The Spectre 2

1. Alien solar system1

[Start from space, and zoom in slowly on a solar system. The sun of this solar system is pulsing and crackling with energy. It is in its death throes and is about to go supernova.]2

[Now zoom in on one planet. It is inhabited, with a clearly advanced civilisation. Spaceships are taking off here and there, but it is obvious that there are not remotely enough to save all the world’s inhabitants. They are doomed. Screams and cries come from all directions.]3

2. Starbreaker origin4

[Now focus on one alien, running for his life through the crowds. The aliens shouldn’t be too outlandish – they must be humanoid – but not too human-looking. This particular alien possesses a gun of some kind and is not afraid to use it. He heads for a spaceport, and to what is his own personal ship.]5

[As he runs into the spaceport, we see the sun again, throbbing and pulsing. There can’t be long to go.]6

[The alien now pulls out his gun, and starts lasering others in front of him. He tramples over their bodies to get to the ship. Other aliens are trying to commandeer it; he lasers them as well.]7

[He clambers into the ship and slams it shut. Other aliens outside are crying for help, crying to get in, but he ignores them. He activates a force-field of some kind, which shimmers into existence around the outside of the ship. The other aliens continue to call for help.]8

[He frantically starts the countdown procedures, but as he looks up, the sun pulses one more time …]9

[Close-up on the alien’s face. He is clearly thinking “too late” to himself.]10

[The sun explodes. We see the planet shatter into fragments from the shockwave. The final shot is on the alien’s face, screaming, as his planet comes apart. But does he?]11

3. Earth12

[Chicago. David Corrigan and his partner, a policewoman in her mid-30s named McAllister, are holed up behind a police car, outside a bank. A robbery is taking place inside.]13

McAllister: [to her radio] What’s going on in there?14

Voice: [on radio] There’s about 25 customers in there, 15 or so staff. Three perps, all with sub-machine guns. Stockings on their heads.15

David: Is SWAT getting here any time soon, or what?16

McAllister: Cool it, Corrigan. HQ’s getting the negotiators in. You should know we’ve got to keep them talking in this kind of situation.17

David: Yes, but … I assume they’re making demands?18

McAllister: Yeah, the usual – free passage out, getaway vehicle, no-one gets hurt.19

David: Do we know who these guys are?20

McAllister: No idea.21

David: Hell, they could be professionals. Worse, they could be amateurs and they’ll panic.22

[A shot is heard from inside the bank. General commotion.]23

David: I’m going in. [he gets up]24

McAllister: David, wait dammit …25

[David runs off and heads into …]26

4. Inside the bank27

[The customers are on the floor, face down. Two of the robbers are pointing guns at them, the third is pointing them at the tellers. Some of the screens are up, but not all – obviously they were not all activated in time.]28

Robber 1: [waving his gun at a terrified teller] Come on, money in the sack!29

Teller: [terrified, but trying to delay] OK, I’m doing it. [fairly slowly]30

Robber 2: Tell her to hurry up, or we start shooting.31

Robber 1: We’re not shooting anyone – not yet, anyway.32

Robber 3: [looking out the door] What … some dumb cop is heading this way.33

Robber 1: Open the doors – get his gun.34

[The robbers open the doors. David has his hands on his head. Robber 3 pulls him inside and frisks him.]35

Robber 3: He’s clean.36

Robber 1: What do you want, copper?37

David: Let these people go, and take me as your hostage.38

Robber 2: Noble, cop. No way.39

David: At least let women and children go. [points to a young mother with a terrified toddler] Let them go. It’ll show good faith to the hostage negotiators and all them.40

Robber 3: What do you think?41

Robber 1: [thinks for a minute] All right, let them out.42

[Robber 3 shoves the woman and child out the door. He resumes his position.]43

[External shot of the mother and child running for police lines.]44

Robber 2: You look familiar, copper. I’ve seen you somewhere.45

David: Constable David Corrigan.46

Robber 1: Yeah, you shot the Foreshore Slasher. I remember that.47

David: Yes. You might also remember Sabbac …48

Robber 3: … and that ghost thing that fought it. Hell. 49

David: The Spectre.50

Robber 1: Does that mean …51

Spectre: [from behind them, sounds almost bored] I’m afraid so.52

[The three robbers turn and see the Spectre casually leaning against the counters, arms folded, looking extremely bored. The three robbers panic and open fire on the Spectre, naturally to no effect.]53

Spectre: Really …54

[He waves his hand at the robbers’ guns. They turn into snakes, which the robbers throw on the ground, panic-stricken.]55

David: It’s OK, you don’t have to kill them.56

Spectre: No. They’re really not worth that much effort.57

[Suddenly one snake each launches itself at a robber, and coils around him. Each snake then turns into a series of heavy chains, so heavy in fact that the robbers fall flat on the ground.]58

Spectre: OK?59

David: Great work. Thanks.60

Spectre: I thought it was original.61

[The relieved customers and staff attempt to crowd around the Spectre, thanking him, that sort of thing. The Spectre is not interested in hearing it and disappears without a word.]62

Customer: [to David] You can call him? The Spectre?63

David: Sort of. I can’t make him do anything, but he usually watches out for me.64

Customer: Can you get him to clean out the junkies in our street?65

David: I don’t think he’s for hire …66

[The SWAT team arrives, to find their work done for them.]67

Robber 1: Get us out of here before it comes back!68

5. Outside bank69

[The robbers are being led away by police. McAllister races up and confronts David.]70

McAllister: Corrigan, that was damn stupid. I mean …71

David: I’m fine, OK.72

McAllister: You could have got killed! Not only that, you could have got other cops killed trying to rescue you!73

David: I got that woman and child released. 74

McAllister: Oh yeah, that only left about, what, 40 people still in there? What if your pet ghost hadn’t turned up?75

Spectre: [From behind McAllister] Pet?76

McAllister: [turns around very quickly] What … hell, don’t do that to people!77

Spectre: Do what?78

McAllister: Just … appear like that! It freaks people out!79

Spectre: I don’t regard myself as anyone’s pet. And I’m sure David doesn’t either.80

McAllister: The point is, what if you’d been off fighting demons or whatever it is you usually do while this was going on? 81

David: [to Spectre] I wasn’t relying on you showing up.82

Spectre: I know …83

McAllister: I … Corrigan, you’re a menace. You take too many risks, because you think that Jacob Marley here will just bail you out.84

Spectre: [affronted] Jacob Marley?85

McAllister: I can’t work with you. I want a new partner before you get yourself killed, or get someone else killed.86

Spectre: Jacob Marley? [he is clearly toying with the idea of inflicting some kind of punishment on McAllister]87

David: [notices the Spectre’s look] Ah … don’t, please. Whatever it is you’re thinking, please don’t.88

Spectre: [slight pause] It was only going to be temporary … [he vanishes]89

McAllister: Thank God for that. Anyway, I’m going back to the station, and putting in my application for a transfer. Bye, Corrigan. Hope you have a good life, maybe even a long one. [she leaves]90

[Camera pans away slowly from David, still standing in the midst of slowly resolving chaos.]91

6. Space92

[The sun rises over a planet seen from space. It is blue-green, vaguely Earthlike, but is clearly not Earth. We might be able to see cities on its surface, showing it is inhabited.93

A gigantic humanoid shadow slowly creeps over the face of the planet. The shadow of a clawed hand reaches towards it.94

Now we see the figure silhouetted against the sun. It reaches out towards the surface of the star … and the star starts to pulsate, like the supernova at the start of the film.95

The planet’s atmosphere starts to glow as its sun goes supernova. The shockwave obliterates it in a massive explosion.96

We see the source of the shadow “standing” over the exploding world, drawing the explosive energy into itself, as well as the life-forces of the dying inhabitants. 97

