SOLAR II

by Terry Starker

Log Line:
Solar II is an action adventure story about John Michael Winston, a computer and missile engineer onboard a spaceship heading towards the Sun to stop it from cooling down. After realizing someone in the crew is out to sabotage the mission, John wants to stop the saboteur in order to save Earth.

Synopsis:
JOHN WINSTON, 38, a computer and missile engineer, is working in his shop at the Branson Aeronautical Engineering Company. John talks on the phone to his wife SHANNA, 37, homemaker. A few minutes later two men in Air Force uniforms, MAJOR HICKAM, 53, and LIEUTENANT PARRY, 24, working for the International Space Organization, walk into Johns work center. They take John away with no real explanation to what is going on. A debrief commences explaining the vital situation about the sun and why the International Space Organization wants John. In the brief the members of the crew learn that the sun is dying. John, along with nine other members, including MELISSA THORP, 35, will be onboard the spaceship Astrum Navis (Star Ship in Latin) attempting to restart the fusion reaction in the Sun. With fear and uncertainty, the International Space Organization explains to John why they want him on this particular mission. The fear of cramped spaces, and being in a constricting spacesuit, makes John apprehensive at first. Major Hickam assures John his family will be

SOLAR II/Starker 2 taken care of while he is gone. Hickam grabs Johns attention when he tells John that the Earth will be destroyed, and this includes the loss of Johns family if the mission is not successful. The story jumps ahead 90 days into the mission with John and the rest of the crew on their way to the Sun. John wakes up in a sleeping chamber, his claustrophobia begins to affect him while onboard the spaceship. Hickam pulls John out after everyone is already awake. The crew notices one person is dead inside one of the sleeping chambers. It is unclear at this time if the death was an accident. The Astrum Navis will soon be completing a slingshot maneuver around Venus using the planets gravity to accelerate the spaceship faster in order to catch up to Mercury. As the ship enters the extreme gravity of Venus, the sun emits a massive solar burst of energy that heads in the direction of Earth. There is no time to maneuver the Astrum Navis out of the torrent of the solar blast, the ship must stay on course or it will miss the orbit of Mercury. The solar burst slams into the spaceship causing massive collateral damage and begins to throw the Astrum Navis off course. One of the missiles become damaged and must be brought into a workshop to be repaired. The warhead is removed, revealing a small, empty chamber. At this point another member of the crew is found dead in the engine room, and the rumors go around the ship that there may be a saboteur onboard. The Astrum Navis moves behind Mercury while staying out of the intense radiation blasts coming from the sun. The unidentified saboteur kills three more people in a remote section of the ship by ejecting the science pod from the ship and sending the pod towards the surface of Mercury. The ship makes its way past the planet Mercury and heads closer to the sun to launch its payload of missiles. The heat shield material designed by John at this time will be put to the test keeping the remaining people alive onboard.

SOLAR II/Starker 3 The known saboteur and murderer onboard the Astrum Navis is identified as REYNOLDS, 37, wears silver rimmed glasses. With the last missile being repaired with the payload removed, John and Hickam discover there is not enough fuel on Astrum Navis to escape the gravity of the sun. When the ship launches the payload of missiles there is little hope for survival. All of the escape pods have been launched. John and Hickam surmise that the International Space Organization did not expect for anyone to return from this one-way mission or it is a possibility the fuel tanks were purposely drained during the flight. Hickam holds off the saboteur while John helps a wounded Thorp to escape the wrath of a murdering madman. Hickam does not seem to slow Reynolds down. John confronts his deepest fears of claustrophobia and space in order to fight back against the murderer. A chase makes its way through the ship ending in the missile repair room. John forces himself into a spacesuit and helps Thorp into one. He then jumps through space across a vast distance in order to get away. With the payload of the missile removed, the capsule is just large enough for two people to fit inside. John helps Thorp up to get inside the empty missile warhead chamber. John begins to reprogram the missile that was damaged in the solar burst to head back to Earth. During the final seconds before the ship is in position to launch, Reynolds breaks down the door and bolts into the room. John ties himself to the control consul and opens the outer doors of the repair room sucking Reynolds out into space before he can hold onto anything. John then gets into the missile next to Thorp fighting his fears of claustrophobia. He proceeds with the countdown to the last second. All the remaining missiles on the ship are launched towards the sun and explode in their designated coordinates. The Astrum Navis explodes on contact to the surface of the sun. The missile John is in struggles with the heavy gravity of the sun until a shockwave from the igniting gases on the surface of the sun spans out

SOLAR II/Starker 4 away from the surface. The missile tumbles away from the sun and escapes the powerful gravity. John wakes up in a hospital bed on Earth with his family standing next to him. Thorp is standing in the doorway on crutches smiling at John. They are both happy to be alive and Earth has avoided extinction.

