STERCES

Original Movie Script - STERCES - written by Sam Hanie ([email protected]) Opening Scene Date: December 15, 2039.Location: Holographic Theater, near old Lowe’s Grand Theater Location, Atlanta, GeorgiaEvent: 100th Anniversary of the premier of Gone With The Wind Scene opens in the holographic theater with Rhett Butler standing at the door with Scarlet. Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn. Camera cuts to the audience as the holographic performance continues and does a close-up of Samantha Thornton. Then cuts back to the performance. Tomorrow is another day… Samantha remains seated as the other patrons exit the theater and begins to reflect on the events that brought her to this performance. In Samantha’s voice:Well I am here at the correct location and on the correct day and the time is approaching. I have lectured the world over on human technological evolution. I am considered an expert in the development of technology and its application throughout history. I have authored books on the subject. I am pragmatic, scientific, and logical. Yet here I sit following instructions that were left a hundred years ago. Date: December 15, 2025Location: Hospital Post Delivery Recovery RoomEvent: Birth of Samantha’s daughter Samantha’s Mother:Sam, she is beautiful - a real treasure. But we must take care of this now! Samantha:Mom! I know that this, this, whatever it is, is important to you, but I am exhausted and want to send time with this little angel. Samantha’s Mother:This MUST be done now! It has been faithfully completed for 4 generations and we will NOT break the tradition. Don’t argue. It won’t take long. Here, I have it in my purse. Let me see. It is so hard to read the old writing. This package She hands an old tattered envelope to Samantha. Samantha’s Mother:

This is passed from mother to daughter on the day the daughter gives birth to her own daughter. This has happened since Great-Great-Grandmother Vera started the tradition almost a hundred years ago. The instructions say that it is to be opened by the mother of the daughter that will be born after the beginning of the next millennium. And Samantha, my dear, that is you. The nurse comes in to take the newborn back to the nursery, leaving Samantha and her mother alone. Samantha delicately explores the package and re-reads the instructions. The package is tattered and looks very fragile. Samantha:Mom, I have heard the story all my life. Why am I the one to open it? Shouldn’t it be passed on to my daughter when she has a child the way it has been for so long? Samantha’s Mother:The instructions are clear dear. You are the one that MUST open the package and solve the mystery that has been in our family for so long. And I vote we do it right now. I am just dying to know what’s inside. Samantha:OK. But, I am a little scared. Samantha:It looks like a map of some sort. Wait; there is also a letter. Letter is narrated in the voice of Vera. Vera:Dear Samantha,I cannot imagine how all of this will make you feel. I am so overwhelmed, that I sometimes think I have gone absolutely mad. But, even so, here is my recollection of what happened on December 15, 1939. Switch to scene of the original premier of “Gone with the Wind” at the Lowe’s Grand Theater. Vera:It was a wonderful affair. Everyone was dressed so elegantly. I had to attend alone because Jim had some urgent business at the last minute. It was such a joy to hobnob with Atlanta’s wealthy. The film was overwhelming. It was the second most memorable thing I had ever done. The most memorable thing happened after the film was over. On my way back from the Ladies room in a quiet hallway near a giant chandelier, a gentleman that introduced himself as Mr. Sherrets approached me. I was a bit frightened since Jim was not with me. I tried to hide my fear and be as polite as I could. He told me that he worked for the government and that they needed my help. He explained that what they wanted me to do was simple yet very important. He gave me a sealed package with a set of instructions. And hopefully you are reading this because our family has followed those instructions to the letter. I am sure that each generation wanted to tear into the package and look at what is inside. However; I have confidence that we will do as instructed. Just look for the chandelier, Mr. Sherrets assured me that it will still be there.

God Bless and Good Luck,Vera Samantha picks up the map and looks at it. Scene is a close-up of the map. Samantha:Mom, it looks like a map of Atlanta. The best I can tell, it is at the corner of Peachtree Street and xxxxx. Wait, there’s a date here – December 15, 2039 at 10:00 PM. Samantha’s Mom:My word, that’s what – 14 years from now? Whatever does it all mean? Is there anything else? I mean – I was hoping for some treasure or some other wonderful revelation. What does it mean Sam? Samantha:I don’t know mom. All we have after waiting 100 years is a location and a time. I guess we will have to wait and see. Samantha looks at her mom and at the map. She delicately fingers the map as the scene fades out. 14 years later – back in the Holographic Theater on December 15, 2039. Samantha with a thoughtful look on her face is still sitting in the theater delicately fingering the old map and instructions.. She walks around the restored theater looking for the chandelier. As she spots the chandelier…. Guardian 1:Good Evening Samantha. Samantha:Uh…Hello. Guardian1:As you know, you are not here by chance. Our meeting was pre-destined long ago. You have been chosen to gather some information that could be critical to your country and to mankind in general. He hands her an interface device and a small test crystal. Guardian 1:Here is an interface that will help in your quest. It will help you detect and download the information from the data crystals. This test crystal can be used to test the interface device. Your JaCeN should be able to interface with the device and determine the location of the first data crystal. Samantha:

What is going on here? What are data crystals? This looks like part of a chandelier. And who are you? Guardian 1:I am known as a Guardian. I am an artificial intelligence, not unlike the holograms you were watching tonight. A person that has a very specific code imbedded in their DNA activates my program. You are one of those people. The DNA coding is passed down from generation to generation through the female members of your family. And you are correct; all of the crystals are in chandeliers around the world. Samantha:Data crystals, DNA coding, artificial intelligence, what in the Sam Hill is going on here? Guardian 1:Please be patient. Long ago the people that created my program were interested in monitoring the progress of technology on this planet. They put Guardians around the world and implanted the coded sequence in selected bloodlines to be passed from generation to generation. Samantha:Yeah, in the females of the family, from daughter to daughter. I heard what you said. Guardian 1:That is correct. The guardians are activated whenever one of the persons with the special DNA coding is close by. Over the years these activations were purely random and were responsible for many of the “ghost” stories on your planet. As the years went by we developed ways to increase the likelihood of activation. The packaged passed down by your ancestor – Vera. She was very beautiful, by the way. Samantha:You were the “Government Agent” that left the package for Vera? Guardian 1:She wasn’t ready to here about DNA sequences, artificial intelligence, and visitors from other planets. She was a beautiful and intelligent lady that obviously took my instructions very seriously. As you are acutely aware, technology does not plod along. It can be compared to labor pains. The technological growth gets more intense and more frequent as time goes on. Our job is to determine if your planet is ready for contact with my programmers. Your mission, should you decide to accept it, is to download information from 4 data crystals that are located on your planet. The information in the crystals when combined will present you with a puzzle that you must solve. Your actions will determine the future of your country and the entire world. Samantha:Wait! Wait! Wait!This is a little hard to digest. I am supposed to gallivant around the world collecting data from some storage crystals and then play “MacGyver”, solve the puzzle, and change the course of human history? Yeah, Right.

