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The main characters are introduced, also hard science, political and religious intrigue. |
| FADE IN: INT. COMMAND DECK The entire crew is there meeting. VESNA (OS) The literal translation is something like 'Hall of the Ages; Joining of the Four, Priests Alone'. SVETLANA And what would be the meaning of that? VESNA (OS) In modern terms, 'Medical laboratory for the four peoples, authorized personnel only'. There is a sharp intake of breath from everyone except the two anthropologists who had been working on the translation, and Mike who had been briefed by Vesna before this meeting. Again the journalists seem to be dazed and at a loss for words. Vesna has to translate for the Russian feed because Lana is speechless. Mike allows about 30 seconds of dead air before beginning again. MIKE ANGEL Doctors Jameson and Garan, would you report on your findings? JAMESON It appears you were correct. The door is solid Platinum-Iridium. It is impervious to the elements and most chemicals. That slab could probably stand another half-million years and still look like it does today. The approximate age of the samples we took of the rock and sand confirm the other assumption that the edifice has been standing for somewhere between four and five hundred millennia. More silence; this time Vesna simultaneously translates, not waiting for either Lana or Sharon to regain composure. MIKE ANGEL Doctors Kitch and Medvedev. Do you have anything to report? KITCH Nothing as exciting as the others. So far we have detected nothing to suggest that there is now or ever has been any life here-at least in the samples we have taken. There is no trace of bacteria, virii, or protein in anything we have analyzed. KITCH (CONT'D) If the tunnel had a breathable atmosphere, I'd feel perfectly comfortable performing surgery in it. SHARON MANSON Then we have nothing to fear about bringing any contagion back to Earth? MEDVEDEV I would say at this time, no. We have nothing to fear from that. SVETLANA What is the meaning of the symbols in the center of the door? MIKE ANGEL I had requested Vesna hold off interpreting that until this meeting because I have my own theories that I'd like to explore with all of you at the same time. I admit it, (grins at the crew) I like being a little dramatic. MIKHAIL This entire situation isn't dramatic enough for you? Mike smiles at that and looks a bit sheepish. One of the monitors displays the emblem to the group. It is circular with four indentations spaced evenly around the circumference. Each indentation is maybe an inch in diameter and an inch deep, just large enough to insert a thumb. Next to each indentation is a symbol in what appears to be one of the languages. In the center are two spirals that appear intertwined. MIKE ANGEL Doctor Medvedev, take a close look at this emblem and tell me what it reminds you of. The doctor gets up and moves to the screen. Kitch follows a moment later and they both study it. MIKE ANGEL (CONT'D) Come on, guys. Another minute and I call John up here. The boy shrinks into his chair. MEDVEDEV I see it, but I don't believe it. Doctor? KITCH I don't believe it either! That's a strand of DNA! SVETLANA (Crossly) You promised! She turns to Mike crossly, glaring daggers at him. MIKE ANGEL (Laughing) I lied. Both women woman scowl even more. MIKE ANGEL That was also my interpretation as a layman, gentlemen. This is what caused Vesna's interpretation of 'Medical Laboratory'. Maybe an early version of a Caduceus, but it sure looks like a double helix to me! Sharon knows from what her director is passing up through her earphone that all hell is breaking loose back on Earth. Discovery on discovery, each disproving science fact and upholding myth, she could only imagine what the reaction was among the public. If she weren't here, she would be either frightened or excited; she doesn't know which. JOHN BELISAR If that's a door, where's the lock? BELISAR It's definitely a door of some sort. Igor and I detected a hairline break in the metal about two inches in from the perimeter when we were brushing the sand from it. The line is so fine that sand couldn't get in. But we didn't see evidence of a handle or a lock. MIKE ANGEL Look closely at the circle everyone. (waving at the screen) I think that's the locking mechanism. CAROL MANSON How? MIKE ANGEL Oksana, use your engineering expertise and analyze the problem. The girl steps forward and studies the picture. OKSANA The holes, it has to be the holes. They somehow are the lock. MIKE ANGEL (Beaming) My thoughts also. I can think of four possibilities that it could function as a lock. It could be a combination lock requiring pressure in the dents in a certain pattern. That will take about a half hour to run through all the variations. It could be a simple screw and the dents receive the tool used to turn it. While you were all busy, I fabricated such a tool downstairs. We'll try it when we go back. It also could be a magnetically operated lock where we insert magnets of different polarities into each of the dents to activate it. I have four very strong magnets downstairs also. SVETLANA (Still cross) You said four. That was only three. What is your next surprise? It is Mike's turn to look sheepish and Lana knows she