SILVER SURFER EPISODE #1875-07

"ANTIBODY" (REVISED FINAL DRAFT)

FADE IN:

EXT. PLANET OF ZENN-LA - DAY

PANNING ACROSS its peaceful countryside, where predator and 
prey roam side by side through green fields.

                    SILVER SURFER (V.O.)
          Zenn-La!  Although only in my mind, 
          it seems so real, so near...

THE ACADEMY

Where beings of all kinds have gathered to study.

                    SILVER SURFER (V.O.)
          Planet of my birth, where I lived, 
          and learned...

We TIGHTEN ON two of the more human-like beings:  NORRIN 
RADD and SHALLA BAL.

                    SILVER SURFER (V.O.)
          And, yes, where I loved --

Norrin Radd and Shalla Bal lean forward to steal a kiss.  
But before their faces can touch everything around them 
EXPLODES INTO:

EXT. DEEP SPACE - MATCHING SHOT - THE SILVER SURFER

WARPING IN on his board, against the star-studded velvet of 
space.  He wobbles unsteadily on his board.

                    SILVER SURFER (V.O.)
          As the reality is gone, so too is the 
          vision, like a fever dream!
               (wobbling unsteadily)
          Yet how can I have a fever, when 
          Galactus’ power cosmic has removed from 
          me the travails of common mortality...?

The Surfer dips into the pipeline of a COSMIC WAVE and 
soars into an asteroid field, slaloming through the jagged 
rocks.

                    SILVER SURFER (V.O.)
          Just as he has doomed me to an endless 
          search for my home --

CLOSER ON THE SILVER SURFER

He misses a move -- and smashes his shoulder against a 
small asteroid!  The Surfer reels backward, as:

                    SILVER SURFER (V.O.)
          What is happening?  I have soared 
          through far more treacherous courses 
          and never missed a twist or turn --

He hits another asteroid and GRUNTS from the impact.  His 
body starts to shake as though from the cold.

                    SILVER SURFER (V.O.)
          No!  I -- felt -- that!
              (realizing)
          Just as I feel the icy vacuum of space 
          seize my bones!

THE SILVER SURFER’S POV - SPACE AROUND HIM

As he looks around.  Everything blurs, clears, then blurs 
again.

                    SILVER SURFER (V.O.)
          My head throbs...can scarcely see --

BACK TO THE SILVER SURFER

As he tries to sweep out of the path of the rest of the 
asteroids.  But he can’t pull it off, and another one hits 
him, then another, another. The Surfer falls to one knee, 
hands reaching out to hang onto the board.  Completely out 
of control, he caroms from asteroid to asteroid like a 
maddened billiard ball, and with each collision his speed 
increases, so that he’s going faster and faster, heading 
toward:

A GRAVITY WELL

Black and pulsating, it’s a huge, violent gash in the very 
fabric of space, into which cosmic debris is being 
inexorably pulled, all of it EXPLODING upon reaching its 
core.

                    SILVER SURFER (V.O.)
          A gravity well...!

ANOTHER ANGLE

The asteroids alter their course, streaming toward the 
gravity well -- and carrying the helpless Silver Surfer 
with them!

                    SILVER SURFER (V.O.)
          Nature’s most destructive force, 
          capable of sucking even the most 
          powerful of celestial bodies into its 
          maw...

Frantically, tries to scramble away, like a surfer on Earth 
paddling from a shark!  Still, he and the board are sucked 
back toward the gravity well.

                    SILVER SURFER (V.O.)
          And I have only a fraction of my 
          accustomed strength --

With every ounce of resolve he possesses, the Surfer forces 
himself to his feet.  He angles the board at a 90-degree 
angle to the gravity well and tries to fly away, only to 
look up and see --

THE SILVER SURFER’S POV - AN APPROACHING ASTEROID

As a big as a small planet.  It’s coming directly AT CAMERA 
at breakneck speed!

BACK TO THE SILVER SURFER

CRYING OUT WORDLESSLY as he and the huge asteroid collide! 
The asteroid SHATTERS into powdery fragments, both the 
fragments and the now unconscious Surfer shooting back, 
back -- into the overpowering blackness of the gravity 
well!

                                                   FADE OUT.

                        END OF TEASER


                          ACT ONE

FADE IN:

EXT. DEEP SPACE - THE GRAVITY WELL

ANGLING WITH the remaining asteroids from the asteroid 
field as they are sucked into the center of the well, 
where, one after another, they EXPLODE!

