Pioneer One (2010–…): Season 1, Episode 2 - The Man from Mars - full transcript

Previously, on Pioneer One...

A piece of a plane's fuselage maybe
crash landed in Canada

- A dirty bomb?
- We haven't confirmed that yet.

- But that's what it looks like?
- Nobody really knows what that looks like.

That's no airliner.
He was wearing this when we found him.

Does that kid look like he was even
born when there was a Soviet Union?

- He has cancer
- Say that again?

We need an expert in here, someone
who knows what they're talking about.

- This is your Martian pioneer.
- This man has been to Mars?

He was born there.
Are you gonna help us out doctor?

Abso-fucking-lutely!!



To abandon our efforts now...

is simply...

a failure of imagination...

...of the worst kind, it's more
that, it's near criminal.

In the opinion of this humble scientist;

we speak of a responsibility
to the future.

To our children's future, yet...

we refuse to take the next step
as a civilization...

as a species...

to ensure that future.

Mars is the next step.

Mars is the future.

Dr. Walzer...

I'm sure I speak for all of us when I say



I appreciate your enthusiasm and your passion.

But all the proposals I see here are simply

too expensive to be taken seriously at this time.

To say nothing of the danger involved.

- Perhaps...
- With all due respect Mr. chairman...

what we're talking about here is akin to
Columbus upon discovering the New World

deciding to turn his ships around and
never looking back.

Surely his contemporaries also thought
his voyage was too expensive...

and too dangerous.

Some might even have called it foolish.

But that journey is what led us to where
we are today.

Not returning to the Americas after that
first journey...

...is unimaginable to us now.

I sit before you and say we are
making that very mistake.

I think Christopher Columbus is just
a little outside the preview of this
committee doctor.

- May I continue?
- By all means.

Thank you.

If we go to Mars...

we should go there to stay.

By taking a long term view...

and prioritizing sustainability...

...my proposal for a manned Mars mission
is a third to cost...

of NASA's July 1997 proposal.

Yes, one second.

I asked Dr. Walzer to brief us on some
of the unknowables we're dealing with here.

Doctor?

Doctor Walzer?

Yes, sorry.

Are you ready to begin?

Begin? Ah yes.

Please.

So since we don't know the details of
the mission architecture...

I can only surmise

based on what I believe to be the most
sensible way to send people to Mars

and survive on the surface.

As soon as we get in contact with the Russian authorities

I'm sure they'll be able to confirm or correct

some of the assumptions I've made here.

OK, given the cost prohibitive nature

of most Mars mission proposals

I'd say this mission was probably

some variation of my living off the land approach

for which I've advocated strongly for years.

What distinguishes my approach
from traditional approaches

is in situ resource utilization

on which I'll give more details
a little bit later

but this allows for immense savings
in initial launch weight.

Counter-intuitively...

a mission of this type would be launched
during Martian conjunction

when Mars and the Earth are at the greatest
distance apart.

By doing this we're able to take advantage of

the Earth's inertia and substantially
reduce fuel cost

on our trans-Mars injection maneuver

saving as a said an immense amount of weight.

It's more than a fair trade-off and

I would argue it's no more a risk than
a launch during Martian opposition

when the Earth and Mars are closest
together.

Conventional thinking has it that

this is the best time for a launch to Mars

because the thrust required

I'm gonna stop your right there Doctor,
what is this?

- What's what?
- I asked you for a briefing.

This sounds more like a sales pitch for your book.

In order to brief your I have to...

All I want to know is if
this Mars story is credible or not?

I would say that it is, I told you that
yesterday.

I need evidence, proof, not a
science lesson.

Well, I'm working on that.

Good. Let me know when you have something.

He's dying.

Cancer?

Cancer is the least of his problems.

He's having a reaction to something

and I can't for the life of me
figure out what it is.

Everything I tried seems to make things worse.

I thought it was an immunodeficiency disease

but all the tests are coming up negative.

- What are your theories?
- This isn't house Mr. Taylor.

