Teaser for: Stealth Defence
Type: TV show
Genre: Science Fiction, Drama
Teaser Running time: 5 minutes (approx)
Type: TV show
Genre: Science Fiction, Drama
Teaser Running time: 5 minutes (approx)
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.
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 their side of the road.
SECURITY 1 notices a car approaching in the distance. He nudges his colleague and waves a torchlight, signalling the car to stop.
SECURITY 1 notices a car approaching in the distance. He nudges his colleague and waves a torchlight, signalling the car to stop.
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 -MOMENTS AFTER
Security 1 approaches the car while SECURITY 2 observes with divided attention. They look stern but not threatening. The driver, now COMMANDER, winds the window down.
SECURITY 1
(Firmly and politely, in Russian)
Good afternoon. May I see your identification and permit, please?
(Firmly and politely, in Russian)
Good afternoon. May I see your identification and permit, please?
COMMANDER
(pretending to be annoyed, loudly and authoritatively, in Russian)
What is this?
(pretending to be annoyed, loudly and authoritatively, in Russian)
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 inside. He recognises that 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.
(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, unaware of what just happened, checks the documents carefully and politely hands them back.
Petrov, unaware of what just happened, checks the documents carefully and politely hands them back.
PETROV
(in Russian)
We appreciate your cooperation, Tovarishch Komdiv Kozlov. Drive safe.
(in Russian)
We appreciate your cooperation, Tovarishch Komdiv Kozlov. Drive safe.
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 his colleague)
I am sure I have seen the Komdiv’s face somewhere, but can’t remember
SECURITY 2
(sarcastically)
You know everyone, Tovarishch. Apart from your wife’s boyfriends.
(To his colleague)
I am sure I have seen the Komdiv’s face somewhere, but can’t remember
SECURITY 2
(sarcastically)
You know everyone, Tovarishch. Apart from your wife’s boyfriends.
INT. BLUE ZIM-2 CAR -DAY – CONT’D
The Komdiv notices another security point in the distance. He subtly transforms into Petrov before stopping at the checkpoint.
EXT. SECURITY CHECKPOINT 2- LATER
Two heavily armed security personnel, just like the last one approach a blue car that has come to a stop.
SECURITY 3 knocks at the window and signals to wind down while SECURITY 4 carefully observes from a distance. The driver, now Petrov, calmly complies.
SECURITY 3 knocks at the window and signals to wind down while SECURITY 4 carefully observes from a distance. The driver, now Petrov, calmly complies.
SECURITY 3
(In Russian, with a surprised and slightly confused tone)
Tovarishch Petrov? What are you doing here?
(In Russian, with a surprised and slightly confused tone)
Tovarishch Petrov? What are you doing here?
Petrov quickly scans the guard like he did to the original Petrov, focusing on the name PASTERNAK BASOV, SECURITY CLEARANCE LEVEL A.
PETROV
(Calmly without any expression, in Russian)
Can’t tell you, Tovarishch Basov, Orders.
PASTERNAK
(firmly)
Understood, but I still have to see the documents. Petrov.
(Calmly without any expression, in Russian)
Can’t tell you, Tovarishch Basov, Orders.
PASTERNAK
(firmly)
Understood, but I still have to see the documents. Petrov.
Petrov hesitates briefly. He quickly glances at the glove compartment, ensuring his handgun is within reach. Then he grabs a shoulder bag from the front passenger seat and fetches two papers, one a standard A4 size and the other one the size of a credit card, both blank. He glances at the weapon for the second time.
PETROV
(handing the papers with a smile)
How’s family, Pasternak?
(handing the papers with a smile)
How’s family, Pasternak?
Pasternak grabs the papers and pauses, glancing at the papers. He looks back at Petrov suspiciously and steps back as if he is preparing to open fire. Noticing this, SECURITY 4 quickly approaches the car, clutching his weapon.
INT. BLUE ZIM-2 CAR -MOMENTS LATER
Petrov observes both security guards, mentally preparing to defend himself. He looks at the weapon for the third time and potters his hand through it.
Before he reaches the gun, a sound comes from behind. He turns around and notices Pasternak returning his documents.
Before he reaches the gun, a sound comes from behind. He turns around and notices Pasternak returning his documents.