INT. THE GRAVITY WELL - THE SILVER SURFER

Limp and unconscious, he moves closer and closer to the 
core of the gravity well, until:

A STREAKING GOUT OF FLAME

BLAZES into the gravity well and envelopes the Surfer and 
his board!  As the flame streaks onward, we HOLD ON where 
the Surfer was:  Both he and the board are gone!

EXT. DEEP SPACE - WIDE ON THE GRAVITY WELL

The streaking flame continues in a wide arc, zooming back 
around to the edge of the gravity well and then emerging 
from it.  We ANGLE WITH the flame as it continues through 
space like a comet.  The flame moves faster, faster, 
FORESHORTENING INTO WARP as we

                                                DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. ANOTHER PART OF SPACE - MATCHING SHOT - A BLAZING SUN

Its fiery surface fills a black sky.  We ANGLE WITH the 
tendril of a sunspot as it wafts through empty space to:

EXT. AN AIRLESS PLANET - NIGHT

FINDING the Silver Surfer lying on its rocky, lifeless 
surface.  His dull body GLOWS as he absorbs the tendril of 
SOLAR ENERGY, and he awakens with a GROAN, looks around 
him.

                    SILVER SURFER (V.O.)
          This is not the afterlife the Master 
          taught.  Where am I...? 

He trails off as he turns to see:

A FLAME FLICKERING DIMLY.  Another tendril of SOLAR ENERGY 
enters it, and, WIDENING, we SEE that the flame is part of 
the hair of NOVA, the beautiful new herald of Galactus. She 
too is lying on the ground, but as she absorbs the energy 
Nova also GLOWS MORE BRIGHTLY, and raises her head with a 
GROAN of her own.  She smiles when she sees the Surfer.

                    NOVA
          Silver Surfer!  We made it!

                    SILVER SURFER
          You are the one who rescued me? I am in 
          your debt.

                    NOVA
          Actually, it’s kinda like a debit card.  
          You might say you pre-paid.

The Surfer gets to his feet.  Nova does the same.  He looks 
at her closely.

                    SILVER SURFER
              (puzzled)
          Had I ever encountered such a one as 
          yourself, I am certain I would recall.

                    NOVA
          I’m Nova.  You saved my life once, on a 
          little mudball called Earth.
              (beat)
          I looked a little different then... 

And we TIGHTEN ON the Surfer and

                                               SMASH CUT TO:

EXT. THE PLANET EARTH - VENICE BEACH - DAY (FLASHBACK FROM 
EPISODE #1875-03)

The Silver Surfer kneels on the beach before the injured 
FRANKIE RAYE, his eyes GLOWING with a BEAM OF HEALING ENERGY.

                    NOVA (V.O.)
          The name was Frankie Ray...

As Frankie’s friend, AMBER, looks on, astonished, the 
HEALING ENERGY bathes Frankie in its light, and the young 
woman opens her eyes and looks at the Surfer, healthy once 
more as we

                                               SMASH CUT TO:

EXT. AN AIRLESS PLANET - NIGHT

As the Surfer nods in realization.  More tendrils of SOLAR 
ENERGY spin around and into into both Nova and him, the two 
of them slowly returning to their "normal" vibrant colors 
as:

                    SILVER SURFER
          You have indeed changed -- but how did 
          this come to be?

                    NOVA
          Call it the ultimate makeover, by your 
          old boss.
              (beat)
          I’m Galactus’ new herald -- and I’m 
          here to ask you to help keep Big G 
          alive!

                    SILVER SURFER
          You serve Galactus?  And you think that 
          I, who have toiled for him, and fought 
          with him, and suffered beyond measure 
          because of him, would want to save the 
          Devourer of Worlds?

                    NOVA
          As a matter of fact, I do.
              (beat)
          ‘Cause if he goes, so does everything
          he and his power cosmic have ever 
          touched.  You, me --

The Surfer cuts her off.  We TIGHTEN ON his haunted face.

                    SILVER SURFER
          Shalla Bal...!

And, on the Surfer’s reaction, we

                                                   DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. DARK PLANET SOLAR SYSTEM

PANNING ACROSS a solar system where everything is blasted, 
seared, destroyed.  We ANGLE PAST a planet that’s been 
shattered into whirling chunks, the Silver Surfer and Nova 
WARPING IN nearby, as:

                    SILVER SURFER
          We have traveled to virtually the other 
          side of the universe!  How did you find 
          me at such a distance?