This is the alien from the start of the film, transformed into a kind of gigantic cosmic vampire. His eyes are blood red and devoid of pupils, he has vampiric front teeth, and his hair at the side of his head is suggestive of devils’ horns. He wears a blue bodysuit with an emblem of an exploding red sun on the front, a blood-red cape, and an expression of maniacal glee as he “feeds”. This is Starbreaker.]98

7. Police Station99

[David walks in to the station, morosely. He notices his younger brother Declan with a junior officer. Declan is about 18 or 19, wearing a black T-shirt and ripped jeans. He knows he’s in trouble.]100

David: Declan! What’s going on here?101

Officer: David Corrigan?102

Declan: [sighs] Yes, this is my brother, the hero cop. [just a touch of sarcasm]103

David: I don’t feel like a hero right now.104

Declan: Yeah, great-grandad saved you again, did he?105

Officer: What are you talking about?106

David: Never mind. [to officer] Sorry, I don’t know your name.107

Officer: I’m just out of the academy. Alicia Campbell, OK? Your brother here has been caught joy-riding in a stolen car.108

David: Declan …109

Declan: Yeah, here we go. The hero and the black sheep.110

David: You’re not a black sheep, Declan. And for the second time, I’m not a hero.111

Declan: Sure. You’re the family favourite. Even our dead relatives prefer you to me.112

David: [to Alicia] What happened?113

Officer: A friend of his, Jason, stole a car from out the front of the plaza, hot-rodded it over to your mother’s place, and offered Declan a ride. We picked them up doing 85 miles an hour in a 50 zone.114

David: [to Declan] Did you know it was stolen?115

Declan: Well, der. Where else was Jase going to get a car from?116

David: You do realise how stupid that was?117

Declan: And how bad it’s going to look on your CV, you mean? “Hero cop has bad little brother” …118

David: I think I’m in enough trouble without you, thanks very much.119

Declan: Ooohhh, what have you done? Not filled in the paperwork from your last bust?120

David: [to officer] When you’ve booked him, can he go home?121

Officer: Yeah, we’re remanding Jason because he actually stole the car, but we’ll let Declan here go if you go surety for him.122

David: [to officer] OK, I’ll sort it out. [to Declan] I’ll see you later.123

Declan: Going to tell Mum on me?124

[A voice calls “Corrigan!” down the hallway.]125

Declan: I think that’s for you, not me.126

David: Yeah, I’d say you’re right. See you.127

8. Station Chief’s office128

[The chief is sitting behind his desk, clearly displeased. David enters.]129

David: You wanted to see me, sir?130

Chief: Damn right I did. Your ex-partner has just been in to see me.131

David: OK.132

Chief: Well?133

David: Well what?134

Chief: What have you got to say for yourself?135

David: [sighs] I know I took a risk, but …136

Chief: A risk? We all take risks, Corrigan, it’s part of our job. What you did wasn’t taking a risk, it was damn foolhardy! You could have got yourself, your partner, or members of the public killed!137

David: I thought it was worth it to offer myself as a substitute hostage.138

Chief: Because you thought that the Spectre would come to your rescue?139

David: No, I wasn’t relying on him turning up.140

Chief: And what was your plan if he didn’t?141

David: To keep them talking, until either the SWAT or the hostage negotiators arrived.142

Chief: And what training do you have in hostage negotiations, Corrigan?143

David: It was covered at the Academy …144

Chief: For about two hours for one day! Do you really think you’re bulletproof?145

David: No, sir.146

Chief: Do you think the Spectre can keep bailing you out of situations like this?147

David: I think he could sir, but I don’t expect him to. He’s got six billion other people to worry about as well as me.148

Chief: [slight pause] Look, Corrigan, you’re a good cop. You could be one of the best. But you can’t just go charging off into danger because you’ve got some supernatural being looking over your shoulder.149

David: [looking at the floor] I understand, sir.150

Chief: [another pause] OK. I’m giving you another chance. Mess this up, and you’re on desk duty for six months. Clear?151

David: Yes, sir.152

Chief: Right. I am going to approve McAllister’s transfer, though. I’ve got a new partner for you. He’s a very experienced homicide detective, so count yourself lucky. But he also won’t take any garbage from you, so watch yourself. Got it?153

David: Got it, sir.154

Chief: [to a microphone on his desk] Julie, could you send Detective Allen in please?155

[There is a slight pause, and then Detective Crispus Allen enters the room. Detective Allen is a tall black man in his 40s, who is clearly on good terms with the Chief, but looks at David with equally clear scepticism. He has about as much sense of humour as the Spectre himself. (Samuel L Jackson?)]156

Allen: [nods to Chief] Chief?157

Chief: Crispus Allen, meet David Corrigan.158

[David rises and shakes hands with Allen. Allen is happy to shake David’s hand, but looks at him very carefully.]159

Allen: David Corrigan. The man who shot Tim Karnes.160

David: Yes, Detective.161

Allen: Hmmm. I know about your “bull in a China shop” attitude too, Constable.162

David: Yes.163

Allen: Come on. I’ll show you your desk.164

[They say goodbye to the Chief, and then leave his office.]165

9. Outside the Chief’s office166

Allen: Your desk, which is where you’ll be spending a lot of time if you don’t do things my way.167

David: Understood.168

Allen: You might as well know, I’m taking you on as a partner as a favour to the Chief. Ten years ago, he saved my life when a drug bust went wrong. He’s called in the favour because he likes you. [pause] Not sure why myself. You can’t live on being the cop who stopped the Foreshore Slasher forever, kid.169

David: I know. 170

Allen: Right. We go out and we get the bad guys, but we don’t assume that some ghost is going to walk through a wall and save us if we make a mess of things, do we?171

David: No, we don’t.172

Allen: OK. Now we’ve got that sorted out, here’s your desk. [shows him] These are some cases that we’ve got under investigation. [hands him a bundle of files] Get through these, and then we can talk about taking you out on the streets again. I’m going to get some lunch. 173

[Allen leaves. David opens a thick file and begins reading.]174

10. Jupiter175

[The Spectre floats in his version of the Fortress of Solitude, the interior of Jupiter. He is even less happy with “life” than usual.]176

Spectre: What am I doing?177

[The voice of God speaks to him.]178

God: James?179

Spectre: What’s the point? What is the point of anything I do?180

God: What’s your problem, James?181

Spectre: Do you know what I did today, Lord?182

God: Well, yes, of course.183

Spectre: I’m telling you anyway. I stopped a bank robbery. Probably 20 other banks got robbed at the same time.184

God: Go on.185

Spectre: Yesterday, I wiped out an Al-Qa’ida cell in Iraq. I tracked down this group supplying suicide bombers, and I blew them all up with their own explosives.186

God: Yes. I know. They got quite a shock when they saw where they’ll be spending eternity.187

Spectre: [not really listening] Less than 24 hours later, Al-Qa’ida has replaced them all. Every single one. They’ve probably got more members now than before. 188

God: Hmmm.189

Spectre: I’ve got this extraordinary power, and it’s still not enough! I feel like I can’t do anything!190

God: What do you mean, James?191

Spectre: I mean, I could have stopped 9/11 without raising a sweat. Not that I sweat, anyway. But I can’t do a thing about evil or terrorist ideology spreading! I stop one attack, they can just plan another! I can’t do anything lasting.192

God: So?193

Spectre: Well – can’t you give me the power to do something about it?194

God: James – I decided millennia ago that I would give humans free will, for better or for worse. There is no way I am giving you the power to do anything different. Live with it.195

Spectre: “Live with it” indeed. I’ve been dead for 80 years. [pause] Lord? [still no answer] Great. [He vanishes, to who knows where.]196

