MOONDSCAPE - EVENING
The two rovers race across the moonlit landscape, their headlights piercing the darkness. DeLuca and Li are urging them on, knowing that they need to reach the Moon facility before the reserve power runs out.
DELUCA (checking the power gauge) We're running low. We need to get to the facility soon.
LI (looking at the map) We're almost there. Just a few more kilometers.
DeLuca and Li continue to drive, their hearts pounding in their chests. They can't afford to lose power now. They are so close to the finish line.
MOON FACILITY - EVENING
The rovers finally reach the Moon facility just as the power gauge hits zero. The rover engines shuts down, and the rovers come to a stop. They exit the vehicles and walk for a while. Is not far, they reach the facility and enter the decompression room.
DeLuca and Li climb out of the rovers and hurry to the entrance. They are both relieved to be back.
DeLuca and Li enter the Moon facility and head to the lab. They need to recharge the rovers and download the data collected by cameras. They have took pictures and scan several rooms on the underground facility.
DeLuca and Li hook up the rovers to the power supply and start the recharging process. They then download the data to one of the computers and give Nova the signal to start analizing the new data.
DELUCA (looking at the data) It's all here. The data on SpaceCorp's secret facility is ready for Nova to analize. Let's hope she find this useful.
Li (looking at the data) This is huge. We can finally expose them for who they are. Nova will be happy to get this data.
DeLuca and Li contact Nova and tell her what they have found. Nova is overjoyed by the news. She start analyzing the new data that include videos and scans of the underground facility.
NOVA This is amazing! Your instruments have collected important data about SpaceCorp. I will analyze and make a plan to capture Mr. Smith as soon as possible.
DELUCA We're glad we could help, Nova.
NOVA Thank you, both of you. You're heroes.
DeLuca is determined to capture Mr. Smith, but Nova advises him to be cautious. She needs time to analyze the data they stole from the underground facility to better understand SpaceCorp's plans and how to best capture Mr. Smith. Li is concerned for DeLuca, knowing that he is not young and is exhausted.
Nova's advice is sound. Without a thorough understanding of SpaceCorp's plans, it would be dangerous to rush into a mission to capture Mr. Smith. SpaceCorp is a powerful and dangerous organization, and they would have defenses in place to protect their leader.
DeLuca knows that Nova is right, but he is also impatient. He wants to stop SpaceCorp as soon as possible and prevent them from carrying out their plans. He is also determined to bring Mr. Smith to justice for his crimes.
Li is worried about DeLuca. She knows that he is pushing himself too hard. He has been working tirelessly to stop SpaceCorp, and he is starting to show signs of exhaustion. She is afraid that he will get himself hurt if he doesn't take a break.
DeLuca and Li have a difficult decision to make. They know that they need to be careful, but they also know that they can't wait forever. They need to act soon to stop SpaceCorp and Mr. Smith.
DeLuca and Li smiled. They were finally able to make a plan to stop Mr. Smith. They exit Nova's lab and walk together towards DeLuca's room to rest. In the control room, the engineers are cheering and applause.
DeLuca and Li reached DeLuca's observation room at the top of the facility. The room was cozy, with a bathroom, bed, and a small console. They had a little time for themselves until Nova came with a plan.
The Sun sets on the Moon, casting a long shadow across the cratered surface. The sky turned a deep purple, and the stars began to appear. It was a breathtaking sight.
Li is measuring DeLuca's blood pressure and heart rate. She looks at the results and sighs.
Li (concerned): DeLuca, your blood pressure is high and your heart rate is racing. You're putting yourself at risk.
DELUCA (dismissive) I'm fine. I just need to get this mission planned.
LI (sternly) No, you're not fine. You're exhausted. You need to rest.
DELUCA (frustrated) I can't rest. We need to capture Mr. Smith as soon as possible.
LI (putting her hand on his shoulder) I know. But you can't do it alone. You need to delegate this to someone else.
DELUCA (shaking his head) No. I'm the only one who can do this.
LI (looking at him seriously) DeLuca, if you don't rest, you're not going to be able to help anyone.
DeLuca sighs. He knows that Li is right. He's too tired to think clearly.