                    NOVA
          I always find what I look for.  Since I 
          was a kid, anywhere I’ve needed to be -- 
          bam! -- I’ve been there!

They continue deeper into the star system, Nova leading the 
way.

                    NOVA
          That’s why Galactus gave me your old 
          job after just one interview.  He said 
          I had some kind of trick gene that was 
          triggered when you healed me --

                    SILVER SURFER
          Nova!  Get down!

ANOTHER ANGLE 

The Surfer reaches out to Nova’s flaming form, pushing her 
out of the way of a chunk of planet.  Both of them go head 
over heels, barely able to stop themselves, and the 
planetoid continues on.  We HOLD ON the Surfer, still 
shaking with cold, and Nova, sweating from her own heat.

                    SILVER SURFER
          With each passing instant, I grow 
          weaker!

                    NOVA
          You’re not the man you used to be, 
          Silverado, and I’m not the new me...
              (beat)
          It’s ‘cause we’re sick.  And the reason 
          we are is right there.

Nova points ahead of them, and the Surfer follows her gaze 
to:

THE DARK PLANET

A cracked, dead world, completely sucked dry.  Imbedded 
deep into the planet are Galactus’ cables of destruction, 
FIZZLING weakly.  We ANGLE UP the cables TO:

GALACTUS’ SHIP

Still huge, but no longer very impressive.  Many of its 
cables hang limply, like dead spider legs, and at the top 
of the ship, FAINTLY COLORED ENERGY WISPS drift from the 
control center.

                    SILVER SURFER (O.S.)
          This is Galactus’ ship?  My mind cannot 
          accept what my eyes see -- ! 

The Surfer breaks off as an enormous, pterodactyl-like 
creature swoops through the ENERGY WISPS at the ship.

THE SILVER SURFER AND NOVA

As the two of them react.

                    SILVER SURFER
          A Harpy Rasp!

                    NOVA
          It’s worse than I thought!  The ship’s 
          defenses must be completely down!

Without planning it, they act in unison, the Surfer 
unleashing a COSMIC POWER BLAST, while Nova FIRES a COSMIC 
POWER FIREBALL at:

THE HARPY RASP

SCREECHING, it EXPLODES into a fiery nothingness!  Other 
Harpy Rasps which have been circling nearby TRILL excitedly 
and scatter -- but not very far.

THE SILVER SURFER AND NOVA

Are staggered by the effort.

                    SILVER SURFER
          Harpy Rasps feed only on the raw energy 
          of dying power!

                    NOVA
          What -- you thought I was kidding?

Both the Surfer and Nova force themselves to fly to the 
ship faster.  As they sweep at the control center we ANGLE 
TO the Harpy Rasps, who are gathering around the ship once 
again. TIGHTENING ON them, we SEE that they aren’t organic 
at all. Rather, they are mechanical constructions, with 
strange protuberance hidden behind their wings. The fake 
Harpy Rasps gaze down at Galactus’ ship, and the 
protuberances BEEP, red "eyes" blinking in a way we’ve seen 
before -- on Draconian spy satellites!  We HOLD ON the 
strangeness of this as:

EXT. GALACTUS’ CONTROL CENTER

Oblivious to what’s going on behind them, the Silver Surfer 
and Nova fly in, and immediately are greeted by:

                    GALACTUS (O.S.)
          Ah, Nova, do my dimming eyes deceive 
          me, or is that truly the First Herald 
          you have in tow?

The Surfer turns toward the familiar voice, and GASPS as:

THE COMMAND CHAIR - INTERCUTTING AS NECESSARY WITH THE 
SILVER SURFER AND NOVA

Escaping ENERGY wafts up from the Planetary Converter 
beneath the chair, instead of being absorbed.  Starting at 
Galactus’ mighty boots, we ANGLE UP the chair and the form 
within it as, with a bitter LAUGH:

                    GALACTUS (O.S.)
          Tell me, Silver Surfer, have you come 
          to pluck at my essence with the Harpy 
          Rasps?  Or merely to shovel the last 
          bit of cosmic dirt over my grave?

                    NOVA
          I brought him here, my master, to help 
          you survive!

                    GALACTUS (O.S.)
          The survival of Galactus was the least 
          of my First Herald’s concerns when he 
          chose to renege on his vow and go his 
          own way.

                    SILVER SURFER
          That is not precisely what happened, 
          great Galactus -- 

We REACH Galactus’ helmeted head.  What we can SEE of it 
(little more than his mouth, or cheekbone, or an eye) is 
shrunken, the skin loose.  His skin is ashen, almost dead 
white.  It’s the face of a very sick man.