is gaining ground. MIKE ANGEL Well, I really hesitate to even mention it for fear you'll all think I'm crazy again. Carol giggles and her mother gives her a sharp look. MIKE ANGEL The inscription says 'the joining of the four'. There are four indentations, each with a symbol from one of the languages. It could be a genetic sensor requiring one person from each race to open the lock. Remember, 'authorized personnel only'. Lana appears to have lost all her ground and then some and appears very frustrated.. Some among the group are still puzzled, while others have begun to understand. STROMBERG I, for one, don't want to take my gloves off in a sub-zero near vacuum to stick my thumb in an unknown hole. A ripple of nervous laughter crosses the room. Mike actually laughs aloud, pleased that they are taking his latest off-the-wall idea seriously. MIKE ANGEL You wouldn't have to, and I agree, not a good idea. GARAN Where are you going to come up with the four races? MIKE ANGEL We have them all right here by sheer dumb luck. The puzzled looks deepen, not a shred of understanding crossing any brow. MIKE ANGEL (CONT'D) You for instance, Yuri. You are pure blooded Chechnyan, yes? The doctor nods. MIKE ANGEL Chechnyans do not appear related to anyone else in the region. You remained to yourselves for centuries and have an almost pure ethnic bloodline. There are legends that a lost tribe Hebrews originally populated the Caucasus after they fled Egyptian captivity. It is also known that during the captivity, many Egyptians intermarried, and that many left with Moses. I say that you would still have those genetic markers from Egypt. The doctor looks disbelieving, but pleased. MIKE ANGEL (CONT'D) "Misha, your father's mother was an Afghan, correct?" The boy nods. MIKE ANGEL (CONT'D) And her mother came from what is now Pakistan, but was then India. You, my boy, are our Indian. The boy seems confused, but not as confused as his mother does. Lana has no clue where this is going and is getting queasier by the minute. MIKE ANGEL (CONT'D) Doctor Kitch, where did your great grandparents originally come from? KITCH I was told somewhere near the Tigris in the Middle East. MIKE ANGEL Mesopotamia, right? You're our Sumerian! The three look around, uncertain whether to be pleased or defensive. They have no idea where this is going either. OKSANA What about the other? The Mayan? MIKE ANGEL (Nodding to the anthropologist) Doctor Belisar? BELISAR My parents immigrated to the United States from Mexico when they were very young, from an area on the Yucatan. My grandmother was a pure-blooded native Indian; a Mayan. MIKE ANGEL If you don't mind, I would like Doctor Medvedev to collect tissue samples from each of you to try my last crazy thought in case the three logical ones don't work. They all nod, still puzzled, but file out to the elevator with Ivan. MIKE ANGEL I think it's time for lunch. We'll return to the site in a couple of hours, so any of you can nap if you'd like. As the rest catch the elevator. Lana turns to Mike. As much as she would have loved giving Mike a good punch for making her so frustrated, she imposes some self-control and flashes an angry glare in his direction. Her tone was icy cold when she speaks, SVETLANA You planned this all the way, didn't you? Mike throws his hands up in mock defense. MIKE ANGEL Honest to God, I didn't. I had no idea what we'd find. It was only sheer luck that the people on board represent what we need. But I really didn't know. SVETLANA (Super sarcasm) Yeah, right! And you can keep your Brooklyn Bridge. CUT TO: INT. MIKE'S CABIN Mike is resting on the bed. VESNA (OS) Sir, President Puchinskiy is on the line for you. MIKE ANGEL Great, put him through, please. Sir, it's good to hear from you. Puchinskiy's image shows on the monitor in the room. PRESIDENT PUCHINSKIY It is good to speak to the foremost celebrity in the world. I called your house and he forwarded this to you. MIKE ANGEL Vesna, FAX the President the direct number. Sir, I apologize. I meant to give you the direct line before we left. Please feel free any time. How can I be of service? PRESIDENT PUCHINSKIY (OS) It is I who can be of service. I called first to congratulate you and your crew on their magnificent accomplishments and astounding scientific achievements, we are all truly proud of all of you. MIKE ANGEL Thank you very much, Sir. It was all on a hunch and it seems to be paying off. This is something we can all share in. Had it not been for your assistance, we wouldn't all be here today. I hope your military and bureaucrats are not giving you too much problem. PRESIDENT PUCHINSKIY (OS) (smile in the voice) Nyet. It is nothing that I cannot handle. Now that they are elected, they know not to make the voters too angry. PRESIDENT PUCHINSKIY (OS; CONT'D) Anything that the bureaucrats could do to bother you would make the public angry enough to repeat Kracny Oktyabr and they don't want that. They like the status quo, but they also want to control the status quo. You have upset that on a global scale and everyone in power is nervous. The world is very much different this afternoon than it was when I woke up this morning. MIKE ANGEL I know. Maybe it would have been better keeping all of this to ourselves, but science is for all peoples and I cannot