The Outer Limits (1995–2002): Season 1, Episode 1 - Sandkings - full transcript
When his research project is closed down, Simon Kress rescues a few of its living subjects and transplants them to a recreation of their native Martian environment in his barn. They grow and learn, but then Kress makes an error with disastrous implications.
What an honor
to be before you.
The Nobel Prize.
You must know,
I didn't do it alone.
Although, research
is a lonely business.
But I must-
I must share this with my family...
my wonderful family-
my wife, my son.
Would you please stand?
To be honored in your presence
is a very humbling experience.
To be in the presence of those
scientific ghosts from the past...
Darwin, Einstein.
Yes, sir!
This way.
- Good morning, Dr. Kress.
- Good morning, Clarise.
Transportation Security
to Sublevel 4.
- Anything new for me?
- MI scan detects 67 new eggs.
- Is that right?
- If gestation periods hold constant...
we'll have a new generation
by 2300 hours.
Virile little suckers.
All right!
Up and at 'em, boys.
It might be midnight on Mars...
but it's sure as hell
mornin' here.
Maintain steady lightning intervals.
Okay.
Let's see what we got.
Nothin' new in 51.
Let's go next door.
26W is the same.
No population increase there.
That's very nice.
There.
Wait, wait.
Bring up the terrain GIF's
from last night's sweep.
I want a full comparison.
All security personnel.
Organism detected, Level 3!
- Decontam Sector 4!
- Level 3?
That's almost surface.
Intercept and neutralize!
Neutralize? I've gotta
get into the ventilation system.
But that's a closed system!
That's impossible!
They can't annihilate them.
I've spent five years with these bugs!
- Dr. Kress?
- I can retrieve it!
This is a quarantine event!
You're in violation of procedure!
There he is!
Get him!
Stop, now!
Dr. Kress!
Dr. Kress!
He's headin' for the east wing!
Let's go!
Okay, where are ya?
I know you're in here.
Where are you?
- There you are!
- There he is!
- Someone spot it?
- Wait! Get away from him! He's mine!
- This one's mine!
- No. No!
You have no right to do this! No!
There is nothing wrong
with your television.
Do not attempt
to adjust the picture.
We are now controlling
the transmission.
We control
the horizontal...
and the vertical.
We can deluge you
with a thousand channels...
or expand one single image
to crystal clarity...
and beyond.
We can shape
your vision...
to anything
our imagination can conceive.
We will control
all that you see and hear.
You are about to experience
the awe and mystery...
which reaches from
the deepest inner mind to...
The Outer Limits.
Some of man's
greatest achievements...
have been motivated by a driving need
for love and acceptance.
What happens when that need
for recognition...
becomes a desire to be revered...
and then worshipped
like a god?
Dave, what the hell
was I supposed to do?
Simon, that damn thing
was practically topside.
- He got to Level 3. That's hardly topside.
- He was practically topside.
That is close enough.
I suppose the government suits want
a whole new decon routine implemented?
No, we never talked about that.
They don't want a procedural review,
do they?
You know what that
would do to the timetable.
They're shutting us down. They want
the remaining life-forms cryoed...
and transferred immediately
to deep-store in Nevada...
and all research consolidated
and classified as priority sense one.
- They can't.
- It's over. The whole thing's toast.
They can't do this to me.
I created them. They're mine.
Everyone acknowledges
your contributions, Simon.
Contributions?
I created life!
If it weren't for me, you'd still be
sittin' on a bunch of dried-up eggs...
as dead as the rest of the Martian soil
brought back by that damned Mars Lander!
- I'm filing a report.
- There's no one left to file to.
This whole thing comes from
the president of the United States.
- You can't go over his head.
- Then I'll go to the public!
Don't talk like that.
Don't even joke about it.
Simon, an alien organism...
came within 20 feet
of contaminating the Earth's biosphere!
The M-17 biotics
are not just organisms.
Do you have any idea what kind of
a shit-scare that caused in Washington?
They're not just organisms.
They're intelligent beings.
That's just conjecture.
You know it as well as I do.
The organism that those idiots incinerated
was the latest generation.
He learned how to evade
the security measures.
- Don't you know what that means?
- Yes. That they're very unsafe.
And unfortunately, the committee
feels the same about you.
You're not being reassigned.
So...
after nine years,
you're just gonna fire me, and that's it?
Look, I'm sorry.
What's your next move, Dave?
Maybe in a couple of years...
you might just resurrect the project,
this time with you at the helm?
I'm not gonna reward
that with a response, Simon...
except to say that any breach of security
will mark you as a high risk.
- What's that supposed to mean?
- Don't find out.
You scared me to death.
You're home early.
We're in a holding pattern
on some tests.
You know I don't like you
to look at my stuff before it's done.
Didn't see a thing.
So those are the new windows
for the courthouse, huh?
Well, they will be
if city council approves my design.
They'll be lucky to get you.
Thank you.
- Did you seeJosh?
- No.
- Well, I'm worried about him.
- Why?
'Cause he spends too much time
alone in the dark.
So do I.
- But he's 10. It's not normal.
- Cheers.
Who's normal?
- You okay?
- Why?
'Cause you seem kind of out of it,
more than usual.
I'm just a little
burned out, that's all.
- Your dad's coming for dinner tonight.
- Wonderful.
He called. He wants to seeJosh.
He's lonely, Simon.
That's because no one can stand to be
around him for more than 15 minutes.
The deadly reign of Arachnothoid...
has begun!
Dad, Mom,
this stuff looks awesome!
- Great.
- When do we get to see it?
Not till I add the music
and sound effects.
See, there's the problem.
Three perfectionists in one household.
- I'll get it!
- Good.
- Make that four.
- Hi, Grandpa!
Hi there, champ.
Got a surprise for ya!
- I don't know if I'm ready for this.
- Cool!
Look what Grandpa got me!
Come on!
I know, I know.
You didn't want me to get him one.
But the little guy kept eying me
from the store window.
- I just couldn't resist.
- We gotta talk about this.
Tell me that is not
a real dog in my living room.
- You will learn to love him, Cathy.
- This is a very bad idea.
No, it isn't.
Every boy should have a dog.
But-
Cathy works, I work, and-
Who's gonna take care of him?
I mean, Josh-
- You can't count on Josh to take care-
- He'll be great forJosh.
- It'll help make him more sociable.
- I love him, Grandpa.
- What's his name?
- You're gonna have to give him one.
You were saying?
So, they still working on that-
What do you call it?
That moon rock thing-
- Not moon rocks. Martian soil samples.
- Brought back by the Mars Lander.
And you're doin' some sort
of research on 'em, right?
We're studying how Earth life
interacts with Martian terrain.
It's amazing how the government
spends our money these days.
Yeah, there's never a good war around
when you need one, huh, Colonel?
It's too bad we're not
invading someone.
That'd be a shot in the arm
to the old economy.
Josh, you're not feeding
that dog, are you?
- But he's real hungry, Mom.
- I know.
Your grandpa brought you a big bag
of dog food. It's out on the porch.
You wanna feed him,
get a handful of that.
Come on.
Looks like your present is a big hit.
You know, kids and dogs,
they're made for each other.
What was the name of that dog you had
when you were a kid, Simon?
Cowboy. And he wasn't mine.
He was David's.
- He was?
- Yeah, he was.
Yeah, that's right.
You didn't care much for pets, did you?
But David sure did.
Yeah, I remember now.
He really suffered
when Cowboy died.
How did Cowboy die?
He dug a hole under the fence,
got into some traffic.
Well, I sure hope we're not
setting Josh up for a trauma like that.
Trauma is a part of life.
The sooner a boy is introduced to it,
the sooner he'll be able to deal with it.
Now, when David finally
came out of his room...
a small part of him
had become a man.
MaybeJosh'll get lucky,
and his dog'll get hit by a car.
- I'll see you later, champ.
- Bye, Grandpa.
How about this for a name?
- Cowboy.
- Cowboy?
Cool.
Cowboy!
Hey, thanks for
that good dinner, Cathy.
- It's my pleasure.
- You better take some time off from work.
- You seem a little stressed.
- Maybe I will.
Get rid of
that damned ponytail.
Well, he's a grown man,
for God's sake.
What a guy.
I just think you could've
handled it better.
I've been handling it
all my life, Cath.
- Never changes.
- I know.
But he's your father,
and he's old.
He's only old
when it comes to me.