                    GALACTUS
          Still must you so self-righteously 
          dispute me?  I need no help from you, 
          Silver Surfer.
              (roaring with all his strength)
          Go!

We TIGHTEN ON Galactus’ finger as it stabs out at a control 
on the command chair -- but never reaches it.  Instead, the 
finger stops in mid-movement, quivering impotently.

ANOTHER ANGLE - CONTINUING TO INTERCUT

The Silver Surfer and Nova stare as:

                    GALACTUS
          I cannot...move...

Galactus’ voice fills with pain.  His whole body shudders.

                    GALACTUS
          Within my body, I know not where, is a 
          rot so deep that it has poisoned my 
          very core...

Convulsively, Galactus trails off, and his eyes close.  All 
the power in the control center BLINKS OFF, then RETURNS, 
and at the same time the Surfer’s color darkens, then 
lightens again, while Nova flares up, then dims, the two of 
them recovering as:

                    NOVA
          Surfer, please, you’ve got to do 
          something before it’s too late for all 
          of us!

                    SILVER SURFER
          There are those who consider me a 
          traitor to life for ever having served 
          Galactus!  Would not saving him be the 
          ultimate in treachery?

                    NOVA
          Hey, give me some credit, huh? The only 
          way I could live with myself was by 
          changing the big guy’s diet.
              (beat)
          As long as I’m around, all he gets is 
          "planet light."  No salt.  No sugar.  
          No intelligent life --

                    GALACTUS
              (eyes snapping open)
          Nova!

WIDER 

At Galactus’ bellow, both the Surfer and Nova whirl -- just 
in time to spot the Harpy Rasps who are diving right into 
the control center.  Once more, the two of them unleash 
their versions of the POWER COSMIC -- and, with more 
SHRIEKS, the creatures EXPLODE!

CLOSER ON THE SILVER SURFER AND NOVA

Nova collapses, falling to the floor.  The Surfer sweeps 
down to her.  He looks at her sorrowfully -- and makes a 
decision.

                    SILVER SURFER
          When did this begin?

                    NOVA
          I did what I always do, and found the 
          planet below.  Everything seemed just 
          fine -- ‘til Galactus tried to absorb 
          its energy   Then he started shaking 
          and bellowing --
               (realizing)
          Surfer -- the best job I could get 
          without a college degree’s going right 
          down the tubes -- and I’m responsible!

                    SILVER SURFER
          Responsibility is not the issue now.  
          A solution is.
               (beat)
          If there were a way to actually enter
          Galactus, together we might still be 
          strong enough to fight whatever is 
          there --

GALACTUS’ HELMETED HEAD

Nova breaks off as, with a GROAN, Galactus convulses again. 
His lips are barely able to move as:

                    GALACTUS
          There is a way, but I cannot risk both 
          of you in one stratagem. The Silver 
          Surfer must go alone.
               (beat)
          Nova, you can best use your talents to 
          guide him from without.

WIDER 

The Surfer soars upward, circling before Galactus’ eyes, as 
he gets another idea:

                    SILVER SURFER
          Galactus!  Still is there one condition 
          to be met --

                    GALACTUS
          I know what you wish -- and I grant 
          your boon.
               (with great effort)
          Do what you must -- and all my 
          knowledge of Zenn-La will be yours! 

The Surfer smiles grimly, and a CRACKLING BEAM OF ENERGY 
lashes out from Galactus’ eyes, engulfing the Surfer in an 
ENERGY BUBBLE. We ANGLE WITH THE BUBBLE as it zooms toward 
the source of the beam, shrinking all the while.  

The BUBBLE and the Silver Surfer get smaller, smaller, 
until they -- and WE -- are lost in the unfathomable 
whiteness of Galactus’ pupil-less eye! The brightness is 
almost BLINDING as we

                                                   CUT TO:
INT. GALACTUS’ BODY - BRAIN

An area of pulpy mountains and hills, SIZZLING with 
SYNAPSES. Through the brown-and-gray brain tissue run what 
look like BRIGHTLY-COLORED rivers:  These are the blood 
vessels, flowing sluggishly with a pulsating current.
 
                    SILVER SURFER (V.O.)
          Indeed, this is incredible.  I have 
          entered Galactus’ brain... 