be the judge of who receives it and who doesn't. PRESIDENT PUCHINSKIY (OS) I agree, even if my colleagues do not. In addition, I would not like to have to make that decision either. Someone would always get angry and start a war. It is better your way. MIKE ANGEL I hope the Patriarch hasn't given you too hard a time, either. PRESIDENT PUCHINSKIY Quite the opposite. I spoke with him this afternoon and he feels that nothing you have found so far contradicts scripture. In fact, it may support some of the early texts. He told me that more people have come to mass today across the country than would come on Easter. To him, this is a good thing. MIKE ANGEL I am glad it is working out. That's what I had really hoped for; a coming together instead of a tearing apart. PRESIDENT PUCHINSKIY The reason why I really called is as a friend with a word of warning to watch out for your own people. I have intelligence that they are not pleased that you shot down six of their spy satellites. MIKE ANGEL You heard already. PRESIDENT PUCHINSKIY Heard? We watched! We have satellites too. We watch them, they watch us, we both watch you; that is how it is. General Kharkov was delighted. He told me to tell you that he wants ten of those when you go into business. They both laugh heartily, Mike almost rolls off his bunk at the mental picture. MIKE ANGEL I will take that as my first commercial order when I'm ready. PRESIDENT PUCHINSKIY Seriously, they are very angry at you and our agents fear that they plot something against you. There have been continuous meetings in the White House and several key intelligence people have not been seen as usual for several days. Please be careful and watch your back. MIKE ANGEL I always do, but I will be especially careful now. Thank you, I really appreciate your information. I just hope I can return the favor. PRESIDENT PUCHINSKIY You already have in less than two days. You have boosted national pride like nothing since Yuri Gagarin circled the Earth. I see people smiling at each other like never before, even in the market. They are proud of our scientists, and proud of you. You may be American for two generations, but they still consider you Russian and you have made this one of our finest hours. I have even had discreet diplomatic inquiries from several of our former States that wanted independence about rejoining the Federation. I confess I do not understand your government, but I am enjoying the fruits of your labors while your people want to take it from you. (beat) Not all of my people, I'm certain, just the powerful. They gained power by force and are willing to use force to keep it. They still believe in the 'Right of Kings'- that God gave them a mandate to rule by whatever means. It is a shame, but you get used to it. The people in the street wake up every so often and set things right, so I'm not terribly worried except for the short term: in the end, the system and Constitution work. In the meantime, it gets bent this way and that, but it still works out in the end. Aggravating sometimes, but on the whole it's not bad. (beat) Just be careful and know that there are millions of us down here praying for your success and safety. In Moscow, we have sold more television sets in the past two days than we did last year. Those who cannot afford one are visiting neighbors and relatives just to see what you do next. MIKE ANGEL (Grinning) Now you're going to make me self- conscious. You may tell your countrymen that I promise you personally it will shortly become even more interesting. Then, in his best Monty Hall imitation, MIKE ANGEL As soon as we find out what is behind door number one! The President again laughs, having seen enough American re- runs to understand the joke. PRESIDENT PUCHINSKIY I can understand what Svetlana sees in you. MIKE ANGEL Sir? PRESIDENT PUCHINSKIY Between us, I have it from a reliable source that she finds you 'interesting', which is to say she is interested. MIKE ANGEL She has a different way of showing it. PRESIDENT PUCHINSKIY Ah my friend, you need to understand Russian women. MIKE ANGEL I need to understand women, period. That is the world's greatest mystery that even I can't solve! Again they both laugh until the President finally says, PRESIDENT PUCHINSKIY God speed my friend, do svidanya. MIKE ANGEL Do svidanya. The line goes dead. CUT TO: INT. RUSSIAN SCIENCE SECTION It was closer to three hours before everybody reassembles in the Russian lab section with their gear. Mike has a bag with his makeshift "key" and several powerful magnets. He also has John retrieve one of the gravity generators. Mike turns to Lana and the Russian delegation. MIKE ANGEL President Puchinskiy called earlier and wanted me to give you the thanks and best wishes of a grateful country. He is very pleased and proud of each of you. Lana smiles briefly. As he turns back, Sharon looks hopeful, but his eyes tell her that they received nothing of the sort. Mike says nothing, seeing her disappointment at his silence. The silence isn't lost on the American scientists, either. They suit up and cycle through the airlock. CUT TO: INT. TUNNEL IN FRONT OF THE DOOR They reach the doorway in about ten minutes. Mike places the floodlight on the floor of the tunnel, and starts with the combination theory by pressing