into, everyone and everything.

Below them, ALL THE PEOPLE -- soldiers, workers, survivors,

have their eyes closed, standing still. The relief centre isdead silent.

Guerrero, on the ground looks up at Nik, impressed -- Foxstares upwards too, stern and concerned.

THE WATCHTOWER

Nik opens his eyes, smiles gently. He can hear the bustle ofthe base camp come back. Xian watches as they continue tomove about. Softer, gracefully -- all of them, connected.

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XIAN (CONTD)And they shoved you in a HotelSquad?!


Guerrero looks at the civilians faces around them all asthey briskly shuffle past. Tranquil looks, of purpose anddirection, fill the field.

A truckload of supplies gets passed down, systematically, tothe neediest in the crowd by those closest to the truck.

Under a medical tent, field surgeons stitch back togethercalm-faced patients -- no screams or crying.

GUERREROYour Greens a what? Type Two, TypeThree?

FOXSpecial case. Belongs with us.

Guerrero shoots him a look.

Robbies studying his FEID -- Niks biometric info, all justbelow that threshold for concern.

FOX (CONTD)

(to Robbie)Track down Allisons position. Ifshe doesnt map any coordinates bythe time you get there--

ROBBIEYeah, Ill keep tabs on her.

He takes a leap and under him a platform materializes.Guerrero jumps back a little. While he takes off:

FOXWhats your count on the Hotels

here and in the other sectors...

Guerrero and Fox move into the tent.


Allison keeps following the cracks, but she turns on and offthermals while she flies above the buildings.

The more red specks she sees, the slower she flies.

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ALLISONYou dont see whats out here,Captain.

She dips down sharply and reaches building-level. Puts on her

thermals and cruises, scanning for life.

The first building she sees on her right shows two redsignatures -- small and scrunched up deep within.

She presses open her visor -- a dark, broken window carriesout rising smoke. She floats in.

EXT. GROUND ZERO - CRATER - SAME

In the center of the giant crater -- rocks and debrisconstantly crumbling inwards -- sits the BOY curled up in acircle.

He grips something tightly. Its the bag of pills.

Muttering indistinguishably. Rocking back and forth.

The stones and pieces surrounding him move to that rhythm --the dirt and ground is one with his body.

His grip opens to the pills. Only THREE left inside.

BOY

(in Spanish)Why did you make Papa leave?

He tilts his head up. His EYES are milky white, glazed over.

BOY (CONTD)You wanted me back, Papa? Find me.

He shoots his arms downwards. Hands make contact with theground. Face reels in ecstacy -- the connection with thesoils and dirt gives him a high.

The rocks hover around him. And everything SHAKES.

END OF ACT TWO

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ACT THREE

EXT. ABOVE THE STREET - DAY

BLUISH ENERGY snaps together into a platform -- Robbie hopsdown onto it from a rooftop, looking close at his FEID.

ROBBIEWhere are you hiding, Ally...

He looks at the window with smoke billowing out of it. Itsburned, but looks just like the windows of Mas house.

Robbie grabs the necklace under his shirt. He focuses again.

ROBBIE (CONTD)Ally, Im at your location -- butnot visual.

ALLISION (V.O.)I...ge...two--ready!

ROBBIEIm getting some majorinterference, cant--

ALLISON (V.O.)-- Backdraft!

From within the window, a rush of wind followed by Allisonspeeding towards him, carrying TWO SMALL CHILDREN.

ROBBIEOh, shit.

A fireball SCREAMS OUT the window before sucking back intoitself. They all duck to avoid the flames.

ALLISONEstis bien?

The two kids nod, but look down fearfully -- theyre standing

fifty feet above the ground.

Robbie shoots Allison a glare.

ROBBIEWhat the hell happened to recon?Boss was pretty damn specific.

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ALLISONDo you see any others like mearound here? Able to get to thiskind of altitude?

Robbie motions to the platform hes standing on.

ROBBIEIts orders, Ally. Cant just notdo them.

