Full script of THEIA sci-fi comic book! Exclusively on Steemit!

About two years ago, I began developing an independent comic book called THEIA. A science heavy, conspiracy story of a gifted bio-engineer named Hale Busirus who successfully adhered the phenomenon of cryptobiosis found in extremophiles [tardigrates, specifically] to human DNA. 

His life’s work, THEIA, was done under the umbrella of Busirus Bio-Industrial. A company his father started. Hale was unaware that 8 years of research on THEIA, an initiative to ensure humanity’s future in the face of depleting resources and climate change, was being backdoor funded by the US government as part of a classified solider weaponization program. 

Upon Hale’s discovery of this, he destroyed all research and documentation of THEIA, leaving for France with the only two THEIA inoculations that existed. Granted safe harbor diplomatic immunity by the French government, Hale Busirus resides in the Gare Du Nord train station, broadcasting to the world about the US military’s intent to weaponize his research, causing an international chain reaction of political and social unrest, rippling throughout the world. 

I chose Steemit.com to share the full script for issue #001 of THEIA. Plenty of illustration in my previous posts. You can visit www.theiacomic.com for more. Constructive criticism welcome. Enjoy. 

PAGE ONE  [FOUR PANELS]

INT. BUSIRUS BIO-INDUSTRIAL CAMPUS

PANEL 1. HALE BUSIRUS sits at a computer desk in the dark at BUSIRUS BIO-INDUSTRIAL. He's packing a small briefcase with papers, a couple syringes and glass vials.

CAP 1. The work I've done here will eventually save humanity. Almost ten years of my life, ensuring a future for a species I hardly feel a part of. 

PANEL 2. HALE BUSIRUS collects more of his belongings. He stares at a photo of his father, OWEN BUSIRUS, seen in a clipping of a newspaper praising him during an award ceremony presented by the bio-sciences community.

CAP 2. I've deconstructed humanity to it's fundamental architecture, and no surprise, it's flawed. Our biology is adaptable, obviously. It's not that.

PANEL 3. HALE BUSIRUS sits in front of a computer screen with a prompt to flash the BIOS of his THEIA project.

CAP 3. It's human nature, and there's no cure for that.

PANEL 4. A close up of HALE BUSIRUS pushing “Y” on the keyboard, initiating a BIOS flash, completely wiping out the entire THEIA project.

PAGE TWO  [ONE PANEL]

INT. GARE DU NORD TRAIN STATION IN PARIS

PANEL 1. A tweet by HALE BUSIRUS takes up most of the page explaining the US government’s intentions of the THEIA project. In the background is the GARE DU NORD train station. Around the center image are several captioned news outlets that’ve picked up the story.

CAP 1. Global News - Renowned bio-geneticist, HALE BUSIRUS has reportedly gone rogue with a US government funded project known as “THEIA”. Details are still emerging but analysts have suggested this may fall under high treason as the research is part of a larger confidential initiative.

CAP 2. British Lighthouse - Conspiracy theorists claim that the THEIA project is linked to human testing to somehow weaponize DNA. A real life application to create super soldiers. 

CAP 3. InfoWars - Dr. Busirus has reportedly been granted temporary political asylum by the French government under International humanitarian concerns if the allegations of military applications of the research are, in fact, true.

PAGE THREE [TWO PANELS]

INT. INSIDE AN AIRPLANE

 PANEL 1. MILES LEHMAN is having coffee with his friend ADAM SWARD discussing his recent relationship troubles with his girlfriend, CHEYENE.

        

                           ADAM SWARD

So where are things with you and the lady?

                         MILES LEHMAN

I just spent the last of my money I had on a flight to Europe with my most annoying friend. How do you think it's going?

PANEL 2. Change of camera angle to the aisle both men are sitting in.

                            ADAM SWARD

You ever give her a g-spot orgasm? Seriously, I'm telling you. That's where a woman's bitchiness stems from. Sexual frustration! Stop with the flowers all the time and buy that ogre a Hitachi magic wand!

                          MILES LEHMAN

[Shocked look] ?

                           ADAM SWARD

Google it.

