EXT. REMOTE RUSSIAN COUNTRY ROAD - DAY
A sleek blue ZIM-2 car cruises smoothly through the picturesque landscape of remote Russia. THE DRIVER has an unusual appearance. He is notably paler and has long, slim limbs and enormous eyes. His cheekbones are high with less pronounced jawbones.
As he drives with a relaxed focus, he notices a flickering light in the distance.
EXT. SECURITY CHECKPOINT – DAY.
TWO HEAVILY ARMED SECURITY personnel are standing back-to-back, each focusing sharply on opposite horizons.
SECURITY 1 notices a car approaching in the distance. He nudges his partner and flags it down with a torchlight.
INT.A BLUE ZIM-2 CAR -DAY
The driver notices the torchlight and slows down his car. Just before the car approaches the checkpoint, he effortlessly and calmly morphs into A RUSSIAN ARMY COMMANDER.
EXT. SECURITY CHECKPOINT- DAY.
Security 1 approaches the car while SECURITY 2 observes with divided attention. They look stern but not threatening. The driver, now COMMANDER, rolls down the window.
SECURITY 1
(Firmly and politely, in Russian)
Good afternoon. Your identification and permit, please?
COMMANDER
(in Russian- loud, officious,)
What is this?
The commander’s voice grabs the attention of Security 2, who swiftly approaches the car. He notices the commander’s coat collar- a pink diamond with yellow edges and two red diamonds within. He recognises the person as a KOMDIV or a division commander and firmly salutes him.
SECURITY 2
(In Russian, with a sharp, military tone)
Tovarishch Komdiv.
Following orders, sir.
Security 1 hesitates briefly, then salutes the commander, without fully understanding the situation.
As he hands over the documents authoritatively, the Komdiv’s eyes quickly scan security 1. He analyses his face and his ID in a split-second, like a computer interface, highlighting the name PETROV DOSTOEVSKII and SECURITY CLEARANCE LEVEL- C.
Petrov, oblivious to the assessment, checks the documents carefully and politely returns them.
PETROV
(in Russian)
We appreciate your cooperation, Tovarishch Komdiv Kozlov. Drive safely.
EXT. SECURITY CHECKPOINT – CONT’D
Petrov and his colleague salute the Komdiv. The two continue to watch the blue ZIM-2 accelerating smoothly, disappearing into the landscape.
PETROV
(To security 2)
I am sure I have seen the Komdiv’s face before, Can’t place it.
SECURITY 2
(dryy)
You know everyone, Tovarishch. Except your wife’s boyfriend.
INT. BLUE ZIM-2 CAR -DAY
The Komdiv notices another security point in the distance. He subtly transforms into Petrov before pulling up.
EXT. SECURITY CHECKPOINT 2- LATER
Two GUARDS approach. SECURITY 3 taps on the glass. SECURITY 4 hangs back, watching.
The window lowers. PETROV sits behind the wheel.
SECURITY 3
(In Russian, surprised )
Tovarishch Petrov?What are you doing here?
Petrov quickly scans the guard, an overlay of data PASTERNAK BASOV, SECURITY CLEARANCE A.
PETROV
(Calmly, without any expression in Russian)
Can’t disclose, Tovarishch Basov, Orders.
PASTERNAK
(firmly)
Understood, but I still need to see the documents. Petrov.
Petrov hesitates. He quickly glances at the glove compartment, ensuring his weapon is within reach. He lifts a shoulder bag from the passenger seat, producing two items: one A4 sheet, one card-sized, both appear blank. He glances at the weapon for the second time.
PETROV
(offering the papers with a thin smile)
How’s family, Pasternak?
Pasternak takes the papers and pauses, glancing. He looks back at Petrov suspiciously and steps back. SECURITY 4 quickly moves in, clutching his weapon.
INT. BLUE ZIM-2 CAR -MOMENTS LATER
Petrov tracks both security guards, readying himself. His fingers hover near the weapon.
A tap at the glass, Petrov turns, Pasternak is there, returning the “documents”
PASTERNAK
(polite)
All clear, Safe travels, Petrov.
Petrov nods authoritatively, starting the engine. As the car starts moving, He looks through the rear-view mirror. Security 4 is lighting a cigarette.
EXT. SECURITY CHECKPOINT 3- DAY
SECURITY 5 and SECURITY 6 share a laugh until the approaching ZIM-2 snaps them back to the posture.
