Chapter 5: Kael

INT. VIREX NEXTGEN TRAINING FACILITY — MORNING

The doors slide open.

Alex and Mia step into the training room wearing their new VIREX Junior Agent uniforms .

Alex looks around, impressed.

ALEX 82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1b8cRZSnLD

Okay. This is officially the coolest school ever.

Mia looks at the holographic screens, training platforms, and equipment.

MIA 82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63yd9W30WG

You said that about the safe room.

ALEX 82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3t9wyXg6vq

This is way cooler than the safe room.

ARGUS appears on a nearby screen.

ARGUS 82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4TK9pgoF2J

For the record, I am also present.

Alex grins.

ALEX 82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0hbKpNrQr

You're cool too, ARGUS.

ARGUS 82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡchkuGdHNOF

Acceptable answer.

Finn walks into the room with a tablet.

FINN 82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzEuhxdjOfG

Ready?

Alex immediately raises his hands.

Blue plasma begins glowing around his palms.

ALEX 82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9HaI1SnvbY

Born ready.

Mia smiles and gets into position.

MIA 82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgpd8UosYlK

Let's do this.

Finn taps the tablet.

The training room transforms.

Holographic buildings rise around them.

A simulated city appears.

FINN 82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5X9PEvuu8

Today's exercise is simple. Rescue civilians, avoid unnecessary damage, and work together.

Alex looks at Mia.

ALEX 82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bNfdMx7m7

Easy.

MIA 82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfSK2Xzqn6O

You always say that before making things difficult.

A siren sounds.

Several holographic civilians appear.

Alex launches forward, firing a small blue plasma burst at a simulated obstacle.

Mia races past him, leaving a glowing pink trail.

ALEX 82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOb2kawTwuQ

Hey! Wait for me!

MIA 82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA6I7Wepa0S

Keep up!

Alex laughs and takes off after her.

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EXT. NOVA CITY — OUTSKIRTS — SAME TIME

Far away from VIREX, the sky suddenly changes.

A bright object streaks across the clouds.

It burns through the atmosphere.

BOOM!

The object crashes into a wooded area outside Nova City.

Birds scatter from the trees.

Smoke rises from a large crater.

For several seconds, everything is silent.

Then—

A hand grips the edge of the crater.

A figure slowly pulls himself out.

It's a boy.

Around eleven years old.

His skin is slightly pale blue-gray. His hair is dark, messy, and covered in dust. His bright icy-blue eyes scan the unfamiliar forest.

This is KAEL .

He looks toward the distant city.

He takes a deep breath.

KAEL 82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBAa6XqhUo9

Earth.

Kael looks down at a small device attached to his wrist.

A faint symbol glows on it.

He quickly shuts it off.

Then he hears something.

Footsteps.

Kael's expression changes.

He drops to the ground and pretends to be exhausted.

82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFU8pBzAAX

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EXT. WOODS — MOMENTS LATER

Alex and Mia race through the trees.

Finn follows behind them.

FINN 82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYXEWkghOhj

Slow down!

Alex stops suddenly.

ALEX 82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGt0Z9wQrIo

Did you hear that?

Mia turns.

MIA 82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxpaq9tvPWL

Hear what?

A distant crack of metal echoes through the woods.

Finn immediately becomes serious.

FINN 82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcCXGcDFOJO

That wasn't part of the simulation.

ARGUS's voice comes through their communicators.

ARGUS 82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOd3Iwbs4LF

Correction. The simulation has been paused.

Alex looks around.

ALEX 82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnswDsXwkKY

So... that's bad?

ARGUS 82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfthsmLVOwq

Usually.

Finn motions for them to stay behind him.

They move deeper into the woods.

Soon, they see smoke rising between the trees.

Alex's eyes widen.

ALEX 82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2toT555VFW

Whoa.

They reach the edge of the crater.

Mia looks down.

MIA 82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUF2vZXtrkN

What happened here?

Then she sees him.

Kael is lying near the edge of the crater.

MIA 82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPjlznETDUC

There's someone there!

The twins rush toward him.

Finn follows cautiously.

Alex kneels beside Kael.

ALEX 82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXwL9Pjz7Z

Hey. Are you okay?

Kael slowly opens his eyes.

He looks frightened.

KAEL 82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Qzwr7AzcJ

Where... am I?

ALEX 82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhdYbYiHpGQ

Nova City.

Kael looks around.

KAEL 82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ukOwCYhQj

Earth?

Mia exchanges a glance with Alex.