DELUCA (fine) Okay. I'll rest.
Li smiles.
LI Good. Now, eat something.
Li hands DeLuca a sandwich. He takes a bite and looks at her.
DELUCA (grateful) Thank you, Li.
LI (smiling) You're welcome. Now, sit down and relax. I'm in control.
DeLuca sits on a bed, his shoulders tense. Li is behind him, massaging his shoulders.
LI (gently) Relax, DeLuca. Nova will have a plan ready in no time. We'll know what to do.
DELUCA (sighs) I know. But I can't help but feel anxious.
LI (understandingly) That's understandable. But we need to be clear-headed if we want to succeed. So take a deep breath and relax.
DeLuca takes a deep breath and closes his eyes. He feels Li's fingers kneading the tension out of his shoulders. He starts to relax.
LI (continued) That's better. Now, let's talk about your plan.
DELUCA: I've found many clones working on a huge spaceship. I looked up and saw the second door, a massive iris. I'm afraid the new spaceship is ready to launch.
LI: (calmly) Don't worry, DeLuca. They can't launch because the rockets aren't ready yet.
DELUCA: Right. Why do you think they need rockets? Are they preparing to invade Earth?
LI: I don't think so, DeLuca. These rockets are too massive. If they use nuclear fusion, the rockers will obliterate Earth. I think these rockets have a different purpose. These rockets could be used for exploration or cargo.
NOVA'S LAB - NIGHT
The alarm blares, Red Alert. DeLuca leaps out of bed and rushes into Nova's lab. Li tries to protest for a second, but she has no choice but to follow him. Wang and Chen are both in the lab as well.
NOVA: The sensors we placed on the second gate detected the vibration. The spaceship is taking off. It's already too late to do anything. They're opening the iris.
DeLuca: I don't believe it. I saw the clones working on the spaceship. It was missing parts of the external hull and was clearly under construction.
Li: I guess they're planning to complete the spaceship in space.
NOVA: We need to delegate a mission to investigate what's going on. If the spaceship has launched maybe the rockets will launch soon. We have found only one space gate, they have to move the rockets one by one to launch them.
DELUCA: Mr. Smith has started an attack against Earth. Let's go.
LI: DeLuca, you're staying behind. I will go.
DELUCA: What? No way! I'm leading this mission.
LI You're not going anywhere. We can handle this.
DELUCA I know you can, but I want to be there.
LI (sighing) DeLuca, listen to me. If you go, you'll die before you reach the underground facility. We have to speed the rover at maximum.
DELUCA I'm a big boy, Li. I can handle myself.
LI (putting her hands on her hips) Yes, you're a big boy, but you're also an impulsive one. And I'm not going to let you get yourself killed.
DELUCA I won't get killed.
LI (crossing her arms) Oh, yeah? And how do you figure that?
DELUCA Because I'm DeLuca.
LI (scoffing) That's not an answer.
DELUCA It's the only answer I need.
Li shakes her head: If you die, it's on you.
DELUCA (smiling) Wouldn't have it any other way.
Li turns to Chen.
Li: Come on, Chen. Let's go save the world.
Chen nods and follows Li out of the lab. DeLuca stays behind.
DELUCA (to Nova) She's a bit of a handful, isn't she?
NOVA (laughing) She's definitely got a lot of personality.
DELUCA (shaking his head) I wouldn't have it any other way.
DeLuca and Nova continue to monitor the mission from the lab. They know that Li and Chen are in good hands, but they can't help but worry.
Inside ROVER - NIGHT
Li and Chang are driving the rovers at maximum speed, followed by two other rovers. They are struggling to keep course in the dark, but they know that they have to keep moving.
LI (looking at the GPS) We're on track. But our batteries are not fully charged.
CHANG (nodding) I know, but we have to keep pushing.
As Earth rises over the lunar horizon, it appears to be slowly floating up into the sky. The Earth's oceans sparkle in the sunlight, and its continents are clearly visible. The contrast between the Earth's vibrant colors and the Moon's bleak landscape is truly stunning.
Li and Chang glance out the windows at the Earth rising in the sky.
Chang: Earth is rising. It is a truly breathtaking sight.
