EXT. SPACE
STARSEEKER sits motionless in space. Stars twinkle about
her, backlighting an orange and red cats-eye nebula.
INT. A HOSPITAL ROOM - MED DECK
BRIN lies in bed. Hiller enters followed by Kerin. Kerin
pushes past Hiller and gives Brin a hug. Brin hugs back with
a little difficulty.
The camera does a close shot on Kerin. Tears are flowing
from his eyes.
BRIN
Kerin, I can't breathe.
KERIN
Shut up.
Kerin hugs him for a few more seconds and then lets him go
and laughs a bit. He wipes his eyes and nose. Brin is
smiling.
HILLER
How are you feeling?
BRIN
Can't walk and... I think I threw
up things that I ate in eighth
grade after that jump, but... I'm
alive. Thanks for that. Michael?
HILLER
He's fine. We've had him on board
for a while.
BRIN
The ship looks worse than I do. I
assume we're going to head for
Earth?
HILLER
Let's just say we're on an extended
detour. The most important thing
is that everyone is safe.
KERIN
Almost everyone.
Brin gives a confused look.
BRIN
What's that supposed to--
Valentine enters. She looks very grim.
VALENTINE
Excuse me.
(To Hiller and Kerin)
Could I have a moment alone with
Brin, please?
BRIN
(Waves her off)
Doc, whatever you have to say, you
can say it. We're all family,
after all.
Valentine stalls.
VALENTINE
I've run some tests and pumped you
full of phightophram to try and
counteract the nerve degeneration.
BRIN
I noticed. How's that working for
you?
VALENTINE
Not good enough. Your condition
has accelerated.
A beat.
HILLER
Meaning what?
VALENTINE
Meaning that it's gone terminal and
there's nothing I can do.
The revelation settles on everyone. Kerin plops into a chair
in shock.
BRIN
How long have I got?
VALENTINE
Days. A week on the outside.
They take a moment to let it in.
BRIN
Will it hurt... when it happens?
Valentine looks at him, looks at the others, and almost
breaks. She nods.
BRIN
That sucks.
---
STARSEEKER
Episode 1.04
"The Lotus Eaters"
Written by Jason Donner
---
INT. HILLER'S OFFICE
Hiller is speaking to Tempus.
HILLER
Say that again... slowly.
TEMPUS
Using the stellar cartography
computer on board and, with Ensign
Blue Green Yellow, I've networked
my palm-puter--
(He holds up a small
device)
--with Starseeker's sensors to
track star movements and give us an
accurate reading of what year we're
in.
HILLER
So, when are we?
TEMPUS
Approximately 7,230,012,003 AD.
HILLER
W-Wait, we're seven BILLION years
in the future?
TEMPUS
Seven point two is more accurate.
Hiller stands. He looks out his holographic window at the
nebula that Starseeker is drifting by.
HILLER
We could always go to Earth.
TEMPUS
Excuse me?
HILLER
We could go to Earth. It's not
that far from here. They would
surely have technology by now that
could cure Brin and maybe even get
us--
Tempus is shaking his head.
HILLER
What?
TEMPUS
Captain, have you looked out the
window. Have you taken a good long
look?
Hiller looks.
HILLER
Yeah. Nebula. It's pretty.
TEMPUS
It's Earth.
Hiller looks again.
HILLER
Earth?
TEMPUS
Well, pieces of it -- The sun,
Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter...
Hiller stands and looks closely at it. He turns to Tempus
and motions at it frantically.
HILLER
What do you mean that's Earth?
TEMPUS
By this point, it's been gone
several million years.
Sol died, shed its skin, and
created a nebula.
A beat.
TEMPUS
(Matter of fact)
You're upset.
HILLER
How could I not be? That's...
that's the end of everything I know
and care about.
(a beat)
What-What's the meaning of
anything?
Tempus joins him. He shows a certain reverence -- they are
looking at the remains of his home as well.
TEMPUS
It's the way of the universe.
Stars are born, they grow old, and
they die. A few more million
years, new suns will grow from the
ashes of the old. I've been
countless eons into the future,
captain, and I have seen those suns
die as well and spark new ones with
new civilizations and new promise.
(He smiles)
Twenty billion years from now, a
star that is Sol's great-great
great grandson will give rise to
the a species that will create an
alliance that will create peace
throughout the entire Milky Way
Galaxy for millions of years. It
will be a golden age in this region
of space unmatched in the entire
known universe. That species --
the Maragathorn -- they are
remembered even in the dark days
leading up to The Vanishing Point
at the end of time and they never
would have been born if not for
this.
He indicates the nebula.
TEMPUS
You see it as an end, I see it as a
thousand beginnings.
HILLER
That's... surprisingly poignant.
TEMPUS
Mrs. Welles taught me that when I
freaked out seeing the Sol Nebula
for the first time. It's one of
the first places that rookie Corps
members are taken -- shatters all
illusions of permanence. It's
very... fitting that we're here
now, come to think of it.
Hiller smiles. He looks out the window.
HILLER
Looks like both of us are have lost
friends on this trip.
TEMPUS
Mark will be all right and Brin...
(a beat, introspective)
He's got too much stuff to do. I
don't understand why we're loosing
him. If you knew half of
everything he is going to
accomplish--
(aside)
I wish Mrs. Welles was here. She
would know what to do.
HILLER
Too bad we don't have a medium on
board.
TEMPUS
A medium what?
HILLER
A medium. Someone who can speak to
the dead.
TEMPUS
Oh sure, because the supernatural
is such a reliable course of
action.
HILLER
Hey, I just spent the last twelve
hours with a werewolf. Something
tells me that calling up the dead
for help isn't....