MIA 82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡccfvcvftpS

You know you're on Earth?

Kael hesitates.

Then he sits up.

KAEL 82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwPU7UbFpqC

I'm not from here.

Finn steps closer.

FINN 82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz1CsAT4CY9

Who are you?

Kael looks at him nervously.

KAEL 82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDcLeC1uqR

My name is Kael.

Finn studies him.

FINN 82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZcob2mILN

Kael what?

Kael looks down.

KAEL 82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwN6eAcLrd7

Just Kael.

Alex looks at the crater.

ALEX 82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYMNEXIRuyl

So... you're an alien?

Kael doesn't answer immediately.

Finally, he nods.

KAEL 82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZWHA8Elrvd

Yes.

Alex's face lights up.

ALEX 82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVPy347jPv

That's awesome.

Mia elbows him.

MIA 82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYk1SNbcahD

Alex.

ALEX 82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtAExXJWjMC

What? It is.

Finn remains serious.

FINN 82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp87stkXtE2

Why did you come to Earth?

Kael looks frightened again.

KAEL 82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeo5RquEKsG

I ran away.

MIA 82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkM0qb05LRd

From who?

Kael looks toward the sky.

His voice becomes quieter.

KAEL 82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfcZcnAurbZ

My father.

Finn's expression hardens.

FINN 82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfDjjt5luid

Why are you running from him?

Kael looks directly at the twins.

KAEL 82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPcxuRxH6nk

Because he's dangerous.

A beat.

KAEL 82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGffr42ciM1

And if he finds me... he'll come here.

Alex and Mia look at each other.

Finn immediately touches his communicator.

FINN 82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAT30dbZ1AB

VIREX, we have an unidentified extraterrestrial juvenile. We need extraction and medical assessment.

Alex looks at Kael.

ALEX 82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6nOR2D4Wo

Don't worry. We'll help you.

Kael looks at him.

For just a moment, his frightened expression disappears.

Something colder appears in his eyes.

Then it is gone.

KAEL 82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLxGi6PXEd

Thank you.

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INT. VIREX TRANSPORT — LATER

Kael sits across from Alex and Mia.

A medical scanner passes over him.

ARGUS analyzes the readings.

ARGUS 82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnhtLrggiGA

Interesting.

Alex leans forward.

ALEX 82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLWhJnMrjm

What?

ARGUS 82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhuZhTGOwXj

His biology is not human.

ALEX 82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKeEWOxXRkc

We already knew that.

ARGUS 82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE67OpNX0nZ

I was building suspense.

Mia rolls her eyes.

Kael looks around the transport.

KAEL 82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcboQE3wb64

What is this place?

Alex smiles.

ALEX 82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡodwpUhJQMa

VIREX.

Kael's eyes briefly widen.

KAEL 82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEbkWfqAtEt

VIREX?

Mia notices.

MIA 82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcrgWg6FWh0

You've heard of it?

Kael quickly looks away.

KAEL 82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXgK2PbFILU

No.

Mia studies him.

Alex doesn't notice.

He is already excited.

ALEX 82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObMhFaRIKE

We're Junior Agents.

Kael looks at him.

KAEL 82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRRKTZRVfr

You?

ALEX 82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRkVYb8R9P3

Yep.

MIA 82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0VBd9b7Ax8

We're still learning.

Kael gives a small smile.

KAEL 82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkyeSobEVZR

Interesting.

82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTdf4hhyJj9

INT. VIREX HEADQUARTERS — MEDICAL ROOM — DAY

Kael sits on an examination bed.

Selene stands nearby while Finn gives her a report.

Alex and Mia watch from outside the glass.

SELENE 82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyyN13Pdzwr

An alien child arrives in Nova City in an unidentified spacecraft, claims he escaped from his father, and doesn't know where else to go.

FINN 82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD5tqwSBCJ3

That's what he told us.

Selene looks through the glass at Kael.

SELENE 82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI2OfKx1Se1

And you believe him?

Finn pauses.

FINN 82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtp1OA5Evo1

I believe he needs help.

Selene nods.

SELENE 82Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3MCk2vseCp

Then we'll give him help.

Inside the room, Kael looks toward the glass.

Alex waves.

Kael waves back.

But once Alex turns away—

Kael's expression becomes completely serious.

His hand moves beneath his sleeve, touching the hidden device.

A faint blue symbol briefly illuminates his wrist.

Kael looks toward the twins.

His expression becomes unreadable.

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