11. Solar System197

[We pull out from Jupiter and head for the outer reaches of the Solar System. The gigantic shadow from Scene 6 slowly creeps over Neptune, Uranus, Saturn, Jupiter and then Mars (“backwards” – obviously the shadow is being cast by our sun). The shadowy claw reaches out for Earth, but stops just short of it – for now. Starbreaker is going to toy with his prey.]198

12. Corrigan’s house199

[Dinner. David, Declan and Vicki (their mother) Corrigan, and Jasmine, are all seated. Pictures of Michael and Josephine Corrigan are on the wall.]200

Jasmine: [trying to lift David’s spirits, not altogether successfully] How’s Chicago’s most famous police officer feeling now?201

David: Well, apart from being dumped by my partner, and now being partnered with some homicide detective who really wants nothing to do with me, just fine I suppose.202

Vicki: Have you met Detective Allen before?203

David: I’ve seen him around. He’s one of these cops who is always racing off somewhere, and doesn’t really make the time to talk to the new guys on the force.204

Jasmine: Give him time. I’m sure he’ll warm to you. [hugs him] I can’t see how anyone couldn’t!205

[Declan is absently picking at his food]206

David: [notices] You OK, Declan?207

Declan: [stands up suddenly] I’m going out.208

Vicki: Where?209

Declan: Just out! Geez …210

David: Declan, you’re supposed to stay home until the hearing.211

Declan: Are you going to arrest me?212

David: No, you’re not in breach of any formal order …213

Declan: Which means I can do what I like. I’m over 18, I’m [mimics David] “not in breach of any formal order” …214

Vicki: Declan, David and I are responsible for you. They released you on our recognisance.215

Declan: And hero cop doesn’t want little brother to stuff up his record.216

David: Oh, for goodness’ sake, I’m no hero. I’ve had a tough day too, you know.217

Declan: Oh yeah, great-grandad probably saves your life, you get yourself all over TV, and you’ve had a tough day. Real tough.218

[He heads out]219

Vicki: I hope you don’t think I’m giving you the car.220

Declan: No. I’ll get the L-train.221

Vicki: And where …222

Declan: Don’t worry, OK? I’ll be a good little Cinderella and be home by midnight. [He leaves, slamming the door behind him.] 223

Vicki: David …224

David: Don’t worry, Mum. I know where he hangs out. I’ll keep an eye on him.225

13. Shopping centre226

[Declan is hanging around with a group of boys about his own age. David can be seen in the background, in plain clothes, keeping an eye out.]227

Declan: Yeah, so Jase is in the cells overnight. He’s up for bail tomorrow.228

Carl: Geez. He’s in for it.229

Greg: Yeah, and it wasn’t even much of car, was it? [laughs all round]230

Declan: No, it was a crock. Jase couldn’t even get it over 100 – we thought the engine was going to seize up.231

Carl: Owner probably wanted it stolen. I’ll bet he’s not happy the cops found it! [more laughs]232

Nat: [oldest of the group] So what are we all doing?233

Greg: Dunno. Nothing, I spose.234

Nat: I hear there’s this guy regularly in here who’s a dealer.235

Declan: What?236

Nat: We could roll him and get his dough, and his stash, and he couldn’t go to the cops, could he? He’d have to admit he’s dealing.237

[David is listening to all this, not impressed. He fingers his badge.]238

Carl: [not convinced, but coming around] Yeah … but …239

Nat: But what? We just get his stuff, not hurt him bad. Come on!240

Declan: You’ve gotta be kidding.241

Nat: Why?242

Declan: You can’t just roll someone like that. Besides, what if he’s got a gun?243

Nat: That’s why we all jump him from behind, moron. One of us pretends to be a buyer, the others get him. Easy.244

Declan: Nat, I’ve always known you’re crazy, but this is just … stupid.245

Nat: Oh yeah, this is from someone who takes a ride in a stolen car. [The others are moving towards Nat’s side]246

Declan: Yeah, well, that was stupid too. But someone could get killed if we roll this guy. Maybe him, maybe one of us. No way!247

Greg: Should have known you’d go all weak eventually, with your cop brother and all.248

Declan: Hey, I don’t care if my brother’s a cop. I don’t want to get killed, and I don’t want to see anyone else get killed either. I’m not going with your dumb plan.249

[David is smiling slightly at Declan’s resistance.]250

Carl: Maybe he’s really scared of ghosts. Wooo!251

Declan: Oh, man …252

Nat: Yeah, that’s right. He’s afraid big brother will call the Spectre and he’ll turn us all into stone or something!253

Declan: Guys, the Spectre does not just come whenever my brother calls him. I think he’s got bigger things to worry about than us.254

[David’s mobile phone rings. The boys realise they’re being watched.]255

Nat: Come on, let’s get out of here. [The other three go. Declan peers into the middle distance, and realises that it’s David who’s been watching.]256

Declan: Oh, no …257

[David shuts his phone and walks briskly over to Declan.]258

Declan: What?259

David: Good on you, little brother.260

Declan: For what?261

David: Standing up to those guys.262

Declan: Yeah, yeah. You going to follow them?263

David: No, but I’m going to phone the station. My partner’s just rung me. We’ve got a homicide.264

Declan: Right. Well, better go find Detective Green then. [starts to hum the Law and Order theme.]265

David: His name’s Allen. You going home?266

Declan: Nothing else to do now, is there?267

14. Southside268

[Industrial area of town. Two uniformed police officers have a man in handcuffs in the back of a police car, who is ranting incoherently. Detective Allen is talking to them and taking notes.]269

Allen: [registering David’s plain clothes] I thought you were still in uniform.270

David: I am, sorry. I was out.271

Allen: Hmm. OK, I’ll fill you in. Uniforms responded to a 911 call about 15 minutes ago, reporting shouting and a scream. They found our victim [points to a body covered by a sheet in the back of an ambulance] with multiple knife wounds. Victim is one Victor Sanchez, cleaner in the factory just over there. Uniforms found our guy there holding a knife a couple of blocks away, shouting something about the end of the world.272

David: Right. [looks at the man in the squad car, who is still raving] Can we interview him?273

Allen: We’re going to try. We’ll get our psychs to look at him later. Have you interrogated a homicide suspect before? Or anyone who’s mentally ill or on drugs? [looks at the man again] Maybe both?274

David: No, none of those.275

Allen: Great. Well, watch and learn.276

15. Police Station277

[Allen and David have the man in an interview room. He is still talking rapidly to himself, but has calmed down slightly, and is no longer shouting.]278

Allen: [starts a tape recording] This is a record of interview with … a suspect in connection with the homicide of Victor Sanchez in Chicago of 12 May 2007. Interviewing officer is Detective Crispus Allen of the Homicide unit, also present is Constable David Corrigan. [to man] Can we start with your name, please?279

Ray: He’s coming … he’s coming … [his speech is very rapid]280

Allen: Sir? Your name?281

Ray: It’s Ray. Ray. Like laser ray. Or x-ray. He’s coming …282

Allen: Your surname?283

Ray: Smith. Yes? Yes, Smith. 284

Allen: Mr Ray Smith, of … where do you live?285

Ray: Usually … out near the bridge … he’s coming …286

Allen: Of no fixed abode. Mr Smith …287

Ray: Just Ray. He’s …288

Allen: Yes, I know. Mr Smith, do you know Victor Sanchez?289

Ray: Who?290

Allen: The man who was killed tonight.291

Ray: No. I’d never seen him before.292

Allen: Did you kill him?293

Ray: I didn’t want to. He made me. He needs life forces or he’ll take us all, he’ll destroy all of us. You, me, all of us. It was a sacrifice.294