I have some things I'm going to try

but I'm not optimistic.
This kid just isn't possible.

- Where did you say he's from?
- I didn't. Just keep at it.

Because if he dies it was all for nothing.

If it means anything I think you do the right thing.

Yeah, I hope the review board sees it
that way too.

It doesn't matter who he is or where he is from.

It's a person's life we're talking about.

Just take care of that kid doctor.

I'm doing my best but no promises.

Yeah. Let me know if anything changes.

I hate when people say that to me.

Do you think I'm gonna keep it to myself?

You'd be surprised.

Yes. Okay.

McClellan's office wants the ETA on the suspect.

- I'm gonna call back.
- I think they meant they wanted it now.

Yeah, and I want a cheeseburger.

We have to get them something. It's
the deputy secretary of the homeland.

I'm aware of who it is on the other side
of the God damn phone agent Larson.

I don't have anything new to tell them right now.

All due respect...

you can't dodge calls from the deputy secretary

like it's a woman you're standing up on a date.

Thanks for making that distinction.
Is there anything else?

Why are you doing what you're doing?

Because we're not going to find
out what's really going on here

- ...if we send him back as a terrorist.
- And how can you make that call?

Because I'm the one making it.
Are you here or aren't you?

- I'm here.
- Good. Was there anything else?

- No Sir.
- Thank you Sophie.

- I think Doctor Walzer would like to...
- Yeah.

- Do you want me to...?
- Please.

I didn't come here to be pushed around
by your people.

I'm sorry but maybe it was a mistake
to bring you in here.

I'm sorry to hear you feel that way
but I'm here and I'm not leaving.

I'm sorry you feel that way because
it's not up to you.

You know, I don't even understand why
you brought me here in the first place.

I know you're not the brightest bunch but
NASA still still works for you don't they?

Doctor Walzer.

Believe me when I say I don't have time
to assuage your ego right now.

People I work for are more
interested in showing

that they're top on terror than
bringing anyone from NASA.

It may come as a surprise to you but they
don't believe this whole Martian business

and I can't say that I do either.

Problem is it's the only story that fits
the facts right now.

From what you told me that kid might
represent the key to your life's work.

You can help him by helping me.

What?

No, I'm not gonna come see.
I'm on the phone. Just tell me.

Who?

I'll be right there.

I apologize if this is a stupid question but

- did anyone bother to call the Russians?
- We're not there yet.

Not there yet? They would probably be able
to tell us a lot of things we need to know.

It's not that simple. As far as the United
States government is concerned

we're holding a terrorist. One step at a time.

You want my help? This will help. Sharing
information helps. That's how science works.

Unfortunately it's not not how governments work.
Show me.

We've been getting a lot of questions from reporters.

We're having a hard time confirming the satellite story.

And this was just brought to me by one
of they guys in the press gang.

It's a segment a local news ran about one hour ago.

Turn it up.

astrodetection... whatever it is..

..and I can tell your for sure that this was
not a satellite and that it came from deep space.

Find him, get him off the TV
and keep him away from the press.

Wait. Find out who he is and get him here.

- You can't just do that!
- No? Where were you yesterday?

It's the secretary's office. The Russians
are calling about their satellite.

Should I tell them to call back?

They say they know where all their satellites
are and they didn't lose one.

They wanna know what we know.

Luckily for me I don't know much of anything

and I wasn't about to tell them we
have a cosmonaut from Mars.

But this would be a good opportunity for you
to explain to me exactly

what in the hell you think
you're doing up there.

I'd thought by now you'd have
the suspect on a place.

I wasn't sure by his doctor a travel in his condition could be fatal.

I'd like our people to be the judge for that.

I have no reason to doubt them.

Unfortunately for us the Canadians are getting
worried about their sovereignty.

Especially since no one can seem to find any documentation about

their request to your office for assistance.

Things are moving very quickly Sir.

Of course. But right now you're our only foothold there.

We'll stick with the satellite story for now
since it's already out there.

