Chapter 6 — A Place to Call Home.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjPqjdh9oc

INT. VIREX HEADQUARTERS — MEDICAL ROOM — DAY

Kael remains seated on the examination bed as the medical scanner finishes its final pass.

A holographic display floats beside him.

ARGUS 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvv0UaoIFFn

Medical scan complete.

Selene looks at the results.

SELENE 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnzTl2XUEC3

Anything unusual?

ARGUS 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqlJFiPQ7M

Aside from the fact that he is extraterrestrial?

Selene gives him a look.

ARGUS 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1iH2y9MTbd

His biological readings are stable. No major injuries detected.

Finn crosses his arms.

FINN 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVljQE1jZdo

What about the device?

ARGUS scans Kael again.

ARGUS 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqeIxgUnl7

There is an unidentified energy signature coming from his left wrist.

Kael immediately covers his wrist with his sleeve.

Mia notices.

Alex doesn't.

ALEX 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjO5kcbANqO

Maybe it's alien technology.

MIA 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBMCKUQjok

Alex, everything about him is alien technology.

Alex shrugs.

ALEX 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDKSHbiZOZB

Fair point.

The medical room door opens.

A woman walks in carrying a tablet.

It's Agent Elena Reyes , Selene's trusted assistant at VIREX.

75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHQmtKt8nt

She approaches Selene.

ELENA 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsG7segU08

Director.

Her faint Russian accent is unmistakable.

Selene turns.

SELENE 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Li27IeoFL

Reyes. Good timing.

Elena looks toward Kael, studying him for a moment.

ELENA 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUupDAr9aUi

So this is our visitor.

FINN 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWXJ0af7dp1

Kael.

Elena nods.

ELENA 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk58QA9Ek9V

Hello, Kael.

Kael gives her a cautious smile.

KAEL 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz2lelttZGf

Hi.

Elena looks at the medical readings.

ELENA 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQ2MhqrkUa

Alien physiology?

SELENE 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAkWIBGmoS

Confirmed.

Elena raises an eyebrow.

ELENA 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ78paW9ImR4

We certainly have an unusual week ahead of us.

Selene turns back toward Kael.

SELENE 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZgQbzGHbv2

Kael says he escaped from his father.

Kael looks down.

KAEL 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDjUsGKJkR

He's been hunting me for a long time.

Finn watches him carefully.

FINN 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBEbXZD2WVH

What's your father's name?

Kael hesitates before answering.

KAEL 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzcdH9DFXDf

Zyron.

The room becomes quiet.

ARGUS suddenly displays a warning symbol.

ARGUS 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxuWTvqFF5z

Searching available VIREX databases.

Selene looks at the screen.

SELENE 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0IzmLDqcY

Do we have a match?

ARGUS 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSpMHsVVT7x

Negative. No matching records found.

Finn looks at Kael.

FINN 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqRGAHgmuK

Then we'll need more information.

Kael lowers his gaze, maintaining the appearance of a boy who doesn't know whom to trust.

KAEL 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2IlNzv3jkG

I don't know much about Earth.

Alex steps closer.

ALEX 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0BUrkDRUD1

That's okay.

Kael looks at him.

ALEX 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6dsojEcU3P

You can stay with us until you figure things out.

Mia turns toward her brother.

MIA 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSiJsyhcCwD

Alex—

ALEX 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4m5wzvvoMW

What?

MIA 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfrgHDDocba

We don't even know him.

ALEX 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDS6zPkHzVc

He's a kid.

Mia pauses.

Alex looks toward Kael.

ALEX 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYec2o5WTR

And he needs help.

Kael stares at Alex.

For a moment, his expression softens.

KAEL 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5wZmdviyH

Thanks.

Selene considers the suggestion.

SELENE 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrzjg4mOwdV

That's a possibility, but your parents would need to agree first.

ALEX 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2BVyCDJUh3

Then let's ask them.

Finn gives Alex a knowing look.

FINN 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn0xTYdursf

You do realize that inviting someone to stay with us is a little more complicated than inviting them over for a video game.

ALEX 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfUlOstzUdi

I know that.

Mia folds her arms.

MIA 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFXj7e9yEFk

Do you?

ALEX 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdsmkkYrGKi

Pretty sure.

Selene shakes her head slightly, hiding a smile.

SELENE 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLN8PbJ2MJk

Regardless, VIREX needs to establish a few things before we make a decision.

She turns toward Kael.

SELENE 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnympqa8HeL

Until we understand your circumstances, you'll remain under our protection. We'll also need to learn more about your background and determine whether your father poses a threat to Earth.

Kael nods.

KAEL 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfUpLOGMd4m

I understand.

Elena checks her tablet.

ELENA 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYyExBWuIZ

Director, the facility isn't equipped for long-term residential care. We have medical rooms, laboratories, and training areas, but no dedicated living quarters for young guests.