A VIOLENT SHAKING surrounds them. The building they escapedstarts crumbling by the seams. It creaks and MOANS beforefalling.

Allison looks down below -- the cracks in the ground she wasfollowing SPLIT OPEN. The streets turn to crevices.

Robbie smothers the kids. The building crumbles in on itself.

EXT. RELIEF CENTRE - WATCHTOWER - CONTINUOUS

NIKS EYES

Shoot open, he looks around frantically. Xian gets up,noticing the change in behavior.

NIKI sense something -- too loud, too

intense to be normal.Nik gets up and scans the relief centre.

XIANLoud?

NIKThis energy signature, itsincredible. Can feel it from here.

XIANOf course, what Ive been tell--

The TOWER begins vibrating, the two losing their footing.

EXT. RELIEF CENTRE - GROUND LEVEL - CONTINUOUS

Fox and the other agents under the tent brace for the tremor.The calmness of the crowds around them is gone.

FOXDamn it.

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GUERREROWe cant lose this camp, were toodense, and the other Hotels arespread thin!

FOXDo you think this quake cares?!

The Agent moves to the other Hotel operatives under the tentand barks commands.

Fox lifts his FEID -- Niks biometrics are going haywire.


Robbie looks at that same info on his FEID. He s carryingone of the kids higher, above the shaking buildings.

Allison cradles the other to her chest, making sure the childdoesnt see how high they are.

ROBBIEWe have to go back to base.

ALLISONYou really think thats possiblenow?!

ROBBIE

Niks in trouble!ALLISON

We get these kids out first!

The two escape the labyrinth of buildings.

EXT. RELIEF CENTRE - WATCHTOWER

Niks entered his squatted state, but nothings calm abouthis form. He shakes with focus, sweat rolling down his brow.

XIANWhat the hell are you doing? Thistowers gonna give!

NIK(eyes closed)

The more civilians who arrive, themore minds I can work with. I haveto stay here.

The vibrating all around them teeters off. Xian relaxes.

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NIK (CONTD)If this tower gives, you will getus out. I need to be up here.

EXT. RELIEF CENTRE - CONTINUOUS

FOXYou see whats happening, Agent?That briefing info you have -- itsuseless.

GUERREROWe have orders, Six!

FOXMy Green -- your orders -- aregoing to be compromised if we dontdo something.

(touching his earpiece)Allison, where the hell is thatvisual?!

Fox turns and heads for the Watchtower, disappearing into thecrazed crowds -- any tranquility in them is gone.

GUERREROSix, we need you here!

EXT. ABOVE BUENOS AIRES - CONTINUOUSRobbie rests with the two kids on a platform. Allison floats,looking out at the crumbling skyline.

FOX (V.O.)Allison, where the hell is thatvisual?

ALLSIONI...

Robbie shakes his head at her.

ALLISONWe got set back. Im on it.

She darts up into the sky.

ROBBIEHey, what about the kids--

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EXT. ABOVE BUENOS AIRES - OPEN SKY - CONTINUOUS

Allison rushes past white clouds mixed with plumes of smokestretching up.

She starts seeing a pattern -- the flow of destruction leadstowards a center. Flying towards it:

She spots another FIGURE below her: FLYING, exactly like her.

ALLISON taps her FEID before pressing her earpiece.

ALLISONBase, this is Agent Michiels ofSix. Any additional agents withType designation for this sector?

BASE (V.O.)Negative on that, Michiels. Impulling up your coordinates now.

ALLISONBase, Im seeing one about two-hundred feet below me, headed east.

No response. The figure below disappears under a cloud.

ALLISON (CONTD)Base?

BASE (V.O.)(bare and stricken)We-we managed to get satellitesonline. Directly below you,Michiels. Thats it.

She dips down past a layer of clouds, into the city.

Moving below the last layer, she sees it:

BASE (V.O.)Thats Ground Zero.

A TEN-BLOCK RADIUS is now a massive crater. The crevices andcracks in the streets all lead to this centre formation.