SOLAR II

Written by Terry Starker

217 Huskey Place Gatlinburg, TN 37738 Home (865) 436-6046 Cell (865) 771-0477

EXT. SPACE The sun shines bright. Several solar storms are emitting solar flares into the coldness of space. A large solar burst erupts from the surface of the Sun and heads towards Earth. A single communications satellite flying above Earth is knocked out of orbit from the shock wave. The satellite begins to burn up in orbit as it falls to Earth. Some radio and television signals are interrupted on Earth. OPENING TITLE SEQUENCE EXT. AERONAUTICAL COMPANY NORTH DAKOTA - DAY Three black sedans speed past a business sign heading towards the main building entrance. Sign reads - Branson Aeronautical Engineering Company INT. WORKSHOP - CONTINUOUS JOHN WINSTON, male, 38, clean shaven, medium height, with brown hair, wearing nice slacks and a polo shirt. He is working at a large table with electronic equipment neatly placed in various areas. There is a lot of electronic equipment spread out around the room. With phone to his ear John is talking to his wife SHANNA, 37, homemaker. The television NEWS channel is on and can be heard in the background. T.V. MALE VOICE (O.C.) Is global warming over? Scientists are at odds with the weather, and now the Earth may be cooling down not warming up. John reaches up to lower the volume to the television. T.V. FEMALE VOICE (O.C.) A scientist has discovered the reason some television and radio signals are... The conversation continues between John and Shanna. SHANNA (V.O.) So, when are you coming home?

2. JOHN I... I have some things I have to do first. It may take me longer then I expected. SHANNA (V.O.) What things? (Beat) Never mind, John. What do you want me to tell the kids? JOHN Tell them, Ill see them later, and I am sorry I will miss having dinner with them. SHANNA (V.O.) You have a problem, John. The kids need a father, and we are about to lose our home. JOHN You dont need to remind me about my gambling problem. Just give me a little more time. SHANNA (V.O.) Thats all Ive been doing. JOHN Please dont make this any harder then what it is for me Shanna. I feel alone at times. SHANNA (V.O) You are alone, John. JOHN Can we just talk about this later? SHANNA (V.O.) Goodbye, John. CLICK, Shanna hangs up on John. JOHN Shanna, Shanna. STEVE, male, 42, a well-groomed, tall thin man, walks into the room. He overhears part of the phone conversation between John and Shanna while walking in. John hangs up the receiver. STEVE So... what are you watching?

3. JOHN Nothing right now. Steve is attentively watching the headlines scrolling across the television screen. STEVE Do you really believe what these weather forecasters are telling you these days? All they talk about is this global warming crap? JOHN Global warming is something we all have to live with, Steve. However, the way the climate is changing lately, I have a feeling someday well be calling it global cooling. STEVE You are always trying to outthink everyone. (Beat) I see you cant get away from those debts you have. John looks at Steve. JOHN What are you talking about? STEVE I heard you talking to Shanna on the phone again. MAJOR HICKAM, male, 53, and LIEUTENANT PARRY, male, 24, dressed in Air Force uniforms walk into the workshop, they stop in front of John. Both of them FLASH official military identification cards. HICKAM Are you, Mr. John Michael Winston? John carefully nods. HICKAM (CONTD) Sir, will you come with us please? Steve tries to move between the two Air Force men and John. STEVE Whats this all about?

4. JOHN Steve, stay out of it. HICKAM Sir, please come with us. I assure you, it is a matter of national security. JOHN I dont understand, why me? HICKAM Because, you have a specific skill we require. JOHN (Laughs) A skill? Can you elaborate? PARRY Not at this time. JOHN Okay, then I will entertain this idea of national security. (Beat) You guys can leave. Hickam and Parry are not amused and stand in front of John without an expression on their face. HICKAM Sir, I am afraid you have no choice in the matter. JOHN I am being forced to go with you? HICKAM I prefer to think that I am suggesting you come with us. John motions his hand towards the exit. JOHN (Smirks) Well, lead the way. EXT. U.S. HEADQUARTERS INTERNATIONAL SPACE ORGANIZATION - DAY The same three black sedans speed through a guarded gate in front of the International Space Organization. An Air Force guard salutes as they drive by.

