FADE IN:
EXT. CANYON BOTTOM - DAY
Teone, the five members of the previous expedition plus four others deemed strong and capable enough to travel to the ground surface are gathered at the bottom of their crystal stalagmite home getting ready to meet again with Jared’s group.
EXT. CANYON BOTTOM - DAY
They reach the pre-arranged meeting place to find Jared’s group already waiting. Everyone is wearing leather armour; Teone notices that she is the only one with an insignia stitched on the chest. Jared and Joshua again confer, then the two parties are split into smaller groups of equal numbers from each dwelling. They are to get to know each other, and compare supplies to see if anything else is needed. Teone finds herself responding according to the strictest rules of her people, is surprised that this seems to earn instant respect.
JARED
Preparations have been made, it is time to venture to the ground surface. Whatever we encounter there, we must survive with the resources we now have and our wits. Some of you will be lost, this is for sure.
Several of the younger members look uneasy.
JARED
(continuing)
But you have been well prepared, and this mission is vital for the survival of our people.
JOSHUA
Tonight we will sleep in our old home, as it is closer to the path to the surface. Tomorrow before dawn, before the beasts start to stir, you will make your way up their path. Only then will you know what you will encounter. You must be prepared for anything, try to stick together, look out for each other, and remain quick on your feet. George and I will remain behind with The Elders in our old home, to await your eventual return. If things go well we expect a small party to return in a couple of days with news. If things go badly, then we expect to never see any of you again.
Joshua, Jared and George survey the collected group carefully.
JOSHUA
Anyone that does not feel they are ready should speak up now.
No one stirs.
JOSHUA
Good, let’s go back up to the cave now and retire early, you have a long day ahead of you tomorrow.
FADE OUT
FADE IN: INT. CAVE - NIGHT
They are awakened by Joshua and George long before dawn breaks. Their packs still ready from the night before, they need only to don their leather armour while munching some food. Teone does not feel much protected by the lightness of the garb, again briefly notices the insignia that only she carries. After some brief words of wisdom from The Elders the explorers make their way to the cave mouth.
JOSHUA
Jared, one of us will be stationed here at the entrance keeping a lookout at all times. If someone can find their way to that ledge across the way and make a fire or send some kind of message, we will at least know you are OK.
EXT. STALAGMITE WALL - NIGHT
The fifteen explorers make their way to the canyon bottom. The silence of deep night sends a chill through the group. Teone leads the way to the path up the canyon wall. As they reach it a dim pre-dawn light starts to show, offering small confidence.
JARED
Teone, you lead the way with the twins close behind you. Everyone else form a single line and walk carefully in the same footsteps as those before you. We don’t need you falling to your deaths before we even get started!
It’s a bad joke, but the constant talk of death and danger serves well to keep everyone alert. The path is well worn by so many trips of the lumbering beasts, but the ground is soft and gives way often so Teone must be careful not to slip into the others behind her. As she comes close to the top it is the full light of morning, and she begins to hear the SCREECHING and HOWLING of the creatures that dwell on the ground surface. One of the twins taps her shoulder.
SIDNEY
Jared has sent a message up the line: when you get close to the top, stop sowe can decide how to proceed.
TEONE
Almost there now!
EXT. TOP OF PATH OUT OF CANYON - DAY
Teone catches her breath as she looks back over the canyon, the only place she has known her whole life. The rock crystal stalagmites of her home shine brightly in the distance, like beacons in an otherwise bland landscape. Further off she can see the shimmering of Jared’s peoples’ dwelling. After that the canyon turns a sharp right and disappears from view. Over her shoulder, the other direction of the canyon is still bathed in murky darkness.
SIDNEY
We’re to find a close place on the surface to stop, that can fit everyone.
EXT. GROUND SURFACE - DAY
PATRICIA
This way!
Sidney nods in agreement and the three of them move a short distance into a hollow of sorts, that could act as a protective place for them to hide from the predators. But Teone is overcome with a bad feeling, and when Sidney goes back to get the others she orders him to hurry.
EXT. DUSTY HOLLOW - DAY
Soon everyone files in, last of all Jared.
JARED
We can’t stay here long or we will be detected.
The beasts that have been slowly awakening a good distance away have started to stir more quickly and are looking around for their morning meal.