Allen: You … sacrificed Mr Sanchez.295

Ray: Yeah. Like I said, I had to. He demands our life forces.296

David: [unable to stay out of it any longer] Who is he?297

Ray: [startled] Huh? Oh. He … I’m not even sure he has a name. He’s the destroyer of worlds. I can hear him. [taps his head] Right inside my head. He needs the life force of … [struggles with the word] sentient beings to sustain himself. He does it by destroying entire solar systems. [pause] So Mr Sanchez’s life might not satisfy him. Poor Mr Sanchez. 298

David: Destroyer of worlds?299

Allen: Can you describe … him?300

Ray: [suddenly jumps up and points at David] You! Maybe you could help!301

David: What? I’m sorry …302

Ray: Yes! You! You know the … Spectre! 303

Allen: Oh no …304

Ray: Maybe the Spectre could stop him! Maybe …305

Allen: OK, I think this has gone long enough. Mr Smith, we’re taking you back to your cell. Interview terminated at 23:17. [turns off tape] Corrigan, call one of our psychs. I’ve got their names and numbers in my office.306

David: Right.307

Allen: Tell them we’ve got a delusional case here. [he puts Ray’s handcuffs on and escorts him away]308

Ray: [shouting, but not physically resisting] You don’t understand! He’s coming! He will kill all of us if we don’t do something! We need the Spectre! [he is led away]309

16. Earth from space310

[We see a space shuttle in orbit around earth. The huge humanoid shadow passes over the Earth, and over the shuttle.]311

Voice 1: [from inside shuttle] Did you see that?312

Voice 2: See what?313

Voice 1: A shadow over us.314

Voice 2: No.315

[Starbreaker comes into view. He shrinks himself down to about the size of the shuttle so he can inspect it. He is intrigued. Maybe he has not come across another spacefaring species before.]316

17. Inside the space shuttle317

Astronaut 1: I’m sure there was a shadow.318

Astronaut 2: Maybe there’s some space junk around here we didn’t know about.319

Astronaut 1: Maybe …320

[Starbreaker’s face appears at the window, grinning evilly.]321

Astronaut 2: What the hell is that!?!322

18. Space323

[Starbreaker grabs hold of the space shuttle and it explodes in his hands. He laughs soundlessly as he absorbs the astronauts’ life forces.]324

19. Police station325

[David is sitting at his desk. Allen enters, having just escorted Ray to the cells.] 326

Allen: So did you ring a psych?327

David: Yes, I got hold of Dr Forsyth. She’ll be down here within half an hour or so.328

Allen: OK. She’s good. If it’s possible to get anything coherent out of our suspect, she’ll be able to do it. [slight pause] So what do you think?329

David: Well, Smith admitted to killing Sanchez, but a court would have to be suspicious of his mental capacity, wouldn’t it?330

Allen: Yes. Outside entities putting thoughts straight into a person’s head is a common schizophrenic delusion. I’m sure we’ll find out Ray has been on the streets for a while, and institutionalised at some time in the past.331

David: So can we hold him here?332

Allen: We have to, unless Dr Forsyth has him committed. That’s a possibility.333

[pause]334

Allen: What are you thinking, Corrigan?335

David: This business about him … what did he call him? The Destroyer of Worlds?336

Allen: I think so.337

David: Have you ever heard anything like that before?338

Allen: No. But a lot of schizophrenics are convinced that angels, or demons, or Bill Gates even, are beaming thoughts into their heads.339

David: Yes, except after Sabbac, we know that demons are real.340

Allen: Are you suggesting that this … destroyer … might be real?341

David: It’s not a phrase you’d expect someone with a mental illness to dream up. A schizophrenic might believe they’re talking to God, or Satan, or St Michael or someone like that, but … I don’t know.342

Allen: You can go hunting spooks in your spare time, Corrigan. As far as I’m concerned, we have a man in the cells, who is suffering a common delusion of voices in his head telling him to kill. Apart from what Dr Forsyth might say about his fitness to stand trial, it’s an open and shut case.343

David: Maybe. I don’t know.344

Allen: Well, what I do know is that you need to write up the paperwork for the arrest. Dr Forsyth will give you a bill, too, which you can send to accounts. I’ll see you in the morning.345

[On his way out, Allen passes Declan’s friends being brought in by uniformed officers. Declan is not amongst them.]346

20. Police Station347

[David is hard at work on the night’s paperwork. Dr Forsyth, a woman in her early to mid 40s, enters.]348

Forsyth: Are you Constable Corrigan?349

David: Yes. Can I help you?350

Forsyth: I’m Janet Forsyth, the psychiatrist. I’ve just been examining Ray Smith.351

David: Yes. What do you think?352

Forsyth: Well … he clearly has a mental illness of some kind. I checked his records, he’s been institutionalised twice in the past with delusional schizophrenia. I’d agree with that diagnosis.353

David: I hear a “but” coming.354

Forsyth: Yes. His raving about this “Destroyer of Worlds” were interesting. I thought it was probably just a variation on the usual demonic possession delusion or something like that, but then he said something quite startling.355

David: Yes?356

Forsyth: At one stage, when I was trying to get out of him what the “destroyer” was, he suddenly sat bolt upright and said that the Destroyer had just obliterated the space shuttle and – “absorbed” was his word – absorbed the “life force” of the astronauts.357

David: That’s what he said about Sanchez – he seemed to be saying that this “Destroyer” had to be appeased by human lives, and Sanchez was the unlucky sacrificial victim.358

Forsyth: Have you heard the news?359

David: No ….360

Forsyth: The 1 am news said that NASA had lost contact with the space shuttle at about 12:55 Eastern Time. I checked my tape recording of the interview. Ray made his claim about the shuttle at 12:54:19.361

David: What do you make of that?362

Forsyth: I don’t know. It doesn’t prove that this “destroyer” exists, but it means that Ray knew that the shuttle went missing precisely at the moment it happened.363

David: Hell …364

21. Sydney, Australia 365

[It’s 1am in Chicago, so it’s about 5pm the same day in Sydney. Starbreaker has chosen here to make himself known.]366

[Usual home-time peak hour chaos. A shadow passes over the city. People look up to see what it is, but Starbreaker is too far away to make out yet. Suddenly an earthquake hits. Sydneysiders are not used to earthquakes, and mass panic sets in. Roads crack, train lines break, glass falls from windows, etc.]367

[Then people start to notice that the shadow has been caused by the gigantic form of Starbreaker. People run for their lives as Starbreaker alights in the CBD, destroying landmarks like the AMP Building, and a few more. (We’ll leave the Bridge and the Opera House intact for now.) He waves his hands and blood-red flame issues from them, disintegrating everyone and everything it touches. Starbreaker laughs evilly as he absorbs the life-forces of his victims.] 368

22. Police cells369

[Ray jumps to his feet, screaming “He’s here! He’s here!” over and over again. Other inmates shout at him to shut up but he does not heed them.] 370

23. Police Station371

[The radio news is on, and has now begun relaying details of the destruction in Sydney. Most of the officers are too stunned to react, but …]372

Forsyth: That has to be this “Destroyer of Worlds”. It has to be.373

David: Great-grandad, we can use some help here …374

24. Interior of Jupiter375

[The Spectre, who had been sleeping, suddenly jerks his head up.]376

Spectre: David?377

25. Earth from space378

[The Spectre appears just above the atmosphere of Earth. Using telescopic vision of some kind, he scans the Earth, and can hardly help but notice what’s happening in Sydney. He vanishes, and reappears in …]379

26. Sydney380

[Sydney. The Spectre is momentarily taken aback by what he sees, but he enlarges himself to Starbreaker’s size, and joins the battle. People below notice, and cheer and cry out to the Spectre for help.]381

Spectre: You there!382

[Starbreaker turns suddenly. At first he is shocked to see a being his own size, but then he grins, his vampiric teeth showing.]383