5. INT. BRIEFING ROOM - DAY John enters a bleak looking room with a few military pictures on the wall. There are several Air Force personnel sitting in the room quietly talking. TECHNICAL SERGEANT HOOPER, male, 22, head shaven, bony cheeks with a smug look, watches John walk in. ALLEN, male, 25, husky build with a flattop, nods his head and elbows Hooper. HOOPER Hey, who brought the new civi in? COLONEL MCLEARY, male, 45, short black hair with gray highlights, looks over at Hooper. MCLEARY Do you have a problem with a civilian on this mission, Sergeant? Hooper leans back in his chair trying to keep his composure. No, sir. HOOPER

MAJOR ROLKOV, male, 37, staunch looking with dark eyes, leans over towards Mcleary. ROLKOV Do you have any idea what this mission is all about, Colonel? MCLEARY I havent heard anything yet, Major. ROLKOV The upper chain of command has been keeping pretty quiet lately. I know. MCLEARY

ROLKOV I dont like it when I am not in control. MCLEARY Im just glad to have you back on my team again Major. FIRST LIEUTENANT DANSIG, male, 38, wears small round glasses and has dark brown hair, leans forward from the table behind McLeary and Rolkov.

6. DANSIG Its odd to see the two ranking officers of any mission, not know anything about what we are about to do. MCLEARY I would suggest for right now, you keep your opinions to yourself, Lieutenant. DANSIG (Firm) I wouldnt think about anything else, Colonel. MCLEARY My apologies Lieutenant. DANSIG No offense taken, sir. TECHNICAL SERGEANT THORP, female, 35, average built with short dark hair, sitting quietly, notices Major Hickam walk into the briefing room. She immediately stands at attention. Attention! THORP

Everyone in uniform stands at attention. John finds an empty seat near Thorp and sits down. HICKAM Have a seat, and good morning everyone. I cannot stress enough how secret this mission is. From now on, nothing will be discussed outside this room. If you have any problems, then I suggest you speak up now. Hickam waits a few seconds. Nobody says a word. HICKAM (CONTD) Good, now well get down to business. Behind Hickam a projector screen is lowered. Hickam introduces a slide show about the mission. Several slides show the spaceship Astrum Navis, and the Sun. HICKAM (CONTD) Ladies and gentlemen, you all have been carefully selected for this mission known as Solar II.

7. FIRST LIEUTENANT COURT, male, 25, short stature, young looking in his features, sitting attentively at the table behind John. COURT What the hell is this Solar II thingy. TECHNICAL SMITH, male, 24, thin and scrawny, with short blonde hair, hears Courts comment. SMITH If you will allow the Major to finish his brief then maybe youll know. Thank you. HICKAM

Smith stands slightly from his chair. SMITH No problem, sir. ALLEN (Whispers) I cant believe the people they let into the military these days. Rolkov turns to face Allen. ROLKOV Its a sign of a better way of life for us all. Wouldnt you agree Sergeant? ALLEN (Nodding) Yes, sir. A few giggles are heard in the room. Hickam waits for the room to quiet again and continues. HICKAM Several years ago, scientists discovered the sun was beginning to run out of fuel. It was doing this, by expelling its reserve energy in the way of solar bursts. Now, youre probably asking yourself, what the hell a solar burst is? HOOPER I know I am.

8. CAPTAIN REYNOLDS, male, 37, sports silver rimmed glasses smirks. REYNOLDS A solar burst is expelled energy from the sun on a large scale. HICKAM Precisely, though our magnetic sphere around the Earth keeps us safe, these solar bursts are getting stronger. The reintroduction of the element carbon is believed, well, might reinstate the suns natural cycle. JOHN A catalyst. A what? THORP

Hickam stops his lecture when he hears John speak up. HICKAM Do you have something to add to my lecture, Mr. Winston? JOHN Yes. In simple terms, carbon is considered a catalyst that allows the elements inside the sun to burn efficiently. HICKAM Quite correct. Five years ago the world space agencies came together as a collective, now, known as the International Space Organization or ISO. Several nations launched missiles at the sun with the intention to introduce a payload of condensed carbon. JOHN (Whispers) The missiles didnt make it to the Sun. HICKAM As you all can guess, the first mission failed. The next mission, is planned to be manned by the ten individuals in this room.