Hiller gets an idea.
TEMPUS
What?
HILLER
Call and ask for help. What about
someone else?
TEMPUS
You've lost me.
HILLER
Maybe there's someone out there
advanced enough to help cure Brin.
Not Earth, but someone...
Hiller activates his communicator.
HILLER
Tactical, send out a medical
distress call marked urgent along
with all the details on Brin's
condition.
UNNAMED
(over com)
I have to protest, sir, in case the
distress call attracts hostiles, we
won't be able to defend ourselves.
HILLER
Noted. Send the call.
UNNAMED
(over com)
Yes sir.
HILLER
(to Tempus)
What do you know about the
civilizations in this era?
TEMPUS
Next to nothing.
HILLER
I thought you were a big badass
time traveler.
TEMPUS
Do you know how many years of
recorded history there are?
Googols of it. Literally. I'm
good, but I can't remember every
little thing -- you'd need a
S.U.I.T. for that. Sending out a
distress call in this era is like
crying out in the dark. There's no
telling who will answer or even if
anyone will.
UNNAMED
(over com)
Captain, we're getting a response.
TEMPUS
Nevermind then.
INT. THE COMMAND DECK
Hiller and Tempus enter. Cole, Unnamed, Cordaine, and Vera
Cruz are on duty. Starsie is standing on the holographic
platform. Ward is also there in a dry uniform, but her hair
is messed up.
HILLER
Talk to me tactical.
UNNAMED
They're at a great distance, right
on the edge of our communications
range. We are loosing them rather
quickly.
Tempus goes to a station.
HILLER
Put them on.
Static crackles over the audio. Unnamed works to clean it
up.
UNNAMED
Attention unidentified craft.
Please repeat your last
transmission.
VOICE
(static)
....casting on a freque... 56...
...repeating trans...
HILLER
Boost power to the long range
antennas.
UNNAMED
They're already at maximum.
HILLER
Overcharge them then.
WARD
Captain, that could burn them out.
HILLER
(Angrily ignoring Ward)
Do it, Tactical!
Unnamed's hands work the console.
VOICE
...peat, can you hear me?
HILLER
(Jumps on it)
This is the space vessel
Starseeker. Can you read us?
VOICE
We can hear you, Starseeker. We
intercepted your medical distress
call.
HILLER
Can you help?
VOICE
Not us personally, but there is a
planet about 15 light years from
your position. We've sent you the
coordina...
(static)
...be about to find it with no...
Hiller looks helplessly at Unnamed.
UNNAMED
(Silently)
I have the data.
VOICE
...ust be care...
Static.
HILLER
You're breaking up. Can you...?
Sparks erupt from the ceiling. Cole, Unnamed, and Tempus
ducks.
UNNAMED
The antennae is burned out. Long
range communications are down.
TEMPUS
I got a look at their carrier wave.
Looks like it was a Frish
Freighter.
VERA CRUZ
Frish?
TEMPUS
One of the more dominate species of
this era in this location. In your
time, they're just crawling out of
their oceans for the first time.
HILLER
Can we trust them?
TEMPUS
(Shrugs)
They're not known for being
territorial and their primary
religious beliefs prevent them from
lying. That man believes what he
just told you.
That's good enough for Hiller.
HILLER
Helm, plot a course towards that
planet. Branson, what's the best
possible speed we can make?
BRANSON
The struts held up during the last
jump, but I wouldn't push her past
three lys, sir.
HILLER
3 lys, Cordaine. Engage.
CORDAINE
Aye, sir.
The ship creaks in protest, but everything seems to hold up.
After a tense moment:
HILLER
It'll take us five hours to get
there. Tempus, how long until we
have to jump?
TEMPUS
It varies. Time actually slows
down the farther into the future
you go, so I would estimate we
could stay here another 34 hours.
VERA CRUZ
29 hours? Back home it takes
months to recover from what Brin's
got.
A beat.
WARD
I need to talk to you in your
office, Captain.
HILLER
Not now, Commander.
WARD
Yes now sir.
HILLER
(To Cordaine)
Maintain course and speed.
(to Ward)
Let's make this quick.
Hiller walks into the office. Ward follows.
INT. THE OFFICE
Hiller walks around his desk. Ward stands at attention.
HILLER
What what you have to--
WARD
Permission to speak freely?
HILLER
In here, always.
WARD
You're obsessed.
HILLER
I'm dedicated.
WARD
You just blew our long range
antennae. We don't know when we're
going to get home and we fooping
damn well need that piece of
equipment you just turned into slag
and for what? Some miracle cure
that may or may not exist? We need
to think of the 2,000 people on
this ship who aren't Jaan Brin!
HILLER
Forgive me for not being a computer
and actually giving a rat's ass
about the people under my command.
WARD
This has nothing to do with the
people under your command and it
has nothing to do with Mark. This
does have something to do with you
putting your personal interests -
the interests of your personal
friend - above everyone else.
HILLER
The right to live is not just an
interest. Have you even considered
that we need an accomplished
diplomat on this scat-storm of a
mission? Has is computed in that
robot brain of yours that Brin is
from a critically endangered
species and we're under orders to
ensure his well-being?
WARD
Of course it has. Has it occurred
to you that if Starseeker has a
massive failure while rushing to
this planet, we're all done?
We're in triage right now, sir, and
we have to prioritize no matter how
painful it might be!
A beat.
HILLER
Is that all the people on this ship
mean to you? Was it your sense of
priorities that stranded Mark in
the 21st century?
WARD
Mark belonged there. You didn't.