Guardian 1:You are correct. The interface that I handed you will allow your JaCeN to download the information from the crystals, as long as you are within a few meters. Once you get the 4 pieces of information from the crystals, you combine them, solve the puzzle, and in your words – change the course of human history. Samantha:Suppose I don’t? Guardian 1: Excuse me? Samantha:Suppose I don’t want to do this. Or suppose I can’t solve the puzzle? Guardian 1:Then my programmers will annihilate the planet and all its inhabitants. Samantha:What! Guardian 1:Gotcha…Only kidding.The truth is that it will show that humanity is not ready for contact with my programmers. And we will try it all again in one hundred of your earth years. Samantha:And if I do solve the puzzle? What is this technological turning point? Guardian 1:Power sources that will allow interplanetary travel. The Guardian disappears and leaves Samantha alone. She looks perturbed. She takes the interface device and leaves the theater. This scene is in Samantha’s home office. It is a comfortable workspace with all the latest SOHO (Small Office Home Office) gizmos. She is sitting in her ergonomically correct chair and is talking to her JaCeN. A computer that interfaces using a 3-D life size hologram (currently a middle aged male). JaCeN acts like a real person. It can walk around the room. Lean on the desk, etc. However, JaCeN is semi-transparent. JaCeN is leaning against the desk as Samantha speaks. Samantha:And that’s what happened JaCeN.

JaCeN:Quite a story Sam, may I see the interface? Samantha picks up the device and shows it to JaCeN. JaCeN:Looks like a standard Triple-T configuration. Are we ready to give it a try? Samantha:OK. Here we go. JaCeN:Wow! This is amazing. It is like nothing we have ever tried. There are more ports in this thing than we would care to take time to calculate. I can sense something close by. Wait, it must be the test crystal. Holy Moley! If this is a test data dump, the real thing must be enormous. I may need a memory upgrade before we go after the other crystals. We are going for them, aren’t we? Samantha:Well, I haven’t decided yet. This seems a little to cloak and dagger for me. JaCeN:If I get a vote, I say, “Let’s leave today”. Samantha:I’ll sleep on it. By the way, did you find the location of the first crystal? JaCeN:I did indeed. It is here. JaCeN creates a map of Scotland. And points to a castle location. The scene fades as Samantha thoughtfully looks at the map generated by JaCeN. The next scene opens in a hotel in Scotland. Samantha and JaCeN are discussing how to get the information from the first crystal. JaCeN:The castle has a long history of ghostly sightings. Possibly related to the Guardian Program in residence there. There are 3 chandeliers in the castle. I suppose that your presence will trigger the Guardian and then direct us to the data crystal. Samantha:There has to be more to it. Why have a Guardian in each location? Perhaps each location can act as the starting point. That could mean that there are 4 other teams out there chasing the solution. JaCeN:Possible. But that has little impact on our situation. We are on our on.

Scene fades and they appear in the castle walking through the corridors. A stately well-dressed man approaches them. Samantha:Guardian Number Two I presume. Scottish Gentleman:Sorry? Samantha:You’re not the Guardian, are you? Scottish Gentleman:I’ve been called a lot of things in my years, lass. But that is a new one. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Lord Chesterfield, the owner of this castle. Samantha:My apologies. My name is Samantha Thornton. I am here – Uh – On a research project. I lecture and consult on the progress of technology throughout our history. Your castle has a lot of features that were well ahead of its time. Scottish Gentleman:Yes it does. Legend has it that the castle “ghost” is responsible for many of the innovations. Samantha:The “Ghost”? Scottish Gentleman:Yes, we have a resident ghost that appears from time-to-time. He is credited with many of the features that interest you. The story goes that he appears with no warning, usually frightening those present out of their wits. Although normally there has been only one person present when he appears and the person is usually a lady. He always speaks their native tongue. To those that recover from their fright he speaks about mechanical and technical things. Of course, most had trouble understanding, since they were ladies. Samantha is visibly insulted by the comment. The Scottish Gentleman takes note of this, clears his throat and continues. He described in detail, improvements that could be made to the castle. Many were incorporated over the years. My ancestors were grateful for the upgrades. Samantha:Is there a particular location that the gurdi… er ghost appears. Scottish Gentleman:

Well, yes there is. It usually happens in the main hallway on the second floor on the south side of the castle. Samantha:I would love to see the castle. And then, with your permission, I would like to visit the location where the ghost appears – alone. Scottish Gentleman:As you wish lass. The first thing I’ll show ye.. The audio trails off as they begin the tour. The scene cuts to the main hall with Samantha examining the chandelier. Guardian 2:Hello Samantha. I see that your DNA is working fine tonight. Samantha:Ha Ha, Barely funny. I’ve been studying your interference with OUR normal technological growth. Don’t you guys have a “Prime Directive” or something that prevents you from interfering with OUR normal growth? Guardian 2:Actually we don’t. We believe that technological growth (as you put it) is spurred on by proper introduction of “information” at key times. Much like watering, weeding, and fertilizing a garden. Samantha:OK. Do you think we are ready for this giant leap? Guardian 2:That is your job to determine if the current state of human technology is advanced enough for this “giant leap” as you put it. Samantha:Is it Ok if I activate JaCeN? Guardian 2:Of course, you realize that JaCeN’s evolution is rooted in our history. I hope he has assisted you in your studies. Samantha:JaCeN has been indispensable in helping me organize and summarize my research. However; JaCeN seems to have a glitch that has something to do with theology. He seems to have subroutines related to religious subjects. Guardian 2:

Not religious Samantha. Religion is sometimes defined here as Man’s attempt to reach God. This of course, is impossible. My programmers understand that God has provided for our eternal existence and that the universe (apart from your section) is warm and full of life (both spiritual and physical). Samantha:What do you mean – “our section”? Guardian 2:Due to the rebellion, this section of the universe is under the control of a rebellious outcast – you call him Lucifer, he rebelled against God and was banished here. Given reign of this area for a short time, until order is finally restored and time as we know it will cease to exist. Anyway, you will learn more from the other guardians. JaCeN’s routines contain some essential basic truths about the subject. Samantha:This is all interesting, but I came for the data. Guardian 2:OK. JaCeN has the interface to retrieve the information from the crystal in the chandelier JaCeN focuses on the crystal with the interface and downloads the information for subsequent analysis. Scene shifts to hotel room with Samantha and JaCeN discussing the data. Samantha:Is the location of the next crystal there? JaCeN:Yes it is. It is JaCeN produces a map. JaCeN:Here in India. It appears to be a mansion. Samantha:What else is there in the data stream? Can you make any sense from any of it? JaCeN:Nothing makes any sense. It is possible that we will need all 4 pieces before it will make sense. Samantha:Well, keep at it. Send a copy back to the home server along with my personal diary entries. JaCeN:Will Do. See you soon.