9. Various protests are heard in the room. What? JOHN

HOOPER (Shaking head) No... no... HICKAM All right. Lets settle down. (Beat) I know you all didnt sign up for this mission. I wont tell you, it will be an easy one either, because it wont. If this mission fails, as the first one did, then none of us will have to worry about living on this planet much longer. SMITH Why, what happens? COURT Arent you listening to anything the Major is saying, knuckle brain? SMITH Hey, Im listening. JOHN The Earth will be destroyed. HICKAM Yes, Mr. Winston. If this mission fails, the Earth will be destroyed. McLeary raises his hand. HICKAM (CONTD) Yes, Colonel McLeary. MCLEARY I want to know more about this spaceship, the Astrum Navis. HICKAM The Astrum Navis is a missile platform, designed to carry fifty Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles to the sun. We need assistance with the guidance systems onboard, and the shield designs. This is where Mr. Winston comes in.

10. JOHN Me? What about somebody else? HICKAM There is no time to train anyone else on the intricate systems you have been working with. JOHN Ill train them. It wont take long. HICKAM As I said, there is no time. If there is nothing further, you are all dismissed for your assignments. Hickam nods to the airmen in the room. The room clears quietly. John walks up to Hickam. HICKAM (CONTD) Is there something you want out of me, Mr. Winston. JOHN I really am the only one who knows anything about the systems I have been working on. HICKAM Yes, this is the very reason why you are needed on this mission. I cannot stress to you how many lives are at stake. John slams his fists on the table next to him. JOHN I cannot stress how terrified I am.... HICKAM You stick with the senior military on the mission and they will assist you. JOHN I want my family taken care of. HICKAM Its already being done as we speak.

11. JOHN

What next?

HICKAM When in doubt, Mr. Winston, follow the military in your team. They will lead you to the medical facility and make sure you are ready. JOHN I want to make a call. HICKAM You are not authorized to talk to anyone outside this facility. John stares at Hickam as he turns around and heads towards the door with the everyone else. Hickam turns and looks at John. HICKAM (CONTD) This way, Mr. Winston. INT. MEDICAL FACILITY - CONTINUOUS John follows Hickam and catch up to the rest of the crew sitting in chairs along the wall. Each person is pulled into a separate room one at a time. A MALE DOCTOR looks at John. MALE DOCTOR Youre next. John walks into the small plain white room with two chairs and a table. He sits done in one of the chairs. MALE DOCTOR (CONTD) John Winston, engineer? JOHN Um, what I specialize in is sort of classified. MALE DOCTOR Yes, or no. JOHN (Hesitates) Yes. MALE DOCTOR Good. You may go.

12. JOHN What? (Beat) Am I getting a physical? MALE DOCTOR Everything has already been taken care of. You may go. The doctor leaves the room through the door leaving John sitting by himself. INT. MISSION PREP ROOM - NEXT DAY John stands in line half behind the rest of the crew. Several scientists are assisting with monitoring equipment. Everyone who was in the briefing room, except Hickam, is half dressed waiting to be hooked up to the equipment. JOHN Whats this room? MCLEARY This is where we go to sleep. Each member lie down on bed looking similar to a coffin with a curved glass top locking them in. John hesitates when he sees the glass lock shut. JOHN (Shaking head) Im not going in there. HICKAM Its all right Mr. Winston. There is a large glass top so you can see out. There is nothing to fear. JOHN No, Im afraidHICKAM I know. Ive read your file. JOHN Dont tell me, the governmentHICKAM Has a file on you, yes. We have addressed the fears of claustrophobia with the large glass canopy. Please, take your time getting in.