He knew whose dog it was.
You think he can't remember
where I work?
He just loves to piss on what I do.
I'm not David.
Didn't make the all-star team
in Little League.
Didn't win any trophies
for swimming and football.
Didn't become an F-4 pilot.
Didn't die for my country.
Just read my books...
kept to myself.
Big disappointment to him.
I don't think that
you are a disappointment.
I think he's proud of you.
I just-
Men like him don't know how
to express themselves.
I don't need his approval.
Maybe he's waitin' for you
to get a Nobel Prize.
Simon says give me a kiss.
Take your clothes off.
Didn't say, "Simon says."
Let there be light.
And there was.
Dr. Kress
is coming through.
- Affirmative.
- Move that truck right over there.
I'm sorry.
Damn it!
Clear it with Stockley!
Why are you here?
- I wanna supervise the cryo-storage.
- That's not necessary at all.
They've got extremely
capable personnel working on it.
I'm sure they do, but this is my work.
If something goes wrong...
they're gonna point the finger at me,
and maybe you.
Nothing's gonna go wrong, Simon.
Dave, if they're gonna
close the book on my life...
at least let me make sure
it's done right.
Listen, last night,
I said some things I didn't mean.
- Forget it.
- Just let me do this.
All right?
Tomorrow, I'll be history.
Okay. All right.
But you just supervise only.
Simon, this could mean my ass.
Supervise only.
That takes care of the mobiles.
Prepare for transport.
I'll alert Team Two that
the soil is ready for purging.
We're clear.
Dr. Kress,
please return to Security.
- Yeah.
- The lunch box, please.
The thermos too.
No problem.
- Thank you.
- Waste of good coffee.
I believe you have something
that belongs to us.
Your I D tag.
They said you forgot to turn it in.
Yeah.
Thanks. Now, listen,
if there's anything you need...
anything at all,
don't hesitate to call.
- You'll be the first.
- Okay.
Welcome home.
Entry number one.
Have established visual confirmation
of the presence of eggs...
within the soil.
The next stage will be
to introduce the embryos...
into a controlled environment.
Viability, of course, depends on fac-
- Other than that, school was okay?
- Yep.
Why don't you
take Cowboy out back?
Let him run around
for a little while.
- Bet he could use it after the vet.
- Okay.
Come on, Cowboy. Come on.
Hi, honey.
Come on, Cowboy.
Where are you going?
Hey, you're home early.
What happened?
Nothing happened.
What?
- Something happened, didn't it?
- A little downtime with the equipment.
I didn't wanna lose momentum,
so I'm doing some of the research at home.
- Where, in the barn?
- Yeah.
- You're joking.
- Actually, it's not a bad place to work.
You're not doing anything dangerous
in there, are you?
What are you talking about?
How'd the presentation go?
It's on Thursday.
Today is-
- Monday.
- Is that my stained glass?
I used some of the stuff you were gonna
throw out to patch up the windows.
- Looks good, huh?
- Yes, but this is really not what-
Don't worry. Relax.
I won't give up my day job.
The reign of Arachnothoid
has ended!
Long live the canine-o-saur!
Cowboy, your career is over.
Dad?
- Josh, what are you doing in here?
- I was looking for you.
- Come on!
- I need some help with my movie.
- I don't want you going in there.
- Why?
Because I'm doing
some very important work.
I don't wanna see you in the barn again.
Do you understand?
- Why can't I help?
- Because you can't. That's the end of it.
And I don't want you telling
your mom what you saw in there.
Okay?
- You hear me?
- Yeah.
- It's a surprise.
- Surprise?
- Yeah.
- Sure.
Okay, go on.
Make your movie.
Cowboy, come.
You're still my best buddy.
You know that, don't ya?
Afternoon, Simon.
- Missed me already, huh?
- You could say that.
You keepin' busy?
Taking some time off,
doin' a little soul-searching.
That's good.
Good. You know,
I'm doing a little searching myself.
What for?
A new job?
No. 265 grams
of Martian soil.
I hate to break it to you,
but you're on the wrong planet.
265 grams.
That was the discrepancy
that the mass comparison analysis found...
when we transferred
the habitat to storage.
Maybe one of those crack technicians
you hired made off with a souvenir.
Well, the agency boys
put it down to computation error...
but I just think they were in a mad rush
to wrap it up as quick as they could.
You know me and my figures.
If they don't match up...
it just gets me wondering.
Guess there's a small part
of scientist in me after all.
I've always said that, Dave.
A very small part.
Did you steal
that soil sample?
- Why the hell would I want to do that?
- There were eggs in that soil.
I get all the eggs I need
from the supermarket.
Cut the crap
and give me a straight answer.
All right, I'll give you one.
You got your head up your ass.
My interest in the project ended when I
drove off the compound for the last time.
You're nothin' but
a shitty memory to me.
You and the agency.
Is that straight enough for ya?
Yeah.
I'm still truly sorry
what happened to you...
but you're makin' it awful tough
to stay on the same team.
See you.
Log entry number seven.
I estimate a total
of 10 hatchings...
and anticipate 30 more
within the next 10 hours.
The activity within the environment
continues to intensify...
and I'm ready to commence
regular feeding.
I expect the first mobile...
will break the surface
in a week.
I believe that the Sandkings...
can attain intelligence.
I define this by
the ability to reason.
I can prove this.
Son, I told you.
This is off-limits.
I know, Dad,
but we gotta talk.
Give me a few more minutes.
I'm right in the middle of something.
But how can we be best buddies
if we never hang out together?
- Just let me finish my work.
- You always say that.
It never happens.
Buddy?
Hey, buddy.
- Don't walk away mad.
- Forget that "buddy" stuff.
Son, don't walk away from me
when I'm talkin' to you.
What do you want?
I wanna spend time with you.
I just-
- Don't worry about it.
- Son?
Can you keep a secret?
Yeah? Why?
I need you
to help me with something.
But you're gonna have to do exactly
as you're told. Serious business.
What are you talking about?
How would you like
to help me out in the barn?
Yes!
No, the date I've always
been working with is Thursday.
Well-
Nobody ever told me
anything except Thursday.
Well, I guess it doesn't matter much
what they told me.
You need something today.
No, no, it's not a problem...
'cause my husband's here,
and he can watch my son.
It won't be a full rendering
that I would be showing you-
Right. Okay.
So I'll be there in an hour and a half.
Great. Bye.
Trace him, trace him. Over there.
That's right. Got a good shot there?
- Yeah. Recording.
- You sure it's in focus?
Dad, please.
I'm not a tourist.
It's important that
it's recorded clearly.
You handle your worms,
I'll handle the photography.
- Move the camera up to me in a close-up.
- Why?
Will you give me the close-up?
Right here?
Okay, the organisms
will now be given...
one cube
of synthesized protein.
They don't seem too interested.
- What else do they eat?
- Practically anything.
How about
Mrs. Thompson's cat?
I don't think so.
Now proceeding
to the live subject.
There you are.
You sure you wanna watch this?
Man your camera.
All right.
Bombs away.
Bombs away.
What are they?
They're very special.
I call them Sandkings.
They're from very far away.
- I think they share a hive mind.
- What's that?
Well, it means
they kind of work together...
but they're controlled by one individual,
most likely the queen.
Like bees and ants?
The Sandkings-
The Sandkings are much more
than bees and ants.
I think they're smart, like people.
I've been testing them.
Your mom's gonna be home any minute,
and I haven't even started dinner.
Dad, Mom's not gonna
be too thrilled with this.
Now you let me worry about that.
In the meantime-
- I know.
- What?
- It's a secret.
- Yeah.
Good boy.
So the city council tentatively
approved my design for the windows.
Yes!
But they wanna see
a rendering by Friday.
- Great, honey.
- Yeah.
- Congratulations, Mom.
- Thank you.
However, it means I'm gonna
be really, really busy.
No problem. I got things
under control around here.
- So what'd you do in school today?
- Nothin'.
That sounds educational.
How about you?
How's it goin'?
I got a lot done.
I'm keepin' a handle on the work.
I should be pretty much up to speed
when the lab's up and running again.
Lucky how it worked out.
You'll be around here this week
to keep an eye on Josh.
It's weird how things
happen sometimes.
Weird. Real weird.
Really, really weird.
Weird.
I'll be damned.
Entry number 17.
The Sandkings have displayed-
They've displayed an ability
to mimic terrestrial formations.