Captain, I'm sorry if you disagreed
with my decision, but--
HILLER
You lied to me, Montoya. Me. I
have *never* lied to you.
WARD
I'm aware but I'm sure that if the
situation was reversed, you would
do the same.
HILLER
No, because I fooping well respect
you enough to be frank with you.
WARD
I do respect you, but you are also
fooping hard headed enough to risk
an entire mission to save one man
as you are doing NOW!
HILLER
Well hell, if that's your attitude
we should have just not even
bothered rescuing Brin in the first
place.
WARD
Leaving a non-terrestrial on Earth
in the 21st century would have been
a disaster. Don't play this game
with me, Captain. You didn't
belong there, Brin didn't belong
there, Mark did. I would have
liked to have gotten him back on
board, but given the circumstances,
it just couldn't be done.
HILLER
Your opinion.
WARD
Not my opinion, it was the facts
and it was the facts that molded my
decision.
HILLER
Then we agree to disagree.
WARD
Fine, how would you have landed
that jet, picked him up, taken off,
and made it back to the ship in
time for the jump?
(a beat, no response)
Tell me!
HILLER
There was a way!
WARD
It's been hours and you haven't
thought of one. It only goes to
prove that I did the right thing.
HILLER
That remains to be seen.
A very tense moment. Ward darkens.
WARD
You asked me to be first officer,
remember?
HILLER
You--
WARD
(Interrupting)
You chose me to take your place
when you are off ship and make
command decisions in your absence.
I cannot continue to do this job if
you punish me and second guess me
like this.
HILLER
Fine, when and if we get home, you
can re-think your career prospects.
WARD
Don't you dare threaten me. You're
using this ship like your own
private toy anyway. A failed,
broken, useless old man trying to
make up for things he did during
the war.
Hiller freezes. Ward sees this and mercilessly goes in.
WARD
Hiller the Catian Kid Killer.
Hiller, who lost 85 percent of his
forces during the Battle of
Malestair over what has been
universally described as a suicidal
Kamikaze strike that never should
have worked out and only did out of
pure fooping luck. You think that
if you can save Brin, you can make
up for all of that. All of the
deaths you've seen in your career.
That's why leaving Mark behind
bothered you so much. You're so
arrogant and full of yourself you
actually think you can beat back
death. It doesn't work that way!
All you're going to do is get us
all killed!
There is a heavy, very tense moment. Hiller crosses his
arms. Ward stands firm. Hiller walks up to her and towers
over her.
HILLER
Get out.
WARD
Gladly.
Ward turns and walks out. Hiller stands there for a moment
and then angrily swats everything off of his desk.
INT. THE MEDICAL DECK
VERA CRUZ and BRANSON are speaking to BRIN. KERIN is there
as well.
BRANSON
...and that's really all we know.
It's a shot in the dark, but...
BRIN
Hey, any shot is fine with me.
VERA CRUZ
How are you holding up?
BRIN
Fine. Bored mostly. Wish I had
something to do.
BRANSON
Ah, I thought you might.
Branson reaches down into a large case and produces a RED
SWORD -- the same red sword dropped by the Intruder during
"It Has Already Begun." She holds it up and shows it to
Brin.
BRIN
What the hell is that?
BRANSON
That time-traveling infiltrator
dropped it in engineering before
you and Vera Cruz went on your
little joyride into the 21st
century.
Brin's hand traces the alien language scrawled on the blade
and handle - his hand shaking as he does so.
BRIN
It's more of that language I've
been trying to decode. It's the
same phrase that's on the trigger,
but... there's more of it. This
could be a the fooping Rosetta
Stone I've been looking for.
BRANSON
Auntie Branson did good?
BRIN
Auntie Branson did really good.
BRANSON
There's a high-res hologram of it
in your personal file. Probably
easier for you to handle than the
real thing.
KERIN
God knows, the way he's been
dropping things, it would be.
BRIN
Quiet, Smut Peddler.
(to the others)
This'll keep me busy. Thank you.
BRANSON
You're welcome.
BRIN
Not just for the sword, but for...
(a beat)
This is the first time I've felt
useful since this nightmare
started.
Vera Cruz smiles. Kerin stands and takes the sword for Brin.
VERA CRUZ
You just tell us what the writing
says.
KERIN
Probably, "Danger: Pointy."
BRIN
(Sarcastic)
Wasn't that the name of your last
movie?
KERIN
No, that was "Close Encounters of
the Horny Kind." Want a copy?
BRIN
I don't think my TV has the
magnifying power needed.
CUT TO:
EXT. A PLANET
The planet looks mostly lifeless except for a greenish area
around the poles. In the background, a very faint red star
shines. Starseeker enters orbit.
INT. THE COMMAND DECK
Hiller, Ward, Cole, Unnamed, Vera Cruz, Branson, and Cordaine
are on duty.
CORDAINE
Standard orbit, Captain.
HILLER
Thank you, helm. Tactical, what
are you picking up?
UNNAMED
I am reading sparse but numerous
life forms at the Southern polar
area grouped in several valleys.
They appear to be a mixture of
several different lifeforms, but
the scanners are not recognizing
any of them.
HILLER
Probably because none of them have
evolved yet. Hail them.
UNNAMED
We can't.
WARD
(Naggingly)
Blew out our antennae, remember?
UNNAMED
Actually, at this range, we could
use the individual com units, but
we cannot in this case because it
appears that the planet is devoid
of any functional technology.
VERA CRUZ
No technology? I thought this was
supposed to be a miracle planet.
Hiller scowls.
HILLER
Have Valentine prep Brin for
transport. We got the teleporters
working yet?
