
6 minute read
Wanderlust
Written by Judia King
1 INT. THE COCKPIT OF A SPACESHIP
The scene opens up with TIERRA, a woman in her early 20s, with her back facing the camera as she's focused on piloting. Next to her is HUSSAIN, a man in his late 30s, in the copilot seat. A soft ringing sound followed by a holographic message appears on the window in front of her. Tierra pushes a button on the command panel and a video image of a MAN is projected.
TIERRA
Dr. Lopez, hello.
DR. LOPEZ
Hello, Tierra, Hussain. I'm calling to check up on how your travels are going.
TIERRA
They're going well, Doctor. We made it to the Odysseus solar system and should be arriving on Isides soon.
DR. LOPEZ
That's what I like to hear. Even though you're young, your professors speak highly of you. I have no doubts that you will carry out this assignment smoothly.
TIERRA
Thank you, Doctor, I'll do my best.
DR. LOPEZ
As for you Hussain, do you find overseeing Tierra's mission to be nostalgic?
HUSSAIN
A bit. (he chuckles) I'm hoping things go smoother for her than it did for me. 'Till this day, I still get teased for how clumsy I was during my first field mission.
DR. LOPEZ
I'm sure you two will manage alright. I'll leave you alone for the time being. I will be expecting a report later with all of the relevant details.
TIERRA
Will do.
2 EXT. SPACE - CONINUOUS
The ship flies toward a planet in the distance.
TIERRA
So, what happen during your first did mission?
HUSSAIN
I'd prefer not to talk about it. (jokingly) I don't want the mistakes of my youth to affect my otherwise perfect record.
TIERRA
(chuckles) I'll get you to tell me eventually.
3 EXT. OPEN FIELD ON ISIDES - DAY
Isides is a planet with grassy fields and lush forests. The flora, for the most part, is colored in a rich blue hue, save some of the flowers and the trees.
A view of TIERRA and HUSSAIN as they're navigating through Isides on foot after landing. Tierra's hologram device is showing an image of the plant she's looking for. Tierra moves carefully through the terrain as it transitions from the alien grass field to the forest. Hussain, on the other hand, is stumbling his way through, struggling to keep up with Tierra despite his best efforts.
TIERRA
Don't tell me you're getting old on me. At this rate, we won't find anything before the sun sets.
HUSSAIN
(out of breath) There's a reason why I work in labs now and not on expedition trips. I'm just not cut out for this kinda stuff anymore.
They both stop moving so Hussain can catch his breath.
HUSSAIN (CONTD) Also, did you just call me old? 4
Tierra gives him a playful smile instead of an answer before continuing on.
EXT. FOREST
Tierra and Hussain enter a forest filled with dark blue trees. The area eventually opens up to a pond accessorized by a small waterfall. The pair moves toward the water's edge where they immediately spot a plant resembling the reference photo from the holographic device.
The plant in question resembles a lily, but with a flower the size of a human head. The petals are an icy, silver color and its obsidian stem curls around each other as well as into the pond's water. It gives off an illusion of reflecting the light in a way that makes it appear to be glowing.
TIERRA
Oh, wow...
HUSSAIN
The picture doesn't do it justice, huh?
TIERRA shakes her head.
TIERRA
Not even close.
Tierra takes off her backpack and pulls out the tools she needs in order to analyze the plant. Hussain just watches her work, taking notes on her performance.
There's some movement beginning to stir in the water that catches Hussain's eye and causes him to go rigid. He immediately reaches for a gun holstered on his side with a trembling hand.
HUSSAIN
(whispering) Tierra, don't make any sudden movements. I think I saw something move in the water.
On edge, Tierra does as she's told and slowly looks up at the pond. At that moment, a creature begins to emerge from the surface and make its way to the area next to them.
The creature resembles a red eel, but with the face and legs of a frog. It half-slithers and half-walks to a patch of flowers adjacent to where the pair are. Tierra and Hussain watch it cautiously, but the creature doesn't spare them more than a fleeting glance.
TIERRA
(whispering) What should we do?
HUSSAIN
You're the one leading the mission. You tell me.
Tierra thinks to herself for a moment.
TIERRA
Let's see what it does.