Samantha turns JaCeN off and gets ready for bed as scene fades. Scene cuts to a dim lit room with computers all around and gratuitous flashing lights. A nerdy looking guy is hunched over one of the computers and in a moment of recognition reaches for the phone. Will:Get me Dobbs. I don’t care, get him now and tell him to come to section 37 codeword - tundra. Do it now, this is not a drill! Dobbs walks in a while later in a tuxedo. Dobbs:Is this what I think it is Will? Will:Yes Sir! We intercepted and decrypted a data stream followed by some personal diary entries of one Samantha Thornton, Technologist. She lectures, consults, and writes books about our technological evolution. Currently she is traveling from Scotland to India. She used a very sophisticated encryption system. I bet she has a JaCeN, and a fairly recent model. It was encrypted using a double shift accumulator algorithm…. Dobbs:Yes. Yes Will. Very interesting. Get to the point. Will:Of course. The data stream doesn’t appear to contain anything we can decipher, but the diary explains it all. It seems that she met a very advanced hologram… Scene fades as Will recounts the story from the diary. Next scene Dobbs has a team assembled and is on the phone to India. Dobbs:Yes I want her covered 24 hours a day. I want it all. Dossiers on everyone she comes in contact with. I want video, audio, infrared, satellite, and psychics if needed. No, I do not want any contact. She is not to know we are there. He hangs up the phone and begins to brief the team. New scene is in a crowded street in India as Samantha makes her way to the mansion.There are 2 locals that obviously have her under surveillance. She doesn’t notice. She arrives at the mansion gates. Samantha:I am here to see Mr. Aurora. Gate Guard:

Please to let me check my list. The guard fumbles with a clip board with some disorganized papers on it. Gate Guard:Oh yes. Are you Dr. Thornton? Samantha:Yes. I have an appointment at 2 o’clock. Gate Guard:Thank you Dr. Thornton. Please wait a moment. The gate guard picks up a phone and makes a call. Samantha takes in the area surrounding her. She still takes no notice of the team that has her under surveillance.Scene switches to a command center at NSA headquarters with Dobbs and other analysts monitoring computers and communications. Dobbs is talking to the surveillance team. Dobbs:How much coverage do we have in the mansion? Surveillance #1:Not much. If they end up in a room close to an outer wall we will be able to pick up most of it. If they end up in an inner room, we will get nothing. Dobbs:Ok, thanks. Do the best you can. We need all we can get. Hopefully, she will transmit the information and her diary again. Surveillance #1:Wilco. Scene switches back to India. Samantha is with the maharaja sitting in a room with no windows in opulent surroundings. Samantha:Thank you for your kindness and allowing me to visit your beautiful home. As I told you in the E-Mail’s, I specialize in the evolution of technology and your mansion is of great interest to me. It has always been ahead of its time with respect to the technology that is in use here. Maharaja:It is a pleasure to have you visit my humble home Dr. Thornton. Not everyone can appreciate the wonderful inventions that have been in place here over the centuries. Did you know that most of the advancements came from our resident spirit? Samantha:Resident spirit?

Maharaja:Yes, he appears from time to time (for some reason only to females). He gives information on improvements or inventions that could be used to improve the quality of life in the palace. They always seem to be ahead of the general technology of the era. Does this sound quite mad? Samantha:No it is quite believable. I must confess that I have seen a very similar phenomenon in other areas of the world. That is why I am here. Where does this spirit normally appear? Maharaja:It is almost always in the guest bedroom on the third floor. Samantha:Is there a large chandelier in the room? Maharaja:As a matter of fact, there is. How did you know? Samantha:There seems to be a correlation between the appearances and chandeliers. May we look at some of the inventions that were incorporated into the mansion? Is there a record of the dates that the improvements were incorporated? Maharaja:Yes to both questions. My family kept detailed records and we can look at any area that you would like. Samantha:May I activate my JaCeN? I would like to document as much of the tour as possible. Maharaja:Of course, I would love to see your JaCeN. I have heard a great deal about them. Samantha activates JaCeN as the Maharaja escorts Samantha from the room. Scene cuts to NSA situation room. Dobbs is talking to the surveillance team. Dobbs:Are we getting anything? Surveillance #1:Not a thing. I guess we will have to depend on the JaCeN transmission later. Dobbs:OK. We’ll try to be patient. Scene switches back to India. Samantha is completing the tour.

Samantha:That was amazing! I could spend a lifetime here and just scratch the surface of the wonders that are here. Maharaja:I am awed by your enthusiasm. We have a tendency to take it all for granted. You presence has given me a fresh appreciation for my home. What can I do for you now? Samantha:I would like to spend the night in that bedroom where the spirit appears. Maharaja:As you wish. Most of our family prefers to avoid the room. Samantha goes to the bedroom and as she closes the door, the guardian appears. Guardian #3:Hello Samantha. Samantha:Whoa! You startled me. Guardian #3:Sorry, I seem to have that effect on visitors here. Let’s get down to business. Do you have any questions before you download the information? Samantha:No. Let’s do it. Samantha activates JaCeN and downloads the data. Guardian #3: Have a safe trip. The Guardian disappears. Samantha gets ready for bed. She completes her diary entries. Samantha:JaCeN transmit the data and my diary back to the home server. JaCeN:All done. Anything else? Samantha:Yes. Where do we go next? JaCeN: Hawaii. Want to see the map?

Samantha:No. Just book us flights and hotel reservations. Good Night. Samantha switches JaCeN off and goes to sleep. Scene switches to the NSA situation room. Will on the intercom:Dobbs! We have the next data transmission. Dobbs:I am coming. Get it on the screen. Dobbs rushes into the room and looks over Will’s shoulder. They review the information from JaCeN. Dobbs:Not a very informative visit. Will:Well, at least we have another chunk of data to analyze. And we could have the 3rd piece in a few days. The have booked a flight to Hawaii. According to JaCeN, they are headed for a fairly remote palace. Dobbs:Get to work on the 2 segments of data. Maybe we will luck out and crack it without the other pieces. Will let’s out a snicker. Dobbs:OK, OK. A guy can dream, can’t he? Do we have any body that we can trust with this in the area? Will:Yes, but your not going to like it. Dobbs:Not, Foley! Will:Yep, he just arrived in the area on a routine embassy security survey. Dobbs:Well, change his orders and route him to the palace. Work up some papers and a plausible background, and I want to brief him personally. Will:I figured you would. I’ll take care of everything. Think she’ll fall for him?