Now, while this could indicate
some form of intellect at work...
it does not necessarily demonstrate
the ability to reason.
So I've decided on a change.
- Mr. Kress?
- Yeah.
- Sign here, please.
- All the pieces have been precut, right?
Yeah. All you gotta do
is slap 'em together.
It's gonna be
some fish tank, huh?
I like my seafood fresh.
Well, for what you're payin',
I certainly hope you're raising caviar.
All right, boys and girls.
Welcome to the promised land.
They're both great, but this amber's
perfect. Will you order me some?
Sure.
Must be nice having Simon home.
- Yeah.
- You don't seem too happy about it.
Take it from me, whether he's at home
or at work these days...
he's in another world.
- Well, that's weird.
- What?
The computer won't
accept your card.
- Why?
- It says it's over the limit.
- No way. It's a screwup.
- No, I ran it through twice.
I'm supposed to cut it up. Do you wanna
call the card company or something?
Yeah, I do.
- Get out of my way!
- Wait-
- I wanna know what the hell's goin' on.
- Let me explain first!
Explain, Simon.
Explain to me...
why there are over $25,000
worth of purchases on our credit cards!
- I got it worked out.
- Purchases I knew nothing about!
Then when you're done explaining that,
try to tell me...
how you're gonna pay for them
when we can barely pay for our house!
Believe me, I wouldn't have done
what I did without a reason.
No!
Listen to me.
Give me your hand!
Now, now!
Give me your hand!
Get out of there!
Take my hand! Come on!
- Give me your hand!
- Oh, my God!
You're okay!
You're clean.
You're all right.
You're all right. You're clean.
You're all right. We found them in
the sand brought back by the Mars Lander.
- Found what?
- Eggs, no bigger than a pinhead.
They've been lying dormant
for millions of years...
till I found the right combination
to initiate gestation.
So you've been lying to me?
Is that what you've been doing
up at Mount Parnell...
and not analyzing soil samples?
It was a classified project!
The highest clearance!
We couldn't talk to anyone from
the outside about it. It wasn't my choice.
- So what are they doing in my barn?
- They killed the project!
They killed the project?
Why?
I wasn't given a reason.
Just told to shut down.
Maybe they thought the public
would never be ready. I don't know.
But on the day I was to leave...
I took a sample of the soil.
- They're not gonna take that away from me.
- They can't stay here. They're dangerous.
No, they're not.
The Sandkings are intelligent.
If they keep evolving, there's no limit
to what we can learn from them.
- Josh has been recording them-
- You gotJosh mixed up in this?
- It's perfectly safe.
- How can it be safe?
The government's trying
to destroy these sand things.
- They don't understand.
- Neither do I!
It's a chance to make my mark.
I can announce the discovery
of extraterrestrial life.
Then announce it now.
First, I'm taking them to the point
of true measured intelligence.
Have faith in me, Cath.
I want you there with me.
- Time for bed.
- Just a few more seconds, Mom.
Not tonight, bud.
There we go. Give him some room there.
There we go.
Why are you mad at Dad?
- Why do you say that?
- I heard rumors.
Well, everything's okay,
I promise.
But those sand things
worry me.
- Sandkings, Mom.
- Excuse me.
You know how afraid I am of bugs.
Remember that time we were drivin'...
and there was this huge spider
on the dashboard?
It was a daddy longlegs.
It may have been a daddy longlegs,
but it nearly made me drive off the road.
But I like helping Dad.
He said we might win the "Noble" Prize.
Nobel.
Bet you do.
Anyway, you promise
to be careful?
Okay.
Night, Mom.
Good night, baby.
What a mess.
This is entry 24-
This is entry 24.
Entry-
This is entry 24
of the eighth day-
This is entry 24 of the eighth day
of the project, the ninth.
The Sandkings
have divisioned-
This is entry 24
on the eighth day of the project.
The 19th generation
of Sandkings...
have differentiated
into two distinct species-
one red in coloration,
the other white.
Also, I've-
I've begun to distinguish
certain individuals among the two species.
They seem to have taken
to their new habitat quite nicely...
and it's my hope that
the increase in size of the habitat...
will stimulate the production of eggs
by the two queens.
Now, I can verify that theory
by the following data.
Just give me a moment.
I'll be right with you.
Charlton Heston,
eat your heart out.
Listen.
I've done it.
I've done it.
Ah, the Nobel Prize.
Words cannot describe
my appreciation.
What an honor, to stand
before you illustrious people.
- I'd like to thank my wonderful family-
- Josh, let's go, bud.
- Breakfast is on the table. I gotta run.
- Cathy!
- I'm late, Simon.
- Listen to me. I've done it!
- Done what?
- What I was talking about yesterday.
Cowboy's gone.
He wasn't in my room when I woke up.
Are you kidding? Did you look
under the bed and everywhere?
- I looked all over.
- He's out chasing squirrels or something.
- Cathy. Listen to me.
- Give it a break! There's a crisis.
Come on. We'll go outside.
We'll look around the neighborhood.
Listen. Listen. Cathy! Cathy!
Okay, go look for the damn dog!
I don't believe it.
- Cowboy!
- Come on, Cowboy!
- You in there?
- Cowboy!
You didn't get your breakfast!
- I have to go. I got my presentation.
- Okay.
Maybe your dad'll help you
before you go to school.
- See you later.
- Cowboy! Cowboy!
Dave Stockley, please.
Simon Kress.
I'll hold.
Cowboy! Cowboy!
Simon. Dave Stockley. Simon?
Cowboy!
Cowboy!
Nothing goes in,
nothing goes out. You got that?
Are you hungry again? Too bad.
From now on,
it's survival of the fittest.
You only get what I give you.
No more "manna from heaven."
Forget it.
The committee took another design.
I didn't get the job.
Did you hear me?
I heard you. We'll just-
Just have to take out
a loan, that's all.
Take out a loan?
I don't think there's a bank on the planet
that's going to give us another loan.
You know, I would really love to know
what goes through your mind.
I tell you that a project I've been
working on for six months...
just got rejected, and-
"Take out a loan."
You don't even say, "I'm sorry."
I'm sorry.
Oh, great.
- You ready, Mom?
- Sure, honey.
- Where are you going?
- To look for the dog.
You remember Cowboy, don't you?
My God.
Entry 31. Structure is approximately
90 centimeters in height.
120 centimeters in width.
Fabricated after the initial
damage to the Sandking castle.
Estimated time for construction,
12 hours.
Purpose of the structure is-
Unknown.
If you think my face
is gonna get you food...
you got another think comin'.
And you red guys, you better
get with the program.
Now, don't go gettin' a big head.
Oh, shit! Ouch! You bastard!
Shit. You fucking bastard.
Shit.
Shit!
Preliminary analysis of
Sandking venom reveals...
presence of microorganisms.
Now...
it's unknown...
what the effect of those-
those microorganisms is...
within the human bloodstream.
As a result, a possibility of infection...
is almost impossible to engage.
I mean, to gauge.
Only time will tell.
As far as the new
constructions are concerned...
I can only speculate
as to their purpose.
Either they're an extension
of the Sandkings'ability to-
to build specific forms,
or maybe they're a form of worship.
Maybe they-
are an attempt at
some sort of appeasement.
And whether this is-
is an indication of-
of intelligence...
I don't know.
- Oh, my God!
- You can still call me Simon.
- Simon, what are you doing?
- Simon Says-
- Simon says?
- Let's play.
Simon says, look behind you.
Now, open the curtain.
Do it.
I didn't say, "Simon Says."
How long has this been going on?
All week now. He's completely
shut himself into the barn.
He won't let anyone in,
not even Josh, and-
It's like we don't even
exist when he comes out.
We barely see him anymore.
I don't know. I don't even know
who I'm livin' with anymore.
- What's he working on now?
- I can't tell you.
- Well, why?
- I just- I can't.
What is it you want me
to do, Cathy?
Well...
I thought maybe you could talk to him.
I'm not very good at that.
You ought to know-
we hardly agree on anything.
- Why me?
- You're his father.
And I think that deep down, that-
I think Simon's doing this for you.
You know, it's-
He wants to accomplish something.
He wants you to be proud ofhim.
He wants you to feel about him...
the way you do
about his brother.
Ah, that's ridiculous.
It's the truth!
I think that all his life...
Simon's been trying
to get your approval.