EXT. RELIEF CENTRE - WATCHTOWER - DAY

Nik strains while he meditates. Xian studies him closely.

XIANKatayama brought those with him,theyre pills, yeah?

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NIKA precaution.

BLOOD starts dripping out his nose.

XIANYou cant keep this up, Baranov.

Fox climbs up to the platform from the ladder.

FOXPull back, Nik. Now. Break it.

Nik finally opens his eyes, breaking the link. He squirms.Rubs his nose with his sleeve, assessing the blood.

NIKI just need more people. Allisonand Robbie, they must find more.

FOXListen to what Doc said.

Both their FEIDs beep -- Fox presses his earpiece.

ALLISON (V.O.)Its not a quake. Its not evennatural. Look at this.

Their FEIDs show Allisons perspective of Ground Zero.

Fox reaches for Niks belt and takes off the pillbox.

He hands it to Xian, with the data card.

FOXYou keep him stable.

Xian nods firmly.

XIANWhere are you going?

FOXYou said your bearings are off? AndNiks sensing something?

NIKYes. Something large.

FOXIm going to deal with this mess.

He speeds down the towers ladder.

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EXT. ABOVE BUENOS AIRES

Robbie looks around -- theyre even higher now than before.The two kids cling to his legs.

ROBBIEHey, Ive been practicing a newtechnique.

He grabs their attention with a playful smile.

ROBBIE (CONTD)You like slides?

They return it.

Robbie holds both their hands at the edge of the platform.

ROBBIE (CONTD)Hold tight. Dont let go.

They run the length of his platform and LEAP.

The three fall for a moment -- BEHIND THEM, the platformdissipates into the energy mist, and follows down.

The mist flows underneath their bodies, structuring itselfunder their feet, until it SNAPS solid.

They SLIDE DOWN Robbies conveyor belt of psionic energy, the

ground coming up FAST below them.ROBBIE (CONTD)

Piece of cake.

Hes straining to keep it all together. Twenty more feet.

ROBBIE (CONTD)Jump, now!

They all vault off the slide -- the energy separates, mistcatching up with them. They land on a new platform.

ROBBIE (CONTD)Woo!

He spots some EMTs down the twisted street, theyre trying toextract some civilians from rubble.

Something on his FEID catches his eye. He brings it up, andsees Allisons transmission of Ground Zero.

ROBBIE (CONTD)Lets get you guys out of trouble.

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EXT. RELIEF CENTRE - ENTRANCE - DAY

Fox weaves through those civilians -- their tranquil facesback, for now -- and stops when he senses something behind.

GUERRERO (O.S.)What the hell is this?

FOXMy fliers recon came back. Withthis.

He shoves the image of the crater in his face.

FOX (CONTD)Its not a waiting game, Guerrero.If this is an external force--

GUERRERORE-ID Division can handle it. Westay here, thats an order.

Guerrero takes off his gloves. Pulls out solid steel rodsfrom his back, readying them. Fox doesnt budge.

FOXDo you see any RE-ID here?

GUERREROWe have a system, Six. We adhere to

it. Hotels save lives. They dontplay hero. Now stand down.

FOXIm finding the source.

He lunges at Fox with the rods -- mid-swing, one TRANSMUTESinto a CLUB. The other flattens into a SHIELD, wrappingaround his arm.

Fox dodges each swing with precision.

FOX (CONTD)

I actually read profiles.

He catches Guerreros attacking arm, gripping it tight.

FOX (CONTD)Nice gimmick, but you should haveread mine.

Three calculated strikes and hes reeling on the ground.

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FOX (CONTD)If this camp goes down, its onyou, Field Lead.

Fox pushes past the fights witnesses, out of the stadium.

Guerrero grinds his teeth -- one steel rod morphs into apounder that smashes the ground in anger.


Allisons still high above the city, head on a swivel.

ALLISONWhere are you?

Her FEID shows a call from Robbie -- she answers.

ROBBIE (V.O)Where the hell are you?

ALLISONThat flier, Robbie. Lost him when Ihit Ground Zero.