BRANSON
Just came on line an hour ago.
HILLER
Cole, Vera Cruz, the two of you
come along.
WARD
Do you think it's wise taking Brin
down there in his condition?
HILLER
At this point, how is anything
going to make it worse?
(to Unnamed)
Find the most densely populated
spot down there. That's where
we're going to get answers.
EXT. THE PLANET'S SURFACE
We're looking at a valley. On the hills surrounding it,
there are inhospitable snowcaps, but in the valley there are
bright blood-red flowers with black leaves that grow to a
height of around five to seven feet. Even though it is day,
it is dark like twilight. Hiller, Cole, Vera Cruz,
Valentine, and Brin (in a wheelchair) appear in a swirl of
teleporter light in the middle of a rocky dried up riverbed.
There is no one there. The landing party immediately start
shivering in the cold.
VALENTINE
I thought this was the most densely
populated area on the planet.
VERA CRUZ
It is. It may not be Times Square,
but per square kilometer, there are
more lifeforms here than anywhere
else on this planet.
Vera Cruz takes readings on the scanner.
COLE
I don't like this.
VALENTINE
Neither do I. I'm looking, but I
don't see doctors and I don't see a
hospital. I'm taking Brin back up
to the ship and I'm planning on
saying lots of very impolite things
about you all when I get there.
Vera Cruz' scanner beeps.
VERA CRUZ
Five lifeforms. They're heading
this way.
Cole draws a weapon. The aliens emerge from the flowers.
They are of different species -- all dressed in rags, one of
them completely naked. None of them seem to care. None of
them are even concerned with the Starseeker crew being there.
They simply walk out of the flowers from many different
directions.
HILLER
(To the aliens)
Hello. My name is Ken Hiller from
the starship Starseeker. We're
seeking help for a crewmember with
an illness.
No response. They simply get closer and closer.
HILLER
Can you understand me?
Cole gets a little more defensive as the aliens draw near.
Hiller shakes his head telling him to back down. The aliens
walk by Hiller and Cole and right to Brin. One of them opens
his hands revealing the petals of one of the red flowers.
BRIN
Um... okay.
Brin takes the flower.
BRIN
It's very beautiful. Thank you. I
don't have anything to give in...
Brin notices one of the aliens stuffs flower petals into his
mouth and starts chewing. The aliens are looking expectantly
at Brin. Brin puts the petals in his mouth and chews. He
grimaces at the taste, but manages to smile.
BRIN
That's... good. Thank you.
He almost looses his lunch, but he holds it down.
VALENTINE
Jesus, maybe we should offer him
some thousand island dressing while
we're at it.
VERA CRUZ
Doc, take a look at this.
Vera Cruz hands her the scanner. She reads the data.
VALENTINE
What is that? Some sort of...
(She looks at the aliens)
Captain, these aliens... they are
in peak physical shape. No
disease, no cholesterol, no signs
of advanced aging... no nothing.
(she reads more)
The plant... there's some sort of
microscopic lifeform inside it.
I've never seen anything like--
(she reads more)
It's in the aliens as well. It's...
God, it's continually healing their
bodies. It's like a little worker
crew on their insides.
HILLER
It's the plants doing this?
VALENTINE
Well, yes. In a way. More
specifically, it's the lifeforms --
some sort of symbiosis.
HILLER
Will they help Brin?
Valentine snaps the scanner shut.
VALENTINE
By God, I think they will!
Valentine picks up another flower and shoves it in his mouth.
VALENTINE
Eat.
BRIN
(Whispers)
I don't want it.
HILLER
Think of it as a salad.
BRIN
I don't like salad!
Hiller rips a another flower from a plant and shoves it into
Brin's mouth. Brin chews.
FADE TO:
EXT. THE PLANET'S SURFACE
The aliens are back in the field. They are chewing on the
flowers. Hiller is looking up into the cat's eye nebula that
takes up a large portion of the sky. Vera Cruz walks up to
him.
VERA CRUZ
This planet is in the last stages
of habitability. In just a few
decades, enough oxygen in the
atmosphere will have escaped into
space and the temperature will drop
below the threshold needed for
life. Amazing that it exists at
all.
Valentine walks up to them.
VALENTINE
(Re: The aliens)
They're like a bunch of bloody
cows. These plants must be highly
addictive.
COLE
I've done some drugs before.
Nothing I'm proud of, but you go
undercover trying to bust Jex
dealers, you find sometimes you
don't have a choice. I've never
seen a drug affect anyone like this
before. It's like... extreme
apathy. They seem to have
everything they need here and they
just don't care about anything but
eating these Lotuses.
HILLER
Well, we'll just have to make sure
that Brin doesn't get--
Hiller turns to look. Brin's wheelchair is empty.
HILLER
Brin!?
Everyone has noticed Brin is gone.
VALENTINE
He didn't jolly doggamn leave by
himself! Someone must have taken
him.
COLE
(Scans)
I've got him. Forty-two meters
that way.
The group heads into the flower field.
INT. THE FLOWERS
The crew are pushing their way through the flowers. The
large petals are smacking them in the face, getting pollen
all over them. Cole sneezes several rapid sneezes as the
others push past him.
VALENTINE
Need a tissue, Snots of Fun?
Cole grumbles and follows them.
EXT. A CLEARING
Brin is standing on a large rock. He has taken his shirt off
and has his arms outstretched as the breeze rushes by him.
He is smiling. The crew stumble out of the flowers.
HILLER
Brin!
BRIN
(Sees them, smiles)
Ken!
Brin leaps down and gives Ken a hug. Brin touches Hiller's
face.