I'm sorry. I don't mean
to yell at you. It's just-
Really, you can see that, can't you?
Oh, I don't know about that.
And I don't know what my talking to him
is going to accomplish either.
Oh, incredible!
Devastation.
Organisms have been
denied food for 36 hours.
The first conflict erupted 40 minutes ago.
Five white mobiles attacked a red.
It was dismembered
and fed to the white queen.
Red retaliation occurred
almost instantly.
War has been constant. Battle maneuvers
are getting extremely sophisticated.
I estimate total losses
on both sides at 20%.
Only the strongest
and smartest survive.
I feel as if the organisms
could leave the habitat...
whenever they desired,
and yet they stay...
as if to perform for me, or to-
to communicate with me.
I know and feel that...
as soon as regular feedings resume,
that there will evolve...
a deepening trust between us.
Entry 51.
The presence of infection confirmed.
I will attempt to...
retard the spread
of the microorganisms...
with use of conventional antibiotics.
But their effects are-
are greatly in doubt.
The experiment has taken on
a life of its own.
And it will continue...
regardless of what happens to me.
Dave. I'm sorry I missed you.
You said if I ever needed anything,
I should call?
However, I think you need me, old buddy.
We need each other.
We're at a threshold.
I can't do this alone.
Please come see my surprise
tomorrow morning, Dave.
Come alone.
Good God.
- What do you want?
- You look like hell.
Is that why you came here?
To tell me I look like hell?
- Came here to talk to you.
- Talk.
Not like this. Not through
this damn door. Can't I come in?
What is it?
- Your wife is very worried about you.
- What'd she tell you?
That you were working on
a secret project...
- and it was drivin' you crazy.
- Just workin' a little harder than usual.
You don't talk to her anymore.
Or toJosh.
And she sent you to come here and lecture
me about my relationship with my son.
Who's crazier, me or her?
I had a good relationship
with your brother.
Yes. What was it, huh?
What happened between us?
You're not doing this because-
I don't know, because you-
you feel you need to- to prove yourself
to me or anything like that, are you?
You think I'm doing this for you?
You poor old bastard. You think the world
revolves around you. You're sick.
David would never have talked
to me that way.
No, because he was your little puppet,
your little soldier.
He'd do anything
you wanted him to.
Marched off to war for you.
Even got himself killed for you.
Get out of here.
Where were you?
- I had an interview for a job.
- Bullshit!
- What are you talking about?
- What am I talking about? He came here.
- My father came here.
- Well, he's worried about you.
He was spying on me for you!
I thought I could trust you.
Trust? You're talking about trust? You're
the one who's been lying to your wife!
- You're calling yourself my wife?
- Simon, stop it!
- You betrayed me. Betrayed our family!
- Stop it, Simon.
- Simon, you need some help.
- All I need is to get you out of my life!
All right!
All right.
- Come on, Josh. We gotta go.
- I'm almost done!
Well, just take what you need.
I'm gonna start packing the car.
- Come on!
- Okay.
- Aren't we gonna say bye to Dad?
- No.
No, we're gonna call Daddy from
Grandpa's house. Get in the car.
Get in the car, Josh. Now.
Okay, seat belt on?
Entry 57.
Kathy and Josh are gone.
Gone over to the enemy.
Just me now.
Just me.
War has been constant.
Battle maneuvers...
have gotten
extremely sophisticated.
I estimate total losses
on both sides at 20%.
Only the strongest
and smartest survive.
I feel as if the-
the organisms could...
leave the habitat whenever
they desired and yet they stay...
as if to perform for me, or to-
to-
This is quite the hobby
you've got going here, Simon.
Dave!
Got your own little slice of Mars.
Sort of brings new meaning
to the phrase "mad scientist."
I expected you tomorrow morning.
Yeah, I got your message,
and I decided to come a little early.
You know I like things to add up.
Now they do.
These castles, do they serve a purpose?
They're used for defense. In war.
- They war?
- Oh, intricate battles.
With the proper motivation, of course.
Scarcity of food.
- How many generations?
- Thirty-three.
Did you-
- Did you see the carvings?
- Yes.
- Why you?
- I'm their source of life.
- God.
- Oh, it's all right here, Dave.
What mankind has dreamt
about for decades.
The proof of alien intelligence.
Well, I have to admit, Simon...
what you have created is truly...
unfathomable, really.
It's a shame it's gonna
have to all disappear.
- It is?
- What's happened to you?
Have you seen what you look like
in the mirror?
I don't know what's gonna be harder
to clean up, Simon. You or this...
mess.
Simon, with your brilliance,
I mean, your genius...
how could you create
something so dangerous?
Listen, I'll do what I can. I promise you.
I'll do what I can for you.
To try and keep you out of jail.
Okay?
Thanks, Dave.
- Oh, my God. Oh, God.
- You talking to me, Dave?
Simon!
I won't say anything.
I won't say anything, Simon!
You're wrong, Dave.
- You're gonna scream.
- Help! No!
- Ugh.
- No!
No!
Thanks.
I don't know.
Maybe I shouldn't have left him.
You had to.
You did the right thing.
At least for now.
I guess.
He's a good kid, isn't he?
The best.
Ahh, the Nobel Prize.
My feelings are...
indescribable.
I'm so honored to be-
be in this company,
to be with you.
It's the greatest
moment of my life.
I am humbled...
by the presence in this room.
And of course, the-
the ghosts of the great scientists
of the past.
Darwin.
Einstein.
Oh, my God, they're all-
They humble me.
But it's very lonely.
Very lonely.
No one...
really knows who-
who I am.
Do you?
No.
There is.
There is someone...
who could tell you who I am.
My brother.
But-
He's-
He's not here, and-
My father. He-
He deserves my gratitude.
He helped me.
Helped me.
My dear father.
But he doesn't like my hair, do you?
No. Well.
We'll fix that.
I have a surprise for you.
Where, where are you?
Where are you?
There you are.
Do you like this better, Father?
Perhaps not.
For you, dear Father.
Good-bye, hair.
Thanks.
- Simon Kress?
- Yes, sir.
Sorry to disturb you, but I'm checking up
on a Mr. David Stockley.
He didn't come home last night,
and his wife said he was coming here.
I was expecting him.
He never showed up.
- About what time were you expecting him?
- Around 7:00.
Do you have any idea where
Mr. Stockley might be?
No, sir. I'm sorry. I don't.
You used to work with
Mr. Stockley, am I right?
Yes, sir. Dave-
Dave and I have known each other
for years. I hope he's okay.
He seemed okay, last time I saw him.
He's been under a little stress at work,
but nothing unusual.
You're welcome to look around,
if you want.
No, I don't think
that'll be necessary.
I'm sure he'll turn up somewhere.
Probably with a hangover.
- Let me know if I can help out, sir.
- Have a nice day.
- Yes, sir.
- Unit seven, please respond.
It's an emergency, possible 411.
Roger. I'm on my way.
Time for God to make a Second Coming.
No!
Where are you?
Where are you?
How ya doin', champ?
You know,
there's some things in life that...
you just don't have
any control over.
And you know what?
Cowboy might still turn up.
So hang in there, okay?
- Okay, Grandpa.
- Attaboy.
Look at that, huh?
There we go.
This looks nice and comfy. Up you go.
You okay?
I really miss Dad.
Me too.
But you're here.
Have a good sleep.
Night-night, honey.
Josh.
Josh?
Dad?
- What are you doing here?
- Dad?
Stay close.
They won't harm me.
- Get back. Stand back!
- Dad!
- Stay back there.
- Dad! Come on!
Please! Dad!
Stay back.
Stay back! I told you.
The laundry chute. Go on!
Get back. Get back!
What have I done?
Come on. Over there.
Josh!
Come on. Get up there.
- Josh, where are you?
- Mom! Over here!
- Go on! Get up there!
- Not without you!
- Get up there! I mean it. Come on!
- Mom!
Josh!
Mom, they're all after Dad,
and he won't come out!
Simon?
Simon!
I'm sorry.
- Simon? Get in the car, both of you.
- No.
Now! Simon, take my hand.
- Simon!
- No.
Come on, now.
Get out of there!
I have to do this.
Simon! Simon!
- No, go!
- I can't do that!
You're my son.
Dad, please. Go!
Simon.
No!
Dad, please. Go.
Where's Simon?
Get ready for Armageddon.
Dad!
This way! Keep movin'.