ROBBIE (V.O.)Skys playing tricks. Probably yourown shadow.

ALLISONWith this tech? No way. Itsanother agent. Has to be.

ROBBIE (V.O.)Boss reviewed our roster back atcamp. Thats one-hundred-percentnegative, Ally.

ALLISONWhat about RE-ID?

She stops. Its a realization.

ROBBIE (V.O.)What, the baggers and taggers?Those guys mean the worst kind ofbusiness.


Robbie puts the kids into the ambulance and sends them off.

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ROBBIEWhat is it?

He spots a speck in the distance, above him. Its comingcloser, growing bigger at an alarming speed.

ROBBIE (CONTD)And, uh, Ally? Youre coming in abit hot.

ALLISON (V.O.)Robbie, if RE-IDs here--

He watches as the figure SHOOTS PAST HIM, the rush of windhaving to catch up. Robbie stumbles back.

ALLISON (V.O.)What was that?

ROBBIEI think that was your flier.

EXT. ABOVE STREET LEVEL - CONTINUOUS

Shes headed down a ruined street -- on her FEID, the dot ona map gets closer.

ALLISONWe need to contact Fox, if RE-IDs

involved then this situation justgot ten times worse.

The FEID beeps again -- Fox is right on time.

ALLISON (CONTD)Captain, we have new info. Robbiejust made contact with anotherflier. Not Hotel, not OP-DEP. Werethinking RE-ID just deployed theirown out here.

EXT. A CITY STREET - CONTINUOUS

Its the same street from the COLD OPEN.

FOXDamn, it all makes sense. Nik ispicking up an signature, a loudone. Ground Zero -- you lockedthose coordinates in?

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ROBBIE (V.O.)What are you planning here, Boss?

EXT. ABOVE A CITY STREET - CONTINUOUS

ALLISON gently decreases her altitude.

FOX (V.O.)RE-ID agents, a second quake.Whatever - whoever - this is,before long theyll level thiswhole city.

She touches ground. Beside her stands Robbie, sameexpression. They look to each other grimly.


The Boy heaves his chest in and out. Buggy eyes. His entireface covered with dust and dirt.

HIS HANDS are grotesquely mutated -- the dirt and soil bondedto his flesh, his fingers brownish-black, rough in texture.

The brownish growth recedes from his fingers, skin colorreturns to his body -- he lifts them up to examine.

And he CACKLES. The laugh pierces through the silence of the

deadness surrounding him.ONE CAPSULE REMAINS in the bag. He cradles it. Idolizes it.

Something catches his eye from above: a shadow growinglarger. The LOUDENING WEIGHT of something falling.

A body SLAMS into the ground in front of him.

Its his FATHER. Broken completely. Dead eyes right at him.Thousands of bloodied bills, and the paper bag, rain down.

The boy collapses again. Goes pale. He shudders. Smothers his

hands into the shifting ground. He SCREAMS.

The CITY SHAKES. The crater SPREADS -- the earth beneath himrips open while the entire thing RAKES IN more territory.

END OF ACT THREE

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ACT FOUR

EXT. RELIEF CENTRE - WATCHTOWER - DAY

Nik winces in pain while he meditates. Xian fiddles with thepillbox, looking at the instructions on his FEID.

XIANI dont want to piss off your SquadCaptain again. Just take them.

NIKI am fine.

He gets up, taps out a few pills. Nik has one eye open,watching him.

XIANYoure not, Baranov. This situationis going downhill. Youre gonnasweep this whole city with this?

He unclips Niks thermos and motions him the pills.

Nik gets up. He towers over Xian. He backs off.

Nik reaches for Xians temple.

XIAN (CONTD)

Okay! Okay! Take em.Nik clips it back onto his belt, and sits back down.

The Watchtower RUMBLES, and the two stand alert.

On the GROUND, everything vibrates -- the calmness dissipatesas people scream and shout and cry.

XIAN (CONTD)No, no, no!

Nik quickly gets back into his zone. He grits his teeth. The

pain grows on his face. Hes trying to fight for control.