alternately the different permutations of a four-digit lock. His estimate of thirty minutes to run through all possible combinations proves correct, but meets with no success. Next Mike takes the "key" from his bag and adjusts it so that the four rods fit into the depressions. He tries pulling it counter-clockwise with no effect. He next withdraws four magnets from the pack and runs through the same permutations as he had using pressure. He did the drill twice, first with North Poles inward and then south so it took over an hour. Vesna reports no sound of any mechanism inside the door on any combination. The group patiently watches in silence except for the reporters who are giving a running commentary over their private channels back to Earth. Mike stands up and shrugs, then motions to James and Ivan. Medvedev lays an aluminum suitcase on the ground and opens it. He withdraws four vials of clear liquid containing genetic material extracted from the fingernails of the four crewmembers. He opens one and Kitch produces a swab that he dips into the liquid. He checks the label on the vial and then paints the appropriate hole in the door. Vesna reports no sound. The biologists repeat this three more times. As James finishes with the last depression, Vesna cries out, VESNA (OS) I detect vibration! BARISHNIKOV Bozhe moi! I must listen to more crazy people! Everyone takes several steps back as the vibration increases to the point they detect it through the soles of their boots. There is a low groan and the door slowly swings open on inner pin hinges like an aircraft door. It reveals another tunnel approximately 15 meters long ending at another door, this one smooth and without writing. MIKE ANGEL Well? What now? OKSANA We go in. The girl moves forward. John follows closely behind her and then Mikhail and Carol. MIKE ANGEL Hey, you guys can't always have all the glory. Mike picks up his equipment and follows the young people. The rest of the scientists tote their tools to bring up the rear. As they reach the door at the other end, Mike sees a single protuberance from the wall. Looking back to where they entered, he could see a similar knob next to the open door. The walls, ceiling, and floor of the room appear to be made of the same metal as the door. MIKE ANGEL Do me a favor Pavel, press that button by the door. Doctor Norodsky complies and the door swings noiselessly shut. SVETLANA (Heavy sarcasm) To quote you, now what? You've been here before? Mike shrugs and presses the button on their end of the tunnel. Nothing seems to be happening. JOHN BELISAR My suit is shrinking. They all examine the arms of their suits and could see that they are not inflated as they normally were when outside of the ship. MIKE ANGEL I would say, ladies and gentlemen, we have air here. The question is what kind. Your turn to shine ladies. Sharon and Lana open their cases and bring forth several small pieces of equipment. Lana has a small chromatograph for analyzing gasses while Sharon has several barographs, a hygrometer and test strips for several toxic gasses. MIKE ANGEL James, Ivan, how about some field tests for little crawly things? They also bring forth several pieces of equipment and an optical microscope. About 5 minutes after they began, the door at their end opens without warning to reveal an immense room, apparently made of the same metal as the entrance. Oksana again starts through. MIKE ANGEL Let's all stick together here until the tests are done. The girl stops, and Mike sees disappointment on her face. SHARON MANSON I can't detect any directly toxic gasses. There's no ammonia, methane, ozone or anything like that. SVETLANA The pressure is a little low, only about 13 pounds per square inch. I measure 15 percent oxygen, 70 percent nitrogen, 10 percent argon that we're not used to, but it won't hurt. There are miscellaneous trace gasses, none toxic, and less than one percent carbon dioxide. I'd say the air is breathable. MEDVEDEV This place is more sterile than a hospital. I still detect absolutely no life forms, either bacterial or fungal. Mike nods. SHARON MANSON There's one more thing. I measure 20 percent humidity, a little more than the Arizona desert. There's water here! This catches Norodsky and Stromberg's attention. They both stand bolt upright and begin swiveling around, surveying their surroundings. MIKE ANGEL "All right! Way to go!" (turning to Mikhail and Oksana) I know you've only had a day to check things out. How do you feel about driving Vesna? The children look puzzled. MIKE ANGEL Anything goes wrong, you're in charge Misha; with the help of your mother, of course. Get them home. Without saying anything further and before anyone else can say or do a thing, Mike releases the latch on his faceplate, lifts it and takes a deep breath. He can hear a sharp intake of breath in unison from all those in the airlock. He turns and sees horrified looks on Sharon and Lana's faces and on the two microbiologists. He takes several more breaths. MIKE ANGEL It's like being on Pike's Peak; thin but breathable. I don't smell any staleness that would indicate molds or decay. I'd think I was high in the mountains of Colorado instead of below ground on Mars. The oxygen is five percent less than I'm used to, but life sustainable. The pressure