COLE
(Sniffling)
Oh look. Someone jolly doggamn
left by himself.
BRIN
(To Hiller)
You... are such a good friend, did
you know that?
Hiller pushes him away.
HILLER
(Laughs nervously)
You're a good friend too, Brin.
Valentine is scanning him as Brin grabs Vera Cruz.
BRIN
(To Vera Cruz)
And you... you, you, you, you, you.
What's your face. You are an
adorable little cream cake, did you
know that?
VERA CRUZ
Hauvie tells me that all the time.
VALENTINE
(Whispers to the others)
The lifeforms from the flowers are
swarming his body rebuilding nerves
and muscle tissue.
BRIN
Doc, why are you such a bitch to
everyone? You're just so pretty.
Pretty people shouldn't be such
assholes. Does that offend you? I
don't mean to offend you, I just--
(he stumbles)
Oops, stumbly bumbly!
(a beat)
What was I saying?
COLE
He's stoned out of his mind.
VALENTINE
You did see the effects that these
plants had on the population out
there, right? One would expect
some psychotropic effects. Case in
point.
She points. The naked alien is chewing on a flower petal and
playing with his own nipple. Brin is laughing hysterically.
Brin watches for a second and then starts to play with his
own nipple, but Cole slaps his hand away.
COLE
You start that scat I'm leaving you
down here.
BRIN
That would be awesome! We can all
stay down here!
(To Hiller)
Captain, you bring Kerin and...
Cordaine and... Hell, everybody!
HILLER
I'd say that's already happened
down here a few times. Passing
ships send landing parties down
here, the crewmembers get hooked,
and they stay.
Valentine is looking at the naked alien.
VALENTINE
We should help them.
COLE
Is that possible? Looks like
they're zonked out of their damn
minds.
VALENTINE
We should at least try. We can't
just leave them.
Those words affect Hiller.
HILLER
How many people on the planet?
VERA CRUZ
Over eight hundred.
Hiller thinks about this.
HILLER
Doctor, grab a couple of subjects.
We've only got 22 hours before we
jump -- let's see if we can't break
their addiction before we do.
EXT. PLANET ORBIT
Starseeker circles the planet below.
INT. THE COMMAND DECK
Hiller, Cole, and Vera Cruz enters. Ward, Branson, Tempus,
and Unnamed are already there. Hiller walks by Ward.
HILLER
My office please, Commander.
Hiller walks to his office without waiting for a reply. Ward
sighs in annoyance and follows him.
INT. HILLER'S OFFICE
Ward enters.
WARD
Captain, if this is going to be
another bitch-fest, let me save you
the--
HILLER
I'm sorry.
A long beat. Ward is confused.
WARD
Say that again?
HILLER
I said I'm sorry. I said some
pretty horrible things to you, I
insulted you, and it was uncalled
for. You're a damn fine officer,
you're a damn fine first officer,
and I would be a damn fool to let
you go.
Ward is speechless.
HILLER
So, are we good?
WARD
No... No, we're not. I, uh... I
guess I said some awful things too.
I know they hurt you. I'm sorry
too, Captain. I'm sorry about Mark
as well.
HILLER
You made a command decision. It's
your job.
WARD
I know. I just wish I was smart
enough to have thought of something
else.
Hiller walks over and, quite unexpectedly, hugs her. Ward is
shocked, but hugs back.
HILLER
This ship wouldn't be the same
without you.
Hiller lets her go. Ward cocks her head.
WARD
Captain, are you okay?
HILLER
I'm fine. Better than okay.
Brin's better. No recovery, the
man is as healthy as a horse.
WARD
(Smiles)
That's wonderful.
HILLER
A little stoned, but healthy.
WARD
Stoned?
HILLER
Yeah, the planet was covered in
these flowers. Tremendous
medicinal properties, but
apparently as intoxicating as Jex
or any other run of the mill drugs.
It'll be in my report when I get
around to writing it. In the
meantime, I'm hungry all of the
sudden. Want to skip out on C&C
duty and grab some chow?
Hiller is smiling. Ward's face droops.
WARD
The flowers were intoxicants?
HILLER
That's right.
WARD
...and you were in the middle of
them?
HILLER
Of course, why do you ask?
WARD
Breathing in their pollen?
HILLER
Uh-huh.
A beat. Hiller stops smiling.
HILLER
Oh dear.
INT. THE MEDICAL DECK
NURSE RICKIE is looking over test results. Valentine, Vera
Cruz, Cole, and Hiller are patiently waiting while Unnamed
and Ward stand by.
RICKIE
Based on these blood tests,
whatever organisms you found in
those flowers are crawling all
through your bloodstreams, muscle
tissues, and organs. Their wastes
are creating some sort of
psychotropic agent that I've never
heard of and I can't find in any of
the databases.
WARD
Are these organisms contagious?
RICKIE
From what I've seen, no. I tested
the tactical officer there, you,
and Mr. Cordaine -- none of you
appear infected.
HILLER
What, uh... sort of danger are we
in?
RICKIE
Ironically, none. Your own immune
system is killing off the organisms
and they should be purged already.
COLE
I feel good.
WARD
Obviously.
COLE
No, I mean... I feel good. I'm
happy.
VALENTINE
Yes, I've noticed that as well.
Since we got back from the planet,
I've hardly been able to keep this
smile off of my face.
VERA CRUZ
That's terrifying in of itself.
RICKIE
The psychotropics are still in your
system. Not enough to affect you
too much, but just enough to give
you a sense of euphoria.
VALENTINE
Wait a minute...