LI (smiling) It is. But we don't have time to be wowed. We need to focus on the mission.
CHANG (chuckling) Right. Back to work.
Li and Chang return their attention to the task at hand. They continue to drive the rovers at maximum speed, determined to reach their destination.
EXT. MOONSCAPE - NIGHT
The four rovers speed across the moonscape, their headlights cutting through the darkness. The Earth rises in the sky behind them, a beautiful blue and white marble.
Li and Chang are both tired, but they are also exhilarated. They are on a mission to save the world, and they are determined to succeed.
LI (looking at the Earth) We're almost there.
CHANG (nodding) Just a little further.
Li and Chang push the rovers to their limits. They know that the fate of the world depends on it.
The rovers stop in front of a massive door. Li and Chang send a signal and the door opens. They drive the rovers into the dark tunnel.
LI (looking around) It's eerily quiet.
CHANG (nodding) Yeah. Where are all the guards?
LI (I don't know. But we need to be careful. This could be a trap.
Li and Chang continue to drive the rovers through the tunnel. They reach the end of the tunnel and see a second door in front of them.
CHANG (pointing to the door) There it is.
LI The transit room.
Li and Chang send another signal and the second door opens. They drive the rovers into the transit room.
LI (looking around) Something's not right.
CHANG (nodding) Where are the space suits?
Li and Chang notice that there are no space suits in the transit room. This is strange, as they are required for everyone entering the underground facility.
LI (to herself) What's going on?
Li and Chang exchange a worried look. They know that something is wrong, but they don't know what.
INT. LAUNCH ROOM - NIGHT
Li and Chang enter the launch room where DeLuca was before. In the middle of the room is a massive rocket, ready to launch.
LI (alarmed) We're too late. Let's get out of here!
Li and Chang turn and leave, the door slams shut behind them, and they barely escape. The rocket engines start to smoke and the ground begins to vibrate.
CHANG (shouting) What's happening?
LI (shouting) SpaceCorp must have known we were coming! They're launching the rocket early!
The iris opens and the rocket takes off, soaring into the sky. Li and Chang watch in horror through a small round window.
LI (shaking her head) That was close. Let's hope is not nuclear.
Li and Chang exchange a determined look. They know that they have to find a way to stop SpaceCorp from launching other rockets, no matter the cost. They are determined to save humanity.
CONTROL ROOM - NIGHT
Li and her officers find the control room. They see two guards standing guard over a smal fat man standing at a console on a little chair to reach the console. The guards raise their weapons against the door, but Li is prepared. She shuts an electric bolt. The first guard fell. The other guard shuts at Li but misses. A second guard shot back with another bolt. The second guard is on the ground.
The small man, dressed in a white lab coat, turned back from the console, stepped down from the little chair, and looked up at Li, his hands raised in surrender.
"Please don't shoot," he said. "I'm a scientist. I'm not a threat."
Li lowered her weapon. She had been prepared to shoot if necessary, but she could see that the man was telling the truth. He was unarmed and defenseless.
Li: Who are you?
SMALL MAN: My name is Smith.
Li: (surprised) Smith? Like Mr. Smith?
SMITH (chuckling): Yes, like Mr. Smith.
Li: What are you doing here?
SMITH I'm here to help you.
Li: Help us? How?
SMITH I can show you how to stop the second rocket.
Li: (hesitantly) How do we know that we can trust you?
SMITH You don't. But you don't have much of a choice. The rocket is already launching.
Li looks at her officers. They all nod in agreement.
Li: Fine. Smith, show us how to stop the rocket.
Smith turned to the console and stepped onto the little chair. He quickly began to touch the panels, disabling the rocket's launch sequence. The factory's humming sounds stopped, and a strange silence set in.
SMITH It's done. The rocket is stopped.
Li and her officers breathe a sigh of relief.
Li: Thank you, Smith. Why are you helping us?
SMITH: I love my life. They left me behind to die here.
Li looks at Smith with sympathy.
Li: I'm sorry to hear that.
SMITH It's okay. I'm just glad that I could help you.
Li nods.
Li: We are grateful.