                          MILES LEHMAN 

     Sounds gross. And for the record, she likes flowers.

                          ADAM SWARD

 [Under his breath]...probably not as much as she likes multiple orgasms.

PAGE FOUR [FOUR PANELS]

INT. BUSIRUS BIO-INDUSTRIAL BOARDROOM 

PANEL 1. OWEN BUSIRUS is the the founder of Busirus Bio-Industrial. He’s a tough old man, similar to what you’d imagine an oil tycoon. He’s surrounded by board members discussing his son HALE’S recent departure from the US with the THEIA research.

                         OWEN BUSIRUS

The eight people in this room, and HALE, are the only ones that know THEIA is test ready. I’m not going to weep over my son’s fate. He made his bed, but this company’s future is hanging in the balance so currently, every option is on the table.

PANEL 2. Shot of another board member, visibly frustrated.

                      BOARD MEMBER NO.1

How did this happen? How!? He’s carrying over $100 million of R&D in that suitcase, broadcasting from one of the busiest train stations in the world! If our government; your client, doesn’t have him extradited, the CAREEN market will move in. Once they have it, they'll auction the human race’s future to the highest bidder!

PANEL 3. 

                        OWEN BUSIRUS

They won't be able to extradite him. The French have granted him asylum, at least for the time being. I've been told the CIA is already on the ground in Paris, but they can't touch him.

                     BOARD MEMBER NO.2

And not a single backup? Nothing? Off site? Redundancies? I find it hard to believe even he's capable of deleting 8 years of work in only a few hours.

PANEL 4. Back to OWEN BUSIRUS holding up a hand, urging the board members to stay calm and be rational when suddenly the secretary buzzes in across the conference room.

                         OWEN BUSIRUS

As is always the case with HALE, he was extremely efficient, and thorough. Whatever remains, is with him.

                    SECRETARY [OFF PAGE]

Mr. Busirus...we’re going to need you out front. Now.

PAGE FIVE [TWO PANELS]

EXT. STEPS OF THE BBE CAMPUS

CAP.1 Scranton, PA

PANEL 1. OWEN BUSIRUS stands on the steps of the BBE campus fielding questions from the news media, surrounding him with microphones in his face. The other members of the board are present but much further behind. Some of the questions from the crowd ask if the allegations of super soldiers are true.

                                OWEN BUSIRUS

Folks, folks. Please. This isn’t the spectacle the internet is making it out to be. 

PANEL 2. OWEN BUSIRUS appears visibly nervous as he looks past the crowd and sees four men in black flak jacket suits in front of two parked black Chevy Tahoe’s. 

PAGE SIX [FOUR PANELS]

INT. GARE DU NORD TRAIN STATION

CAP.1 Paris, FRANCE

PANEL 1. HALE BUSIRUS sits inside the GARE DU NORD broadcasting   on Twitter. Four CIA agents surround him in the train station talking back and forth on ear pieces.

PANEL 2. HALE BUSIRUS looks around the interior and observes the US federal agents at all four points.

                       HALE BUSIRUS

*sigh* I see. 

PANEL 3. HALE BUSIRUS sits back in his chair and brings up an iPad. To his left, an agent stands poised, with his hand to his ear piece. 

PANEL 4. HALE BUSIRUS gets close to the face of the CIA agent, iPad tucked under his arm.

                       HALE BUSIRUS

Well. You’ve forced my hand.

PAGE SEVEN [ONE PANEL]

INT. GARE DU NORD TRAIN STATION

CAP.1 Paris, FRANCE

PANEL 1. Front and center is the public tweet HALE BUSIRUS just made calling for a US citizen to volunteer to meet him in Paris to undergo the THEIA procedure, becoming the first man or woman to accelerate humanity’s evolution buy hundreds, if not thousands of years.

PAGE EIGHT [THREE PANELS]

INT. AIRPLANE

PANEL 1. MILES strikes up a conversation with a beautiful woman sitting across from him named NUBIA AYA while ADAM SWARD is asleep next to him.