(she grabs the padd and
reads it)
How were these lifeforms doing
inside of us? They weren't feeding
off of us so they're not
parasites... Why would they...?
She trails off.
HILLER
Why does everything have to have a
reason?
VALENTINE
Because I'm sane. Everything has a
reason and every lifeform has an
angle.
Lions live near gazelles so they
can eat them, humans grow crops so
they can eat them, and parasites
live in and on other animals so
they can live off of them. There
are no free rides. Everything
wants something.
HILLER
No sign of any of that?
RICKIE
No. Just... Improving your bodies
and manufacturing chemicals that
keep people in an aloof state. I've
never seen a lifeform do this.
VALENTINE
Sounds like a fun mystery to solve.
You up for it, Rickie?
RICKIE
I suppose so. Just stop smiling,
it freaks me out.
HILLER
I want all of those samples
isolated. This crew is fooped up
enough without these flowers coming
into the mix.
WARD
We may want to keep Brin and our
alien guests under security.
They've directed ingested these
things.
COLE
I'll alert security to confine them
to the medical deck.
WARD
They're not here? Where are they?
RICKIE
I decided that maybe exercise would
help purge these lifeforms quicker
so I sent him and our guests to the
oxygen garden for a walk.
INT. THE OXYGEN GARDEN
Under the giant holographic dome, it appears to be a
picturesque day with the sun shining and clouds passing by.
Only the faint outline of the ceiling betrays the illusion.
Brin and two of the aliens are in the garden as a security
officer watches them. Brin is dancing in the sun. The two
aliens (one of them the formerly naked alien) wander
aimlessly. One of the aliens walks over to a hibiscus bush,
tears off a flower and starts chewing it. He lets it dribble
out of his mouth. A disgusted look crosses his face. Brin
laughs. The security officer is listening to his
communicator.
SECURITY OFFICER
Yes sir. Yes sir, right away.
He turns his communicator off.
SECURITY OFFICER
Excuse me, ambassador.
BRIN
(Laughing)
Yeah, what?
SECURITY OFFICER
We need to get the three of you to
the medical deck.
BRIN
Why? I feel fine.
SECURITY OFFICER
It's precautionary, sir. Commander
Ward's orders.
BRIN
Did she say please?
Kerin walks up.
KERIN
Come on, Brin, you heard the man.
BRIN
Oh, you are such a party pooper.
Something catches Kerin's attention. He taps the security
officer on the arm and points.
KERIN
Hey, is he all right?
The formerly naked alien is sinking to his knees and moaning.
SECURITY OFFICER
I'm not a doctor, but that looks
like withdrawals.
KERIN
I'm not a doctor either, but don't
you think we could at least check
on him?
They walk over to the alien who is now on the ground. The
Security officer reaches for him. Brin runs up and jumps on
Kerin's back. Kerin struggles to support Brin's weight.
KERIN
Doggammit, Brin! Knock it off!
Kerin lets Brin drop. Brin rolls over onto his butt.
BRIN
You're no fun and your movies are
crap!
The security officer is shaking the alien who has curled up
into a ball.
SECURITY OFFICER
Hey, you okay? Uh oh.
(into communicator)
Medical emergency in the oxygen
garden. We have an unknown non
terrestrial species. Unresponsive
and...
The alien's head flops backwards revealing a red liquid
pouring from his mouth and eyes. The alien blows the red
liquid out of his mouth and into the security officer's face.
The security guard screams and falls backwards. Kerin reacts
in disgust. Brin reacts, but in an inappropriate way.
BRIN
Whoa, that's fooped up.
The red liquid coming out of the alien is forming what
appears to be roots and vines. They anchor themselves into
the ground.
SECURITY OFFICER
Get back, get away from it!
Kerin grabs Brin who is trying to poke the alien with a
stick. Kerin also grabs the other alien.
KERIN
Come on you two.
BRIN
Oh, come on! I want to see what
happens!
The red vines are quickly forming stalks and turning black.
One of them opens into a brilliant red flower. The other
alien pushes Kerin to the side and runs for the flower. The
security guard tries to stop him, but the alien is crazed.
He pushes the guard out of the way, snatches the flower and
starts eating it. Another flower appears on the body.
Brin is now trying to get to the flower.
KERIN
(Grabs Brin)
Brin, no!
BRIN
But, come on... that... they make
all the pain go away.
KERIN
What pain, Brin?
Brin is pulling harder.
BRIN
I want to go.
KERIN
I'm not letting you.
BRIN
(Shrieking)
I WANT TO GO!!!
Brin punches Kerin. Kerin grabs him and punches back, but
that only seems to enrage Brin even more. Brin rakes his
claws over Kerin's face. Kerin grabs his eyes as blood oozes
from the scratches. Brin runs to the new flowers and grabs
one. He attacks the security guard and takes his gun. The
security guard scrambles backwards as Brin fires at his feet.
BRIN
You can't keep us away from it!
It's ours!
Kerin suddenly leaps in and tackles Brin. The pollen from
the flowers flies everywhere as Kerin and Brin fight. Brin
grabs Kerin's face and tries to push it away -- the flower
crushing between Brin's hands and Kerin's head.
Ward, Unnamed, Tempus, and several security forces arrive.
WARD
What in the hell is happening here?
Brin pushes Kerin off of him and holds the gun up. Kerin is
growling and angry, but backs down. He touches his face. It
is covered in pollen... a lot of it pushed into the wound.
BRIN
Doesn't hurt, does it?
Kerin touches his face. It doesn't hurt.
WARD
Kerin. Back away from him.
BRIN
It makes it all go away. All of
the anger, the hate, the
disappointment... it all goes away.
