
Dark Horse Prod. Presents ALIENS Vs.PREDATOR EXT. DEEP SPACEWe OPEN on TOTAL BLACKNESS, a sea of stars spread across the infinite depthsof space. As the TITLES ROLL, we notice that three of these specks seem tobe moving; one of them picking up acceleration and racing toward us. Ourperspective
Dark Horse Prod. Presents
ALIENS Vs.PREDATOR
EXT. DEEP SPACE
We OPEN on TOTAL BLACKNESS, a sea of stars spread across the infinite depths
of space. As the TITLES ROLL, we notice that three of these specks seem to
be moving; one of them picking up acceleration and racing toward us. Our
perspective changes, and we catch a quick glimpse as it HURTLES past, and
into the gravitational pull of a large brownish planet. Kicking up SPARKS of
FRICTION as it hits atmosphere. It seems to be manmade. Or at least
artificial.
EXT. PLANET SURFACE - DAY
The planet is dead, barren. Death Valley on a grand scale. We watch the
object plummet through the wispy cloud-cover, emitting a few last burning
embers before falling to ground way-off in the distance. A BOOMING ECHO
resonates across the dusty plains, before settling back into an eerie
silence.
EXT. FISSURE CANYON - DAY
We're looking into a deep gorge, dark and sinister. A howling wind whips
dust into a sandstorm, reducing visibility to almost zero. About seventy
feet down there's a hole in the rock-face that just might be a cave entrance,
and near is a peculiar SHIMMERING in the air. We hear a mechanical BEEPING
and the SHIMMERING disappears, replaced by FIVE humanoid SHAPES clinging to
the sheer rock - each well over seven feet tall. They are PREDATORS, a race
of intergalactic big-game hunters on permanent safari; their clothing and
weaponry a bizarre mix of aborigine and ultra-hi-tech. In their hands are
circular metal discs; 'smart weapons' which cut into the stone and give them
purchase.
PREDATOR-VISION. From their P.O.V., we see the fissure reduced to THERMAL
HEAT SOURCES. The entrance registers as a black gaping void.
INT. FISSURE NEST TUNNEL
The five hunters climb inside the rim of the tunnel, out of the wind's
banshee wailing. The lead PREDATOR reaches up to his headgear, pulling at
the coupling pipes connecting it to a hidden breathing-apparatus. He removes
the helmet, clips it to his rear utility pack, and takes a deep breath of the
air. A curious speckled pattern runs across his wide forehead, marking him
different to the others; in addition, one of the fangs of his mandibles has
been sheared away. We'll call him BROKEN TUSK, he's the leader of the
hunting party. He reaches out a hand to caress the wall of the tunnel.
Several feet in from the rim, it changes from rock to a textured
biomechanical surface; a swirling mass of disturbing shapes. He hurries
forward in response to the GURGLING-HISS of one of his team who has found
something.
The other PREDATOR holds a telescopic spear up for scrutiny. Skewered on the
end is a shriveled FORM with eight spindly legs and a segmented tail; it's
a FACEHUGGER, the first stage of the deadly ALIEN lifeform. BROKEN TUSK
HISSES a caution to his party; they respond by pulling spears and
elaborately-shaped swords. Several shoulder-mounted plasma cannons slide up
to firing position, tracking with their owners' helmets. Thus armed, they
move cautiously ahead...taking no chances. One helmeted PREDATOR pauses,
scanning the area.
PREDATOR-VISION. He switches through a variety of different views; infra-
red, ultra-violet, enhanced motion-tracking. Nothing.
He's so pre-occupied with this task, he totally fails to notice the skeletal
ALIEN loom up behind him, emerging from the biomechanical growth on the
floor. A barbed tail skewers the PREDATOR straight through the neck,
splashing luminous blood across his chestplate. A gargled DEATH-RATTLE
issues from his throat, the band of PREDATORS spinning around in time to see
him being dragged below the ground. The band of extraterrestrial hunters
have no time to come to his aid; they themselves are set upon by a half-
dozen ALIEN WARRIORS. The carnage is swift and terrifying, a blur of motion.
Steel blades and serrated biomechanical limbs scythe the air, alive with the
CRIES and HISSES of both adversaries. One PREDATOR is pinned against the
tunnel wall, his spear out of range. The ALIEN claws away his face mask,
and he finds himself dodging the ALIEN's toothed tongue, extended toward him
with pile-driver speed. He reaches down, grasping the 'smart-weapon' hanging
from his belt and brings it up in an arc that terminates at the ALIEN's
grinning face. Big mistake. The two are in such close proximity that the
ALIEN's acidic blood sprays across the PREDATOR's head. While their
technology seems to be resistant to it, their bodies aren't: the viscous
yellow liquid begins burning into the PREDATOR's skin. He kicks the skeletal
corpse away with a HIDEOUS PIERCING SCREAM, clawing at his seared face.
It all seems to be over as quickly as it began; there can be no question as
to who were the victors. The PREDATORS stand amidst a sea of biomechanical
limbs strewn around like a charnel house. As his companions begin to
carefully decapitate the ALIEN skulls, BROKEN TUSK steps over the corpses
to examine his fallen c