                          MILES LEHMAN

We’re actually on our way to Paris, with no plan, honestly. ADAM claims this is a “spiritual journey” because his girlfriend left him a few weeks ago. Makes me sound like a great friend, but the truth is, I'm just as lost as him. So, it’s how we collectively justify spending our savings on an impulsive trip to Europe. How about you?

                          NUBIA AYA

I’m laying over on my way to a conference in Geneva. I work in the propulsion department for a private space company called Cingularity. We’re leading a program to bring the first manned shuttle mission to Venus.

PANEL 2.

                         MILES LEHMAN

I immediately regret telling you about my spiritual journey.

                           NUBIA AYA

*laughs* I’m sure you’re destined for great things.

PANEL 3. NUBIA hands MILES her card and teases him 

                       MILES LEHMAN

So, you’re like a rocket scientist?

                           NUBIA AYA

No. I am a rocket scientist. Says so right here on my card. I’m Nubia.

                      MILES LEHMAN

Miles. Miles Lehman.

                          NUBIA AYA

Well, at least your name sounds important. *winks*

PAGE NINE [THREE PANELS]

INT. CHARLES DE GAULLE AIRPORT

CAP.1 Paris, FRANCE

PANEL 1. ADAM and MILES walk through the gate at the CHARLES DE GAULLE AIRPORT. MILES is completely distracted, rambling about NUBIA while ADAM checks his phone and sees news about HALE BUSIRUS’ call for a US citizen to meet with him for the THEIA procedure. 

                          MILES LEHMAN

...she’s an actual rocket scientist, she’s beautiful and I’m just as confused as to why she was talking to me.

               ADAM SWARD

It was an awfully long flight, and I was asleep for most of it.

PANEL 2.

              MILES LEHMAN

Yeah, fuck off.

               ADAM SWARD

Sorry, man. Didn’t meant to shit on the prospects of your pretend relationsh...WHOA! STOP. STOP! Get out your phone. Go to a news page.

PANEL 3.    

                          MILES LEHMAN  

Which one?

                           ADAM SWARD

...any of them.

PAGE TEN [FOUR PANELS]

INT. CHARLES DE GAULLE AIRPORT

PANEL 1. ADAM and MILES stand outside of the airport near ground transportation and taxi pick up. 

                           ADAM SWARD

This is it. Miles. This is happening RIGHT NOW!

                          MILES LEHMAN

That’s less than 30 miles from us. This insane scientist! It says he’s looking for a US citizen. There are thousands in Paris.

PANEL 2. 

                           ADAM SWARD

Yeah, no shit. Which is why we stop talking now and get to Gare Du Nord! Right? YES?

                         MILES LEHMAN

Don’t look at me to be a the voice of reason. I’m here because I’ve got nothing going for me!

PANEL 3. 

      ADAM SWARD and MILES LEHMAN

TAXI!!!

PAGE ELEVEN [FOUR PANELS]

INT. LOBBY OF BBE CAMPUS

CAP.1 Scranton, PA

PANEL 1. OWEN BUSIRUS is placed in handcuffs along with the board members of Busirus Bio-Industrial and the entire facility is seized under the Patriot Act as a matter of national security. Crowds of news reporters still surround a blocked off area where the BBE board members are already being put into police cars.

PANEL 2. OWEN BUSIRUS pleads with a CIA agent to let him and the other members of the board go.

                         OWEN BUSIRUS

None of us had anything to do with this! He stole from us too! 

PANEL 3. OWEN BUSIRUS’ head is pushed down in to the backseat of a cruiser.

   OWEN BUSIRUS

I get a phone call, right?

                          CIA AGENT

One.

PANEL 4. OWEN BUSIRUS looks out the window of the police car.

                       OWEN BUSIRUS

That’s all I’m going to need.

PAGE TWELVE [TWO PANELS]

INT. GARE DU NORD TRAIN STATION

CAP.1 Paris, FRANCE

PANEL 1. MAGDALENA PEYROUX, a strong willed, but frail old woman walks up between two CIA agents surrounding HALE BUSIRUS and approaches him. The two obviously have a past.

                          MAGDALENA

Hale. What have you gotten yourself into?