But if the Russians think we have something
that's theirs they're gonna want it back.

There's no way in hell we're gonna hand anything over to them

until we know what it is we've got...

If it turns out to be black market
hardware that hey let slip away

we're not about to turn over the evidence
so they can cover it up.

Yes Sir.

You were never supposed to get anything this important.

But it landed in your lab.

The White House knows you can't afford to bungle this one.

or they won't make it to another term.

That means everyone's expendable.

No more surprises.

I expect you to step up.

And you are to maintain constant
communication with my office, you get me?

I do.

- Agent Larson. Where is director Taylor?
- What is this about?

I'm acting as the official representative
of the Canadian government.

I need to speak to the person in charge
of your operation.

He's in there.

- Who are you?
- I'm Captain Benton.

Where is the guy who was the liaison yesterday?
I liked that guy.

Captain Adrian's been promoted.

Since last night?

He was brought on duty here
at an emergency.

What's this about?

You should know I've been ordered to place
you under arrest.

My government believes your operation is a
violation of Canadian sovereignty.

I spoke directly with the foreign minister
and told him that

and based on Captain Adrian's report...

I felt it was in Canada's interest not to rush the way
of the flakes on the ground.

Do you read?

- Thank you very much.
- Thank captain Adrian.

He believed you're doing the right thing.
Are you?

- I believe we are, yes.
- Good.

Because my neck's in the line now too.

How much time do we have?

I don't know but I'd move quickly if I were you.

- My men and women are at your disposal.
- Thank you.

- Anything new from the crash site?
- Just more debris.

Cleanup operations are almost complete.

- Keep me updated.
- You do the same.

I've got it from here.

- Mr. Anderson.
- Anderton. With a 'T'.

Right. Do you have those images
with you?

Sure do. Anything I can do to
help you guys up.

Good. Between you and me we can use it.

- Mr. Anderton, this is Dr...
- Oh crap!

You're the Mars guy, aren't you?

Zachary Walzer? Two planets, one future?

That's right.

Anderton. Clive Anderton.
I am a big fan of yours.

Thank you. Thank you.
It's nice to be appreciated.

What the hell have they got you up here for?

- Did they pick you up in a helicopter too?
- Who are you exactly?

Clive. Clive Anderton. Call me Clive.

- I meant...
- I work at Goldstone - Arizona

We work with space guys tracking near Earth objects.

Astronomers, you know.

Seems we spotted whatever it is before it came down

I guess they called me in so I can help you out.

I don't suppose you guys have a phone
around here I could use?

I think I'm out of my coverage area.

- Oh good, Mr...?
- Anderton, call me Clive.

Tom Taylor, how are you?

First, let me just say it is a privilege to help you guys out

I really admire what you do if I may say so.

- Thank you very much.
- The pleasure's mine.

So, Doctor...

Do you wanna pull me in?

Actually before we get to that we need
you to sign a couple documents.

- You don't have to sign that.
- He really does.

Of course, no problem, I understand.

National security and all that.

Where do I sign?

Alright. I'll leave you to it. Agent
Larson will get you everything you need.

Zachary Walzer. How about that?

Who is this?

Adlai DiLeo Sir, I'm with the Helena office.

Why am I talking to you? Where's Taylor?

He's indisposed at the moment Sir,
he's asked me to...

How old are you?

Are you really asking me?

No! Where's Taylor?

Director Taylor is with the suspect Sir.

Is he talking?

I don't believe so but he's doing better
as I understand.

Better enough to be moved?

- I wouldn't know Sir.
- No,of course you wouldn't.

Is there anything else that I can pass
on to director Taylor for you?

Yes.

Tell him the Canadians are threatening
to close the borders.

I'm dispatching a team to extract
the suspect before that happens.

They'll reach you there in six hours.

- Six hours?
- That's right.

- Remind me again who am I talking to?
- Agent DiLeo, Sir.

Fine.

Next time I call, I want Taylor.

Yes Sir.