Increasingly, modern science...
pursues powers traditionally
reserved for the Almighty.
But those who encroach upon
the province of the gods...
realize, too late,
that the price for entrance...
is destruction.
to be before you.
The Nobel Prize.
You must know,
I didn't do it alone.
Although, research
is a lonely business.
But I must-
I must share this with my family...
my wonderful family-
my wife, my son.
Would you please stand?
To be honored in your presence
is a very humbling experience.
To be in the presence of those
scientific ghosts from the past...
Darwin, Einstein.
Yes, sir!
This way.
- Good morning, Dr. Kress.
- Good morning, Clarise.
Transportation Security
to Sublevel 4.
- Anything new for me?
- MI scan detects 67 new eggs.
- Is that right?
- If gestation periods hold constant...
we'll have a new generation
by 2300 hours.
Virile little suckers.
All right!
Up and at 'em, boys.
It might be midnight on Mars...
but it's sure as hell
mornin' here.
Maintain steady lightning intervals.
Okay.
Let's see what we got.
Nothin' new in 51.
Let's go next door.
26W is the same.
No population increase there.
That's very nice.
There.
Wait, wait.
Bring up the terrain GIF's
from last night's sweep.
I want a full comparison.
All security personnel.
Organism detected, Level 3!
- Decontam Sector 4!
- Level 3?
That's almost surface.
Intercept and neutralize!
Neutralize? I've gotta
get into the ventilation system.
But that's a closed system!
That's impossible!
They can't annihilate them.
I've spent five years with these bugs!
- Dr. Kress?
- I can retrieve it!
This is a quarantine event!
You're in violation of procedure!
There he is!
Get him!
Stop, now!
Dr. Kress!
Dr. Kress!
He's headin' for the east wing!
Let's go!
Okay, where are ya?
I know you're in here.
Where are you?
- There you are!
- There he is!
- Someone spot it?
- Wait! Get away from him! He's mine!
- This one's mine!
- No. No!
You have no right to do this! No!
There is nothing wrong
with your television.
Do not attempt
to adjust the picture.
We are now controlling
the transmission.
We control
the horizontal...
and the vertical.
We can deluge you
with a thousand channels...
or expand one single image
to crystal clarity...
and beyond.
We can shape
your vision...
to anything
our imagination can conceive.
We will control
all that you see and hear.
You are about to experience
the awe and mystery...
which reaches from
the deepest inner mind to...
The Outer Limits.
Some of man's
greatest achievements...
have been motivated by a driving need
for love and acceptance.
What happens when that need
for recognition...
becomes a desire to be revered...
and then worshipped
like a god?
Dave, what the hell
was I supposed to do?
Simon, that damn thing
was practically topside.
- He got to Level 3. That's hardly topside.
- He was practically topside.
That is close enough.
I suppose the government suits want
a whole new decon routine implemented?
No, we never talked about that.
They don't want a procedural review,
do they?
You know what that
would do to the timetable.
They're shutting us down. They want
the remaining life-forms cryoed...
and transferred immediately
to deep-store in Nevada...
and all research consolidated
and classified as priority sense one.
- They can't.
- It's over. The whole thing's toast.
They can't do this to me.
I created them. They're mine.
Everyone acknowledges
your contributions, Simon.
Contributions?
I created life!
If it weren't for me, you'd still be
sittin' on a bunch of dried-up eggs...
as dead as the rest of the Martian soil
brought back by that damned Mars Lander!
- I'm filing a report.
- There's no one left to file to.
This whole thing comes from
the president of the United States.
- You can't go over his head.
- Then I'll go to the public!
Don't talk like that.
Don't even joke about it.
Simon, an alien organism...
came within 20 feet
of contaminating the Earth's biosphere!
The M-17 biotics
are not just organisms.
Do you have any idea what kind of
a shit-scare that caused in Washington?
They're not just organisms.
They're intelligent beings.
That's just conjecture.
You know it as well as I do.
The organism that those idiots incinerated
was the latest generation.
He learned how to evade
the security measures.
- Don't you know what that means?
- Yes. That they're very unsafe.
And unfortunately, the committee
feels the same about you.
You're not being reassigned.
So...
after nine years,
you're just gonna fire me, and that's it?
Look, I'm sorry.
What's your next move, Dave?
Maybe in a couple of years...
you might just resurrect the project,
this time with you at the helm?
I'm not gonna reward
that with a response, Simon...
except to say that any breach of security
will mark you as a high risk.
- What's that supposed to mean?
- Don't find out.
You scared me to death.
You're home early.
We're in a holding pattern
on some tests.
You know I don't like you
to look at my stuff before it's done.
Didn't see a thing.
So those are the new windows
for the courthouse, huh?
Well, they will be
if city council approves my design.
They'll be lucky to get you.
Thank you.
- Did you seeJosh?
- No.
- Well, I'm worried about him.
- Why?
'Cause he spends too much time
alone in the dark.
So do I.
- But he's 10. It's not normal.
- Cheers.
Who's normal?
- You okay?
- Why?
'Cause you seem kind of out of it,
more than usual.
I'm just a little
burned out, that's all.
- Your dad's coming for dinner tonight.
- Wonderful.
He called. He wants to seeJosh.
He's lonely, Simon.
That's because no one can stand to be
around him for more than 15 minutes.
The deadly reign of Arachnothoid...
has begun!
Dad, Mom,
this stuff looks awesome!
- Great.
- When do we get to see it?
Not till I add the music
and sound effects.
See, there's the problem.
Three perfectionists in one household.
- I'll get it!
- Good.
- Make that four.
- Hi, Grandpa!
Hi there, champ.
Got a surprise for ya!
- I don't know if I'm ready for this.
- Cool!
Look what Grandpa got me!
Come on!
I know, I know.
You didn't want me to get him one.
But the little guy kept eying me
from the store window.
- I just couldn't resist.
- We gotta talk about this.
Tell me that is not
a real dog in my living room.
- You will learn to love him, Cathy.
- This is a very bad idea.
No, it isn't.
Every boy should have a dog.
But-
Cathy works, I work, and-
Who's gonna take care of him?
I mean, Josh-
- You can't count on Josh to take care-
- He'll be great forJosh.
- It'll help make him more sociable.
- I love him, Grandpa.
- What's his name?
- You're gonna have to give him one.
You were saying?
So, they still working on that-
What do you call it?
That moon rock thing-
- Not moon rocks. Martian soil samples.
- Brought back by the Mars Lander.
And you're doin' some sort
of research on 'em, right?
We're studying how Earth life
interacts with Martian terrain.
It's amazing how the government
spends our money these days.
Yeah, there's never a good war around
when you need one, huh, Colonel?
It's too bad we're not
invading someone.
That'd be a shot in the arm
to the old economy.
Josh, you're not feeding
that dog, are you?
- But he's real hungry, Mom.
- I know.
Your grandpa brought you a big bag
of dog food. It's out on the porch.
You wanna feed him,
get a handful of that.
Come on.
Looks like your present is a big hit.
You know, kids and dogs,
they're made for each other.
What was the name of that dog you had
when you were a kid, Simon?
Cowboy. And he wasn't mine.
He was David's.
- He was?
- Yeah, he was.
Yeah, that's right.
You didn't care much for pets, did you?
But David sure did.
Yeah, I remember now.
He really suffered
when Cowboy died.
How did Cowboy die?
He dug a hole under the fence,
got into some traffic.
Well, I sure hope we're not
setting Josh up for a trauma like that.
Trauma is a part of life.
The sooner a boy is introduced to it,
the sooner he'll be able to deal with it.
Now, when David finally
came out of his room...
a small part of him
had become a man.
MaybeJosh'll get lucky,
and his dog'll get hit by a car.
- I'll see you later, champ.
- Bye, Grandpa.
How about this for a name?
- Cowboy.
- Cowboy?
Cool.
Cowboy!
Hey, thanks for
that good dinner, Cathy.
- It's my pleasure.
- You better take some time off from work.
- You seem a little stressed.
- Maybe I will.
Get rid of
that damned ponytail.
Well, he's a grown man,
for God's sake.
What a guy.
I just think you could've
handled it better.
I've been handling it
all my life, Cath.
- Never changes.
- I know.
But he's your father,
and he's old.
He's only old
when it comes to me.
He knew whose dog it was.
You think he can't remember
where I work?
He just loves to piss on what I do.
I'm not David.
Didn't make the all-star team
in Little League.