SELENE 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsiJDyeIDmp

Exactly. VIREX NEXTGEN is still in development, and residential accommodations aren't part of the facility yet.

Finn nods.

FINN 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ZxWuN9s1k

Keeping him here overnight wouldn't be a suitable long-term arrangement.

MIA 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0yVWnqvXcK

So where would he stay?

Selene considers the question.

SELENE 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF67E3nOr8B

If John and Sarah agree, the Carter house may be the best temporary arrangement. It's secure, and the family already has experience dealing with unusual circumstances.

ALEX 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYY9rNDe1Hr

See? I had a good idea.

MIA 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQiLtQdNDU0

Let's wait until Mom and Dad say yes before you start celebrating.

Alex's communicator chimes.

Selene glances at her own tablet.

SELENE 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKhYNI8LMm

Speaking of your parents, they're on their way here.

Kael keeps his expression neutral, but he listens carefully.

A place inside the Carter home would put him closer to the twins than he could have hoped.

He mustn't appear too eager.

KAEL 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33ioEagfvY

I don't want to cause any trouble.

SELENE 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9nleNIOzK

We'll work everything out. For now, you can relax while we finish reviewing your medical results.

Kael nods.

KAEL 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9cAOMwDInK

Okay.

Elena returns her attention to Selene.

ELENA 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpLDvDOVrA

There's still the matter of his father.

Selene's expression becomes serious.

SELENE 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5veP4T4dzV

Yes. If this Zyron is dangerous enough to chase his son across space, we have to consider the possibility that he may eventually come looking for him.

Finn glances at Kael.

FINN 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5t5VNvNSnk

And if he does, we'll need to be prepared.

Kael sits quietly on the examination bed, listening to their concerns.

They believe they're protecting him from Zyron.

They have no idea that Zyron sent him here.

INT. VIREX HEADQUARTERS — MEDICAL ROOM — LATER

The door opens again.

John and Sarah enter the room, having been briefed on Kael's situation during the journey to VIREX.

Alex immediately approaches them.

ALEX 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaoFCSDnJzG

Mom, Dad, can Kael stay with us?

John looks at his son, then at the boy seated on the examination bed.

JOHN 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL4fMuTLexT

That's quite a question to ask without any warning.

ALEX 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXlT8Hm85mC

He's got nowhere else to go.

MIA 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0StSpUU5fI

We don't know that for sure. But VIREX doesn't have rooms for him to stay in.

Sarah approaches Kael.

SARAH 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡImZmYTkfD2

Hello, Kael. I'm Sarah, and this is my husband, John.

KAEL 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhOPRppa5Ap

Hello.

SARAH 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdwCtrIUyyw

Selene tells us you've had a difficult time.

Kael lowers his eyes.

KAEL 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9k36n8M1FB

I just want somewhere safe to stay.

Sarah exchanges a glance with John.

They know what it's like to have their own children placed in danger because of circumstances beyond their control. Neither is eager to turn away a child who appears to need help.

But they also understand that bringing an unknown alien into their home requires caution.

JOHN 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlqm0zloDk2

If you stay with us, there will be some rules. You'll have your own room, and we'll make sure you have everything you need. But until we understand more about your situation, you'll need to follow our instructions and cooperate with VIREX.

Kael nods.

KAEL 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUmCdpzOc5

I will.

Sarah offers him a reassuring smile.

SARAH 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwjlMr4ntF

Then you can stay with us for now. We'll take things one day at a time.

Alex grins.

ALEX 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73pbSPCzCR

Yes!

MIA 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5piBVr9k3c

Alex, it's not like we're getting a new video game.

ALEX 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxBDIJ5cVR

I know. I'm just glad he's not going to be stuck here.

John looks toward Selene.

JOHN 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxqH8d2sfv

We'll have VIREX coordinate any additional security measures. If his father really is dangerous, we need to make sure our home remains safe for everyone.

SELENE 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcbv0ZlVCaH

Agreed. We'll continue investigating the information Kael has provided, and ARGUS will monitor for any potential threats.

FINN 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLflvC5fCt7

I'll help arrange the security protocols.

Elena makes a note on her tablet.

ELENA 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2DEkwY0ta

I'll have the relevant information sent to the Carter household before you leave.

Sarah turns back to Kael.

SARAH 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ60DvedxPtN

We'll get you settled in. You must be exhausted after everything you've been through.

KAEL 75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm48sQynABd

Thank you.

He looks at Alex and Mia, who are already discussing where his room might be.

To them, he is a boy who needs help.

To the Carters, he is a young alien who deserves protection.

But to Zyron, he is an operative with a mission.

And now, the door to the Carter household has opened.

88.181.249.5

ns88.181.249.5da2