JARED
(pointing)
Quick, into that collection of vegetation!
EXT. OPEN GROUND - DAY
They race as a group, made fearful by the ROARS of the beasts. They all make it to be well-hidden by the greenery around them. Teone tugs at a leaf, rolling it in her fingers and marvelling at the texture. Just then a monster ROARING blows up and they all duck down. Jared pokes his head out to see, goes quite pale. A huge beast is on it’s back rolling and scratching itself in the very hollow they have just evacuated!
JARED
We are going to have to be very, very careful. If we had stayed there a second longer we would surely have been eaten by now. I think it’s best if we don’t stay in one place for very long.
The others nod in agreement as the twins scan the horizon for another place to hide. Everyone else watches the nearest group of beasts uneasily.
TEONE
Some of us should watch the beasts closely to learn of their habits.
TWINS
(in unison)
There’s an outcropping of rocks to the left but it takes us closer to the beasts over there. And there’s a larger collection of vegetation to the right but it’s further off and the path to it is exposed.
TEONE
We’ll move in smaller groups. It’s faster, and more difficult to detect, and if some get into trouble the others will be able to help from a safer distance.
EXT. OPEN GROUND - DAY
In groups of five they race across the field into the forest. At the slightest RUMBLE or ROAR of the beasts the runners drop to the ground. By mid-day they are all safely in the forest.
EXT. FOREST - MID-DAY
Teone breathes deeply of the strangely moist and flavourful air.
JARED
Well! Let’s not stay here at the edge, move in a little further so the beasts can’t see us!
Everyone jumps up. As they make their way deeper into the forest there is a CRY from within the group.
JOHN, a small but quick member of Jared’s group catches his foot in a tangle of roots, twisting his ankle. Two others lend a shoulder for John.
JARED
(testily)
Now we will be slowed down by John.
EXT. FOREST CLEARING - MID-DAY
The group removes their heavy packs and sits for a well-deserved rest. Some take a bit of dried meat or drink some water. Teone notices Jared lost in thought again, so studies their surroundings carefully for anything she might recognize as food. Perhaps some roots or grubs, even a small rodent. She taps the stem of some very tall vegetation, finding it sturdy and strong.
TEONE
I’m going to climb up this to see what I can find in the distance.
JARED
(barks)
NO! Not you.
He selects STEVE to do it. She manages to hold herself back from scowling at him, some of that stringent training must have sunk in after all! Suddenly Ginger jumps up, flailing about and SCREAMING. Everyone looks up in confusion and alarm, too much noise could attract a predator. She cannot be quieted. Just as suddenly she stops, slumps, and falls to the ground. Jared comes forward, telling the others to keep their distance. There is a column of insects stretching from her body to a nest, right where she had been sitting. A chill runs through the silent group, this quick succession of bad luck does nothing to raise their confidence level. Someone silenty re-distributes the contents of her pack.
JARED
You MUST take care! Watch closely where you sit and step. Keep your eyes out for the people around you.
Just then the tree-climber jumps down breathless with excitement, having missed the whole thing.
STEVE
We are in a valley that is ruled by the beasts, but surrounding the valley are hills with more vegetation like this!
His laughter dies quickly as the crowd parts and he sees Ginger’s corpse. Jared and Teone move away to discuss what to do next. PHIL, from Teone’s dwelling, takes the loss of Ginger particularly badly. He’d had a difficult time climbing out of his canyon home, so gripped by fear he could not turn back, blindly following the person before him with all his senses screaming. He grinds his teeth, staring at Jared and Teone with cold hatred, blaming the two for their collective dangerous position.
TEONE
John, do you feel that, without the burden of a pack, you could make it back down to the canyon alone to deliver the news that we will be proceeding up this hillside to look for a safe home?
John nods dully.
JARED
We will send an escort to take you as far as the top of the path. In the meantime we will investigate this strange landscape more carefully. Who would like to be in charge of putting Ginger to rest?
A few hands go up. Those move off to set up a funeral pyre, and hold a sombre ceremony of remembrance. John’s escorts leave, with each of his arms draped over their shoulders. The others move off in groups of two or three to familiarize themselves with the territory.
FADE OUT