Starbreaker: [His voice is not spoken – his thoughts are transmitted directly into the Spectre’s mind, which is how the two beings can understand each other. I think his “voice” would have a white noise sort of hiss underneath it.] At last – a challenge!384

[Starbreaker’s hands erupt with crackling blood-red fire as he attempts to consume the Spectre’s life-force. The Spectre is unharmed by it.]385

Starbreaker: No life-force? You’re not even alive!386

Spectre: Nor will you be soon.387

[The Spectre returns fire. Starbreaker flinches slightly from the onslaught but is equally unharmed. The Spectre looks grimmer than usual, if that is possible.]388

Starbreaker: Ha! 389

[He flies into the air and grows to an even more fantastic size, the Spectre matches him. The two exchange more energy blasts and fly into space, just beyond the atmosphere.] 390

27. Chicago391

[The precinct is gathered around the TV, watching the battle unfold. They are frustrated when the combatants fly into space and can no longer be seen on screen.]392

Policeman: What’s happening now? Have they given up?393

David: No. The Spectre will fight that monster all the way. [sotto voce] Come on, great-grandad, finish that thing.394

28. Earth from space395

[The two combatants stare at and circle each other, neither quite sure what to do next.]396

Spectre: Who are you?397

[The Spectre’s voice can’t be heard in space of course, but Starbreaker has no difficulty reading his mind.]398

Starbreaker: [makes an extraordinary noise something like a saw rasping on metal] But I doubt you could even pronounce that – it translates, I think, as “Starbreaker”, or “Destroyer of Worlds”. But Starbreaker will do nicely, thank you.399

Spectre: Where are you from?400

Starbreaker: A long, long way from here. Hundreds of light-years.401

Spectre: You’re an alien?402

Starbreaker: I could ask you the same question. I’ve never encountered a being like you before. With no life-force either.403

Spectre: I was sent back from Heaven – partly to deal with creatures like you.404

[They exchange fire a few more times, with no effect on either.]405

Spectre: Why are you here then?406

Starbreaker: You must have worked it out, at least partly. [pause] I feed on populated worlds. I destroy solar systems and absorb the life-forces of the sentient creatures that I kill. Your world is just next in line.407

[The Spectre is too stunned to react for a moment.]408

Spectre: That’s just … monstrous.409

Starbreaker: I was … transformed … when my own world was destroyed. Somehow the force field on my spaceship absorbed the energy of my sun as it went supernova, and turned me into a being of pure energy. That means I can only sustain myself by absorbing more energy – the life-energy of sentient beings. All I’m doing is staying alive. [grins] I just have to eat like everyone else.410

Spectre: There must be other ways of … sustaining yourself.411

Starbreaker: Yes … any energy I absorb can keep me alive. But life-energy is the strongest, the most nourishing, the tastiest … [he sounds like he’s addicted – maybe he is] … I need it. I need it and I’m going to take it from this planet.412

[He flies towards the sun, the Spectre in hot pursuit.]413

Spectre: I won’t let this happen!414

Starbreaker: [Turns on him again] You know, you really don’t have a choice. I think we’ve established that we can’t really harm each other. That means I can just destroy your world from under you and you can’t do the slightest thing to stop me.415

Spectre: You do that, and I’ll hound you for eternity.416

Starbreaker: Ooh, a nemesis! I’ve never had one of those before. Come and get me, dead man, I’ll enjoy the challenge.417

Spectre: [flies at Starbreaker] I’ll … [Starbreaker vanishes] Where are you? Damn it. [he disappears as well]418

29. Sydney419

[The Spectre reappears in the streets of Sydney. Sirens wail, and people are in shock. The Spectre locates a policeman.]420

Spectre: Officer – who is in charge here?421

Officer: What … the Spectre!422

Spectre: Yes, yes, it’s me. Who is in charge?423

Officer: Right now, no-one. It’s chaos.424

Spectre: Hm.425

Officer: Did you kill that thing? Is it coming back?426

Spectre: No, and almost certainly. It disappeared.427

Officer: Dammit … what can we do?428

Spectre: Right now, I can help with rescues and reconstruction, but longer term, I don’t know.429

[The Spectre gestures at a few destroyed buildings, which miraculously reassemble themselves. As he walks down streets, the ruins are restored. People cheer him and try to rush up to him, but the Spectre has surrounded himself with a force-field of sorts, and they can’t get too close. The Spectre kneels over people on the ground, some he heals, and some are past healing. A few people kneel to worship him.]430

Spectre: [to kneeling people] NO! I’m not God. 431

[This doesn’t stop everyone. But the Spectre is so wrapped up racking his mind about how to stop Starbreaker that he ceases to notice. Despite the rapturous reception he is getting, he is deeply stressed.]432

[He returns to the policeman]433

Spectre: Have I got everything?434

Officer: [completely awestruck] Yeah. I think. Half of the ambos in Sydney are here now – if you missed any injured people they’ll take care of it.435

Spectre: I don’t think I did. But then I am rather … preoccupied right now. Farewell.436

[He disappears and reappears in …]437

30. Precinct438

[The Spectre appears at David’s desk. The rest of the officers in the precinct reel back in shock, while a few ask “did you get that thing?” sort of questions. The Spectre puts up a force-field of some kind to keep everyone but David out.]439

David: Great-grandad … [he notices that the Spectre looks even more depressed than usual]. You couldn’t destroy that creature, could you?440

Spectre: No. Starbreaker, as it calls itself, is a creature of pure energy, much like myself. It could not harm me either, but I simply cannot see any way of permanently defeating it.441

David: What happened?442

Spectre: It vanished – it probably viewed me as an inconvenience it could deal with later. But it made it very clear that it will be back, and aims to absorb the life-force of every creature on this planet.443

David: We’ve got a guy in the cells here that knew about this … Starbreaker … before anyone else did, I think including you. Problem is, he’s got a mental illness. Would talking to him help?444

Spectre: I don’t know. Starbreaker is a telepath – that is how we communicated. Maybe your man in the cells also has psychic powers that he himself is unaware of, and that is how he “picked up” the presence of the creature. Contact with a mind such as Starbreaker’s could easily have damaged his own mind.445

David: Well, Smith was apparently diagnosed with schizophrenia quite a while ago.446

Spectre: In that case, the damage may now be much worse.447

David: Is there anything I can do?448

Spectre: Perhaps you can interrogate this man further. See if he can read your mind, or perhaps detect where Starbreaker has gone. I think I need assistance from elsewhere.449

David: What do you mean?450

Spectre: You’ll see – I hope. [he disappears]451

David: [rushes to the phone and dials a number] Hi, Geoff. Is Ray Smith still in the cells? The psych ward can’t take him until morning, huh. That might be good – I’m coming down to see him.452

31. Space453

[Somewhere in the Spectre’s favoured Jovian system. Shots of Jupiter, Europa and Io would be good. Again, the Spectre’s voice cannot be heard in space, but that will not stop him communicating with Heaven.]454

Spectre: [to no-one visible] Lord … I need your help. I did all I could to defeat this Starbreaker, who threatens Earth’s existence. But I can’t seem to harm him, let alone stop him. I don’t know what to do. [short pause] Please help me.455

[A shimmering light appears in front of the Spectre. The light resolves itself into the figure of an angel – a strongly built, blond-haired man with mighty white wings on his back. This is a warrior angel, and he holds a sword with jewels encrusted into its hilt, and a blade that glows with a blue-white flame. The Hebrew inscription מיכאל (likeness of God) can be seen on the blade. This is St Michael the Archangel.]456

St Michael: James Corrigan. I’m pleased to make your acquaintance.457

Spectre: [awed just for a second, before recovering himself] Who …458

St Michael: I am Michael, captain of the Heavenly host.459

Spectre: [suddenly cross] What, aren’t I good enough for God any more? How are you going to help? The planet Earth is on the brink of destruction, and God’s too busy or something??460