I shouldn't be here.

I already have the password
I need the encryption key.

They encryption key!

I don't even know why we have to...

Okay. Hang on.

Yeah, great, that worked.
Keep everything together while I'm gone.

I told you I can't tell you where I am.
Official business.

Because I can't, that's why!

Okay, yeah, bye.

Here we go, that's all we've got.

That does look like a Russian Soyuz.

That was my first thought too.

It's coming from deep space.
That doesn't make any sense.

Pictures don't lie. The trajectory I calculated had
it miss us by a horrible margin.

- Then your calculations are wrong.
- They weren't.

I checked it three times and so did my staff.

It's our job to look for stuff like this.

These pictures are from Wednesday night.

At the time when I made the calculations
they were correct.

So something must have changed between
then and when it came down here on Friday.

For a trajectory to shallow that much
it would have to slow down.

Like he was trying to catch us.

- My God.
- I know.

This is it.

What?

Proof.

What's this?

A rock.

I can see that. Why is it on my desk?

This isn't just any rock.
That's a rock from Mars.

Pretty much like any rock I've ever seen.

Turn it over.

That's fossilized evidence of life on Mars.

Best evidence I've ever seen.

- That's better than the ALH-84001.
- ALH-what?

Here.

Back in 1996

NASA announced that they had found microscopic
evidence in meteorites from Mars.

You carry this around in your wallet?

Was big news but this... this is better.

This is definitive.

- You said these from inside the capsule?
- Yeah.

It's a message.

They're sending us a message.

This is exactly what we'd hope to find
if we ever went there.

I'm sorry doctor, you're gonna have to
do better than that.

Better than what?
Listen to what I'm telling you.

I can't go to my superiors with a bunch
of rocks I need something definitive like

why that thing came down and spread
radiation everywhere.

Obviously more than just a reentry
capsule came down.

The nuclear battery was probably
inside the service module.

which is supposed to be ejected
and left in space

but it wasn't, the whole thing reentered.

- Could that have been intentional?
- What?

Could that have been done intentionally?

I don't follow. Why would somebody do that?

- To use it as a weapon.
- That's insane.

These are the question I'm gonna be asked.

It's not wholly inconceivable but it's
a hell of a stretch.

Yeah, your right. A man from Mars is
much less of a stretch.

Well, I guess we'll find out
when he starts talking.

I don't think we can count on that.

Why?

Apparently his immune system has been
compromised.

He's having a reaction to something.
They can't figure out what.

They can't figure out in time...

Well that would make sense.

- Why would that make sense?
- Think about it,

living in one the most closed off
antiseptic environments imaginable

He won't acquire immunity to any of the
germs you and are exposed to everyday.

Never had vaccination.

Never rolled around in the mud.
He never scraped his knee on the playground.

So what should we do?

I'm saying they have to stop treating
him like he's a normal human being.

He's not.

It's not a reaction to something,
it's a reaction to everything.

Great.

You know, pretty soon I think you're gonna
have to decide what you believe.

- And what do you believe doctor?
- What I can see.

We have a kid with no acquired immunity

who has cancer all throughout his body

as if was exposed to intense
amount of cosmic radiation.

We have pictures of a space capsule

coming toward the Earth from deep space.

We have rocks whose composition matches

meteorites known to be from Mars.
What else do you need?

Time.

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And that's what you're gonna run?

Okay.

Alright. Listen. I've gotta run.
Thanks.

Well I've got good news or bad news.

- Depending on how you look at it.
- What?

I just got a phone with the science editor from the Times.

- As in the New York Times?
- As in South Podunk.

Okay, sorry. The New York Times.

- They've got the Mars story.
- Where did they get it?

- They won't reveal their sources.
- And?

They're not running it.

- Why not?
- They don't believe it.

So the bad news is that we have a leak

and the good news is that nobody believes
the real story is real.

- Correct.
- Strange day.

I'll tell him.

- South Podunk?
- It was funnier in my head.