is almost two pounds less than I'm used to, but not terribly noticeable. I wouldn't drink any alcohol at this altitude, but it appears ok. See, the kids aren't the only reckless ones! Igor, you may have been correct, I'm crazy. BARISHNIKOV (Nodding emphatically) Da! The two biologists also nod in agreement. Mike removes his helmet and set sit on the floor by the door. MIKE ANGEL Since we're all agreed that I'm certifiable, I would rather none of you follow my example. We had to know one way or the other, but I would like Ivan to give me a full checkup when we get back to the ship. His other degree is a Medical Doctor, with a post graduate in forensic pathology, so I know you're qualified, yes? Medvedev nods. Everyone still looks horrified that Mike has removed his helmet. MIKE ANGEL (CONT'D) C'mon people, I'm not going to keel over in the next few minutes. I want to find out what's powering this thing. Do any of you realize that even if there were an atomic reactor, it would have run out of juice a couple of hundred thousand years ago? Besides, where is that humidity coming from? Let's go! Stromberg and Norodsky perk up at that and Stromberg picks up the radar unit while Norodsky grabs their two cases. Everyone reluctantly follows Mike out the second door into a cavernous room, still lined with the same looking metal. Mike walks about ten paces into the room, which turns out to be a large passageway, at least ten meters wide and extending into the distance. MIKE ANGEL (CONT'D) I want to see something. Everyone turn off your helmet lights for a moment. Mike extinguishes the flood that he is carrying. The rest followed suit. The room at first appears dark, but gradually each detects a reddish glow coming from nowhere in particular. MIKE ANGEL "My kind of people, Hippie lighting! Anyone have a problem with red? If not, we can save a pile on power and maybe extend our stay here a bit. We're over two hours in, and we would have to turn back in another hour to keep the safety margin." The rest just shrug. MIKE ANGEL (CONT'D) Vesna, can you analyze the light? VESNA (OS) From what I can tell through the cameras, you are experiencing what would have been twilight on the surface under the same atmosphere and pressures as you have measured in the tunnel, several hundred thousand years ago. I would need to send in instruments that are more sensitive to tell you exactly. Evidently, the planet was dying at the time whoever built this. Most of the iron core of the planet was laying on the surface rusting away and absorbing the oxygen. MIKE ANGEL Do you have a good estimate on the time frame? VESNA (OS) Not yet. I may be able to get closer after Doctor Jameson and Doctor Garan return with more samples of the surface. I need to understand the degree of oxidation that is contained in the first three feet of a hard surface. The sand doesn't really count because it's moved over the years. MIKE ANGEL We'll see what we can do. (nodding to the two geologists) Maybe tomorrow. The group proceed forward as the passage direction changes upward. At the knee of the passage, there is an archway to the left with another tunnel. Mike starts toward it while the rest wait in the center of the pathway. MIKE ANGEL (shouting) Peter, Pavel, James, Ivan, what do you make of this? The hydro geologists and microbiologists respond at almost a dead run toward him. They stop just behind Mike before a pool of clear liquid an easy two hundred meters in diameter and an indeterminate depth. MIKE ANGEL Sharon, Lana, please join us. The world needs to see this one! The journalists look at each other and comply, approaching at a walk. Through their cameras, the world can see a large pool of what appears to be water surrounded by a walkway about a meter and a half wide. It is circular, as far as they can tell, with no features to break the sameness on any of the walls. MIKE ANGEL Here's our humidifier. I'd like you each to take individual samples. Peter, Pavel, I'd like you to check total composition including deuterium. MIKE ANGEL (CONT'D) (turning to the microbiologists) There may be nothing you can detect in this atmosphere, but given oxygen and water, see if there's anything swimming in there, if you please. The scientists delve into their work with gusto. When each collected the samples they need, Mike leads them back to the main group. The journalists were still in awe of what is happening and look to Mike. MIKE ANGEL No, I'm not going to drink that until I find out what it is. Somebody took a lot of trouble to preserve what existed at the time. I don't want to screw that up or poison myself by finding out, too late, that it's really liquid ammonia. (beat) Vesna, remind me to bring along some depth sounding equipment next time we come in here. VESNA (OS) Chirp. MIKE ANGEL Don't do that! VESNA (OS) But you're cute when you're angry. MIKE ANGEL Nobody likes a smart-alecky cyborg! VESNA (OS) Chirp. Mike ignores this and leads the party back out the tunnel and up the incline. Mike half-turns to the entourage. MIKE ANGEL Does anyone else realize that if we brought all this platinum back to Earth, we would crash the London Metals Market? We see the horrified looks on each of the archaeologist's faces through their faceplates. Mike is out of breath by the time they reach