Be happy, little brother.
Brin offers him the flower. Kerin cautiously walks over and
takes it. Brin grabs another and chews on it. Kerin follows
suit. The security guard stumbles over and grabs some too.
Ward is concerned.
WARD
Seal off this deck. Get everyone
out now!
Everyone heads for the main door. Ward gets one last look at
Brin, the security guard, Kerin, and the surviving alien
before the door shuts.
INT. THE MEDICAL DECK
Ward is pacing. Rickie, Valentine, Unnamed, Vera Cruz,
Tempus, Hiller, and Cole are there.
WARD
What the hell just happened?
TEMPUS
I don't know. I've never seen
anything like this before.
UNNAMED
Never once?
TEMPUS
Given how addictive the lotuses
are, this might be one of the
things they don't tell you until
you're a full member of the corps.
WARD
Really, you would think this would
be a place they'd tell you to
avoid.
TEMPUS
Sure, but then again we're never
without our mentors. I believe
mine died saving your asses.
HILLER
Listen, we need to concentrate on
what's going on. According to the
security cam footage, the alien --
that naked guy -- he...
He searches for the word.
COLE
Became plant food.
HILLER
Thank you, Mr. Cole. How and why
did that happen?
VALENTINE
I think I may know that, Captain.
We were in such a hurry down there
that we just assumed that the
flowers were flowers.
WARD
(Confused)
What?
VALENTINE
The flowers -- this plant? Not a
plant. It's a an animal.
RICKIE
We ran DNA testing. It is a match
with the microscopic lifeforms.
They're one in the same.
VALENTINE
It's possible that these flowers
are the adult form of the organism
while the microscopic lifeform is
the larval stage.
HILLER
What?
VALENTINE
The lotuses are stuffed full of
their own young. They send them
into the air like pollen and, once
you get them in your system, they
compel you to ingest them, further
infecting you.
VERA CRUZ
This is making sense.
COLE
The hell it is.
VERA CRUZ
No, listen, we couldn't figure out
the parasitic angle because there
wasn't one. Turns out there is: it
uses bodies for mulch.
WARD
You mean Brin and everyone in that
air garden are going to...?
VERA CRUZ
Given the fact that those aliens on
the surface seemed to have been
there for years, it must be a slow
process. The fact that the one...
uh...
COLE
Popped?
VERA CRUZ
Thank you. It was a coincidence.
STARSIE
(over com)
Commander, I believe you should
look at the oxygen garden security
camera.
Ward brings up the picture. It shows the second alien on the
ground with vines and flowers growing out of him.
WARD
The second alien is dead.
VERA CRUZ
I take it back. One of them
bringing the flowers to term is a
coincidence. Both means
something's changed. A new
variable has been introduced.
TEMPUS
That begs the question: What's
different about Starseeker than the
planet?
COLE
Any number of things. Atmosphere,
temperature, pressure, light...
HILLER
Wait... Temperature. It makes
sense! This entire doggamn thing
makes perfect sense! The Lotus
larvae need warmth and what's the
warmest thing down there?
WARD
Warm bodies.
VERA CRUZ
We brought them up here where it's
warmer and they went into
overdrive.
WARD
(into Com)
Starsie, listen carefully...
INT. THE OXYGEN GARDEN
Several dozen lotuses are growing several feet high. Brin,
Kerin, the Security Guard, and a few other people who were
trapped when the garden was sealed are there eating flowers.
KERIN
(With mouth full)
Brin, we've...
(a beat)
...we've got to stop.
BRIN
No.
KERIN
Brin, we--
(he eats more)
This isn't right!
BRIN
It'll be a cold day in hell before
I give this up!
Snow starts to fall. Everyone looks up.
BRIN
Oh, COME ON!
More snow begins to fall.
INT. THE COMMAND DECK
Starsie and Cordaine are there.
STARSIE
I've lowered the temperature to
minus fifty, Commander. In ten
minutes, everything in the oxygen
garden will be encased in ice.
EXT. A CORRIDOR
Ward, Hiller, Tempus, Cole, Unnamed, Valentine and Rickie are
walking down the hall with a team of nurses.
WARD
That includes any pollen.
Hopefully, by the time we get
there, the lifeforms will be
hunkered down.
STARSIE
(over com)
I should warn you, commander, that
at these temperatures, most
humanoids will not survive long.
HILLER
Then we'll make this quick.
Two security guards meet them and hand them large coats.
They put it on as they reach the door to the oxygen garden.
Ward nods and they open it -- snow and ice blows out of it.
They enter.
INT. THE OXYGEN GARDEN
It's literally a winter wonderland. Snow and ice are piling
in drifts. The lotuses are encased in ice. The crew members
who were trapped are lying all over the place. The crew run
over to them. Valentine and Rickie and the nurses start to
help everyone.
VALENTINE
Get these people to the med deck
and put them in quarantine.
HILLER
(looking around
frantically)
Where's Brin?
WARD
Kerin's missing too.
VALENTINE
(Yelling at them while
loading a man onto a
stretcher)
They're Cethy, you idiots, they're
adapted to survive in cold
temperatures.
Ward takes out a scanner.
WARD
(points)
Over there.
Ward and Hiller run through the snow and ice.
EXT. THE OXYGEN GARDEN
Brin doubles over and coughs. Red liquid is dripping from
his lips and freezing. Kerin tries to help him.
KERIN
Brin, you need help!
BRIN
No, I need to show everyone! I...
I can!
Brin stumbles over to a door. He starts pressing buttons.
COMPUTER
Ambassadorial override accepted.