Dobbs walks away. Dobbs:They always do, they always do. Will starts punching buttons and sending E-Mails. Scene switches to an embassy office in the near east. Foley is reading an E-Mail and frowning. Turns and walks into a holographic booth, closes the door, and activates a retinal scanner. An image of Dobbs appears. Foley looks bored. Dobbs:Well, Well, hello Foley. Foley:Hello Dobbs, I can’t believe that you chose me for this mission. Dobbs:You are the only one in position to arrive in time. So if I had an alternative, I would certainly use it. Foley:I have my papers and I have read the mission brief, so I’ll be off. Foley turns to leave. Dobbs:Not so fast Foley, there are some ground rules. Foley:Dobbs, I thought by now you would know that I work to my own set of rules. Dobbs:Not this time bub. You WILL follow my guidelines or suffer the consequences. Foley:What consequences? Are you going to indenture me in government service, send me to remote, forsaken areas, and put my life on the line for freedom and democracy? Dobbs:I am serious Foley. This one is for more than you can imagine. Foley:I have a pretty big imagination Dobbs.

Dobbs:Can’t give you the details (need-to-know rules). But you must review the memo that I sent a few minutes ago and you MUST comply with those guidelines! Foley:I’ll read the memo, but that is all I’ll promise. Foley leaves the chamber and grabs a copy of the memo written by Dobbs, scans it, crumples it, and throws it in shredder. Scene switches to Foley’s arrival at the palace. He is driving a souped up Land Rover. He greets the King as an old friend. King:Foley, my old friend, you look well as always. What brings you to the edge of civilization? Foley:I missed your hospitality too much. King:Oh yes, and I will sprout wings and fly in a moment. Foley:You have a guest on the way. King:Yes. Samantha Thornton. She is an expert in the technological development of humanity. She is interested in our resident Huna. Foley:Yes, I heard of the concept. Your Huna is not only a connection to a persons inner power, but appears as an apparition and has quite a history of frightening the wits out of your lady folk throughout the centuries. I thought it was all family folklore. King:No. No. It is based on the truth. Many of the wonderful innovations of the palace are attributed to his knowledge and guidance. Dr. Thornton has some interest in the appearances. She seems to have a real sense of urgency. She should arrive in a little while. Come let’s have a drink and talk of old times until she arrives. Foley:I would love to, but I have an errand to attend to prior to Dr. Thornton’s arrival. King:As you wish.Then we will see you for dinner? Foley:

Of course. They part company and go separate ways.Scene switches to a jungle road. Samantha is riding in the back of a Land Rover. The front tire explodes from a gunshot. The vehicle swerves off the trail and crashes into some brush. Samantha is shaken but not hurt. Some bandits appear and take her luggage, jewelry and try to take JaCeN. Samantha:No, Please, I must keep this bag. Take the rest, but leave this one. They ignore her and continue to wrestle the bag away. They only stop at the sound of automatic gunfire and scurry into the jungle. Foley arrives with the automatic rifle resting on his hip and a huge smile on his face. Foley:Dr. Thornton I presume. Samantha:Yes, but how do you, how did you, I mean… She stares into his eyes as he walks closer to her. She then catches herself and snaps out of it. Samantha:I mean – Thank You, but they took everything I own. That is except my computer. Foley:You seemed pretty determined to hang on to that. Samantha:It is special to me. Who did you say that you are? Foley:I didn’t. But allow me to correct that. My name is Foley. I am staying at the palace for a couple of days. I was passing by when I heard the ruckus. Thought I could help, so here I am. Sorry I didn’t arrive sooner and save more of your possessions. Samantha:Well, thank you for arriving at all. I could not continue without my computer. She looks over the damage to the rover. The driver comes out of hiding from under the vehicle. Foley:Please take my car to the palace. I’ll replace the tire and follow along shortly. You do not want to miss the King’s dinner party. Samantha:Dinner Party? I am coming to do some research.

Foley:Out here any excuse is a good reason to have a party. And the arrival of such a distinguished and beautiful scientist is more than enough reason. She ambles off to Foley’s car. And his driver takes her toward the palace. The robbers come out of the jungle with big smiles on their faces and Foley gives each one some money. Samantha is greeted by the King when she arrives at the palace. She is chattering away as they walk in the palace. The King has a serious, concerned expression. King:I am so very sorry. I should have sent the palace guard to escort you. Clothing is not a problem. Please rest awhile and join us for dinner. Samantha:Thank you. I do need some time to get calmed down. I’ll see you in a while. King:As you wish. She follows a servant to her room. The King turns and greets Foley. They walk into the library and pour drinks. The next scene opens at the opulent dinner table as the threesome is finishing dinner. Foley:That is a very fascinating story Dr. Thornton. This huna sounds like a bright fellow. The King has shown me many of the innovations that were installed here in the palace, long before the rest of the world would discover them. Samantha:That is consistent with the other locations. I had hoped you would put me in the room where the apparitions occur. King:Most of my family avoids the room. Even though the innovations are welcome, it is a bit disconcerting to those that have experience his presence. Of course, you may stay in that room if that is your wish. I will have your things re-located to that room….Oh, I’m sorry, I forgot about your distressing experience earlier today. Samantha:Not a problem. Thank You, I would like to stay in the room tonight. King:As you wish. Foley:

You seem sure that something will happen in that room. Samantha:I am optimistic. I would love to see some of these palace innovations. King:Fantastic, I would love to show you around. Mr. Foley, I realize that you had the tour this afternoon, but you are welcome to join us. Foley;No thanks. I’ll entertain myself and turn in soon. King:As you wish. Samantha and the King wander off discussing the palace. Foley finishes his drink and goes directly to his room, opens his communication device, and sets up a mobile holographic-projector to contact Dobbs. Dobbs:Well Foley, what do you have to report? Foley:I have made contact with the girl. She should make contact tonight. Is it true that her DNA triggers the appearance? Dobbs:That’s the way she explains it. Are the monitors in place? Foley:Yes. We should get it all. Dobbs:OK. I’ll wait for the information to start flowing. The hologram is terminated. Foley settles in front of his monitor and control panel and waits for the evenings events to unfold. Scene switches to Samantha in the room and setting up JaCeN. Samantha:OK JaCeN, are all your systems up and at ‘em? JaCeN:I am fully functional, as always. Guardian #4:Hello Samantha.

Samantha:Well, it seems to get easier each time. Shall we get on with the transfer? Guardian #4:Of course we can, but I would like to have a chat with you after. JaCeN receives the data and Samantha turns him off. Samantha:OK. What shall we talk about, Alien abduction, Stonehenge, or the “X” Files? Guardian #4:Cute, real cute. I thought you might have some questions about how spiritual things function in the universe. Samantha:I must admit that my curiosity is up. But, I am a little overwhelmed with the data puzzle and don’t have a lot left to consider religious stuff. Guardian #4:It’s not about the human effort to reach God (religion). It is all about God’s proactive approach to reach out and create a path for a fallen humanity to restore their relationship with the creator of the universe – God. Samantha:Very nice, but it is a little too deep for me, and I am tired. Guardian #4:Very well, I hope you rest well. Foley activates the holographic unit. Foley:Dobbs, did you get it all? Dobbs:Yes, we got everything, including the JaCeN info but no diary entries yet. Only one piece to go. Will you be able to travel with Samantha? Foley:I am working on it. Dobbs:Try Harder. Foley:Calm down Dobbs, It will work out, it always does. Have I ever let you down?