                         HALE BUSIRUS

Ms. Peyroux. And how are you? Under different circumstances it’d be a pleasure, but you’re surely here at my father’s behest.

PANEL 2. 

                          MAGDALENA

Cut the shit, Hale. I've been appointed as your liaison, at the behest of the French government. You’ve already committed career suicide. If you go through with this, you'll end up dead. These are dangerous people.

                         HALE BUSIRUS

I’ve been granted political asylum. They can’t touch me! *points to CIA agent*

                          MAGDALENA

I wasn’t referring to them.

PAGE THIRTEEN [FOUR PANELS]

INT. GARE DU NORD TRAIN STATION

PANEL 1. MAGDALENA PEYROUX continues to warn HALE BUSIRUS about the seriousness of the situation he’s created. She unveils her fears of the black market for biological technology and criminals that don’t recognize International law or consequences.

                        HALE BUSIRUS

You’re referring to the CAREEN?

                          MAGDALENA

They don’t work within the parameters of your sovereignty, Hale. And since you made this an internationally televised pageant of ethics-based defiance, you can rest assured there are several contracts out for that briefcase as we speak.

PANEL 2.

                        HALE BUSIRUS

It wasn’t a choice, Maggie. I didn’t have a choice. My work was meant to evolve the human race, not accelerate it’s extinction. My father and his company contracted everything I've done to the military, for soliders. War. Behind my back.

                         MAGDALENA

...and your insistence on an American volunteer for this untested, unsanctioned procedure? 

PANEL 3.

                        HALE BUSIRUS

That was personal.

PANEL 4. MAGDALENA PEYROUX and HALE BUSIRUS continue going back and forth about the THEIA procedure, when suddenly, off camera, they’re interrupted by MILES LEHMAN and ADAM SWARD who have just arrived at the GARE DU NORD.

                         MAGDALENA

Your father called me when he saw what you did at the lab. He told me you’d probably be coming to Paris. I’m here as a favor to an old friend, and I’m asking you, Hale. Please, don’t go through with this.    

                     HALE BUSIRUS

You aren’t talking to a stubborn man, Maggie. Or even a desperate one, for that matter. I am a committed one, and my commitment is to all of us. Humanity. I’m just waiting on one person.

Off camera.

                       ADAM SWARD

Sorry to interrupt...

PAGE FOURTEEN [THREE PANELS]

INT. GARE DU NORD TRAIN STATION

PANEL 1. MAGDALENA PEYROUX and HALE BUSIRUS look over their shoulders as ADAM SWARD and MILES LEHMAN stand, ready to volunteer themselves for the THEIA procedure.

                        ADAM SWARD

...but how are we feeling about two?

PANEL 2. MAGDALENA PEYROUX slumps her head into her hand now that the boys have showed up. HALE BUSIRUS considers the possibility of  going forward with the THEIA research on both of them. Meanwhile, in the background, the surrounding CIA AGENTS begin speaking into their ear pieces.

                       HALE BUSIRUS

Interesting. Your names?

      MILES LEHMAN and ADAM SWARD

Miles Lehman. Adam Sward.

PANEL 3. CIA AGENTS continue monitoring. HALE BUSIRUS is aware of the situation and explains there might not be much time.

                          CIA AGENT

Possible sleeper at your six.

                       HALE BUSIRUS

Gentleman, I apologize for the hasty introduction, but if you’re here to make your contribution to the THEIA project, we may need cut to the formalities. MS. PEYROUX, I think it’s time you left us. 

PAGE FIFTEEN [THREE PANELS]

INT. CIA DISTRICT HEADQUARTERS

PANEL 1. OWEN BUSIRUS sits in an interrogation room at a CIA headquarter building. He’s alone. There’s an old telephone on the table in front of him.

PANEL 2. The door opens and a well-dressed black man walks through and sits at the other side of the table. He is the BBE company attorney. His name is MR. OBI.

PANEL 3.

                       OWEN BUSIRUS

Shit. Am I glad to see you.