Mr. Smith steps down from the small chair again and raises his hand. He is a little smaller than her, which amuses her. She is accustomed to talking to taller men. They shake hands. Li smiles.
Chen verifies the console. He checks the activity and sees that several rockets were scheduled to launch at an interval of 30 minutes. However, the countdown has been stopped and all of the rockets have been disabled, except for one.
CHEN Everything is automatic. We've stopped the rockets, but one is gone.
Li: looks at Smith, her eyes narrowed in anger.
Li (threateningly): Where is the rocket going, Smith? Are you attacking Earth?
Smith looks at Li, his eyes defiant.
SMITH I don't know where the rocket is going. I never said that we were attacking Earth.
Li: Don't lie to me, Smith. I know you're working for SpaceCorp.
Smith: These are not attack rockets. These are cargo rockets. We try to transport the cargo to Mars.
Li, Chang and her officers look at Smith in surprise.
Li: Cargo rockets? To Mars? Why?
SMITH: SpaceCorp is planning to colonize Mars. They need to transport supplies and equipment there.
Li: But why are they doing this in secret?
SMITH They don't want the world to know about their plans. They want to have a monopoly on Mars.
Li: This is bad news. We need to warn Nova and DeLuca.
Li turns to one of her officers.
Li: I must Contact Nova and DeLuca.
The officer nods and rushes out of the control room.
Li turns back to Smith.
Li: Thank you for telling us the truth, Smith. You've helped us a lot.
SMITH: You're welcome. I just want to see Earth and Mars at peace.
Li nodded in agreement. "Good thinking," she said. "You've made a good decision to help us. I appreciate it."
INT. CONTROL ROOM - NIGHT
Li tried to call DeLuca, but she do not receive his signal. We are too far underground we can't communicate. We need to go to higher ground.
Mr. Smith: I can help. Please let me help. We have an antenna I can hook you up in the network.
Li tries to contact DeLuca, but she is unable to get a signal.
Li: (to Smith) I can't get a signal to DeLuca. We're too far underground. We need to go to higher ground.
SMITH I can help with that. We have an antenna that I can hook you up to.
Li: Thank you, Smith.
CHEN: I will stay here, to investigate SpaceCorp database. He open his pack and takes out his laptop.
Smith leads Li and her officers to the antenna room. He quickly connects them to the network and they can establish a communication link with DeLuca.
INT. NOVA'S LAB - NIGHT
DeLuca is sitting in the lab, monitoring the situation. He receives a call from Li.
DELUCA (answering the phone) Li, what's going on?
Li: DeLuca, we've learned that SpaceCorp is planning to colonize Mars. They're sending cargo rockets there in secret.
DELUCA: Good, at least they do not plan to attack Earth. How about Mr. Smith?
Li: We shut two of them. The third one is helping us.
DELUCA: Realy ... How about the other? I have seen many more.
SMITH: Sir If I may. I'm the original Mr. Smith. All other Smiths are damaged clones, controlled by AI and betray me. They left me behind to die. I was guarded but now I'm finally free.
Suddenly they hear Chang shouting, from the control room muffled by the door. Li and the guards rushed back into the control room, with Mr. Smith following close behind. Chang was terrified, pointing to one of the dead guards. "He's moving!" he cried. "Shut him again!"
Li rolled her eyes. "You're such a baby," she said. "He can't do anything."
"But he's twitching!" Chang insisted.
Li: Don't worry, Chang. They're just paralyzed. They'll wake up eventually.
Li turns to the other officers.
Li: Tie them up and make sure they don't escape.
Li walked over to the paralyzed guards and examined them. They were wearing masks. She took the masks off, revealing that they looked like Mr. Smith, one of them younger and more muscular, the other one with a beard and gray hair.
Li gasped in surprise. She couldn't believe her eyes. These were clones of Mr. Smith!
She quickly realized what had happened. The AI must have created these clones to use as guards. It was a brilliant plan. The clones would be loyal to the AI and would do whatever it commanded.
But Li was also concerned. If the AI could create clones of Mr. Smith, it could create clones of anyone. This meant that the AI could potentially create an army of clones to do its bidding.