PASTERNAK
(politely)
All clear, Safe travels, Petrov.
(politely)
All clear, Safe travels, Petrov.
Petrov nods authoritatively and starts the engine. As the car starts moving, He looks through the rear-view mirror and notices one of the security guards lighting a cigarette.
EXT. SECURITY CHECKPOINT 3 -MOMENTS LATER
Two heavily armed SECURITY 5 and SECURITY 6 are laughing at something. When one of them notices a car approaching in the distance, they quickly resume positions and signal the car to stop.
SECURITY 5 swiftly approaches the driver’s side.
SECURITY 5 swiftly approaches the driver’s side.
INT. BLUE ZIM-2 CAR -CONT'D
SECURITY 5
(surprised with a bit of suspicion)
Pasternak, wasn’t your shift on the other side? What’s going on? Whose car is this?
PASTERNAK
(scanning the security with a calm demeanour)
I am ordered to report at the centre, everything okay here?
SECURITY 5
(ignoring)
I still need to see your clearance documents, Pasternak
(surprised with a bit of suspicion)
Pasternak, wasn’t your shift on the other side? What’s going on? Whose car is this?
PASTERNAK
(scanning the security with a calm demeanour)
I am ordered to report at the centre, everything okay here?
SECURITY 5
(ignoring)
I still need to see your clearance documents, Pasternak
Pasternak hands him the paper, pretending to be annoyed.
EXT. SECURITY CHECKPOINT 3 -CONT'D
Security 5 takes the papers from the driver and scans them briefly before handing them to his colleague. They exchange glances. Security 6 grabs at the paper and rushes inside the building. Security 5 focuses on Pasternak, clasping his fingers on the trigger.
INT. BLUE ZIM-2 CAR - DAY -CONT’D
Pasternak cautiously grabs his weapon.
EXT. SECURITY CHECKPOINT 3 -CONT'D
The moment feels tense; it seems like either of them will open fire anytime. Then security 6 returns.
SECURITY 6
(whispering to his colleague)
Can you radio the post? My radio isn’t working. Something doesn’t feel right.
(whispering to his colleague)
Can you radio the post? My radio isn’t working. Something doesn’t feel right.
Security 5 turns on his radio but only hears a static sound. He pauses briefly and approaches the car.
SECURITY 5
(to Pasternak with a slight hesitation)
You can go, Pasternak. We are having problems with communication. Can you let the next checkpoint know, please?
PASTERNAK
(calmly)
Absolutely. Thank you Tovarishch. Do you want me to take the radios for replacement?
(to Pasternak with a slight hesitation)
You can go, Pasternak. We are having problems with communication. Can you let the next checkpoint know, please?
PASTERNAK
(calmly)
Absolutely. Thank you Tovarishch. Do you want me to take the radios for replacement?
CUT TO
EXT.A MEDIUM SIZED BUILDING CAR PARK - LATER
EXT.A MEDIUM SIZED BUILDING CAR PARK - LATER
The blue Zim-2 car approaches a formidable building. Pasternak parks his car in an unmarked area and walks towards the entrance.
The door is locked. Pasternak scans his card and fingerprint at the security scanner. Nothing happens. He tries again and this time; the door opens softly and quietly. Pasternak adjusts himself and walks in with confidence.
INT. MISSION CONTROL ROOM - LATER
The space control room is bustling with technology -monitors, dials, and Soviet-era paraphernalia saturate the space. The calendar prominently displays “10 ОКТЯБРЯ 1960".
There are eight PEOPLE, all working on switches, keyboards and monitors. There is a sense of excitement and nervousness.
A large screen showcases a revolutionary rocket- a cylinder with a round head and two solar panels as wings. There is another screen next to this, with a large number 10 blaring in Russian, in the countdown sequence.
The door opens but nobody notices. Pasternak enters swiftly. Nobody pays any attention -apart from one person printing something. He swiftly nods and goes back to work. Pasternak walks towards a vacant area close to an unused workstation. He quietly powers it up.
The door opens and a senior-looking OFFICER in his 40s enters the room. He nods at Pasternak and Pasternak calmly nods back. It is unclear whether the officer saw the workstation powering up.