                          MR. OBI

Oh, I wouldn’t get too excited just yet MR. BUSIRUS. We’re in a whole lotta trouble at the moment. What kind of mess did that boy of yours get us into?

PAGE SIXTEEN [FIVE PANELS]

INT. CIA DISTRICT HEADQUARTERS

PANEL 1. OWEN BUSIRUS talking to MR. OBI.

                       OWEN BUSIRUS

God knows. It’s a lot to go into, but he’s left the country with some important research.

PANEL 2. MR. OBI talking to HALE BUSIRUS.

                             MR. OBI

Research, ya? What kind? More importantly, who paid for it.

PANEL 3. OWEN BUSIRUS talking to MR. OBI.

                       OWEN BUSIRUS

Off the book project. It’s classified name is THEIA. Government contract, naturally.

PANEL 4. MR. OBI talking to HALE BUSIRUS.

                             MR. OBI

Ohhhhh, thats the worst kind. Specially when it goes missin’.

PANEL 5. MR. OBI talking to OWEN BUSIRUS.

                         MR. OBI

I think it’s bout time you made your phone call.

PAGE SEVENTEEN [THREE PANELS]

INT. GARE DU NORD TRAIN STATION

PANEL 1. HALE BUSIRUS conducts a brief interview with MILES and ADAM, doing his best to explain the procedure, and risks involved.

    HALE BUSIRUS

I’ll be honest, boys. I’m not a CIA operative, nor do I claim to understand their mode of operations, but it’s clear my friends here are antsy now that you’ve arrived. Under different circumstances, I’d love to get to know you both, review your medical backgrounds and explain to you the risks/benefits of this procedure.

PANEL 2. HALE BUSIRUS continues his conversation with MILES LEHMAN and ADAM SWARD, handing them both medical releases while setting up a webcam.

                        HALE BUSIRUS

Unfortunately, I’m going to ask you to quickly review these informed consent and assumption of risk liability waivers, tell you both that this is an untested program on human subjects, and lastly...

PANEL 3.

                        HALE BUSIRUS

...ask you both why you’d volunteer for something like this?

PAGE EIGHTEEN [FOUR PANELS]

INT. GARE DU NORD TRAIN STATION

PANEL 1. HALE BUSIRUS sets up a small Chromebook laptop to broadcast the THEIA inoculation. 

                         ADAM SWARD

What’s up with the laptop? 

PANEL 2.

                         HALE BUSIRUS

It’s going to broadcast the moment of inoculation to millions that deserve to witness the intentions of my life’s work. Your faces will remain out of frame of course, to protect your identities.

PANEL 3.

                          ADAM SWARD

Wait, no! Fuck that! Man. If my DNA is gonna carry the human race going forward and shit, I need to be seen!

PANEL 4.

                        MILES LEHMAN

Yeah, same. I’m through with paying for Instagram followers.

PAGE NINETEEN [SIX PANELS]

INT. GARE DU NORD TRAIN STATION

PANEL 1. HALE BUSIRUS’ phone begins to ring while he’s wiping down ADAM’S arm with an alcohol swab.

                        HALE BUSIRUS

Very well. Excuse me for a moment.

PANEL 2. HALE BUSIRUS turns and takes the call. It’s his father, OWEN BUSIRUS calling from prison.

                        HALE BUSIRUS

Yes?

PANEL 3. 

                       OWEN BUSIRUS

I’ve been detained, son. All of us. The entire board. The campus. Obi’s doing what he can...but you’ve really fucked us Hale.

PANEL 4. 

                        HALE BUSIRUS

I’m sorry you see it that way.

PANEL 5. 

                        OWEN BUSIRUS

This is my phone call. Don’t give me that halfhearted apology you selfish little prick. I hope this was all worth it.

PANEL 6. HALE BUSIRUS draws the inoculate from the lid, priming it to be administers to ADAM SWARD. 

                        HALE BUSIRUS

It was.

PAGE TWENTY [THREE PANELS]

INT. GARE DU NORD TRAIN STATION

PANEL 1. CIA AGENT motions and speaks into his ear piece moving his position closer to HALE BUSIRUS and ADAM SWARD.