the other end. The thin atmosphere, while breathable, is definitely taking its toll. They stop at an almost blank wall with a single button on it. On their way, they had noticed that all the walls were featureless. No inscriptions or breaks during the entire trip. MIKE ANGEL (Panting) Believe me, I'm not really this badly out of shape. I just haven't been to the mountains in over a decade. Everyone smiles at this. MIKE ANGEL Vesna, start thinning things down inside so that my friends can get used to this gradually. VESNA (OS) I already have. It shouldn't take more than three days to get conditions inside me the same as you have there. MIKE ANGEL Very good! Thanks. VESNA (OS) Nichivo. It's nothing. MIKE ANGEL (Under his breath) Smart-ass. He looks at his chronometer and continues aloud to the group, MIKE ANGEL (CONT'D) We're over the three hour mark at the moment and I estimate we have close to an hour before we have to return to Vesna. That would put us four hours in. We have a maximum time of six hours before the rest of you have breathing problems when your air packs run out. MIKE ANGEL (CONT'D) That means if we open this door, we have about thirty minutes of exploration time. If we find anything else exciting, you're going to want to investigate, so personally, I vote we turn around now and save it for tomorrow when we don't have to waste time getting through the first door. There is grumbling, especially from the young people, but the truth does eventually begin to sink in. One by one, each nod agreement. MIKE ANGEL All right then. If Ivan certifies me free of the Martian grunge, prepare to leave your suits at the door and join me in a romp in the park. Ladies, I have shoulder cameras with transmitter packs on Vesna, so you'll still be able to keep up your commentary, except this time we all can hear. SVETLANA (Accusing) You expected this. MIKE ANGEL Believe me, no. I just wanted to cover all bases. The last thing I want is to leave the world, our world, out of the fun we're having. Mike starts back the way they had come and the others reluctantly follow. CUT TO: INT. RUSSIAN MEDICAL LAB Mike is sitting on the edge of an examination table, buttoning his coveralls. Ivan is putting a stethescope away in a drawer. MEDVEDEV If I did not know better. I would say you are a boy of 20. You are healthier than 90% of the world's people and in top physical condition. There is only one thing that bothers me. MIKE ANGEL What's that? MEDVEDEV You have no trace of bacteria in your mouth or nose. Everybody has some, if only the bacteria that eats your teeth. You have none whatsoever. I have tested myself and I still have a normal bacteria count, yours is zero. From what I can tell so far, you still have a normal intestinal flora, but please tell me immediately if you suddenly get diarrhea. That would tell me your intestinal bacteria are gone also. You cannot live without that. I am still waiting for the radioimmunoassay to finish, but that won't be for another day. I would put money on the fact that you are immune to everything or that your immune system is in overdrive. Your CBC is perfect. Blood gasses normal except I detected dissolved argon, which won't hurt you. I do not have x- rays of you before we came here, so I cannot compare before and after pictures. Right now they show everything normal, actually better than normal. I wish I had a CT machine or MRI; I would very much like to run a full body scan. Nevertheless, as for now, you are in perfect health. I have never seen anyone or any thing in such health. MIKE ANGEL Well, I think that's a good thing. I will have the house gather and upload to you all of the medical records of everyone else here, including mine, so you will have a comparison. MEDVEDEV I also want another stool sample from you in the morning. I will be able to tell at that time whether all the bacteria in your intestines have disappeared. I want that before we leave tomorrow. MIKE ANGEL Yes, Doctor. You'll have it in plenty of time. Mike gets off the examination table, finishes dressing and heads for the door. MIKE ANGEL Doctor, I'd appreciate it if you didn't share this information with anyone else except Doctor Kitch for the time being. I think you can understand the social implications on Earth if this were to get out before you are certain of your findings. MEDVEDEV (Solemnly) Yes, I thought of that. Everybody with a terminal disease would storm your base and our landing demanding to come here. I will be quiet and study everything here before making this public. MIKE ANGEL Thank you. This could be the greatest part of this discovery, or I could die next week. Let's wait until you have concrete results before raising anyone's hopes. MEDVEDEV I agree. I hope you realize that a discovery such as this would make me want to return to medicine. MIKE ANGEL Sheesh, something like this makes me want to study medicine! Mike crossed the space to the elevator and rode it to the control room. CUT TO: INT. COMMAND DECK It is empty, except for Carol, Oksana, and Mikhail. Vesna has emulated Mikhail's video game on the screen in front of him, and he is practicing his skills with a dead joystick. Carol has already calculated trajectories back to Earth for any time within the next thirty days and has begun plotting them