St Michael: [annoyed and amused simultaneously] I did throw Lucifer out of Heaven, you know. I think I can advise you on how to defeat supernatural forces.461

Spectre: … Very well. 462

St Michael: You want to know how to stop the creature that calls itself Starbreaker.463

Spectre: Well … I’ve hit him with everything I’ve got, and it doesn’t seem to affect him in the least. 464

St Michael: He is a being of pure energy.465

Spectre: Yes. There doesn’t seem to be any way to harm him.466

St Michael: Did he not tell you that he absorbs other forms of energy to sustain himself?467

Spectre: Yes. I even tried to reason with him. There are millions, billions of stars out there that he could absorb without harming anyone, but he doesn’t care. He sounds like he is almost … addicted to the life-energies of sentient beings.468

St Michael: So he could be stopped, then, by removing him from any source of energy.469

Spectre: That’s true, but how does it help? I mean, he seems to be able to simply appear at any point in the universe he wishes. I could try drawing him out into deep space to fight him, but there is always some source of energy for him, somewhere.470

St Michael: In this universe, yes.471

Spectre: [puzzled] What do you mean?472

32. Police cells, Chicago precinct473

[David Corrigan approaches Ray’s cell. Ray is pacing up and down in his cell, muttering “he’s coming”, “we’re all dead”, “he must be appeased”, and similar phrases.]474

David: Ray?475

Ray: [Rushes up the bars on his cell. He speaks very quickly.] The Spectre! [crestfallen, but still talking very fast] The Spectre couldn’t stop the Destroyer, could he?476

David: No. Not yet.477

Ray: Then we’re all doomed. He’s coming, and there’s nothing we can do about it. There’s no sacrifice we can make that will appease him, is there? Poor Mr Sanchez. I really didn’t want to hurt him, I just thought that maybe …478

David: Ray – I need you to calm down and think very carefully for me. Can you do that?479

Ray: [still wild-eyed, but he’s making an effort] OK. Yes, OK. OK.480

David: You said that … Starbreaker, the Destroyer, whatever, was beaming thoughts into your head. Is that right?481

Ray: Yes! I felt him coming. I could hear his thoughts. They were horrible thoughts! He’s killed … trillions of beings.482

David: OK, just stop there for a minute. Now, have you ever heard people’s thoughts before?483

[Ray looks like he doesn’t want to answer.]484

David: Ray?485

Ray: You won’t be mad at me?486

David: No, I won’t.487

Ray: Promise?488

David: OK, I promise. What is it?489

Ray: [as if he feels guilty] I hear people’s thoughts all the time. Sometimes they’re good, sometimes they’re bad. All these voices in my head, all the time. It’s so hard to concentrate on anything … You’re worried about Jasmine.490

David: [taken aback] What?491

Ray: She’s your girlfriend, isn’t she? She’s very pretty. You don’t want her to die. Or Declan. He’s your brother. Or your Mum, Vicki. Your dad is dead. The Spectre is your great-grandfather. 492

David: [butts in before Ray can tell his life story] Have you always been able to do this?493

Ray: Since I was 10, 11, something like that. When I was little, I could hear what Mum and Dad were thinking. But since then, all these thoughts come at me all the time … But the Destroyer’s mind is so powerful, so evil, that he blocks out all the others when he’s nearby. It’s like … interference on a radio station, you know?494

David: My goodness … [snaps out of it] Have you ever tried beaming your thoughts to someone else?495

Ray: Why would I do that? People don’t want to know each other’s thoughts. I don’t want to know everyone else’s thoughts. Why would they want to know mine?496

David: I know, but I just want you to try it. Can you send me a thought?497

[Allen enters]498

Allen: Corrigan! What the hell is going on?499

Ray: Uh-oh.500

David: I’m sorry, Detective, I had a lead, and …501

Allen: You don’t interview homicide suspects without my permission, or presence, Corrigan. Got that?502

David: The Spectre …503

Allen: The Spectre, I hope, is off fighting that thing that turned up in Sydney. This is a homicide suspect, and he’s our responsibility, not the responsibility of Casper the Friendly Ghost.504

David: [losing his temper somewhat] Please. Can I get a word in? 505

Allen: [still mad, but impressed with David’s determination] Better make this good, Corrigan.506

David: Ray knew about Starbreaker before anyone else. He’s the “Destroyer” that Ray was going on about. Ray can read minds.507

Allen: You’re joking.508

David: No, I’m not. He’s got everyone’s thoughts in his head, all the time.509

Ray: [to Allen] You nearly died once.510

Allen: What?511

Ray: Yes. Some drug dealer shot you. The Chief shot back, and got you out alive. About ten years ago.512

Allen: [to David] Did you tell him that?513

David: I didn’t, I swear. 514

Allen: So Ray’s psychic. How does that help anything?515

David: I don’t really know yet. I was just about to ask him to try something – to try to send his thoughts to me.516

Allen: My question still stands. What is he going to do next, bend spoons?517

David: The Spectre couldn’t destroy Starbreaker. They’re too evenly matched to harm each other – they’re both really beings of energy. But the Spectre specifically asked me to talk to Ray – if he could … detect Starbreaker before anyone or anything else on Earth, maybe he can help somehow. It can hardly cause any harm to try, can it?518

Allen: [long pause] Fine. Let’s see if Ray here can transmit his thoughts to you. Then we can do some card tricks while we wait for Ray to go to the psych ward, or this Starbreaker to destroy the planet, whichever comes first.519

David: [to Ray] OK, Ray. Let’s do this.520

33. Space – Jovian system521

[The discussion between the Spectre and St Michael continues]522

St Michael: What if Starbreaker could be imprisoned in another universe?523

Spectre: [confused] There are other universes?524

St Michael: Not yet.525

Spectre: [pause] All right, I don’t get it.526

St Michael: What if you had the power to create an entirely new, but also entirely empty universe, and imprison Starbreaker within it?527

Spectre: I can do that?528

St Michael: Just say it was possible.529

Spectre: [pause] Assuming he couldn’t just break out of it somehow, he’d, well, starve I suppose.530

St Michael: Precisely. The creature would have no means of sustaining himself. There would be no energy, life-energy or any other kind, on which he could feed.531

Spectre: That’s the perfect solution. So – can I do that?532

[St Michael slashes at empty space with his sword. A “tear” opens up in space, in front of Jupiter, which is totally black. The Spectre circles it slowly, astounded.]533

St Michael: God has authorised me to give you this power. You can use it to defeat Starbreaker, but never again.534

Spectre: Then … I accept. Please give me the power.535

[St Michael points his sword at the Spectre. A beam of pure white light erupts from it, hitting the Spectre right between the eyes. He reels backward, shocked, but when the beam stops, he has not suffered any ill effects.]536

Spectre: [pause] Am I supposed to feel any different?537

St Michael: Believe me, you now have the power to create an empty prison universe for Starbreaker. Now go, James Corrigan. Starbreaker will return soon and your world needs you. [He vanishes]538

[The Spectre looks around at the Jovian system. The “rip” in space has disappeared. He looks back at the Earth, tiny in the distance, and then he disappears as well.]539

34. Police cells540

[Ray concentrates hard. Then we see David’s face. At first, nothing, but suddenly he too reels backwards as Ray’s projected thoughts hit him.]541

David: Oh wow … It was … Florida! You went on holidays to Florida with your family when you were eight! You swam with a dolphin! You went out to the Keys in a glass-bottomed boat!542

Ray: The happiest time of my life. I tried to read the dolphins’ minds, but I couldn’t.543

Allen: Are you two serious?544

David: Yes – yes, I am. Ray has the ability to project thoughts as well as receive them.545