                         CIA AGENT

THREATCON. It’s wet job!

PANEL 2. HALE BUSIRUS approaches ADAM SWARD with the inoculation prepped and ready to be administered.

                        HALE BUSIRUS

Du jour au lendemain.

PANEL 3. HALE BUSIRUS presses the syringe in to ADAM SWARD’S arm.

PAGE TWENTY ONE [ONE PANEL]

INT. GARE DU NORD TRAIN STATION

PANEL 1. CIA AGENT pushes HALE BUSIRUS out of the way and is shot in the neck by an assassin. ADAM SWARD and MILES LEHMAN dive to the floor. Other CIA AGENTS turn. 

                         CIA AGENT

GET DUHHULLLLKKKKK!

                     HALE BUSIRUS

CHRIST!

PAGE TWENTY TWO [FOUR PANELS]

INT. GARE DU NORD TRAIN STATION

PANEL 1. CIA AGENT is on the ground bleeding out. ADAM SWARD is kneeling higher than MILES LEHMAN and HALE BUSIRUS that are on the floor. Chaos. Gun fire.

PANEL 2. ADAM SWARD is shot in the shoulder and collapses. He’s about ten feet away from MILES LEHMAN and HALE BUSIRUS. He’s unconscious.

PANEL 3. MILES LEHMAN screams for his friend as HALE BUSIRUS pulls him back down to avoid the gun fire that’s now exchanging between THE CAREEN and the CIA AGENTS

                        MILES LEHMAN

ADAM. ADAM! No, Adam! No. Adam!

                        HALE BUSIRUS

GET DOWN. STAY DOWN!

PANEL 4. HALE BUSIRUS and MILES LEHMAN crouch behind a small cubicle charging booth taking cover.

                        MILES LEHMAN

They shot him! Who....who?

                        HALE BUSIRUS

They shouldn’t be here. It’s too soon. This was supposed to be a safe...

PAGE TWENTY THREE [THREE PANELS]

INT. GARE DU NORD TRAIN STATION

PANEL 1. Three loud, noises echo through the GARE DU NORD.

PANEL 2. Still crouched, MILES LEHMAN and HALE BUSIRUS turn glance down the train bays where the noise came from.

                        MILES LEHMAN

What the fuck was that?!

PANEL 3. A metal clinking sound ricochets against the marble floors as a gas canister rolls directly in front of MILES LEHMAN and HALE BUSIRUS. 

                        HALE BUSIRUS

Give me your arm.

PAGE TWENTY FOUR [FOUR PANELS]

INT. GARE DU NORD TRAIN STATION

PANEL 1. MILES LEHMAN reacts, now reluctant for the inoculation after seeing the carnage around him.

                        MILES LEHMAN

NO! Neither of us wanted...

PANEL 2. HALE BUSIRUS interrupts MILES LEHMAN and grabs his wrist and hold up the last inoculation.

                        HALE BUSIRUS

They are coming for this! If your friend dies, all of it. Everything. THEIA will die with him! *cough*

PANEL 3. MILES LEHMAN still refuses to cooperate. Gas is closing in around both men.

                        MILES LEHMAN

Forget it! I’m in a war zone and my friend was just shot right in front of me! We didn’t know what we were getting...OUCH, FUCK!

PANEL 4. HALE BUSIRUS sticks MILES LEHAN with the last inoculation of THEIA in mid-sentence.

                        HALE BUSIRUS

No. You definitely did not.

                        MILES LEHMAN

ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME?! I SAID NO! 

PAGE TWENTY FIVE [THREE PANELS]

INT. GARE DU NORD TRAIN STATION

PANEL 1. A hand reaches down and places handcuffs through the closed suitcase handle and around the wrists of an unconscious ADAM SWARD. Gun fire still exchanging in the background.

PANEL 2. The same hand then grabs the collar of ADAM SWARD.

PANEL 3. Splash art filling the rest of the page around the other panels. A shaved headed, scrappy hit man in tactical gear and a gas mask drags the body of ADAM SWARD through the cloud, holding up his other hand, firing at the last few CIA AGENTS.