just in case. Oksana is still marveling over the architecture of Vesna's computing modules and memory systems. Mike notices what she is studying. MIKE ANGEL That part was added by Vesna. I'm ashamed to say that it wasn't my idea or in the original programming. I provided the bootstrap program and basic routines; she improved on them light years beyond my capabilities. Oksana looks up quizzically, OKSANA How can this be? MIKE ANGEL Esads and...uh, the house and I may have given birth to her, but what she is today is her own doing. I wrote the basic input output program and the heuristic routines, but because of that, she has learned and grown on her own and expanded her own capabilities. The same as a human child is greater than the sum of the parents. I may have designed and built the original base, but she designed and requested hardware improvements that I didn't have a clue about when I started. What she is today is her own doing. VESNA (OS) Thank you, sir. MIKE ANGEL You're welcome, you mechanical pain in the butt. Oksana, learn all you can about her, and then teach me. She won't let me into her advanced programming. She's turned into a real irritant! VESNA (OS) Thank you again, sir. MIKE ANGEL Up yours! VESNA I'll remember that. MIKE ANGEL I know you will. That's why I made you female! Oksana blushes slightly at the banter. OKSANA Mr. Angel? MIKE ANGEL Mike. OKSANA Uh, Mike, I would like to ask of you a favor. MIKE ANGEL Go ahead, please. OKSANA When I graduate from university, do you think there could be a job for me with one of your companies? MIKE ANGEL If you didn't ask, I would be hurt. Of course there is, but not with one of my companies, directly with me if you don't mind. You now know things that no other human except me does and I believe you can see the potential. I would definitely prefer for you to use your talent with me than to try to work with anyone else. Her eyes widen. OKSANA You mean this? MIKE ANGEL Of course! Vesna likes you; she told me so last night. In fact, she likes you better than me because you think more like a woman and a Russian. She sees great potential for you both working together. You just have to stop trying to use your book learning and trust your instinct more. Vesna can help you with that. OKSANA How do you mean? MIKE ANGEL You need to think first like a Russian, not an engineer. When you have a problem, start at the solution you need and work backward to get there. The books tell you to start at the beginning and move in a straight line to the end. I say bull. First, have an idea of what you want to accomplish, and then work backwards in steps of how you would do it. Moreover, don't be afraid to trust your woman's intuition. It will be more right than wrong. You remember the people from your school that won the world's programming championship a few years ago? Oksana nods. MIKE ANGEL They wrote more programs faster than any other team in the world because they thought like Russians! Never mind top-down programming, they worked bottom- up and won. I think they still hold the time record for winning. I really hate to use the old trite American expression, but you must learn to think for yourself. Don't be restricted by what they taught you. If you see something different, believe it possible and work from there! MIKE ANGEL (CONT'D) We are here today because Sir Isaac Newton was close. His 'laws' were meant to be broken. (beat) Always remember that an engineer will spend his life defending the book; a physicist will spend his life disproving the book; but a Russian will throw away the book and think for himself! This is what you must understand. Not growing up in the Rodina, it was very hard for me to adopt this way of thinking, but this is why we are here now. Nothing is impossible; just some things are more difficult than others are. If you can imagine it, it can be done. Your job for the rest of your life is simply figuring out how. Oksana is speechless. OKSANA Thank you very much, sir. MIKE ANGEL And please don't call me 'sir'. I don't work for anybody and neither do you. We are working together. The name is Mike. I need you, and Vesna needs you. The three of us really need an informal relationship as partners, not superior-subordinate, ok? OKSANA Yes ss... uh Mike. MIKE ANGEL Good. Mike can see moistness welling up in the young girl's eyes and feels that discretion was the much better part of valor. MIKE ANGEL I'll see you in the morning, then. Please get a good night's rest; I have a hunch that tomorrow will be even more exciting than today and we all need all of the strength that we can get. Mike leaves the control room before he provokes the emotional scene he feels certain is in the making. CUT TO: INT. LOUNGE AREA IN LIVING QUARTERS Time has passed. OKSANA Vesna? VESNA (OS) Yes? OKSANA May I speak with my mother? VESNA (OS) Of course you can! You can even talk with her when you're outside if you want to. You really need to let her know how well you are doing. I'm certain that she worries. The girl picks up a telephone and presses several numbers. OLGA (OS) Hello. Is that you, daughter? OKSANA Who else would call on this telephone? OLGA (OS) It has been so exciting here, I do not know what to expect next, or who. OKSANA Where are you? OLGA (OS) I came home this morning. That