EXT. CRASH SITE - MINUTES LATER

Thrusters fire on the AstroBug. After a brief test, it shuts down. The team is heard over the comms.

COREY (COMM VOICE) " Test is good. You guys ready? "

CLARKE (COMM VOICE) " We’re secure. I used the radio to let Kyle know we’re coming. "

INT. TERRACAT

Baxter has changed into an envirosuit. She and Clarke are buckled up inside the TerraCat. Clarke speaks to the selfdrive vehicle’s female-voiced interface.

CLARKE " TerraCat, override safety protocols. Authorization One-Beta-Three-Beta-Nine. "

TERRACAT " Override accepted. "

CLARKE " Exit bay. Top speed. On my command. "

TERRACAT " Understood. "

CLARKE " Okay, Jim. The TerraCat’s prepped. "

INT. ASTROBUG, COCKPIT

In the cockpit, Corey is in the pilot’s seat. He holds the control stick with one hand and manipulates systems with the other.

He looks over at a TRADING CARD bearing an image of Mount Fuji.

He kisses two fingers and taps the card for luck.

COREY " I'll blow the garage door and power-deploy the ramp as soon as the Bug's lower half is clear. "

CLARKE (COMM VOICE) " Copy that. "

COREY " Hang on. Here we go. "

EXT. CRASH SITE

The thrusters burn at maximum.

With a loud crack, ice around the AstroBug breaks apart.

The ship tips horizontally.

INT. ASTROBUG, COCKPIT

In the cockpit, Corey is thrashed by the vibrating craft. He stares at the monitor and shakes his head in frustration.

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INT. TERRACAT

The women hold on as the rumbling ship levels out.

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EXT. CRASH SITE

As the ice breaks, water sprays out from around the base of the craft. Yet, the ship remains embedded in the frozen lake.

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INT. ASTROBUG, COCKPIT

COREY " We're still too deep. I have to fire the main engines! "

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INT. TERRACAT

Hearing this inside the rover, Baxter is alarmed.

BAXTER " What about the fuel leak? "

COREY (COMM VOICE) " No choice. "

INT. ASTROBUG, COCKPIT

In the cockpit, Corey fires up the main plasma drive system.

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Alarms sound. A graphic indicates fuel has leaked into a key section of the ship's engines.

EXT. CRASH SITE

Outside, the ship begins to rise out of the lake! Its bright blue engines flare as thrusters fire to keep the ship level.

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The garage door blasts outward via explosive bolts. A ramp extends forward, hanging a few meters above the ice.

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INT. TERRACAT

Clarke and Baxter grab their restraints as the rover shifts wildly in the escape attempt. Clarke calls out.

CLARKE " Now, TerraCat! Maximum speed! "

TERRACAT " Maximum speed. "

EXT. CRASH SITE

The rover’s headlights precede it as it jumps out of the bay.

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The vehicle slams hard onto the surface of the ice!

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INT. TERRACAT

Clarke and Baxter are slammed into their seats by the impact.

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INT. ASTROBUG, COCKPIT

Corey fights the controls to no avail. Additional alarms sound.

On a monitor, he sees the rover safely driving away.

COREY " I love you, Darce. "

EXT. CRASH SITE

As the TerraCat escapes, the AstroBug explodes!

Ice and debris spray across the frozen lake in a fiery blast.

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INT. TERRACAT

Aghast, Clarke turns to witness the massive detonation.

CLARKE " Jim! NO! "

CLARKE (sobbing) " Please no... "

EXT. CRASH SITE

The rover barely clears the flaming debris. It zooms across the ice, heading for shore and the distant AeroFox.

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