A pained groan as his mouth gapes open, battling it.

Then he SHOUTS.

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Fox is looking at Niks biometrics -- theyre allskyrocketing. The earpiece is gone, but he pulls up the mapon his FEID. The central dot is getting closer.


Robbie leaps from platform to platform. Allison maintainsspeed beside him. Robbies got the same biometrics.

ROBBIEFuck, cant get Fox on the channel.

ALLISONI cant either. Hes gone silent.

ROBBIENiks in bad shape. Real bad shape.We gotta go back.

ALLISONWe find the source first. We endthis whole thing.

ROBBIEIts not worth risking him, Ally!

They stop. Ally opens her visor.

ALLISONThis isnt just us, Robbie. Itsnot a field trip!

ROBBIEHes our squad. Hes a Six.

ALLISONAnd were supposed to save lives.How many can that be if this cityssplit in two?

She closes her visor, and accelerates down the street.

Robbie stays put. He looks for Niks dot on his display map.Giving Allison one last look, he heads in the opposite way.

She pauses her flight, glancing back. She keeps going.

A BLOCK AHEAD:

THE FLIER speeds off between two streets. She gives chase.

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ALLISON (CONTD)Not this time.

EXT. RELIEF CENTRE - WATCHTOWER

The TOWER creaks and moans. CHAOS below. People beginfighting, stealing supplies from each other.

The QUAKE gets more intense -- structures on the ground startFALLING. People start running for the entrances

Niks nose bleeds again. Xian reaches for the pills.

She shakes two out and grabs the thermos, then Niks head.

XIANBreak off, Baranov! Break the damnlink!

He flips open the thermos and puts the capsules inside, thenshoves the tip of it into Niks mouth, forcing it down.

Nik shuts up. His eyes flutter. Xian backs up.

Looking down below, everything and everyone is scrambling.

Agent Guerrero, transmuting rods equipped, protects the maintent and the operatives held within, yelling into earpieces.

He hears a dull THUD behind him. Turning around:XIAN (CONTD)

What the fuck?!

Niks collapsed, unconscious.

The tower GROANS. Its metal supports CAVE IN.

Xian grabs Niks shoulders, wraps around him, and the floorcrumbles. They disappear.


Fox handles the violent shaking as best he can. He runs bydozens of civilians trapped and scared.

The DOT on his FE-ID gets closer -- directly ahead.

He looks up -- on the horizon, past the buildings, isemptiness. Blank space -- GROUND ZERO. He sprints.

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The faster he moves, the heavier the shaking gets. Until itstops. Fox stops too.

He spins in circles -- looking for something. But the streetis empty this far into the crisis zone.

FOXI can feel you there!

Out of the darkness of a broken alleyway:

The air FIZZLES and BUZZES until a MASKED MAN -- uniformed inall black, the same Protectorate emblem, though more fullydisplayed, steps out into view -- his INVISIBILITY wears off.

FOX (CONTD)Whats RE-IDs involvement in this?

RE-ID AGENT(distorted under the mask)

This is our assignment. Go back tohandling civilians.

FOXYour assignment just killed whoknows how many people. Theycouldnt send you in earlier?Before us?

RE-ID AGENT

We had to make sure.Fox tries lunging towards him, and the agent TURNS INVISIBLE.

FOXCute trick. Get you places?

RE-ID AGENT (V.O.)It helps.

FOXIm finding this threat. Andeliminating it. Or this city will

fall.

RE-ID AGENT (V.O.)Division wouldnt like that.

FOXOh, no?

Fox dashes forwards. The RE-ID Agent DE-CLOAKS a few stepsbeside him, going for a tackle. Fox spins out of the way andcatches his collar on the reach-around.

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The RE-ID Agent counter blocks and hides again. Fox waits,ready for the next move.

RE-ID AGENT (V.O.)Lets make it a game, then.


GUERRERONon-lethal force, damn it! Holdyour powers to a minimum! Low-levelblasts, light pressure!Incapacitate only!