nice Mr. McKinney flew me home in a personal jet airplane so that I didn't have to ride that dirty train again. I did not want to overstay my welcome at the hotel. Those rooms were as large as our house! Your father needed me to help with the visitors here. OKSANA What visitors? OLGA (OS) The mayor of St. Petersburg has been by as well as most of the City Council. The neighbors have been coming through ever since they saw you on the television. President Puchinskiy has even called to congratulate your father and me. It is almost as if we were the heroes and not you. OKSANA I am no hero, mama. I am just your little girl studying hard and doing a job like the rest of the people here. But I do have good news. OLGA (OS) But you are a hero! When you stepped out of your spaceship there was so much cheering at the hotel. I have never been hugged so much in my life; I had to come home before my ribs began to hurt. You are a national hero! The Yachenko boys have told me that they want to be just like you when they grow up. You have made us so proud. (We hear a lump in her mother's throat) OKSANA Mama, I have the greatest news. Mikhail Ivanovich has said that I may work with him when I graduate university and that I may work with Vesna. Is that not good news? OLGA (OS) (Excited) I believe you already are. OKSANA How do you mean? OLGA (OS) This morning a messenger came out with some papers for your father. There is no more mortgage on the farm and you have a bank account with more money than your father will make in his life, did you know that? OKSANA Nyet, Ya nye znaiu. I did not know. OLGA (OS) Yes, your university bills have been paid and you have almost three-million rubles in the bank. Even the taxes are paid on all of this. We have a paper from a company, Divine Enterprises, which says this is your pay for your service. OKSANA (stunned) I did not know any of this. I do not understand. I am being paid for this adventure? OLGA (OS) You must be. Here, your father wants to speak. A man's voice came on the line, PAVEL IVANOV. PAVEL (OS) My daughter, do you know how famous you have become? There are people coming by that I have not seen in many years and many that I do not know. The mayor, the President, all of our neighbors and relatives have come by or telephoned. The Council is talking of a statue of you and your three friends for the city. Already I have seen posters with your picture for sale in the city next to the posters of the kino stars and rock and roll singers. PAVEL (OS; CONT'D) You have made your mother and me so proud; we never dreamed our little girl would become such a hero. I have new orders for milk and cheese that I cannot possibly fill. This is all so much! OKSANA I know. I do not understand because I was told none of this. I was not expecting this. I am here learning more than I ever have in my life and having an adventure and they are paying me money? It is too much! PAVEL (OS) Yes, it is truly too much. You are blessed and you have blessed your family. You are continually in our prayers for your safety and learning. We know you will do well because you always have. You are a good girl, Oksana. You always make us know that we have done well by you. OKSANA Otec spasibo. I always try to do as you have taught and to be my best at all things. PAVEL (OS) Yes, you always have. We should let you get your rest now. I think you will have an exciting day tomorrow. People here have their televisions on all day long, even in stores and offices. Do not be nervous, but the entire world knows your face better than they know our President. You are better known than a cinema star! OKSANA I have already had an exciting day, and now this news! Tomorrow we will explore more inside the pyramid. If all is well, we will not need the suits. This is a good thing because they are heavy and hard to move in. OKSANA (CONT'D) I will go now. I love you both so much. I thank you for letting me do this. You be well. PAVEL (OS) You be well also. We love you too. There is silence as Oksana hangs up the telephone. Oksana is in even more of a daze than she had been before the call. OKSANA Vesna, did you know of this? VESNA (OS) Yes. The house and I made these arrangements right after you came with us. The other young people also have full scholarships if they want them. You are working and providing a valuable service, so you should be rewarded for your work. OKSANA But I am already receiving so much! I have learned more in the past few days than in so many years at university. I feel my head will explode. VESNA (OS) (gently) It will not explode. You have unique insight that I like. I think that you and I can have a good future and I hope you will consider Mike's offer when we get home. Don't forget, I'm less than a year old so I'm still learning too. I need someone to take care of me! They both laugh at that. FADE OUT: Ben W. Gardner Sedona, Arizona "I do not fear computers. I fear lack of them." --Isaac Asimov http://ca.geocities.com/vladilyich/ In The Beginning - ISBN: 1-4116-3848-4 Just In Time - ISBN 1-4116-3851-4 Ad Astra - ISBN: 978-1-84728-518-8 In stores and at Amazon.Com http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw/103-1761779-3946261?url=search-alias%3Daps&... |
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