13. John nods his head in agreement. He then takes a deep breath, then lies down on the bed. The top of the canopy closes and locks with a SWOOSH. HICKAM (CONTD) Knock him out before he changes his mind. Were leaving sooner then we planned. When? Now. EXT. SPACE THE SPACESHIP ASTRUM NAVIS FLIES THROUGH SPACE. Subtitle: SOLAR II mission 90 days from Earth. INT. SPACESHIP POV person walking in spacesuit, he is looking at the names on the sleeping chambers. BREATHING can be heard from the spacesuit. When the person reaches the last sleeping chamber he looks at the man sleeping inside. The person in the suit, pulls up a small pad showing the identification of the person in the chamber. The name on the pad is different then on the chamber. The small pad shows the man in the chamber is a U.S. Marshal. The person in the spacesuit takes a small spike and slowly shoves it through the seal around the chamber the U.S. Marshal is in. The sound of air escaping the chamber causes the marshal to wake. DANSIG (Gasping for air, muffled voice) What are you doing? Stop! Help... I know... who... you... VOICE (O.C.) (Raspy) You alone cannot stop me. SCIENTIST HICKAM

14. INT. SPACESHIP - LATER John wakes up screaming. His sleeping chamber opens up immediately, John is helped out by McLeary and Hooper. John goes down to his knees and vomits on the deck. HOOPER Oh man, that's freakin cool. THORP Shut up, Hooper. JOHN (Catching his breath) Whats going on? MCLEARY Youre a little delirious from the extended sleep in the chamber. ROLKOV You might be a little space sick. John looks over to a body lying on the deck surrounded by Smith and Court. JOHN What happened to him? Where are we? ROLKOV You might experience some loss of your temporary memory. It will come back. HOOPER Yeah, soon. MCLEARY Right now, we are not sure what happened. Looks like the seal surrounding Dansigs sleeping chamber must have failed. I just hope he didnt suffer long. HOOPER (Laughs) Failed? Man, what a way to go. One minute you are happy and breathing, the next, dead as a door nail. Court walks up behind McLeary when she hears Hooper's comments.

15. COURT Shut up, Hooper. Youre such an ass. HOOPER Man, why is everyone telling me to shut up? Im just sayingMCLEARY Thats enough. Let me remind you this could have been any one of us. JOHN What? We could have suffocated in these chambers? MCLEARY No, not exactly. The ship maintains the sleeping chambers to the proper oxygen content. The rest of the ship is depressurized for the first part of this voyage. THORP Until we are woke up. Ship? JOHN

ALLEN Yeah, remember, we are on a ship. ROLKOV Don't worry. Your memory will slowly return. You've been sleeping for three months. MCLEARY Lets get freshened up, I dont want to keep smelling any of you. HOOPER Yeah, you all smell likeMCLEARY Zip it, Hooper. (Beat) Get something to eat. We should be getting close to Venus in a few hours.

16. INT. DINING HALL - LATER The entire crew is sitting around a table with various plates of food and drinks. Different conversations unrelated to the mission can be heard. The ship rumbles. A glass half full of water falls off of the table and smashes on the deck with a CRASH. SMITH What the hell was that? HOOPER (Sarcastic) Must be gas. McLeary looks at Hooper. HOOPER (CONTD) I know, shut up, Hooper. ALLEN Wow, I thought I was going to have to say that this time. JOHN I think you have just experienced a small sample of a solar burst. MCLEARY This far from the Sun? I suggest you clarify your statement, Mr. Winston. JOHN It's possible. Remember, this ship is just a small seed flying through space. Unlike the planets in our solar system, we don't have a magnetic field and therefore don't have the ability to deflect larger solar bursts away from the ship. MCLEARY What can we do? JOHN Hope there is no burst that's too big for us to handle? HOOPER You mean we're gonna die?

17. THORP Shut the hell up, Hooper! HOOPER Maybe you want to die out here, but I don't. Rolkov moves in front of Hooper. ROLKOV You will maintain yourself, Sergeant Hooper. We don't need the extra drama onboard this ship. HOOPER Why are you getting after me for? I'm just stating the facts. ALLEN Your facts are a little skewed. Grumbles are heard from the rest of the crew. MCLEARY Okay, that's enough from everyone. We will be making our approach around Venus in order to make our slingshot maneuver soon. I want all stations prepped and ready. Various acknowledgements are heard from the crew. John slowly turns to walk away without saying anything. MCLEARY (CONTD) Mr. Winston, may I have a word with you for a moment? John stops and turns to face McLeary. JOHN Is there something you need? MCLEARY Just one thing. I have served with a few of these men and women before being assigned on this mission. They are military and I know how they work. While you are under this command, I am in charge. Is that clear? JOHN Did I do something to offend you?