Didn't win any trophies
for swimming and football.
Didn't become an F-4 pilot.
Didn't die for my country.
Just read my books...
kept to myself.
Big disappointment to him.
I don't think that
you are a disappointment.
I think he's proud of you.
I just-
Men like him don't know how
to express themselves.
I don't need his approval.
Maybe he's waitin' for you
to get a Nobel Prize.
Simon says give me a kiss.
Take your clothes off.
Didn't say, "Simon says."
Let there be light.
And there was.
Dr. Kress
is coming through.
- Affirmative.
- Move that truck right over there.
I'm sorry.
Damn it!
Clear it with Stockley!
Why are you here?
- I wanna supervise the cryo-storage.
- That's not necessary at all.
They've got extremely
capable personnel working on it.
I'm sure they do, but this is my work.
If something goes wrong...
they're gonna point the finger at me,
and maybe you.
Nothing's gonna go wrong, Simon.
Dave, if they're gonna
close the book on my life...
at least let me make sure
it's done right.
Listen, last night,
I said some things I didn't mean.
- Forget it.
- Just let me do this.
All right?
Tomorrow, I'll be history.
Okay. All right.
But you just supervise only.
Simon, this could mean my ass.
Supervise only.
That takes care of the mobiles.
Prepare for transport.
I'll alert Team Two that
the soil is ready for purging.
We're clear.
Dr. Kress,
please return to Security.
- Yeah.
- The lunch box, please.
The thermos too.
No problem.
- Thank you.
- Waste of good coffee.
I believe you have something
that belongs to us.
Your I D tag.
They said you forgot to turn it in.
Yeah.
Thanks. Now, listen,
if there's anything you need...
anything at all,
don't hesitate to call.
- You'll be the first.
- Okay.
Welcome home.
Entry number one.
Have established visual confirmation
of the presence of eggs...
within the soil.
The next stage will be
to introduce the embryos...
into a controlled environment.
Viability, of course, depends on fac-
- Other than that, school was okay?
- Yep.
Why don't you
take Cowboy out back?
Let him run around
for a little while.
- Bet he could use it after the vet.
- Okay.
Come on, Cowboy. Come on.
Hi, honey.
Come on, Cowboy.
Where are you going?
Hey, you're home early.
What happened?
Nothing happened.
What?
- Something happened, didn't it?
- A little downtime with the equipment.
I didn't wanna lose momentum,
so I'm doing some of the research at home.
- Where, in the barn?
- Yeah.
- You're joking.
- Actually, it's not a bad place to work.
You're not doing anything dangerous
in there, are you?
What are you talking about?
How'd the presentation go?
It's on Thursday.
Today is-
- Monday.
- Is that my stained glass?
I used some of the stuff you were gonna
throw out to patch up the windows.
- Looks good, huh?
- Yes, but this is really not what-
Don't worry. Relax.
I won't give up my day job.
The reign of Arachnothoid
has ended!
Long live the canine-o-saur!
Cowboy, your career is over.
Dad?
- Josh, what are you doing in here?
- I was looking for you.
- Come on!
- I need some help with my movie.
- I don't want you going in there.
- Why?
Because I'm doing
some very important work.
I don't wanna see you in the barn again.
Do you understand?
- Why can't I help?
- Because you can't. That's the end of it.
And I don't want you telling
your mom what you saw in there.
Okay?
- You hear me?
- Yeah.
- It's a surprise.
- Surprise?
- Yeah.
- Sure.
Okay, go on.
Make your movie.
Cowboy, come.
You're still my best buddy.
You know that, don't ya?
Afternoon, Simon.
- Missed me already, huh?
- You could say that.
You keepin' busy?
Taking some time off,
doin' a little soul-searching.
That's good.
Good. You know,
I'm doing a little searching myself.
What for?
A new job?
No. 265 grams
of Martian soil.
I hate to break it to you,
but you're on the wrong planet.
265 grams.
That was the discrepancy
that the mass comparison analysis found...
when we transferred
the habitat to storage.
Maybe one of those crack technicians
you hired made off with a souvenir.
Well, the agency boys
put it down to computation error...
but I just think they were in a mad rush
to wrap it up as quick as they could.
You know me and my figures.
If they don't match up...
it just gets me wondering.
Guess there's a small part
of scientist in me after all.
I've always said that, Dave.
A very small part.
Did you steal
that soil sample?
- Why the hell would I want to do that?
- There were eggs in that soil.
I get all the eggs I need
from the supermarket.
Cut the crap
and give me a straight answer.
All right, I'll give you one.
You got your head up your ass.
My interest in the project ended when I
drove off the compound for the last time.
You're nothin' but
a shitty memory to me.
You and the agency.
Is that straight enough for ya?
Yeah.
I'm still truly sorry
what happened to you...
but you're makin' it awful tough
to stay on the same team.
See you.
Log entry number seven.
I estimate a total
of 10 hatchings...
and anticipate 30 more
within the next 10 hours.
The activity within the environment
continues to intensify...
and I'm ready to commence
regular feeding.
I expect the first mobile...
will break the surface
in a week.
I believe that the Sandkings...
can attain intelligence.
I define this by
the ability to reason.
I can prove this.
Son, I told you.
This is off-limits.
I know, Dad,
but we gotta talk.
Give me a few more minutes.
I'm right in the middle of something.
But how can we be best buddies
if we never hang out together?
- Just let me finish my work.
- You always say that.
It never happens.
Buddy?
Hey, buddy.
- Don't walk away mad.
- Forget that "buddy" stuff.
Son, don't walk away from me
when I'm talkin' to you.
What do you want?
I wanna spend time with you.
I just-
- Don't worry about it.
- Son?
Can you keep a secret?
Yeah? Why?
I need you
to help me with something.
But you're gonna have to do exactly
as you're told. Serious business.
What are you talking about?
How would you like
to help me out in the barn?
Yes!
No, the date I've always
been working with is Thursday.
Well-
Nobody ever told me
anything except Thursday.
Well, I guess it doesn't matter much
what they told me.
You need something today.
No, no, it's not a problem...
'cause my husband's here,
and he can watch my son.
It won't be a full rendering
that I would be showing you-
Right. Okay.
So I'll be there in an hour and a half.
Great. Bye.
Trace him, trace him. Over there.
That's right. Got a good shot there?
- Yeah. Recording.
- You sure it's in focus?
Dad, please.
I'm not a tourist.
It's important that
it's recorded clearly.
You handle your worms,
I'll handle the photography.
- Move the camera up to me in a close-up.
- Why?
Will you give me the close-up?
Right here?
Okay, the organisms
will now be given...
one cube
of synthesized protein.
They don't seem too interested.
- What else do they eat?
- Practically anything.
How about
Mrs. Thompson's cat?
I don't think so.
Now proceeding
to the live subject.
There you are.
You sure you wanna watch this?
Man your camera.
All right.
Bombs away.
Bombs away.
What are they?
They're very special.
I call them Sandkings.
They're from very far away.
- I think they share a hive mind.
- What's that?
Well, it means
they kind of work together...
but they're controlled by one individual,
most likely the queen.
Like bees and ants?
The Sandkings-
The Sandkings are much more
than bees and ants.
I think they're smart, like people.
I've been testing them.
Your mom's gonna be home any minute,
and I haven't even started dinner.
Dad, Mom's not gonna
be too thrilled with this.
Now you let me worry about that.
In the meantime-
- I know.
- What?
- It's a secret.
- Yeah.
Good boy.
So the city council tentatively
approved my design for the windows.
Yes!
But they wanna see
a rendering by Friday.
- Great, honey.
- Yeah.
- Congratulations, Mom.
- Thank you.
However, it means I'm gonna
be really, really busy.
No problem. I got things
under control around here.
- So what'd you do in school today?
- Nothin'.
That sounds educational.
How about you?
How's it goin'?
I got a lot done.
I'm keepin' a handle on the work.
I should be pretty much up to speed
when the lab's up and running again.
Lucky how it worked out.
You'll be around here this week
to keep an eye on Josh.
It's weird how things
happen sometimes.
Weird. Real weird.
Really, really weird.
Weird.
I'll be damned.
Entry number 17.
The Sandkings have displayed-
They've displayed an ability
to mimic terrestrial formations.
Now, while this could indicate
some form of intellect at work...
it does not necessarily demonstrate
the ability to reason.
So I've decided on a change.
