Chapter Twenty-Six
Crunch Time
Stinkwood Island — Lighthouse
Ext. Stinkwood Island — Evening
Carrying a small metal case, Matt, in full uniform, jumps from the helicopter.
Amy follows.
They duck clear.
Matt signals the pilot to leave.
At speed, and low, the craft heads off.
It hovers nearby.
Navy SEALs emerge, slide down.
They vanish beneath the waves.
The pilot steers the craft back and lands.
Matt looks up at the lighthouse, then towards Blake and Feelgood.
Matt
I’m Matt Walters. NASA. This is Amy Wylks from SETI. Is there somewhere we can talk?
Blake
(indicates the lighthouse dome)
I’m Blake, ex Captain. This is Feelgood, tribal elder. Up there. Follow me.
Int. Lighthouse Dome — Evening
Matt and Amy follow Blake and Feelgood up the stairs to the dome, where Danny waits with Sarah.
They both turn as the others enter.
Blake
(awkward beat)
Okay. You first.
Matt
As I said, I’m from NASA. On a previous mission, we had an encounter with these aliens. They somehow passed a device to me. Amy is the one who decoded their intentions. Fossils, something named Kutji. There was a capsule. It fell from orbit.
Feelgood
The Kutji spirit. Capsule carried Marwen and the Moon Creature fossils. Taken way back. Same aliens, Vash.
Matt
Vash? You call them that?
Feelgood
That’s what they’re called in our history.
A beat.
Matt
We launched a new mission to see what might happen. The mission failed. We tracked our shuttle—Endurance II. Came down in your delta out there. If we’re going to communicate with them directly, we need Amy.
Danny’s eyes widen.
Matt
I guess something brought you all here too? And if I had to guess… you’ve seen unexplainable things.
Feelgood
Son, this story’s been waiting ten thousand years. The Vash took Marwen and the fossils.
Matt
Look, I haven’t got a handbook for this. And right now, I’ve got a crew trapped in that delta with maybe hours of air left.
Danny
(suddenly pointing)
There’s Fleabag!
Everyone turns to see the rangy figure approaching the lighthouse.
Blake
I’ll handle this.
Sarah
Should you? Given your history with him?
Blake is already moving. He intercepts Fleabag at the entrance.
Ext. Lighthouse Entrance — Evening
Fleabag
(exhausted, defeated)
Mate. Been through hell. Need to speak to the elder. Got something he needs to hear.
Blake
(studying him)
Can I trust you not to head-butt or shoot anyone?
Fleabag
Things have… changed for me.
Int. Lighthouse Dome — Evening
When Fleabag enters, Feelgood’s expression hardens.
Feelgood
Frederick Bagley. What’re you doing here?
Fleabag
(quietly)
I fucked up, Uncle. Bad. Knocked off the investigator, finished off the old artist, took the fossils. And now… things are happening. Shit I don’t understand.
Matt
(to group)
I’m sorry, who is this exactly?
Feelgood
(bitter)
This is my nephew. The one who chose the wrong path. Killed the old artist.
Fleabag
I’ll turn myself in. To whoever. Just… first I need to make something right.
Sarah
(skeptical)
Make what right? You could have killed my son.
Fleabag
(genuine regret)
I know. I’m sorry. I’m sorry about all of it.
Matt
(frustrated)
Look, this is all very… therapeutic, but I have people dying out there.
Feelgood
(to Matt)
Listen to me. Right now, the Vash have taken my nephew, Juba. All they need now is the Moon Creatures—the fossils. It’s Kutji. The spirit. That’s what has the power. It’s out there somewhere. Until we find them, the Vash will…
Fleabag
Hang on. I got to tell you, when I was struggling in the delta, I had to let go of the fossils. They’re in there somewhere.
Without warning, the sky lights up, like an invitation to head down for a rock concert.
Everyone heads outside.
End of Chapter Twenty-Six