SECURITY 5 swiftly strides to the driver’s side.
INT. BLUE ZIM-2 CAR -DAY
As Pasternak calmly opens the window, the security guard approaches uncomfortably closer to him.
SECURITY 5
(suspicious)
Pasternak, thought your shift was on the other side. What’s going on? Whose car is this?
PASTERNAK
(cool, assessing)
Ordered to report to the centre. everything okay here?
SECURITY 5
(ignoring)
I still need to see your clearance, Pasternak
Pasternak hands him the paper, mildly irritated.
EXT. SECURITY CHECKPOINT 3- DAY
Security 5 takes the papers, frowns and passes them to Security 6. They exchange glances. Security 6 grabs the paper and rushes inside the building. Security 5 focuses on Pasternak with fingers flirting with the trigger.
INT. BLUE ZIM-2 CAR -DAY
Pasternak cautiously grabs his weapon. Calm. Ready
EXT. SECURITY CHECKPOINT 3- DAY -CONTINUOUS
The moment feels tense. Security 6 returns.
SECURITY 6
(whispering to his colleague)
Can you radio the post? Mine’s not working. Something’s off.
Security 5 turns on his radio but only hears static. He hesitates and approaches the car.
SECURITY 5
(to Pasternak, with a slight hesitation)
You can go, Pasternak. Comms are acting up. Tell the next post, yeah?
PASTERNAK
(evenly)
Of course. Thank you, Tovarishch. Want me to take the radios?
EXT.A MEDIUM-SIZED BUILDING- CAR PARK - DAY
The blue Zim-2 car pulls into a stark compound. Pasternak parks in an unmarked space and heads to the entrance.
He scans his card and fingerprint at the security scanner. Nothing happens. He tries again, and the lock releases with a soft click. Pasternak adjusts himself and strides in with confidence.
INT. MISSION CONTROL ROOM - DAY.
The space control room is packed with analogue tech -monitors, dials. Soviet-era paraphernalia saturate the space. A calendar reads “10ОКТЯБРЯ 1960".
There are eight PEOPLE, all working on switches, keyboards and monitors. There is a sense of excitement and nervousness. On the main screen, there is a sleek rocket- a cylinder with a round head and two solar panels as wings. Besides it, there’s a smaller screen with a countdown display, frozen at 10.
The door opens. Pasternak enters swiftly. Nobody pays any attention -apart from one person printing something. He swiftly nods and goes back to work. Pasternak slips inton idle console and powers it up.
The door opens. A senior-looking OFFICER in his 40s enters the room. He nods at Pasternak, who returns it. It is unclear whether the officer saw the workstation powering up.
OFFICER
(authoritative, imperious, in Russian)
Are we ready?
A chorus of nervous yet excited affirmatives fills the room.
OFFICER (CONT')
(with suppressed nervousness)
Good, let’s make history.
A technician, hands slightly trembling, initiates the launch sequence by pressing several keys on the board.
TECHNICIAN
(in Russian)
All systems nominal, commander. ignition sequence starting.
The countdown ticks from 10 with a flapping sound. Tension builds with each descending number.
While eyes are glued to the screens, Pasternak produces a palm-sized device with a magnetic lead. He docks it to the console, taps unseen inputs, undocks, and powers the station down. No one notices. He turns back to the screens like the rest.
As “Zero” blares, the rocket starts ascending, spluttering a cloud of gas.
Telemetry replaces the countdown- altitude, velocity.
TECHNICIAN
(in a nervous voice)
Initiating stage two ignition.
As the technician presses the last button, the rocket shudders, then trembles violently.
The officer flinches, then commits
OFFICER
(loudly)
Cut all engines, NOW!!!
The technician kills the thrust. A beat. The rocket starts falling back to Earth.
OFFICER
(strained)
Victor, Full report on everything within 24 hours.
The room fills with murmurs of disbelief.
OFFICER (CONT’D)
(sharper)
Silence!! Investigate everything. I don’t want this repeated on Friday.
He storms out. Work resumes in a stunned hush.
Pasternak stands serene. His eyes alight with an inexplicable triumph. He blinks, a slick nictitating membrane sweeps across the eyes and back. He turns for the exit.
PASTERNAK
(Under his breath, in English)
Sorry, folks. We are not ready.
FADE OUT.