- Mr. Kress?
- Yeah.
- Sign here, please.
- All the pieces have been precut, right?
Yeah. All you gotta do
is slap 'em together.
It's gonna be
some fish tank, huh?
I like my seafood fresh.
Well, for what you're payin',
I certainly hope you're raising caviar.
All right, boys and girls.
Welcome to the promised land.
They're both great, but this amber's
perfect. Will you order me some?
Sure.
Must be nice having Simon home.
- Yeah.
- You don't seem too happy about it.
Take it from me, whether he's at home
or at work these days...
he's in another world.
- Well, that's weird.
- What?
The computer won't
accept your card.
- Why?
- It says it's over the limit.
- No way. It's a screwup.
- No, I ran it through twice.
I'm supposed to cut it up. Do you wanna
call the card company or something?
Yeah, I do.
- Get out of my way!
- Wait-
- I wanna know what the hell's goin' on.
- Let me explain first!
Explain, Simon.
Explain to me...
why there are over $25,000
worth of purchases on our credit cards!
- I got it worked out.
- Purchases I knew nothing about!
Then when you're done explaining that,
try to tell me...
how you're gonna pay for them
when we can barely pay for our house!
Believe me, I wouldn't have done
what I did without a reason.
No!
Listen to me.
Give me your hand!
Now, now!
Give me your hand!
Get out of there!
Take my hand! Come on!
- Give me your hand!
- Oh, my God!
You're okay!
You're clean.
You're all right.
You're all right. You're clean.
You're all right. We found them in
the sand brought back by the Mars Lander.
- Found what?
- Eggs, no bigger than a pinhead.
They've been lying dormant
for millions of years...
till I found the right combination
to initiate gestation.
So you've been lying to me?
Is that what you've been doing
up at Mount Parnell...
and not analyzing soil samples?
It was a classified project!
The highest clearance!
We couldn't talk to anyone from
the outside about it. It wasn't my choice.
- So what are they doing in my barn?
- They killed the project!
They killed the project?
Why?
I wasn't given a reason.
Just told to shut down.
Maybe they thought the public
would never be ready. I don't know.
But on the day I was to leave...
I took a sample of the soil.
- They're not gonna take that away from me.
- They can't stay here. They're dangerous.
No, they're not.
The Sandkings are intelligent.
If they keep evolving, there's no limit
to what we can learn from them.
- Josh has been recording them-
- You gotJosh mixed up in this?
- It's perfectly safe.
- How can it be safe?
The government's trying
to destroy these sand things.
- They don't understand.
- Neither do I!
It's a chance to make my mark.
I can announce the discovery
of extraterrestrial life.
Then announce it now.
First, I'm taking them to the point
of true measured intelligence.
Have faith in me, Cath.
I want you there with me.
- Time for bed.
- Just a few more seconds, Mom.
Not tonight, bud.
There we go. Give him some room there.
There we go.
Why are you mad at Dad?
- Why do you say that?
- I heard rumors.
Well, everything's okay,
I promise.
But those sand things
worry me.
- Sandkings, Mom.
- Excuse me.
You know how afraid I am of bugs.
Remember that time we were drivin'...
and there was this huge spider
on the dashboard?
It was a daddy longlegs.
It may have been a daddy longlegs,
but it nearly made me drive off the road.
But I like helping Dad.
He said we might win the "Noble" Prize.
Nobel.
Bet you do.
Anyway, you promise
to be careful?
Okay.
Night, Mom.
Good night, baby.
What a mess.
This is entry 24-
This is entry 24.
Entry-
This is entry 24
of the eighth day-
This is entry 24 of the eighth day
of the project, the ninth.
The Sandkings
have divisioned-
This is entry 24
on the eighth day of the project.
The 19th generation
of Sandkings...
have differentiated
into two distinct species-
one red in coloration,
the other white.
Also, I've-
I've begun to distinguish
certain individuals among the two species.
They seem to have taken
to their new habitat quite nicely...
and it's my hope that
the increase in size of the habitat...
will stimulate the production of eggs
by the two queens.
Now, I can verify that theory
by the following data.
Just give me a moment.
I'll be right with you.
Charlton Heston,
eat your heart out.
Listen.
I've done it.
I've done it.
Ah, the Nobel Prize.
Words cannot describe
my appreciation.
What an honor, to stand
before you illustrious people.
- I'd like to thank my wonderful family-
- Josh, let's go, bud.
- Breakfast is on the table. I gotta run.
- Cathy!
- I'm late, Simon.
- Listen to me. I've done it!
- Done what?
- What I was talking about yesterday.
Cowboy's gone.
He wasn't in my room when I woke up.
Are you kidding? Did you look
under the bed and everywhere?
- I looked all over.
- He's out chasing squirrels or something.
- Cathy. Listen to me.
- Give it a break! There's a crisis.
Come on. We'll go outside.
We'll look around the neighborhood.
Listen. Listen. Cathy! Cathy!
Okay, go look for the damn dog!
I don't believe it.
- Cowboy!
- Come on, Cowboy!
- You in there?
- Cowboy!
You didn't get your breakfast!
- I have to go. I got my presentation.
- Okay.
Maybe your dad'll help you
before you go to school.
- See you later.
- Cowboy! Cowboy!
Dave Stockley, please.
Simon Kress.
I'll hold.
Cowboy! Cowboy!
Simon. Dave Stockley. Simon?
Cowboy!
Cowboy!
Nothing goes in,
nothing goes out. You got that?
Are you hungry again? Too bad.
From now on,
it's survival of the fittest.
You only get what I give you.
No more "manna from heaven."
Forget it.
The committee took another design.
I didn't get the job.
Did you hear me?
I heard you. We'll just-
Just have to take out
a loan, that's all.
Take out a loan?
I don't think there's a bank on the planet
that's going to give us another loan.
You know, I would really love to know
what goes through your mind.
I tell you that a project I've been
working on for six months...
just got rejected, and-
"Take out a loan."
You don't even say, "I'm sorry."
I'm sorry.
Oh, great.
- You ready, Mom?
- Sure, honey.
- Where are you going?
- To look for the dog.
You remember Cowboy, don't you?
My God.
Entry 31. Structure is approximately
90 centimeters in height.
120 centimeters in width.
Fabricated after the initial
damage to the Sandking castle.
Estimated time for construction,
12 hours.
Purpose of the structure is-
Unknown.
If you think my face
is gonna get you food...
you got another think comin'.
And you red guys, you better
get with the program.
Now, don't go gettin' a big head.
Oh, shit! Ouch! You bastard!
Shit. You fucking bastard.
Shit.
Shit!
Preliminary analysis of
Sandking venom reveals...
presence of microorganisms.
Now...
it's unknown...
what the effect of those-
those microorganisms is...
within the human bloodstream.
As a result, a possibility of infection...
is almost impossible to engage.
I mean, to gauge.
Only time will tell.
As far as the new
constructions are concerned...
I can only speculate
as to their purpose.
Either they're an extension
of the Sandkings'ability to-
to build specific forms,
or maybe they're a form of worship.
Maybe they-
are an attempt at
some sort of appeasement.
And whether this is-
is an indication of-
of intelligence...
I don't know.
- Oh, my God!
- You can still call me Simon.
- Simon, what are you doing?
- Simon Says-
- Simon says?
- Let's play.
Simon says, look behind you.
Now, open the curtain.
Do it.
I didn't say, "Simon Says."
How long has this been going on?
All week now. He's completely
shut himself into the barn.
He won't let anyone in,
not even Josh, and-
It's like we don't even
exist when he comes out.
We barely see him anymore.
I don't know. I don't even know
who I'm livin' with anymore.
- What's he working on now?
- I can't tell you.
- Well, why?
- I just- I can't.
What is it you want me
to do, Cathy?
Well...
I thought maybe you could talk to him.
I'm not very good at that.
You ought to know-
we hardly agree on anything.
- Why me?
- You're his father.
And I think that deep down, that-
I think Simon's doing this for you.
You know, it's-
He wants to accomplish something.
He wants you to be proud ofhim.
He wants you to feel about him...
the way you do
about his brother.
Ah, that's ridiculous.
It's the truth!
I think that all his life...
Simon's been trying
to get your approval.
I'm sorry. I don't mean
to yell at you. It's just-
Really, you can see that, can't you?
Oh, I don't know about that.
And I don't know what my talking to him
is going to accomplish either.