Its a MADHOUSE. Objects levitate in mid-air, get flung overcivilians. HARD WATER CONSTRUCTS worm upwards and wrap aroundpeople. FIREBALLS shoot into the air. Dozens of colors ofENERGY pepper the sky. A battle is waging out.

Guerrero has his metal transmuted into BLAST SHIELDS,protecting whats behind him: Xian and an unconscious Nik.

XIANWere getting out of here.

GUERREROWe can hold it. We can win this.

XIAN

Theres no winning here, you idiot!GUERRERO

You want to try holding this line?

Xian gives Guerrero the cut-eye and switches to Nik. Shakinghim repeatedly, he gets him to open an eye.

XIAN(quietly)

Look, give me the code to your commchannels. I can get to someone.This base is gone.

NIKFour...two...seven...

Xian enters them one by one in his FEID.

EXT. BUILDING ROOFTOPS - DAY

Robbies dashing through the rooftops at top speed.

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His REID beeps.

ROBBIENik?! What happened?

XIAN (V.O.)I got your Green to safety, kindof. Look, base camp is compromised,that last quake took your boy out.We need some coordinates to get outof here.

ROBBIECitys not safe anymore. Wherecould I bring you?

XIAN (V.O.)Anywhere! Just not here!

Robbie stops in his tracks -- he looks around.

ROBBIEGive me time.


The aerial chase between Allison and the Flier gets themmoving almost plane-speed around the buildings left standing.

They dip and weave and Allison keeps up with his tail.The agents visor is pitch-black. His suit though, a fullydisplayed Protectorate emblem, same as Foxs combatant.

Allisons voice projects through her helmet.

ALLISONSection Squad and Designation, now!

The flier stops on a dime -- complete control. Allison has torecoil a bit before staying a good distance away.

They float still in he air. The flier opens his visor.

RASHIDRashid. Recruitment andIdentification. Team Foxtrot-Two.

A well-groomed face and charming smile contrast against theblackness of his suit.

ALLISONWhy are you in this sector?

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RASHIDIt is our assignment today.

Allison cant make sense of his demeanor. She floats closer.

ALLISONWhy now? Why after three quakes?

RASHIDSo we can confirm the objective.

Allisons visor hides a horrified face.

RASHID (CONTD)Would you like to join us?

He closes his visor again, and speeds off.

ALLISONPlease, God, get me through this.

They go back to the chase.

EXT. GROUND ZERO - CRATER EDGE - SAME

Foxs battle rages on. Theyre engaged in hand-to-hand, onlyFox fights an invisible foe -- each block or hit landed andthe RE-ID Agent flickers visible where Fox makes contact.

Slowly, he gains ground with each step towards the crater.They trade some dialogue with each strike and counter.

RE-ID AGENT (V.O.)This isnt good interdivisionaletiquette.

FOXShut up and let me get rid of theproblem.

RE-ID AGENT

Youre trying, Ill give you that.

Fox stops his blocks and stands motionless. Looking closely,the air distorts -- and outline of an arm behind him closesin, but stops just before coming down on his neck.

FOXFree shot.

Fox closes his eyes. He can feel the presence nearing.

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He snaps his arm out -- its grabbing onto the agents arm,the de-cloaking spreads. Fox lands a kick to his side.

The agent turns fully visible, and collapses to the ground.

FOX (CONTD)Stay down.

He dashes for the lip of the craters edge.

RE-ID AGENTYou dont know what youre facing!

EXT. GROUND ZERO - CRATER - CONTINUOUS

The Boy cradles his father, one hand stuck to the ground -the brown growth now stretching up his arm. He rocks back andforth -- a dust cloud enshrouds them both.

On the craters edge, a figure appears.

FOX

Cant get a clear look on whats in the centre with the dustcloud. He traverses down the steep edge of the crater.

In the CRATER FLOOR, its another world. Slabs of buildingremains jut out from the ground. Fox keeps his eyes on thelively dust cloud, moving unnaturally -- ALIVE.