Allen: And this helps us how?546

David: I don’t know. But the Spectre specifically asked me to talk to Ray. Maybe he has something in mind. 547

Ray: He thinks I can help?548

David: I don’t know. I need to talk to him again.549

35. Corrigans’ house550

[Next morning. David, Declan, Vicki and Jasmine are all sitting around the loungeroom. David sits with Jasmine. Declan sits by himself, still seemingly mad at the world in general, but he realises that he has escaped the fate of his friends.]551

Vicki: So what happens now?552

David: I don’t know. Great-grandad said he went to someone for help.553

Declan: [sarcastically] Who to, God?554

David: Probably.555

[Declan’s face registers awe, but he says nothing.]556

Jasmine: Surely the Spectre will be able to come up with something. I mean, the world’s had it otherwise.557

David: We’re just lucky that most of the world doesn’t realise yet that Great-Grandad hasn’t destroyed this Starbreaker. There could be riots, street fights, all kinds of garbage going on otherwise.558

[There is a knock at the door.]559

Declan: [who is closest to the door] I’ll get it. 560

[He opens the door and finds …]561

Spectre: Good morning, Declan.562

Declan: [completely flummoxed] Wha … you? [pulls himself together a bit] Since when do you knock on doors?563

Spectre: I thought I should, rather than just appear in the midst of you all. [he wanders in] Good morning, Vicki, Jasmine, David.564

All: [hi, hello, whatever]565

Declan: So this Starbreaker thing is too tough even for you?566

Spectre: I think I have a way of defeating him. I had a visit from St Michael the Archangel.567

Declan: You are joking.568

Spectre: Do I ever make jokes?569

Declan: Er, no, I suppose not.570

Spectre: Declan, presuming I do manage to defeat Starbreaker, you have some serious choices to make in your life. You know that your three friends did attack that drug dealer, and the four of them are now in prison awaiting trial?571

Declan: [looks at the floor] Yeah. I did know that.572

Spectre: You’ve shown that you do have a good heart, and a good brain, by not taking part in such a moronic enterprise. 573

Declan: [looks up suddenly] Hey, I thought you only gave speeches like that to hero-boy over there. [points to David]574

Spectre: You’re my great-grandson too, Declan. I have faith in both of you.575

[Declan looks impressed. Jasmine flashes him a sort of “told-you-so” smile.]576

Spectre: [turns to David] Now, what can you tell me about Ray Smith?577

David: Well, it’s no wonder he’s been diagnosed as schizophrenic. He’s been hearing the thoughts of everyone within about a five-mile radius of him since he was 10.578

Spectre: My goodness.579

Declan: You mean you can’t do that?580

Spectre: No. God deliberately did not give me any power over the human mind. He allows me to “hear” my family from vast distances, but otherwise, no. I cannot read minds.581

David: He can project thoughts too. He showed me his holiday snaps from Florida from when he was eight.582

Spectre: Now that is interesting.583

David: Yes. Ray said that Starbreaker’s mind is so hugely powerful that it sort of drowns out everyone else’s. That’s how he knew he was coming.584

Spectre: And obviously realised that the creature feeds on life-energies.585

David: That’s right. 586

Spectre: I wonder if Mr Smith could use his ability directly on Starbreaker?587

Jasmine: What have you got in mind?588

Spectre: I was hoping that Mr Smith could – if you like – run interference for me against the creature when it returns.589

David: Could that hurt him? Ray, I mean?590

Spectre: I don’t know. Prolonged exposure to a mind such as Starbreaker’s could well cause Mr Smith some damage. More damage. It will be up to him as to whether he risks it.591

[pause]592

Declan: So you’re saying that you might not be able to beat Starbreaker without help?593

Spectre: I cannot guarantee that I will prevail. You should all … make preparations in case I cannot prevent the destruction of Earth.594

Declan: Geez.595

Spectre: I must leave you now. I suspect I will know when Starbreaker returns, but I intend to look out for the creature anyway.596

David: And I’m heading over to the psych ward to see if I can talk to Ray.597

36. Various locations598

[We see the Spectre floating in space, in the Earth’s orbit, looking out for Starbreaker. David, now in uniform, is driving towards the psychiatric hospital with a grim look on his face. Vicki, Jasmine and a reluctant-looking (but present) Declan all enter a fairly full Church, and join the wait for Confession. Declan looks distinctly nervous and fidgets with a Rosary he clearly hasn’t touched for some time.]599

37. Space600

[And here he comes. Starbreaker’s shadow, approaching from towards the Sun this time, creeps over Mercury, Venus and then the Earth. Gigantic in size, he flies towards the Spectre, grinning evilly and his eyes ablaze.]601

Starbreaker: Ready?602

Spectre: Yes. This time we will finish this.603

Starbreaker: Oh yes. We will.604

[The Spectre grows to match Starbreaker’s size. They circle each other, watching each other intently. We see both of their pairs of hands start to glow as they prepare to attack.]605

38. Psychiatric hospital606

[David races to the admissions desk and flashes his badge at the attendant.]607

David: David Corrigan, Chicago PD. I need to see Ray Smith.608

Attendant: Who?609

David: Ray Smith. He was transferred from the cells this morning. He’s a schizophrenia patient.610

Attendant: Oh yes – I think I know who you mean. He would only give us the name Ray.611

David: Fine, whatever. I need to see him.612

Attendant: He might have been sedated.613

David: Oh no …614

[There is a commotion from somewhere in the wards. A couple of orderlies race past, with restraining equipment. Muffled cries of “he’s here!” can be heard. David simply jumps the counter and follows the orderlies.]615

Attendant: You can’t just charge in there without a warrant!616

David: Watch me.617

39. Wards618

[David catches up with the orderlies.]619

David: That’s Ray, I can hear him!620

Orderly 1: Police? You just sent him to us, do you want him back now?621

David: I need to speak to him.622

[They enter Ray’s room. Two men are struggling to hold him down, as Ray shouts “he’s here!” over and over again.]623

Orderly 2: We just doped this guy up, and all of a sudden he’s up and screaming as if nothing happened!624

David: [flashes badge again] I need to speak to this man.625

Orderly 1: I don’t think you’ll get much sense out of him.626

David: I have to try. [approaches] Ray?627

[Ray recognises David and stops struggling. The two orderlies holding him pin his arms behind him, but he is now able to see and talk to David.]628

Ray: [breathing hard, talking very quickly again] He’s here again. This time he’s not going. He’ll destroy us all.629

David: Ray – I need you to calm down. OK?630

[Ray slows his breathing somewhat, but is still looking at David with wild eyes.]631

David: That’s good. Now, do you remember me?632

Ray: Yes. You’re Constable David Corrigan, the Spectre’s great-grandson.633

Orderly 1: Really?634

David: Let me talk to him. [back to Ray] Do you remember what we talked about?635

Ray: Yes. How I hear people’s thoughts. But right now I can’t hear anyone except the Destroyer. He’s too close. He’s blocking everything else out … [he’s starting to panic again]636

David: Ray – calm, OK? [Ray nods] Now, do you remember how you transmitted your thoughts to me?637

Orderly 2: You believe this guy?638

David: Please. [back to Ray] Can you still do that with … the Destroyer around?639

Ray: Ah … I think so. [he concentrates]640

David: A dog! A golden retriever! That was it, wasn’t it?641

Ray: Yes. Sam. He was my pet …642

David: Now, I need to ask you something very important, Ray.643

Ray: OK.644

David: Do you think you could send thoughts to the Destroyer?645

[Ray’s eyes widen hugely.]646

Ray: I … I don’t know. He … oh my God. His mind … he might not be able to hear me.647

David: That’s OK. Are you willing to try?648

Ray: Ah … yes. Why?649

David: Because the Spectre wants you to try to distract the Destroyer for him. He has a plan to defeat him. But he needs your help.650