5
The creature nuzzles each of the flowers before moving on to the next. When it's satisfied, it returns to the water and Tierra and Hussain visibly relax.
HUSSAIN
It seems friendly enough, thankfully.
TIERRA
Yeah, it does. Let me get this sample ready so we can start heading back before it changes its mind and decides it wants to eat us.
Tierra extracts a sample and the two of them head toward the ship.
EXT. FOREST - DUSK
The sun begins to set as Tierra and Hussain navigate the forest.
HUSSAIN
It looks like it'll get dark soon.
TIERRA
Already? The day seemed to pass by so quickly. Do you have the lantern?
HUSSAIN
Yeah.
Hussain unclips his lantern from his backpack. Shortly after the sun fades into the sky, the pair becomes surrounded by darkness.
TIERRA
Let's hurry back. I don't want to find out what lurks around here in the dark.
HUSSAIN
Me neither.
6
EXT. GRASSY FIELD - NIGHT
When the pair gets back to the field, they're instantly hit by a slight, sickly-sweet smell in the air accompanied by little balls of light rising up from the grass.
TIERRA
Hussain, do you smell that?
HUSSAIN
Yeah, it's faint and it smells floral, but also kinda like... sugar?
7
Tierra and Hussain begin to feel affected by the scent in the air. The plant pheromones cause their vision to waiver and they sway with every step.
TIERRA
(slowed speech) It must be coming from the grass. I didn't even think to bring my mask since the air here should've been fine to breathe without one.
HUSSAIN
I brought mine, here take it.
TIERRA
(shakes her head) No, keep it. If one of us passes out from this it'll be easier for you to carry me than the other way around.
Hussain puts on the mask as Tierra nearly falls to the ground, catching herself at the last second. Hussain supports her as they trek the rest of the way through the field until they arrive at the ship.
INT. SHIP
Tierra and Hussain enter the loading area of the ship.
TIERRA
I've never been so thankful to be inside this thing than right at this moment.
HUSSAIN
I'm just glad we didn't faint out there. Who knows what would've happened if we did?
8 INT. SHIP - COCKPIT
The two of them walk into the cockpit and take a seat at the control panel.
HUSSAIN
How are you feeling?
TIERRA
Still kind of dizzy, but I think the effects of the grass are starting to fade.
HUSSAIN
Good to hear.
They sit in silence for a moment while Hussain updates his
9 notes.
TIERRA
It's strange that the grass seemed completely harmless until night fell. I'm now highly suspicious of this flower on our hands.
Tierra stands up and puts on a face mask and her backpack.
HUSSAIN
Where are you going?
TIERRA
I wanna get a sample of the grass and compare it to the flower.
Tierra leaves the ship before Hussain can say anything else.
EXT. SHIP
Tierra exits the ship and stays nearby as she's collecting some grass. She heads back inside shortly after.
10 INT. SHIP
Tierra takes the materials she collected to a table in the middle of the ship. Hussain heads over to where Tierra is just as she starts up a hologram using the table. The hologram shows the components of both plants and both of their eyes widen at what they see.
TIERRA
Both of these plants show high levels of a chemical that has narcotic properties.
HUSSAIN
Just how hardcore of a narcotic are we talking about?
TIERRA
The type that is strong enough to get someone addicted from the smallest dosage and shorten their lifespan by decades from short-term use. (she sighs, frustrated) What is Lopez thinking in requesting this flower...?
HUSSAIN
I don't know what he's planning, but it can't be anything good.
Tierra shuts down the holograms and heads back to the cockpit.
TIERRA
I can't give this stuff to him in good conscience without an explanation. What am I supposed to say when I report what we've found?
Hussain heads over to her.
HUSSAIN
Just tell him the truth for now. We'll confront him when he calls tomorrow.
Tierra pulls up a messaging software and Hussain watches as she types. Tierra sends the messages and clears the hologram from her view.
HUSSAIN
I want to have faith that Dr. Lopez doesn't have any ulterior motives.
TIERRA
Me too, but something in my gut tells me to think otherwise.
11 EXT. SHIP
Moment of silence as the ship sitting in the middle of Isides's grassy field slowly zooms out.
TIERRA (V.O.)
I guess we'll just have to wait and see.
Fades to Black.