Quickly, he dashes from SLAB to SLAB taking cover. He slowlypulls out the pistol from his holster -- habitually, hechecks his ammo.


The aerial chase is relentless. Rashid flies swifter,quicker, and more rapidly -- Allisons turns are fluid andwide. She struggles to keep up.

ALLISON

Damn it, slow down!

Rashid could be smiling under that jet-black visor.

He hears a gunshot WHIZ by his head. This time he stops.

Allisons visor is up, pointing HER PISTOL at him.

ALLISON (CONTD)I want answers.

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His visor opens. He puts up a smile for a defense.

RASHIDNow, you Hotels are devoted tosaving lives, yes? Does it make

sense to take one? And one thatworks for the same people you do?

ALLISONCut this bullshit. Whats your fullname?

RASHIDs smile drops. His visor goes down. Off he goes.

Allison holsters her pistol. Determined, she gives chase.


Fox is twenty feet away now. The dust cloud dissipates. Hecan spot feet lying limply on the ground, which catches hisattention.

The dust starts clearing. More glimpses. A shirt. An arm.

A HEAD.

Fox readies his pistol, aims it square at the body he sees.

Foxs finger clamps down on the TRIGGER.

END OF ACT FOUR

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ACT FIVE


RE-ID AGENT (V.O.)No!

A hand fizzles into visibility and shoves Foxs gun arm away.

The shot goes off. It hits with a SPLAT.

The two agents fall to the ground. Fox looks on inanticipation.

The RE-ID Agents eyes peak widely through his mask.

The dust cloud clears. They see the BOY.

His eyes are wide with terror. He cradles his FATHER --

-- whose HEAD is now a MANGLED MESS where the BULLET entered.

EXT. EMPTY PARK - DAY

Robbie leaps off a platform onto the grass. The place isuntouched by all the destruction.

ROBBIE

(to his FEID)Allison. Come in. Captain. Boss.Anyone there? Nik?

(sighing)Damn it.

He swipes his fingers on his FEID.

ROBBIE (CONTD)Yo, Tango, I found a place. Sendingcoordinates now.


Guerrero now fights against civilians trying to steal boxesof food from each other. His metal rods are transmuting intodifferent weapons ever few seconds.

Xian watches it, while he helps Nik drink from the thermos.

XIANWere getting the hell out of here.Ready up, Six.

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He lifts Nik up. Guerrero looks back at them, yells outsomething before hes distracted by attacking civilians.

A shimmer and FLASH and theyre gone.


Allisons pushing her speed limit. Everything blurs intostreaks, indistinguishable. All can see is the back end ofRashid.

RASHIDS OWN FEID beeps frantically. He presses his earpiece.

RE-ID AGENT (V.O.)Code Black, Code Black! Objectiveis compromised!

Allison sees Rashid gradually slow down -- something hehasnt done yet. His visor is already open, turning around toface her.

RASHIDHow fast can you fly?

Allison opens her own visor to an exhausted face, her redhair matted against her forehead.

ALLISONNot faster than you.

RASHIDHow fast?!

ALLSIONTwo-hundred, two-fifty miles!

RASHIDYoull have to do better if youwant to defeat this threat.

They close their visors, and RACE for the crater.


ROBBIEWhat the hell did you do to him?

Robbie holds up Nik. Xian paces around.

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XIANNothing! I gave him your damn pills-- the ones Katayama brought withhim. Wasnt going to ignore yourCaptains request.

ROBBIENik, buddy, you good? Stay with me.

He keeps slapping his face.

XIANAnd the others?

ROBBIEFox went silent, Allison wontrespond. What a team.

Nik groans, lifting himself up.

ROBBIE (CONTD)Nik, damn man, what the hellhappened?

He grabs his head and squints in pain.

NIKNo, no. Its still there. Itsstill there!

XIANWhat?

NIKThat signature --

He presses fingers hard into his temple, groaning.

THE SHAKING STARTS.

EXT. GROUND ZERO - CREATER - DAY

The RE-ID Agent and Fox SPRINT for the craters edge.