18. MCLEARY I just wanted to make my position clear to you, Mr. Winston. McLeary turns around and leaves John standing alone. JOHN (Whispers) Yes, Colonel. INT. CONTROL ROOM Mcleary sits in the middle of the control room LOOKING at all of the equipment and controls. Allen and Thorp are checking the readings at their stations. Report. MCLEARY

ROLKOV Everything seems to be working up to specifications Colonel. Very well. MCLEARY

John walks into the control room. McLeary looks in his direction. MCLEARY (CONTD) Mr. Rolkov, you have the con. I will be in my stateroom if I am needed. (Beat) Mr. Winston, will you join me? McLeary makes a motion with his hand towards the door of the control room. John smirks in Thorps direction and then follows McLeary. INT. MCLEARYS STATEROOM McLeary holds up a bottle of Vodka and motions to John while holding two glasses in his other hand. Drink? MCLEARY

JOHN No, thanks. Ive quit drinking.

19. MCLEARY Nobody ever quits drinking. McLeary pours two glasses of Vodka. JOHN Why did you call me here Colonel? McLeary clenches his lips together with a short pause. Swallows one drink of Vodka before answering John. MCLEARY Mr. Winston, I believe that it is my responsibility to inform you that the death of Lieutenant Dansing may have not been an accident. JOHN Has the rest of the crew been informed? No. MCLEARY

JOHN Then why tell me? (Beat) Wait, you thinkMCLEARY Nothing of the like. Right now you are the anomaly of this crew because you are the only civilian onboard. JOHN It may be a blessing. MCLEARY Ive read your file and know where you have been. I dont believe you are a killer anymore then I really believe you want to die. John sits down in a nearby chair. He reaches over for the drink McLeary offered him earlier. He downs a large portion of the Vodka and coughs. JOHN Smooth. (Beat) So, you read my file. It doesnt mean I am a threat.

20. MCLEARY Oh, I know this or you wouldnt be here. JOHN Okay, then back to my original question. Why are you telling me? McLeary leans over and hands a file to John. MCLEARY This file was in the safe when I came to my stateroom. John opens the file and shuffles through the pages. MCLEARY (CONTD) You can see inside it discusses the fact that Dansing was not who we thought he was. In fact for some reason he is or rather was a U.S. Marshal. JOHN Still, why involve me? MCLEARY Simple. I may be the superior officer onboard this ship, however these men and women always follow my commands. You on the other hand... JOHN A civilian who doesnt fall under the jurisdiction of the military. MCLEARY Something like that. I just want you to keep an eye out and report to me anything that may be suspicious. The ship vibrates violently back and forth. MCLEARY (CONTD) Another one of your solar bursts? JOHN Yes, but this one seems to be a little more violent.

21. INT. CONTROL ROOM - LATER Control room LIGHTS FLASHING on several control panels. McLeary makes his way past Allen and Thorp who are manning the flight sensors station. MCLEARY What do we see out there Thorp? THORP Nothing but planet, sir. MCLEARY Fantastic, just the way I like it. ALLEN We are about to enter the planets magnetic sphere. The ship SHUDDERS violently without warning. McLeary falls against his chair. Report! MCLEARY

ALLEN I don't know what the hell just happened. MCLEARY Could it have been the magnetic sphere? John runs into the control room to relieve Allen from his station. Allen runs out of the control room and heads for the science pod. ROLKOV Colonel, we are in the planets gravity. We're gaining speed. John stares at the control panel at his station. He notices several red lights on a panel that reads - HULL PRESSURE. Another warning light reads - PERIMETER ALERT. (Whispers) Holy crap. JOHN

MCLEARY Explain your scientific comment, Mr. Winston.

22. The ship shakes under the gravity. The ship moves faster towards Venus. JOHN McLeary, we need to maneuver the ship two degrees off this course. The hull is taking on tremendous pressure. MCLEARY We stay on our heading. John makes his way over to McLeary. JOHN You don't understand. If we don't turn the ship we will run right into the surface of the planet. MCLEARY We stay on course. JOHN If we do, we will die right here. McLeary stares into the eyes of John for a good long time. Colonel! JOHN (CONTD)

MCLEARY You better be right, Mr. Winston. ALARMS sound all over the control room. John is back at his station sitting next to Thorp. Thorp is staring at a view screen. THORP What the hell is that? JOHN Colonel, we may have a bigger problem then I previously thought. MCLEARY Not right now, Mr. Winston. We've already altered the course as you suggested. JOHN This could be a little worse. There is a massive solar burst heading our way at a high rate of speed.