Dobbs:Truthfully – No. But don’t let this be the first time! It is morning and Samantha is finishing her diary entries. Samantha:Transmit the diary home. And tell me where we are off to next. JaCeN:Everything has been transmitted and filed. The next location is a bit different. It is in Mexico, but it includes a pictogram. Samantha:Show me the pictogram. JaCeN creates a holographic image of the pictogram. It is 5 images: star, moon, flower, triangle, and 3 wavy lines. Samantha:The plot thickens. Just file it away, I’ll wager that we will need it later. What time is the flight? JaCeN:You have time for breakfast, time to shop for some new clothes, and still make the flight. Foley turns off the monitoring equipment and heads to breakfast. He meets Samantha in the hall. Foley:Good morning, did you rest well? Samantha:Yes, Thank You. I would like to thank you again for saving me yesterday. Foley:My pleasure. Would you like to take a walk after breakfast? Samantha:Thank you very much, but I must leave immediately after breakfast. Foley:The plane to Mexico City doesn’t leave until the afternoon, why the rush? Samantha:How did you know that I am headed for Mexico City? She backs away form him with a puzzled look on her face. Foley:

The ticket agent let it slip while I was booking my flight this morning. Samantha:You are on your way to Mexico City? Foley:Yes, a routine visit to on of our manufacturers. They arrive at the dining room and head for opposite seats at the table. Samantha:Good morning Your Highness. King:And to you Dr. Thornton and you as well Mr. Foley. I trust that you rested well? Samantha:Fine thank you, but I must be leaving right after breakfast. But I do genuinely appreciate your hospitality and tolerance. King:It was my pleasure, I just wish the visit could be longer, perhaps you will come back for a longer stay in the near future. Samantha:I would like that. Breakfast is served by the servants. Scene cuts to the airplane where Foley has arranged a seat next to Samantha. Foley places his baggage in the overhead (Samantha hasn’t seen him yet). Foley:Looks like it will be a nice flight. Foley sits down. Samantha has a wrinkled, sour expression on her face. Samantha:Speaking of the proverbial bad penny. Foley:You cut me to the quick, Dr. Thornton. Samantha:You deserve it Mr. Foley. I find your persistent presence unnerving. Foley:That’s odd, I find you company most exhilarating. Samantha:

Don’t get me wrong, your are handsome, intelligent, and charming; but you are always “there”. Foley:Lucky for you I was “there” the other morning. Samantha:Touché. Please accept my apologies and appreciation. Can we start over? Foley:Of course Dr. Thornton. Samantha:Let’s start by calling me Sam. Foley:I would feel better with Samantha. And everyone just calls me Foley. But I am afraid that you are stuck with me for a while longer. The travel agent let it slip that you are headed for Montezuma’s Castle. The owners are clients of mine and they are on my itinerary as my next stop. They continue to chit chat as the scene shifts to their arrival at Montezuma’s Castle, carved into the side of a hill and not generally open to the public. Foley is able to arrange for access. As they make their way thru the ruins, Samantha is trying to convince Foley to leave. Samantha:It is very important that I do this ALONE. Foley:Samantha, I will NOT leave you in here alone. I will not interfere with your research, but I will NOT leave you in here alone. Samantha:This is important to me Foley. I am not sure that the guardian will appear with you present, I also do not understand how he can appear without a chandelier. Foley:I assume you are talking of a spirit like in Hawaii, but what does a chandelier have to do with it? Samantha:I have told you too much already, but yes the guardians are usually referred to as spirits or ghosts. And their appearance usually requires a chandelier. Samantha activates JaCeN. Samantha:Foley, if you insist on tagging along, I suppose that I can do nothing about that. I would only request that I be allowed to be alone when the time comes.

Foley nods his agreement. JaCeN:We are close. Up ahead and 2 turns to the right. They end up at a dead end. But the wall is adorned with hieroglyphics. Samantha examines the wall. Samantha:JaCeN, bring up the info from the last data dump. JaCeN:Here it is. JaCeN projects an image of the pictogram. It contains a star, a moon, a flower, a triangle, and 3 wavy lines. Samantha is feeling the pictograms. Samantha:They don’t appear to move. But you never know, lets try them in sequence. Star – Moon – Flower – Triangle – 3 Wavy Lines. Nothing happens. Foley has been standing back simply watching Samantha and JaCeN. She examines them with here flashlight. Samantha:Maybe in reverse order. Nothing happens. She trys some other sequences, then kicks the wall in frustration. Samantha:Do you have any ideas JaCeN? JaCeN:Nothing yet, but I am working on it. Foley clears his throat. Samantha looks irritated and doesn’t appreciate the interruption of her concentration. Samantha:You have something to say? Foley:Well, I did happen to notice that each of the pictograms has a small hole carefully concealed within each picture. My guess would be a vacuum operated switch. Samantha:

A vacuum operated switch. At this point I am ready to try anything. How would you suggest that we proceed? Foley:Well first of all, if you were here by yourself, you would not be able to cover the holes all at the same instant. It probably wouldn’t work if you plugged them one at a time. Foley starts to take off one of his shoes. Foley:Let’s see. You take the Star and the Wavy Lines, and I’ll get the Moon, Triangle, and the Flower. Samantha:How will you cover 3 holes? Foley takes off his sock and wiggles his toe while pointing at it. Samantha:OK. Let’s cover them on 3. One, Two, Three. They cover the five holes and it brings them nose to nose. They stare into each others eyes. The spell is broken when the wall to their left begins to descend. Revealing a opulently decorated room with a huge chandelier in the center. Samantha:Foley, I must go in alone. Foley:I understand. I’ll be here when you are done. Foley gives Samantha a hug and plants a transmitter on here backpack. As she enters the room, Foley moves down the hall and sets up his monitoring/transmitting equipment. Guardian #5:Welcome Samantha. Samantha:Nice place you’ve got here. Guardian #5:I don’t get to see it often. Do you have any questions? Samantha:Can you give me what I need to decipher the 4 data streams? Guardian #5:I don’t need to. You have everything you need to do that already.

Samantha:There’s no place like home, there’s no place like home. Guardian #5:My understanding of humor is limited, but I get it. Shall we get on with the data transfer? Samantha:JaCeN, are you ready? JaCeN:All set. The data transfer takes place.