The door opens out into a hallway. Brin stumbles out. Kerin
tries to go after him, but Hiller grabs him and pulls him
back into the oxygen garden. Cole grabs him and drags him
back into the snow. Kerin puts up a hell of a fight. Hiller
and Ward try to approach Brin but notice that Brin still has
the gun.
BRIN
(Coughing)
Hey guys.
WARD
Ambassador, listen to me. We need
you to come back into the oxygen
garden.
BRIN
No, no, no, I've got to show you
all how much better this is.
You... I'm happy, Ken. Do you have
any idea how long it's been?
Hiller approaches him.
HILLER
I know. I know it's been a long
time.
Brin reaches his hand out. It's dripping with the red
liquid. Drops of it hit the deck and then begin forming tiny
vines. Hiller looks at them and licks his lips.
WARD
Captain?
BRIN
Come on, Ken. Your wife, your son,
everything you did? It all goes
away.
Hiller reaches out and grabs his hand, the red liquid
squishing between his fingers.
WARD
Captain!
Brin hugs Hiller.
BRIN
That's it. That's it...
The liquid is spilling out of Brin's mouth and nose.
HILLER
Commander, you're in charge of the
ship.
WARD
CAPTAIN!
HILLER
You're in charge and I trust you.
Ward inhales and nods. Hiller grabs Brin's gun and holds it
down. Ward takes out her gun and fires, stunning both the
Captain and Brin. She runs over, grabs Brin, and drags him
back into the oxygen garden. Cole runs over.
WARD
Get the captain!
Cole grabs Hiller and drags him into the oxygen garden. The
red liquid leaking out of Brin freezes and flakes away. Ward
grabs a large handful of ice and snows, runs out of the
garden, and dumps it on the lotuses growing out in the
corridor. She walks back in and flops down in the snow next
to Hiller. She looks at Cole and Cole looks back at her.
Ward laughs and flops backwards in the snow.
FADE TO:
INT. THE MEDICAL DECK
Valentine and Rickie are treating the crew who were exposed
to the lotuses. Hiller, Ward, Tempus, Vera Cruz, Cole,
Kerin, and the other officers. Cordaine enters and
approaches Hiller and Ward.
CORDAINE
(bows)
Captain. Commander. Starsie
reports that we will jump in three
hours.
HILLER
Thank you, Lieutenant. We'll be on
the command deck shortly...
(to Valentine)
...if we have a clean bill of
health.
Valentine waves them off.
VALENTINE
You're fine. Your bodies killed
off all the lifeforms. Get out of
here, I need the bed space.
Hiller and Ward leave with Cordaine.
EXT. THE CORRIDOR
Hiller, Ward, and Cordaine walk out into the corridor.
HILLER
You go ahead, ensign, we'll be
right behind you.
Cordaine nods and leaves.
HILLER
You shot me.
WARD
You said you trusted me.
HILLER
Yeah, but you shot me. I thought
you were going to help me subdue
him.
WARD
I thought you wanted me to shoot
you both!
A beat. Hiller can't help but laugh.
HILLER
Well, I guess your way worked too.
Listen, Montoya, I meant what I
said... I do trust you and, in case
you think it was the lotuses
talking earlier, I am sorry for how
I treated you.
WARD
Never mind that, Captain.
HILLER
You did the right thing in both
instances.
WARD
You're not going to hug me again,
are you?
HILLER
No, I won't press my luck again.
Ward walks down the corridor. She turns.
WARD
Are you coming, sir?
HILLER
You go ahead.
INT. A MEDICAL ROOM
Brin is in the corner, shivering. His eyes are bloodshot and
he appears sick. Hiller enters.
HILLER
How are you feeling?
BRIN
Like hammered scat.
HILLER
Valentine says your exposure has
given you withdrawals. You'll be
like this for a few days.
BRIN
Ken, I'd do anything to shove one
of those things in my mouth. I'd
kill you if I thought it would get
me one and I...
Hiller puts his hand on Brin's shoulder. Brin starts crying.
Hiller holds him.
BRIN
I'm so doggamn ashamed of myself.
I feel like I'm over...
A beat. Hiller stands and picks Brin up with him. He sits
Brin on the bed.
HILLER
You may see this as an end, but I
prefer to look at it as a new
beginning. You've been given your
life back and that's no small
gift... for you or for all of us.
Brin looks at him.
BRIN
That's the stupidest doggamn thing
I've ever heard in my life.
Hiller laughs.
HILLER
You'll feel better tomorrow. We'll
be in a new place... a new time...
a new beginning. It's the first
day of the rest of your life so get
used to living it.
Hiller gets up to leave.
BRIN
What about the planet?
Hiller stops.
HILLER
What about it?
BRIN
Those lotuses, those people down
there... Are we just going to
leave them down there and do
nothing?
HILLER
Who said we did nothing? Doc
Valentine extracted some DNA from
the lotuses and made some
adjustments.
BRIN
Adjustments?
HILLER
Just made some changes to the
Lotuses qualities. She couldn't
break the plant's addictive powers,
but she did manage to make some
changes and introduced some of the
larva back down to the planet in an
invasive variety.
BRIN
What sort of adjustments?
Hiller grins and then exits.
EXT. PLANET ORBIT
Starseeker floats peacefully for a moment, then jumps away in
a flash of blue and red light.
FADE TO:
EXT. THE PLANET'S SURFACE
Two aliens and standing next to each other eating lotus
flowers. One of them looks down at the lotus, then look at
his companion.
ALIEN
Does this taste like shit to you?
The other alien looks at him and then back at the plant. A
disgusted look crosses her face.
FADE OUT:
THE END