Oh, incredible!
Devastation.
Organisms have been
denied food for 36 hours.
The first conflict erupted 40 minutes ago.
Five white mobiles attacked a red.
It was dismembered
and fed to the white queen.
Red retaliation occurred
almost instantly.
War has been constant. Battle maneuvers
are getting extremely sophisticated.
I estimate total losses
on both sides at 20%.
Only the strongest
and smartest survive.
I feel as if the organisms
could leave the habitat...
whenever they desired,
and yet they stay...
as if to perform for me, or to-
to communicate with me.
I know and feel that...
as soon as regular feedings resume,
that there will evolve...
a deepening trust between us.
Entry 51.
The presence of infection confirmed.
I will attempt to...
retard the spread
of the microorganisms...
with use of conventional antibiotics.
But their effects are-
are greatly in doubt.
The experiment has taken on
a life of its own.
And it will continue...
regardless of what happens to me.
Dave. I'm sorry I missed you.
You said if I ever needed anything,
I should call?
However, I think you need me, old buddy.
We need each other.
We're at a threshold.
I can't do this alone.
Please come see my surprise
tomorrow morning, Dave.
Come alone.
Good God.
- What do you want?
- You look like hell.
Is that why you came here?
To tell me I look like hell?
- Came here to talk to you.
- Talk.
Not like this. Not through
this damn door. Can't I come in?
What is it?
- Your wife is very worried about you.
- What'd she tell you?
That you were working on
a secret project...
- and it was drivin' you crazy.
- Just workin' a little harder than usual.
You don't talk to her anymore.
Or toJosh.
And she sent you to come here and lecture
me about my relationship with my son.
Who's crazier, me or her?
I had a good relationship
with your brother.
Yes. What was it, huh?
What happened between us?
You're not doing this because-
I don't know, because you-
you feel you need to- to prove yourself
to me or anything like that, are you?
You think I'm doing this for you?
You poor old bastard. You think the world
revolves around you. You're sick.
David would never have talked
to me that way.
No, because he was your little puppet,
your little soldier.
He'd do anything
you wanted him to.
Marched off to war for you.
Even got himself killed for you.
Get out of here.
Where were you?
- I had an interview for a job.
- Bullshit!
- What are you talking about?
- What am I talking about? He came here.
- My father came here.
- Well, he's worried about you.
He was spying on me for you!
I thought I could trust you.
Trust? You're talking about trust? You're
the one who's been lying to your wife!
- You're calling yourself my wife?
- Simon, stop it!
- You betrayed me. Betrayed our family!
- Stop it, Simon.
- Simon, you need some help.
- All I need is to get you out of my life!
All right!
All right.
- Come on, Josh. We gotta go.
- I'm almost done!
Well, just take what you need.
I'm gonna start packing the car.
- Come on!
- Okay.
- Aren't we gonna say bye to Dad?
- No.
No, we're gonna call Daddy from
Grandpa's house. Get in the car.
Get in the car, Josh. Now.
Okay, seat belt on?
Entry 57.
Kathy and Josh are gone.
Gone over to the enemy.
Just me now.
Just me.
War has been constant.
Battle maneuvers...
have gotten
extremely sophisticated.
I estimate total losses
on both sides at 20%.
Only the strongest
and smartest survive.
I feel as if the-
the organisms could...
leave the habitat whenever
they desired and yet they stay...
as if to perform for me, or to-
to-
This is quite the hobby
you've got going here, Simon.
Dave!
Got your own little slice of Mars.
Sort of brings new meaning
to the phrase "mad scientist."
I expected you tomorrow morning.
Yeah, I got your message,
and I decided to come a little early.
You know I like things to add up.
Now they do.
These castles, do they serve a purpose?
They're used for defense. In war.
- They war?
- Oh, intricate battles.
With the proper motivation, of course.
Scarcity of food.
- How many generations?
- Thirty-three.
Did you-
- Did you see the carvings?
- Yes.
- Why you?
- I'm their source of life.
- God.
- Oh, it's all right here, Dave.
What mankind has dreamt
about for decades.
The proof of alien intelligence.
Well, I have to admit, Simon...
what you have created is truly...
unfathomable, really.
It's a shame it's gonna
have to all disappear.
- It is?
- What's happened to you?
Have you seen what you look like
in the mirror?
I don't know what's gonna be harder
to clean up, Simon. You or this...
mess.
Simon, with your brilliance,
I mean, your genius...
how could you create
something so dangerous?
Listen, I'll do what I can. I promise you.
I'll do what I can for you.
To try and keep you out of jail.
Okay?
Thanks, Dave.
- Oh, my God. Oh, God.
- You talking to me, Dave?
Simon!
I won't say anything.
I won't say anything, Simon!
You're wrong, Dave.
- You're gonna scream.
- Help! No!
- Ugh.
- No!
No!
Thanks.
I don't know.
Maybe I shouldn't have left him.
You had to.
You did the right thing.
At least for now.
I guess.
He's a good kid, isn't he?
The best.
Ahh, the Nobel Prize.
My feelings are...
indescribable.
I'm so honored to be-
be in this company,
to be with you.
It's the greatest
moment of my life.
I am humbled...
by the presence in this room.
And of course, the-
the ghosts of the great scientists
of the past.
Darwin.
Einstein.
Oh, my God, they're all-
They humble me.
But it's very lonely.
Very lonely.
No one...
really knows who-
who I am.
Do you?
No.
There is.
There is someone...
who could tell you who I am.
My brother.
But-
He's-
He's not here, and-
My father. He-
He deserves my gratitude.
He helped me.
Helped me.
My dear father.
But he doesn't like my hair, do you?
No. Well.
We'll fix that.
I have a surprise for you.
Where, where are you?
Where are you?
There you are.
Do you like this better, Father?
Perhaps not.
For you, dear Father.
Good-bye, hair.
Thanks.
- Simon Kress?
- Yes, sir.
Sorry to disturb you, but I'm checking up
on a Mr. David Stockley.
He didn't come home last night,
and his wife said he was coming here.
I was expecting him.
He never showed up.
- About what time were you expecting him?
- Around 7:00.
Do you have any idea where
Mr. Stockley might be?
No, sir. I'm sorry. I don't.
You used to work with
Mr. Stockley, am I right?
Yes, sir. Dave-
Dave and I have known each other
for years. I hope he's okay.
He seemed okay, last time I saw him.
He's been under a little stress at work,
but nothing unusual.
You're welcome to look around,
if you want.
No, I don't think
that'll be necessary.
I'm sure he'll turn up somewhere.
Probably with a hangover.
- Let me know if I can help out, sir.
- Have a nice day.
- Yes, sir.
- Unit seven, please respond.
It's an emergency, possible 411.
Roger. I'm on my way.
Time for God to make a Second Coming.
No!
Where are you?
Where are you?
How ya doin', champ?
You know,
there's some things in life that...
you just don't have
any control over.
And you know what?
Cowboy might still turn up.
So hang in there, okay?
- Okay, Grandpa.
- Attaboy.
Look at that, huh?
There we go.
This looks nice and comfy. Up you go.
You okay?
I really miss Dad.
Me too.
But you're here.
Have a good sleep.
Night-night, honey.
Josh.
Josh?
Dad?
- What are you doing here?
- Dad?
Stay close.
They won't harm me.
- Get back. Stand back!
- Dad!
- Stay back there.
- Dad! Come on!
Please! Dad!
Stay back.
Stay back! I told you.
The laundry chute. Go on!
Get back. Get back!
What have I done?
Come on. Over there.
Josh!
Come on. Get up there.
- Josh, where are you?
- Mom! Over here!
- Go on! Get up there!
- Not without you!
- Get up there! I mean it. Come on!
- Mom!
Josh!
Mom, they're all after Dad,
and he won't come out!
Simon?
Simon!
I'm sorry.
- Simon? Get in the car, both of you.
- No.
Now! Simon, take my hand.
- Simon!
- No.
Come on, now.
Get out of there!
I have to do this.
Simon! Simon!
- No, go!
- I can't do that!
You're my son.
Dad, please. Go!
Simon.
No!
Dad, please. Go.
Where's Simon?
Get ready for Armageddon.
Dad!
This way! Keep movin'.
Increasingly, modern science...
pursues powers traditionally
reserved for the Almighty.
But those who encroach upon
the province of the gods...
realize, too late,
that the price for entrance...
is destruction.