Samantha:Did you get it? JaCeN:Got it. Samantha:Start trying to make some sense of the data, make the transmission back home, and book us on the next flight to Atlanta. JaCeN:Will do. Samantha packs up JaCeN and walks back to where Foley is waiting. Foley is finishing a phone call. Foley:…yes Dobbs, I can do that, if it is that important. Just book me on the next flight to Atlanta and I’ll handle the situation. Foley puts away the phone and turns to Samantha Foley:Well Sam, this is where we part company. I am being sent to fix a problem in in Atlanta. Samantha:Atlanta! That is where I am heading. Foley:Well, well, well. My luck is holding. Samantha and Foley are again on a plane together.

Foley:So, what can you tell me about all of this? Mysterious huna in Hawaii, secret chambers in Mexico. What does it all mean. Samantha:All that I can tell you is that it is related to some research that I am doing about the evolution of technology. Wasn’t it fascinating that the remote palace had so many modern innovations that had been implemented a long time ago? And what about the way the door opened in Mexico? Vacuum switches…Thank you by the way for helping me with the door. Don’t you see how fascinating it all is? These huna, ghosts, spirits, whatever you want to call them; have been “seeding” our technological advancement for centuries. I am an expert in the evolution of technology, but I have always wondered where the “spurts” came from. You know those advances in technology that are passed of as intuition or insight. Oh, look at me prattling on. I am sorry, but I am really wound up. Foley:I can see that. But this is more than research. You and JaCeN are on some sort of mission. Samantha:Mr. Foley, I assure you that you are wrong! They both settle back and follow their own thoughts. The scene shifts to NSA. Where Dobbs is standing impatiently over Will. Will is controlling 4 computer monitors with various windows and data flashing past. Dobbs:How long? Will:You have got to be kidding Dobbs. We have a puzzle possibly left by extra terrestrial’s centuries ago for us to solve with the reward being a power source that will enable us to efficiently travel to the stars. And you want to know – How Long! Get out of here and leave me alone and I will call if I have a breakthrough! Dobbs: OK! OK! Dobbs turns a walks away shaking his head and mumbling. Dobbs:Geeks! Will’s fingers are flying over the key board as he ponders the monitors in front of him. The scene shifts back to the Atlanta airport. Samantha and Foley are collecting their bags. Foley:

Well I must admit Sam, that meeting you has been a true adventure. May I call you after I finish my business? Samantha:Well, I am going to be very, very busy with the ..uh…research that I have collected. But I guess it will be OK in a couple of days. Sure. Foley:Great, I’ll ring you up in a couple of days. They part company and the scene cuts to a secure booth with Foley talking to a holographic image of Dobbs. Dobbs:Why aren’t you with her? I want her watched every second! Foley:I have it under control. Didn’t you have her apartment wired for sound and video? Dobbs:Well, yes. But Foley:Dobbs, calm down. Everything is under control. How is Will making out? Dobbs:We have an entire team working on making some sense out of the four data packages. But I agree that Will is our best bet. If anyone can solve it, he can. Foley:If that is the case, the why do we need Samantha? Dobbs:You now as well as I do that it is not over until it is over. Foley:Just jerking your chain Dobbs. I’ll see Dr. Thornton in a day or so. Meanwhile let me know if she has any breakthroughs. Did you send the latest JaCeN update? Dobbs:Yes it should be there. I will keep you informed otherwise. Dobbs hologram disappears. Foley leaves the chamber and approaches one of the section workers. Foley:Do you have something for me from Dobbs, Mrs. Berman?

Mrs. Berman:Yes Foley it is a data DVD. Is that what you need? Foley:It is exactly what I need to do a little bartering. Thanks. Scene switches to a new location. It is similar to the NSA site, but has a commercial look rather than a government look. It is the corporation – Spectre.com - very futuristic with large flat panel displays everywhere and a female version of JaCeN. There are three corporate types standing behind a woman at the console working feverishly. The middle corporate type speaks first. Gamberg:Lisa, do we have the whole package? Lisa:We have all 4 sir, but… Gamberg:But What! Lisa:We haven’t been able do decrypt the information. Dr. Thornton’s algorithm is very sophisticated. Gamberg:When will you have it done, Lisa. Lisa:I will have you notified the instant we have a breakthrough. Gamberg:Not good enough, what can we do to help you decrypt them? Lisa:If we could setup surveillance, maybe we could figure it out quicker; however, I will get it. But it will take some time. Gamberg turns to the man on his right. Gamberg:Wilson do we have the surveillance in place? Wilson:Yes, but.. Gamberg:But What!

Wilson:When we moved in to wire the place for sound and video, we foud that it had already been done. Looks like a government job. State of the art – probably NSA. So we just taped into the system and we are getting solid data as we speak. Gamberg:Can we get what Lisa needs? Wilson:I’ll get my people with her, so that we will know exactly what she is looking for. Gamberg:Get on it now! Wilson leaves the room. Gamberg turns to the man on his left. Gamberg:Dugill, Send someone to the 4 places she visited and see what we can discover about what happen, we are playing “catch-up” and I don’t like it. Let’s get ahead of this game as soon as possible. Dugill turns and leaves the room without saying a word. Gamberg places his hand on Lisa’s shoulder. Gamberg:Keep at it Lisa, this appears to be important. Do you need any other resources? Lisa:No Sir. You always give us the best equipment and the best people. Time is our only problem. We are doing our best Mr. Gamberg. Gamberg:I know Lisa. Just give it all you’ve got. Gamberg turns and leaves the room, Lisa gets back to work. The scene switches to Samantha’s apartment where she and JaCeN are working on the puzzle. Samantha:Are you sure? JaCeN:Yes Dr. Thornton, I am absolutely sure! The doorbell rings. Samantha:Don’t go anywhere JaCeN. I’ll be back in a flash.