There are eight PEOPLE, all working on switches, keyboards and monitors. There is a sense of excitement and nervousness.
A large screen showcases a revolutionary rocket- a cylinder with a round head and two solar panels as wings. There is another screen next to this, with a large number 10 blaring in Russian, in the countdown sequence.
The door opens but nobody notices. Pasternak enters swiftly. Nobody pays any attention -apart from one person printing something. He swiftly nods and goes back to work. Pasternak walks towards a vacant area close to an unused workstation. He quietly powers it up.
The door opens and a senior-looking OFFICER in his 40s enters the room. He nods at Pasternak and Pasternak calmly nods back. It is unclear whether the officer saw the workstation powering up.
OFFICER
(authoritative, imperious, in Russian)
Everything ready?
(authoritative, imperious, in Russian)
Everything ready?
A chorus of nervous yet excited affirmatives fill the room.
OFFICER CONT'D
(with suppressed nervousness)
OK. Let’s begin. Let’s make history.
(with suppressed nervousness)
OK. Let’s begin. Let’s make history.
A visibly nervous TECHNICIAN initiates the launch sequence by pressing several keys on the board.
TECHNICIAN
All systems go, commander. Starting the ignition sequence now.
All systems go, commander. Starting the ignition sequence now.
As the technician presses the last button, the screen that was displaying the number 10 begins the countdown with a flapping sound. Tension escalates with each descending number.
As everyone is focused on the countdown and the rocket, Pasternak quietly takes a device with a magnetic cable hanging out of it. He quietly sticks the cable into the workstation and presses a few invisible buttons on his device. Then he removes the device and quietly powers off the workstation without anybody noticing.
He looks around. Everyone is focused to the screen. He then continues to observe the main screen as if nothing has happened.
As “Zero” blares, the rocket on the screen starts ascending slowly, spluttering a cloud of gas.
The countdown screen is now displaying the elevation and speed of the craft, As the rocket lifts, it vibrates rapidly.
As everyone is focused on the countdown and the rocket, Pasternak quietly takes a device with a magnetic cable hanging out of it. He quietly sticks the cable into the workstation and presses a few invisible buttons on his device. Then he removes the device and quietly powers off the workstation without anybody noticing.
He looks around. Everyone is focused to the screen. He then continues to observe the main screen as if nothing has happened.
As “Zero” blares, the rocket on the screen starts ascending slowly, spluttering a cloud of gas.
The countdown screen is now displaying the elevation and speed of the craft, As the rocket lifts, it vibrates rapidly.
TECHNICIAN CONT'D
(in a nervous voice)
Initiating stage two ignition.
(in a nervous voice)
Initiating stage two ignition.
As the technician presses the last button, the vibration increases, and the rocket begins to quiver uncontrollably.
The officer becomes restless for a brief second or two, then
The officer becomes restless for a brief second or two, then
OFFICER
(loudly)
Cut all engines off, NOW!!!
(loudly)
Cut all engines off, NOW!!!
The technician swiftly turns the engines off, and after a while, the rocket starts falling back to Earth.
OFFICER
(Nervously, Loudly)
Victor, I want the full report of everything within 24 hours.
(Nervously, Loudly)
Victor, I want the full report of everything within 24 hours.
The room fills with murmurs of disbelief.
OFFICER CONT'D
(Shouting)
Silence!! I need all of you to investigate and report me within 24 hours. I do not want this to be repeated on Friday’s mission.
(Shouting)
Silence!! I need all of you to investigate and report me within 24 hours. I do not want this to be repeated on Friday’s mission.
The officer storms off. Everyone gets back to work.
Pasternak remains calm.
His eyes alight with an inexplicable triumph. With a surreal calmness, he winks, his eyelid closing with a nictitating membrane, an action both disturbing and defining as he quietly walks towards the exit.
Pasternak remains calm.
His eyes alight with an inexplicable triumph. With a surreal calmness, he winks, his eyelid closing with a nictitating membrane, an action both disturbing and defining as he quietly walks towards the exit.
PASTERNAK
(Whispering to himself, in English)
Sorry folks, we are not ready yet.
(Whispering to himself, in English)
Sorry folks, we are not ready yet.
INT. MISSION CONTROL ROOM - LATER