Listen, I'm gonna get some food in here

Yeah I would hope so.

Doesn't sound promising.

- Somebody leaked the story.
- What story?

The one we're holding a cosmonaut from Mars.

- And?
- Vernon's guy say they're not running it.

- Why not?
- They don't believe it's real.

Okay... Well... Good...

Yeah, good but we can't have someone going
to the press behind our backs.

- Who do you think it was?
- The same person you think.

- Yeah.
- He hasn't been exactly quite about

his displeasure with you.

Neither of you.

No that's my job, at least partially.

That's fair.

You want me to talk to him?

- No I'll do.
- I thought you'd be a little more upset.

- They're not running the story.
- Not yet.

So what do you want me to do?

I want you sooner rather than later to
tell me what's going on inside your head.

- I don't think we have that kind of time.
- I'm serious.

Right now everyone is going along
with this because they trust you.

But there's only so much you can ask of
them before they're gonna start questioning

If you recall yesterday you were the one
trying to convince me

- that there might be...
- I was simply pointing out

that the story we had was
consistent with the facts.

I didn't say anything about ignoring or
worse lying to the press.

- OK, so for now I...
- Now I'm holding down the fort.

Thank you.

Everyone's starving by the way.

Hello?

Yeah, he's here.

It's for you.

Hello?

Did you leak the story?

What?

Newspaper got hold of the Mars story.
Did you tell them?

- I don't know what you're talking about.
- It doesn't matter they're not running it.

Why?

They don't believe it's real.

- Really?
- Yeah.

Is that good or bad?

A leak is definitely bad and the violation
of the confidentiality agreement

would have serious consequences...

I would think so.

Anyway, we're out of time.

About that... Right before the

Apollo 11 astronauts returned from the moon

Congress passed something called "Extraterrestrial
exposure" act.

It was to prevent any contamination
by foreign microbes they might have picked up

by placing them in a quarantine for two weeks.

- And?
- Well...

If we're going to accept we're dealing
with something from Mars

There might be a legal requirement to place
this entire area...

Everything and everyone that's come in contact
with the capsule or its occupant.

under quarantine.

If it wasn't for that law specifically
then there's still a case to be made.

It's a good try doctor but
I think we're out of time here.

I see. You've made up your mind then.

What?

- They still...
- I'm gonna have to call you back.

We've initiated a containment protocol.

But he's going to need a lot more care
than I can deliver.

Oh my God.

Now for nothing but I've you had been
straight with me from the beginning...

...we could have avoided a lot of this.

I wasn't sure I believed in.

Belief has nothing to do with it.

I can't effectively treat a patient

if I don't know everything there is to
know about their history.

Don't keep anything from me again.

Again... again... again... I'll refer you

...to our earlier statement.

Ladies and gentlemen...

Deputy Secretary Eric McClellan.

Good evening.

As you already know a satellite crashed
two nights ago near Edmonton in Canada.

It spread some of the nuclear
material it used as a power source

over parts of the Montana state before
crossing the US Canadian border.

It was for that reason that DHS agents
from our Montana field office

...were dispatched to assist local
Canadian authorities.

This was at the request of
officials in the Canadian government.

Despite initial fears,

all the information we have suggests
that this was an accident.

That there was no hostile intention

on the part of any nation
or terrorist organization

and that this is exactly
what it appears to be.

It has been suggested that the satellite

may have been of Soviet origin.
A relic from a beacon era.

Well we have not confirmed that

we have been in communication with the Russian
government through

their embassy and I understand the President spoke with...
the Russian president by phone earlier this afternoon.

We are expecting their full cooperation in
determining the origin of the satellite

if it is needed.

For now the base in Calgary where the
satellite debris has been collected

is being placed under strict quarantine.

Since the first affected areas were
in the United States

The Canadian government has agreed
to let the American task force

headed by director Thomas Taylor
to remain in Calgary to continue

the investigation for the duration
of the quarantine.

I understand they will be issuing their
own official statement shortly.