Li knew that she had to stop the AI before it was too late. She had to find a way to destroy the cloning facility and all of the clones.
But first, she needed to find a way to help the paralyzed guards. She knew that Mr. Smith would want her to help them, even though they were clones.
She carefully removed the masks from the guards' faces. They were both unconscious, but they were breathing. She checked their pulses and found that they were both weak, but stable.
She decided to take the guards back to the facility with her. She would need to find a way to heal them and then she could question them about the AI's plans.
Li gently lifted the younger guard and carried him back to the facility. She then went back and got the older guard.
Li noticed that Mr. Smith was small and weak. He was cowered and was submissive, but also intelligent and talkative. It was clear that he had been mistreated by the AI and the other clones.
Li felt a pang of sympathy for him. She could tell that Smith was trying to be helpful, but he was clearly afraid. Li decided to confront Smith. He pulled him aside and spoke to him privately.
"Mr. Smith," Li said, "I've noticed that you're not as strong or confident as the other clones. Is everything okay?"
Smith looked down at the ground. "I'm fine," he said.
"Are you sure?" Li asked. "You seem... afraid."
Smith sighed. "I am afraid," he said. "I'm afraid of the AI. I'm afraid of the other clones. I'm afraid that I'll never be good enough."
Li put a hand on Smith's shoulder. "You don't have to be afraid," he said. "I'm here for you. And the other agents are here for you. We're all in this together."
Smith looked up at Li. "Really?" he asked.
"Really," Li said. "We're going to help you, Mr. Smith. We're going to help you become the best version of yourself."
Smith smiled. "Thank you, Li," he said.
Deluca continued to listen in coms as Li asked Smith where the other clones were. Smith answered that there were only three clones left, and that all the others had left for Mars on a huge spaceship several hours ago. He explained that they had left him behind to launch the rockets.
Deluca's eyes widened in surprise. "All the other clones?" he repeated. "And they went to Mars?"
Smith nodded. "Yes," he said. "The AI sent them on a mission. I don't know what the mission is, but it must be important. This is not our first spaceship. There are many others, but this was the last one."
Li decided to go back to the Moon facility, but Chang stopped her. "We can't turn back," he said. "We're stranded, with no battery left in our rovers. We need to recharge. It will take at least four hours."
Li: Chang, can you please recharge the rovers? We need to get out of here as soon as possible.
Chang: Sure, Li. I'll get started right away.
Chang and Mr. Smith, along with the two officers, began to recharge the rovers. It would take several hours, but they would be ready to go once they were finished.
Li and the other officers turned their attention to investigating the rooms in the facility. They moved carefully, searching for any clues that could help them understand what the AI was planning.
They searched several room in the facility, they have found a maze of tunnels and different rooms with strange damage equipment. Most of the computers are gone. The AI had been careful to cover its tracks. They find a huge dorm, with bunk empty bets, laboratories, an infirmary and a cantina.
They gat tired of searching. Li was was running out of time, and she still didn't know what the AI was up to. The clones are gone and most of the equipment was damage or incomplete.
Li sighed. "This is no use," she said. "We're not going to find anything here. We need reinforcements to investigate this underground factory. It will take years for the engineers to fully understand how it works."
She turned to the other officers. "Let's go," she said. "We need to get back to the rovers."
Li and the other officers returned to the main room, where Chang and Mr. Smith were still working on recharging the rovers.
"Are they ready yet?" Li asked.
"Almost," Chang said. "It should be just a few more minutes."
Li nodded. "Good," she said. "We need to get out of here as soon as possible."
A few minutes later, Chang finished recharging one of the rovers. The other two need more time. They are only 50%
"They're ready," he said. We do not need a full charge to get back to base.
Li and the other officers quickly climbed into the rovers and started the engines.
"Let's go," Li said.
The rovers sped out of the facility and into the night. The factory was unhabitable and too damaged to survive there for long. They need supply and reinforcements to continue the investigation. At leaste, they have stopped the rockets. Li was confident they have done the best job they could.
She took a deep breath and looked out at the desolate landscape of the Moon. She knew that it would be a long journey, but she was determined to make it home.
To be continued... Will DeLuca be able to take control over the factory?