BEHIND THEM

They glimpse the boy, one hand merging with the ground.

WIDE GAPS fragment the ground while everything vibrates. Thecracks seem to spread faster than they can run -- theyreCHASING DOWN the two agents.

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The BOY drops his fathers bloodied head. His other handpresses against the ground, merging with it too. The cracksdouble. The ground LURCHES all around him.

The BOY starts bringing EVERYTHING UNDER.

RE-ID AGENTHes going critical!

EXT. GROUND ZERO - ABOVE - CONTINUOUS

Rashid and Allison dip down quickly: they take it all in.

The ground itself begins collapsing inwards, from thecraters centre outwards towards the rest of Ground Zero.

RASHIDTop velocity, now!

They ACCELERATE inhumanly fast.

INSIDE Allisons visor, she breathes shallowly, straining atthe effort. Her eyes widen--

ALLISONOh My God, Fox!

She gains speed, faster than Rashid. Pure concentration now.Theyre a hundred feet from the ground and gaining.

EXT. GROUND ZERO - CRATER EDGE - DAY

Fox and the RE-ID Agent reach the CRATERS LIP, starting toclimb their way out using the embedded shards of debris.

Glancing back, they see the wave of rubble, dust, and theground itself HURL towards them.

FOXBrace!

They two scrunch up for protection when two BLURS GRAB THEM--

-- and the WAVE HITS, engulfing EVERYTHING.


Nik and Xian try to hold steady against the vibrations. Thebuildings left standing SHAKE until they CRUMBLE.

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And the DESTRUCTION WAVE speeds towards them from thedistance.

ROBBIEWhat the fuck is that.

XIANRobbie, we have to find cover!

NIKToo strong.

They cant look away from the looming wave.

ROBBIEGet behind me!

The crouch behind. Robbie swathes his arms out -- with it,his PARTICLES shoot out, STRETCHING around his body, andturning into an AURA surrounding them all. A deep breath.

The wave DISINTEGRATES the buildings in front of them,carrying with it metal, concrete, glass -- death.

Robbie SCREAMS OUT. His arms cross together.

His largest platform yet -- the BLUISH TINGE is PURE, thethickness like SOLID STEEL.

Its breaking apart though. Debris pummels the surface.

The wave pushes Robbies footing back. He shouts louder.

The platform cant handle it. It starts crumbling.

BEHIND ROBBIE

Xian grabs his shoulder, along with Niks.

The platform DISAPPEARS instantly. The wave RUSHES into thepark, smothering it in a cloud of dust.

EXT. BUILDING ROOFTOP - DAY

The wave of destruction in the distance levels more of thecity. Buildings collapse into twenty-story high clouds ofsmoke. DEAFENING NOISE.

The air on the rooftop shimmers -- a FLASH OF LIGHT.

Robbie and Nik appear in front of the ledge -- this is therooftop they arrived on at the beginning.

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Theyre both locked in their battle stances. Robbie relaxeshis shielding arms. Nik crouches, still grabbing his head.

They hear a GURGLING SOUND behind them. Robbie turns.

XIAN

Stares at them with pleading eyes. Blood SPURTS from hismouth, pouring down his vest.

EMBEDDED IN HIS CHEST are three iron rods.

Blood pools at his feet. He collapses to his knees, splashingthe blood onto Robbie and Nik -- theyre frozen in place.

Robbie rushes to him. Cradles his neck. Xian tries to garglewords but nothing comes out.

He grabs for something, anything. His bloody fingers touchRobbies necklace -- his Mas.

He takes Xians hand away and cradles it instead.

Nik looks out to the ruined city - A GRAVEYARD now.

He stares at Robbie, who stares into Xians eyes.

NIKThis was us.

Robbie looks up at Nik. Pale-faced. Eyes dull, lost.NIK (CONTD)

We did this.

CUT TO BLACK

END OF SHOW

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Documents

Hotel Six - Episode 1 "Pilot" 2nd Draft