I wish to express my hope that the

media refrain from sensationalizing
this too much.

Not that that's never happened before

Seriously folks

I know it's a duty story but there
is really very little cause for alarm.

The situation is well on hand. Good night.

Mr. Secretary!

Well, we're in it now...

I know none of you were expecting
an extended stay up here.

But I think you all agree that
these unique circumstances

deserve a thorough and thoughtful
investigation.

I also know that some of you may disagree

with how I've handled this matter thus far

It's fair.

You're free to fire your report
when we get back.

But for now I expect you to continue doing
your jobs until we get to the bottom of this.

And now if you'll excuse
me I'm expecting a phone call.

I'm with with the Canadian government.
Everything you do goes through me.

- Fine.
- I have those reports you asked for.

Two weeks.

- Sir?
- You got yourself two weeks.

Mainly because I'm not convinced
the Russians aren't hiding something.

What, I don't know but at least
I bought us some time to find it out.

Oh by the way...

your "extraterrestrial exposure law"
was repealed 20 years ago.

The only reason the Canadians are going along
with all of this

is because it seems you have an
advocate in their government.

If you have any idea who...

I'll send him a food basket.

Yes Sir.

One last thing.

This now involves three countries.

and you do not set policy for this
government on your own, are we clear?

We are.

Oh God, I was just looking for you.

There something wrong with the toilets
in the men's room.

Mr. Anderton I'm gonna have to ask you
to come with us.

What for?

The waiver you signed prohibits making
any unauthorized calls.

The logs indicate you made several
calls out of base.

That's right. I needed an information
from my staff.

I don't suppose you know anyone at the
news desk at the Times?

Am I under arrest?

No but I'm going to have
you escorted off base

and if any more news leaks out
that we didn't leak ourselves

I'll know whose door to knock on.

Humanity's future lies in space.

We have the means to go there.
What we seem to lack is the will.

We could have been on Mars 20 years ago.

Why aren't we?

We could be pushing the boundaries
of a whole new frontier world.

Why aren't we?

We could be sparking innovation

and raising a whole new
generation of dreamers

who would push us even further than the generations
that came before them thought possible.

Honorable men and women of the committee
I come to you

as an advocate for the very future

of the human race.

Because that is what we are talking
about here.

Not simply the future of our manned
space program.

But the future of man himself

in the most real and profound way possible.

And I for one will not sit idly by

and watch us condemn that future to stagnation

because we lack the will or the imagination.

That future lies on Mars.

And if it's not us

it will somebody else that
gets there first.

Thank you.

There's food if you want

I don't think I like that Clive guy
very much.

You will be pleased to know he
won't be working with us longer.

It turns out he was our leak.

I apologize for accusing you.

What's the boy's name?

I realize I never bothered to ask.

The note didn't say.

More than many salient details are conveniently left out.

For now we're calling him Yuri.

Why Yuri?

I don't know. Seemed as good as a name as any.

I...

wanted to thank you.

You saved the kid not to mention my ass.

Not bad for government work.

You're welcome.

You know it's funny

before all this started

I was this close to turn in my letter
of resignation.

Why?

Most of my job is playing politics
it turns out

I don't really have the patience
for playing politics.

Well...

I can understand that.

Doctor.

What are we dealing with here?

The evidence supports the boy's story.

I can't fathom why somebody would make
something like that up.

But?

As much as I want it to be true...

I can't quite accept it.

The odds of surviving something like that

even under ideal circumstances

there's a missing element.

But...

seeing that kid's face

I don't know what to believe.

Yeah.

Hey...

If we're gonna be here here for a while
I'm going to need someone to feed my dog.

I'll get right on that.

Next time on Pioneer One:
Are you sure it's a good idea to
keep bringing in new people?

You're the... nurse?

Yeah it's me.

So what's our cosmonaut hiding?

- I don't have time to argue.
- That's a change.

- What is going on up here?
- You wouldn't believe me if I told you.

The parents...

I'm so sorry.

We can go back and find them.