Scene 2: The Chase Begins

EXT. WOODS - LATE AFTERNOON

Ben and Arya dash through the dense forest, their breaths ragged as they weave between the trees. Behind them, the Tundroik creatures barrel forward with relentless speed. The creatures are massive, with silver metallic bodies and glowing red eyes that pierce through the shadows. The sound of their footsteps thunders through the forest.

BEN(panting, panicked)"Who—what are those things?!"

ARYA(urgently)"They're the Tundroik. Alien hunters. They've been after me for days. If they catch us..."

She doesn't finish the sentence, but the look on her face says everything. Ben looks back over his shoulder, eyes wide with terror.

BEN(terrified)"Catch us?! I didn't sign up for this!"

Arya pulls him sharply to the right as a Tundroik crashes into a tree where they were just standing. The tree shatters under its strength, sending splinters flying. Ben's legs are burning, but he forces himself to keep running.

ARYA(looking ahead)"There's a clearing up ahead. We have to make it to the ship!"

BEN(stammering)"Wait, we're going back to the ship? The one that crashed?"

ARYA"It's our only chance. I can repair it and get us out of here!"

Ben's mind races. Everything about this is unreal—the aliens, the spaceship, the danger—but there's no time to question it. The Tundroik are closing in.

EXT. FOREST CLEARING - MOMENTS LATER

They burst out of the woods into the clearing, where Arya's damaged spacecraft still smokes from the crash. Arya sprints toward the ship, her hands moving swiftly over a control panel on the outside.

BEN(breathless, incredulous)"You seriously know how to fix this thing?"

Arya glares at him as she pulls a tool from her belt and connects it to the ship. A series of rapid beeps follow, but her hands move with confidence and precision.

ARYA"Do you have a better idea?"

Ben watches in awe as she works, but then—

THUD!

The ground shakes as one of the Tundroik steps into the clearing. It snarls, towering over them with its metallic body gleaming in the fading sunlight. Its red eyes lock onto Ben, and a terrifying, guttural growl escapes its throat.

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BEN(terrified)"Oh, we're dead. We're so dead."

ARYA"Not yet."

With a loud CLICK, Arya activates a forcefield around the ship. A shimmering blue energy barrier surrounds them, temporarily holding the Tundroik at bay. The alien creature smashes its fists against the field, snarling angrily as sparks fly from the barrier.

BEN(staring)"That's amazing!"

ARYA(panting)"It won't hold for long. We need more time."

As Arya works, Ben notices something in the distance. More Tundroik are emerging from the forest, slowly closing in on their location.

BEN(pointing)"Uh, Arya... there's more of them. A lot more!"

Arya curses under her breath, her focus never wavering as she continues working on the ship's controls.

ARYA(jaw clenched)"Almost... there..."

Suddenly, the forcefield flickers. A CRACK forms at the top, and the Tundroik outside growl louder, sensing the weakness. Ben's heart races as he sees the creatures preparing to break through.

BEN(desperately)"Hurry!"

With a final adjustment, Arya slams her hand onto the ship's panel. The hum of the engine flares to life, the ship vibrating with energy.

ARYA(grinning)"Got it! Get in—now!"

Ben doesn't hesitate. He scrambles into the ship, with Arya right behind him. Just as the last Tundroik slams its fists against the failing forcefield, they shut the hatch. The forcefield shatters completely, and the Tundroik roar, clawing at the ship's exterior.

INT. ARYA'S SPACESHIP - MOMENTS LATER

Inside the ship, Ben and Arya strap themselves into the cockpit. Arya's hands fly over the controls, her expression intense.

BEN(frantic)"Are we... are we safe?"

ARYA(focused)"Hold on!"

The ship jolts as it lifts off the ground, engines roaring. Through the viewport, Ben watches as the clearing and the Tundroik below disappear from sight. His heart pounds in his chest, half from fear, half from sheer disbelief.

EXT. SKY ABOVE THE WOODS - CONTINUOUS

The spaceship ascends rapidly, leaving the forest far below. The Tundroik glare up at the ship but cannot follow. For now, they're safe.

INT. ARYA'S SPACESHIP - MID FLIGHT

Ben looks out the window, his heart still racing from the close call. The sky outside darkens as they rise higher, the ship piercing through the clouds.

BEN(stammering)"Okay... okay... what just happened?"

Arya, now more relaxed but still alert, glances over at him.

ARYA"You just got a front-row seat to a galactic chase."

BEN"But why are they after you? And... who even are you?"

ARYA(sighs)"It's a long story. But for now, just know that I need your help. Earth might be the last safe place I can hide from the Tundroik."

BEN"Hide? From those things? You want to bring them here?"

ARYA"We don't have much of a choice. The Tundroik won't stop until they capture me... or worse."

Ben slumps in his seat, the weight of the situation sinking in. His ordinary day has turned into something out of a sci-fi movie, and now, he's somehow involved.

BEN (V.O.)"This morning, I was just some guy going to school. Now I'm in a spaceship with a girl from outer space... and we're being chased by alien monsters. How did my life get so crazy?"

The ship continues flying higher, breaking through the Earth's atmosphere. Ben takes one last look at the planet below, wondering how his life will ever be the same again.

END OF ACT ONE, SCENE TWO