Ray: The Spectre needs my help? [he is amazed] I can help!651

David: Yes. Can you try?652

Ray: What kinds of thoughts?653

David: Anything you want, Ray. It’s up to you.654

Ray: OK. [He screws up his face in intense concentration. Then he screams as the mental link is made.]655

40. Space656

[The Spectre and Starbreaker open fire on each other. As before, both are unharmed.]657

Starbreaker: [frustrated] What does it take to destroy you?658

Spectre: The soul is immortal, creature. I doubt you have one.659

Starbreaker: If I can’t destroy you, you can be a witness to the destruction of your world. [he heads for the Sun]660

Spectre: [pursuing] You can’t run from me!661

[The two of them are very close to the Sun now. Starbreaker grows to even more enormous proportions, so he is roughly the same size as the Sun. He plunges his hands into it.]662

41. Earth663

[Starbreaker has generated a total eclipse. There is mass panic. We see brief shots of Vicki and Jasmine praying in the Church, Declan in the confessional, Ray totally panic-stricken but still trying to get through to Starbreaker.]664

42. The Sun665

[The Spectre, again matching Starbreaker’s size, unleashes everything he has at Starbreaker, who is driven back from the Sun somewhat, but is still unharmed.]666

Starbreaker: It’s a matter of time! You can’t hold me off forever! I … want …your … world! I WILL consume it!667

Spectre: I won’t allow it.668

Starbreaker: I don’t think what you will or won’t allow MATTERS any more!669

[Starbreaker charges the Spectre, hands clawed, like a vampire about to attack. Then suddenly he turns his head.]670

Starbreaker: What?671

[We hear Ray’s voice, very quietly, saying “Starbreaker?” over and over again.]672

Starbreaker: Who said that? [to Spectre] Have you got someone out here with you?673

Spectre : No. No-one.674

Starbreaker: [looking around wildly] Show yourself! I know you’re there!675

[In front of the sun, the Spectre grabs hold of what looks like empty space and pulls it apart. There is nothing in the rip that appears, just total darkness. Starbreaker is not looking, and is trying to find the source of the voice in his head.]676

Spectre: Starbreaker?677

Starbreaker: [back to Spectre] What?678

Spectre: I have prepared a place for you.679

[He opens the rip wider. Starbreaker sees it and realises what it is.]680

Starbreaker: Oh no. No!681

Spectre: I cast you into the abyss.682

[He disappears briefly, and reappears so that Starbreaker is between him and the gateway to the empty universe. He opens fire with a beam of intense white light, which slowly pushes Starbreaker back towards the rip. Starbreaker returns fire, but he is distracted by Ray’s efforts.]683

Starbreaker: You can’t … YOU CAN’T DO THIS!684

Spectre: God has told me otherwise.685

[Finally he falls back into the rip. With a gesture from the Spectre the rip closes, to Starbreaker’s anguished screams, which echo for a while after he disappears.]686

Spectre: Thank God. [he looks exhausted]687

43. Psychiatric hospital688

Ray: He’s gone. [He collapses into the arms of the orderlies holding him.]689

David: Ray? Ray! [to orderlies] Is he OK?690

Orderly 1: I don’t know. We have to get the doc in here. [He presses a button on the wall.] 691

44. Earth692

[The eclipse has ended. Vicki, Jasmine and Declan come out of the Church and into the renewed sunlight, looking almightily relieved. We notice Declan is still fingering his Rosary.]693

45. Psychiatric hospital694

[A doctor is examining Ray, who is still unconscious.]695

David: Is he OK?696

Doctor: I don’t know. He seems to be fine physically, but I can’t get any response from him. [to one of the orderlies] Better get a gurney up here. We’ll have to move him.697

David: Oh no. Ray … I just hope I haven’t sacrificed him like he thought he was sacrificing Victor Sanchez.698

[A nurse wheels in a gurney. A still-catatonic Ray is placed on the gurney and wheeled out. A distressed David follows them all.]699

46. Outside the hospital700

[David wanders disconsolately towards his car. He notices a police car pull up alongside him. Detective Allen is driving it.]701

Allen: I thought I’d find you here.702

David: I’m sorry, I know I went without your permission.703

Allen: Can it, Corrigan. Apparently Starbreaker’s gone.704

David: [brightening] Yeah?705

Allen: Yes. The TV is showing some pictures taken by the Hubble telescope that show Starbreaker being shoved into a black hole or something.706

David: Ray was right, then. He said Starbreaker had gone.707

Allen: So … do you think Ray had anything to do with it?708

David: I don’t know. I do know that he attempted to transmit his thoughts to Starbreaker. [smiles] The Spectre was hoping Ray could “run interference” for him – maybe he did.709

Spectre: [from behind David] I believe he did.710

[The Spectre has appeared behind David. He looks exhausted.]711

David: So Starbreaker’s gone? For good?712

Spectre: He no longer exists in this universe.713

Allen: [this is the first time he has seen the Spectre face to face] I … well … congratulations and thanks.714

Spectre: Detective Crispus Allen, I presume.715

Allen: Yes. That’s me.716

Spectre: I also presume that David is not going to be in any kind of trouble for interviewing a suspect without your permission.717

Allen: Well … ah … no, not this time. Good on you for backing your judgement, Corrigan.718

David: Thank you, detective. And no, I still won’t be assuming that the Spectre has constantly got my back when we’re out in the field.719

Allen: [smiles] Good to hear.720

Spectre: I will see you all later. I’m going to rest for a while. Say hello to Declan, Vicki and Jasmine for me. 721

Allen: I just hope Declan can stay out of trouble.722

Spectre: I have a good feeling about Declan. You’ll see. [he vanishes]723

Allen: He needs to rest?724

David: I think he’s mentally exhausted. Imagine having the fate of the world on your shoulders.725

Allen: [thinks about it] No thank you.726

47. Jupiter727

[The Spectre reappears in the Jovian system. He watches a moon transit across the face of Jupiter, but suddenly realises he is not alone.]728

St Michael: James. Well done.729

Spectre: [turns suddenly, and then realises who it is] Oh, you. I thought Starbreaker had escaped for a moment there.730

St Michael: No, he is banished from this universe permanently. You used the power you were given well.731

Spectre: I’m still not convinced I could have done it without the assistance of Ray Smith. His psychic abilities seemed to distract Starbreaker enough for me to open the gateway without him noticing until it was too late. [pause] I’m exhausted.732

St Michael: I’m sure you are.733

Spectre: Anyway, I need to rest. [he is about to head off]734

St Michael: James, wait.735

Spectre: What now?736

St Michael: I need to congratulate you on something else, too.737

Spectre: What?738

St Michael: For taking on the fight without God having to tell you to. He ordered you back to Earth to defeat Sabbac, but you chose to take on Starbreaker. The Lord is pleased with you.739

Spectre: Well, I didn’t really have a choice, did I? It was either that or just watch six billion people die.740

St Michael: Do you think that I couldn’t have taken down Starbreaker myself?741

Spectre: What?742

St Michael: You did have a choice, James. 743

Spectre: [thinks for a minute] You mean, you would have …744

St Michael: Yes. I would have destroyed Starbreaker had you been defeated, or not taken up the fight.745

Spectre: [pauses, then explodes] WHAT!?!746

St Michael: It wasn’t time, James. God was not yet ready to end life on Earth. I would have acted if you had not done so, so well.747

Spectre: You never told me that!748

St Michael: You didn’t ask. You took up the fight without asking for a way out. Like I said, the Lord is pleased with you.749

[The Spectre just stares in amazement.]750

St Michael: Rest, James. You deserve it.751

[The Spectre casts one look back at a smiling St Michael, then dives into the interior of Jupiter.]752

FIN753