After Samantha opens the door, she is all flushed and “soft”. Foley is at the door with flowers, candy, wine, and a present. Foley:Good evening Dr. Thornton. Foley thrusts the flowers forward before Samantha can speak. Samantha:Oh! Mr. Foley, how beautiful. Foley:Just Foley is fine. Here are a couple of other things for you. Dr Thornton. Samantha waves Foley in and leads him to the living room. Foley puts the wine and the candy on the coffee table and turns to give the present to Samantha. Samantha:OK Foley, call me Sam. What is this? Foley:A token of my respect. I have a friend that was able to get this for me to give to you. Samantha takes the package, sits on the sofa and opens it. Foley sits next to her. Samantha:Oh My! Oh My! How? What? I mean this isn’t even available yet. How did you get it? Foley:I told you, a friend of mine has access to the pre-release version. And now you have it, if you want it. Samantha:You have to be kidding! I wouldn’t be able to afford this for years! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! Samantha leans over to give Foley a peck on the cheek. Foley turns a gives her a full mouth – long kiss. Samantha accepts the kiss, then pulls away and tries to recover. Samantha:Woe! I’m not sure how I feel about that, but I genuinely thank you for this update for JaCeN. It couldn’t come at a better time. Foley:Oh? Samantha:We a stuck on a problem. Maybe this

She waves the Disc. Samantha:Will help us get over the hump. Foley:That makes me very glad. But can you afford a couple hours for dinner? Scene switches to NSA. Dobbs:Are we getting it all Will? Will:We are getting it all. Dobbs:What about while they are at dinner? Will:Well….. Foley has never let us monitor him when he is “at work”. Dobbs:What! Will:We have never monitored him in the field. Dobbs:Why Not? Will:Dobbs, I just work here. Someone a lot higher than me made the decision. Dobbs:OK. OK. I’ll deal with that later. Did we modify the JaCeN update so that we will get back channel info directly from the JaCeN? Will:Yes we did. We installed a “worm” that will forward us (almost real time) everything that happens. Dobbs:When will the info start flowing? Will:As soon as Dr. Thornton installs the update, which I would guess, will be after dinner.

Dobbs:Yea, a dinner that we won’t know what is going on. Ok. Keep me posted. Dobbs walks away without waiting for a response from Will. The scene cuts to Spectre.com. They are in a small meeting room. Wilson:We have given Lisa everything that we can. The encryption system is still too tough for us to crack. I would doubt that NSA has cracked it either. Gamberg:I don’t give a hoot what NSA can of can’t do! We have an unlimited budget and I want results today! Scene fades. Samantha and Foley are having dessert. Audio comes up as Samantha is talking. Samantha:Yes, they were both killed 10 years ago, she was only 4 years old. I immersed myself in my work and try to only remember the joy they both gave me. What about you, family? Foley:Nope. Not a sole that would care if I expired today. Sad really, but works better in my line of work. Samantha:Speaking of that, what is it that you do? Foley:Let’s just say that I am a troubleshooter for the government. Samantha:Which government? Foley:Ours, of course. Which is why I am here. I have to tell you some things that you may find hard to believe and will probably make you dislike me very much. Samantha:Go on…. Foley:The government , NSA specifically, knows about your “guardian” mission. They would be very keen on getting a power source as described by the Guardian. Samantha:How can they possibly know? I was alone each time.

Foley:Your JaCeN transmissions and personal diary told them everything. Samantha:But everything is encrypted! Foley:That’s what NSA is good at. They have all 4 pieces of data and your diary. They are working on the solution as we sit here. Samantha:Why are you telling me this now? Are you here to kill me? Foley:No. No. No. I am here to offer you my help in keeping them out of your life. Your home is totally wire for video and audio. Samantha:My own government is spying on me! Foley:Yes. That WAS my job also. Samantha gets up to leave. Foley:Please wait Sam. I am here to put things right. I have fallen for you. Together we can get through this. If you go it alone, you will lose. Please come back and sit down. We only have a while before they will expect us back at your home. Please. Sit down. Samantha sits down with a plop. Foley:This update to JaCeN comes with a catch. There is a “worm” inside that reports everything directly to NSA. I hope that your JaCeN will be smart enough to “tame” the worm and only send them what we want. I believe that we can do most of the work you need at my apartment, which I will guarantee to not be monitored. We will have to step up the romantic aspect of our relationship. But I am sure that it will work. Samantha:After all that is gone on, this is a little much for me to handle. I MUST solve this puzzle if possible, and as soon as possible. If this is really what I er…we have to do, then so be it. Foley:Great! Let’s get started. Bring up JaCeN. Samantha activates JaCeN. She takes out the disk with the update on it. They explain the situation to JaCeN.

JaCeN:Yes Dr. Thornton, I think I can keep the “worm” under control. Let’s give it a try. Samantha inserts the disk and the process begins, JaCeN flashes a couple of times, then gives the “high” sign. Foley:OK. JaCeN can work on the problem at any time. But bogus progress must be made available to the “worm”. Samantha:OK, get to work on the 4 pieces JaCeN, I’ll check with you later to discuss our plan of action. They return to Samantha’s apartment. Scene switches to NSA. Over the video/audio taps. Foley:Good Night Sam. Samantha:Good Night. Foley leans forward and kisses Samantha. Foley:Then it is a date for tomorrow night? Samantha:Pick me up around 7:00 PM. Dobbs:Get Foley in here now! Will:I’ll contact him immediately. Foley is sitting in Dobbs office. Dobbs is walking around and yelling at Foley. As the audio fades in. Dobbs:We have to know what is going on! Foley:You will.

Dobbs:While it is happening, if you please. Foley:Never happen. Dobbs:Don’t give me that! You will do what you are told! Foley:If you or any one else comes within 5 blocks of Dr. Thornton while I am with her, I’ll give up the whole operation, and then where will you be? Dobbs:You can’t threaten me! I’ll have you thrown under the jail! Foley:No clichés Dobbs. You might have me killed, but you would never take a chance on me escaping. If you want this mission carried out, then leave me alone and you will get what you need. Otherwise, I am out of it, and ya’ll can take it from here. Dobbs returns to his desk, sits, and stares at Foley. Dobbs:OK. OK. As always you do it your way. But, you better get what we need. Foley:You will get exactly what you need, I guarantee it. Scene switches to a small group dressed in black entering a van. Gamberg is there and sees them off. Next we see Foley and Samantha walking from her apartment. The van races up, 2 guys jump out to kidnap Samantha, Foley quickly foils their plan. The 2 guys crawl back in the van and it races off. None the worse for wear, they continue to dinner. Dinner is in a private room of one of Foley’s hangouts. Foley:Those were not government types in the van. Someone else knows what you are trying to do. Samantha:Who could possibly know? Foley:I’ll get Will working on that. In the meantime let’s eat, we have a lot of work to do before it get’s too late. When you are comfortable with the idea, we can have some all nighters at my apartment. Samantha:

I hope you are talking about work. Foley:Of course. But the sooner the better. So we should probably get a little mushy when I take you home later. Samantha:I understand. Er… Let’s get JaCeN working. JaCeN appears and Samantha goes over the progress as the scene cuts back to Spectre.com. Gamberg is on a video link to a superior. Voice from superior:Your division has botched this thing for the last time. I want the operation closed down and sanitized. Gamberg:But..But..the result will be worth these minor setbacks. Voice from superior:I want it shut down and sanitized. I want it to disappear. All of your team will be reassigned. And you are lucky that I am not firing you! Gamberg:I’ll get it done tonight. Gamberg looks dejected as the camera swings around, we get a view of the superior, most people will have figured it out from the voice, but there on the monitor is Dobbs. Scene fades and ends up at NSA with Dobbs leaving his office and going to see Will. Dobbs:Where are we Will? Will:Deep underground in Arlington, Virginia, Boss. Dobbs:Ha. Ha. I’m not in the mood. Give me something good. Will:Well, here is where we are. I have our best people working on this (including myself, of course). Dobbs:Of Course. Will:

It appears that each piece of data is useless without the other three. It also appears that if you overlay the pieces , that is, take the first element from data 1 then the first element of data2, then 3, then 4, then the 2d element of data1, and so on. Dobbs:I get it, go on. Will:It appears to exhibit all the characteristics of an encrypted document. But so far we have been unable to de-crypt it. We have tried every algorithm ever used. We have invented a few new algorithms, but nothing has yielded any intelligible data. Dobbs:Can we do it? Will:Too early to tell. We will still have a few tricks up our sleeves. But only enough for a couple more days of trying. Dobbs:And then? Will:We hope that Dr. Thornton knows something that we don’t. Dobbs:Will, how can she accomplish it when you can’t. Will:I know. But we can hope. Can’t we? Dobbs turns and walks away. Samantha is in Foley’s apartment working away with JaCeN. Foley is reading on the sofa. JaCeN:It definitely looks like overlaying the 4 pieces is the first step. But everything that we have tried has not produced anything readable. Passing the fake data to NSA has used up some of my processing capabilities, but I don’t think it has detracted from trying to solve this. Any ideas Dr. Thornton? Samantha:No JaCeN. I guess we are not ready for this technological shot in the arm. I can’t say that I am unhappy about not being able to solve it either. I was never to keen on this whole adventure anyway. But, I certainly don’t like being beaten! JaCeN:I understand Dr. Thornton. I’ll make sure the fake data to NSA leads nowhere. What can I do now?

Samantha:Continue working on it. I know we have exhausted all angles, but keep at it. Try subtle variations on what we have already tried. I’ll try to think up another approach. Samantha walks over to Foley. He puts down the book and looks at her sympathetically. Foley:No luck? Samantha:No. And I am afraid we are done for. I guess the world is not ready for this surge of knowledge. Foley:What were you going to do if you had solved it? Samantha:You know, I never even thought about that. But now that I am, I am not sure that we are ready for this leap. I mean, governments spying on citizens, corporations trying to kidnap people, all the drugs and stuff throughout the world. Who am I to hand over the keys to interplanetary travel and allow us to spread our “ills” all over the galaxy? Foley:I see your point, but it is a moot point, since the puzzle remains unsolved. Samantha:I guess. Foley and Samantha standup, embrace, and head for the bedroom. Scene fades and Samantha is sitting at a dressing table combing he hair. She sees a framed print of one of the inventions of Da Vinci. She is distracted as she sees the reflection of JaCeN working in the mirror. A look of inspiration overcomes her. She stands up and begins to walk in circles while making hand gestures. Samantha:Oh my God! Oh my God! Oh my God! Oh my God! Foley comes up behind her and grabs her shoulders and tries to get her attention. Samantha:Oh my God! Oh my God! Oh my God! Oh my God! Foley:Sam, what is it? Samantha:I’ve got it. I can solve the puzzle! It was so simple. We were looking for some complex encryption algorithm. But we missed the simple true.

Foley:Are you sure. Samantha:Well, as sure as I can be without trying it. Foley:Are you sure you want to try it? I mean, you were pretty certain last night. Samantha:I know, but I must give it a try. Samantha walks over to JaCeN and gives him some instruction. JaCeN looks excited and carries out her instructions. On the virtual display appears legible text and sketches for the power source as promised. She pinches JaCeN’s holographic cheek, turns and runs to Foley. Foley:You did it Sam! Samantha:Yes I did! With your help. Foley:How so? Samantha:I was sitting at the dresser and noticed the reflection of the print on that wall. They walk over to the framed print. Samantha:Da Vinci was a wonderful artist, scientist, and just about everything else. But he wrote many of his notes from right to left and backwards. That is, there could be read if viewed in a mirror. Not very secure by today’s standards, but obviously adequate for his time. I dawned on me that the Guardian message might not be some sophisticated encryption algorithm, but a simple mirror image scheme. With the focus on “image”. It was just a giant jumbled up picture of the information promised. Once we figured out which bits to invert, the rest fell into place. So….I was right! Foley looks over at JaCeN who is putting the finishing touches on the image. He looks back at Samantha. Foley:So, what do we do now? Samantha:What do you mean?

Foley:You now have the answer, you have solved the puzzle, what are you going to do with it? Samantha:I…I don’t know. Foley embraces Samantha as the scene fades. Back at NSA. Will:All of the info from JaCeN indicates that Dr. Thornton has given up on the solution. Dobbs:And we will too. Will:I am sorry that we were not able to solve the puzzle. Dobbs:Don’t be sorry Will, we will (or at least someone will) get another crack at it in a hundred years of so. Dobbs shakes his head and meanders off. Will gets to work on some other projects that had been set aside. Scene cuts to a cruise ship where Samantha and Foley (dressed as bride and groom) are standing at the railing. Foley:How do you feel? Samantha:I feel wonderful! Foley:About everything? Samantha:Yes about everything. The wedding, our new life together, and what we did with JaCeN. You will get me another one, won’t you? Foley:Of course, right after the honeymoon. I wouldn’t want you working and ignoring me. Samantha:Not a chance. Samantha stares into space. Scene shifts to a “memory”. She is in the location where she met the first Guardian.

Guardian 1:Hello Samantha, did you figure it out? Samantha:Yes I did, with some help. Guardian 1:Congratulations! You are the first. Samantha:But not the last. Guardian 1:What do you mean? Samantha:I have decided NOT to reveal the information to anyone else. Guardian 1:OH. Why not? Samantha:I don’t think “we” are ready for this knowledge. Maybe in a hundred years or so. Guardian 1:That is of course, your decision. But you are only delaying the inevitable. Mankind may come up with the solution on their own with the next few years. Samantha:Maybe so, but they will NOT get it from me. Memory scene cuts to the Atlanta Public Library next to a permanent display about Gone With The Wind. She sticks JaCeN in a nook of the display. Samantha:Ok JaCeN, you must activate the first week of December, 2139, locate the female descendant that has my DNA and get her to the first Guardian on the 15th. After she meets with the guardian, give her all the info you have and let her go from there. Goodbye my friend. Samantha walks away and the “memory” ends. She is back on the deck of the cruise ship embracing Foley. The scene fades one last time to NSA, Will shuts everything down and stops of at a local yuppie watering hole. As he sits there nursing a drink, he looks in the mirror and sees a reflection of a framed print of one of Da Vinci’s inventions. He gets a “knowing” look on his face and the movie ends.

Fade To Black...