As the Surfer speaks, we WIDEN TO SEE the Surfer on his 
board, looking around him in awe as he skims alongside one 
of the "rivers."  Suddenly, a COMMUNICATION BEAM APPEARS 
before him, along with:

                    NOVA (O.S.)
               (filtered)
          Silver Surfer...

EXT. GALACTUS’ CONTROL CENTER - NOVA

Flying up toward Galactus’ head, her COMMUNICATION BEAM 
activated, as, continuing:

                    NOVA
          Can you hear me?

INT. GALACTUS’ BODY - BRAIN

Before the Surfer can respond, dozens of vibrating beings 
with spider-like arms and bulging, globule-like bodies 
burst from the nearby blood vessel.  SQUEALING like 
banshees, they grab at the Surfer.

                    SILVER SURFER
          Nova!  I am attacked!

That’s all he gets to say as the arms of the spider-beings 
intertwine with both him and his board, pulling them down 
to the "ground."  More of the things SPLASH from the blood 
vessel, and for a beat the Surfer is completely engulfed. 

ANOTHER ANGLE

TWIN COSMIC POWER BEAMS BLAST, and the creatures fall back, 
their SQUEALS turning to ones of pain.  

The Surfer emerges from the pack, and, with another PAIR OF 
BLASTS, he leaps back onto the board, and soars away.

EXT. GALACTUS’ CONTROL CENTER - NOVA

Nova reaches Galactus’ enormous head just in time to veer 
out of the way as it slams slam backward with pain!

                    GALACTUS
               (roaring)
          This is not supposed to be!!!

His eyes close.  Again, the control center goes dead, then 
revives, while Nova’s flame flares, then dims so that it’s 
fainter than before.

                    NOVA
          Galactus...?

No response.  Now Nova cries out via a COMMUNICATION BEAM:

                    NOVA
          Surfer!  Galactus is out...!

INT. GALACTUS’ BODY - BRAIN - THE SILVER SURFER

Flying barely high enough so the spider-things can’t reach 
him.  Both he and his board are wobbling.

                    NOVA (O.S.)
          And I’m not doing all that well either!

The Surfer looks down at the spider-things.  They’re still 
in a frenzy.

                    SILVER SURFER
          I believe I have had an encounter with 
          his immune system.  And not to our 
          mutual benefit.
               (beat)
          I must look someplace else for the 
          infection -- but where?

EXT. GALACTUS’ CONTROL CENTER - NOVA

Still managing to hover before Galactus, she gazes at him 
intently, a RED BEAM STREAMING from her eyes.

NOVA’S POV - GALACTUS (SUBJECTIVE CAMERA)

As Galactus’ entire body turns translucent, and we SEE as 
much of his innards as we dare to.  

Muscle gives way to bone, which gives way to the various 
organs, all of them throbbing and GLOWING not like physical 
objects but like RADAR or SONAR blips.  It’s very SURREAL, 
CONTINUOUSLY MOVING, CHANGING. We TIGHTEN ON Galactus’ 
brain, where the Surfer is a moving silver dot.

                    NOVA (O.S.)
          And I thought pictures of smokers’ 
          lungs were disgusting...!

One area, deep in Galactus’ chest, is conspicuous by virtue 
of being a dull, hideous BLACK.  We ANGLE TO it as:

                    NOVA (O.S.)
          You’ve got to get down to his heart...

INT. GALACTUS’ BODY - BRAIN - THE SILVER SURFER

Flying across the pulpy mountains of brain matter.

                    NOVA (O.S.)
          There’s a trail just ahead of you -- 
          the spinal cord!

                    SILVER SURFER
               (peering out)
          Yes -- I see it!

We WIDEN TO SEE what looks like a tunnel up ahead.  The 
Surfer heads for it, soaring to:

INT. GALACTUS’ BODY - SPINAL COLUMN

A series of dark, interconnected tunnels through which 
thread ganglions of winding nerves. Picture the Surfer 
spiraling down, down, down through a rendering by Escher -- 
and you still won’t be close! From all around him comes a 
DEEP, RHYTHMIC SOUND.

                    SILVER SURFER
          The heartbeat of Galactus...! 

The SOUND STOPS for a beat -- and this time the Surfer 
literally DISAPPEARS, then REAPPEARS, steadying himself, as 
the HEARTBEAT RESUMES much more slowly.

                    SILVER SURFER
          Nova!  Galactus is weakening! Time is 
          running out!  How near am I to our foe?

EXT. GALACTUS’ CONTROL CENTER - NOVA’S POV - GALACTUS

The silver dot that is the Surfer zigzags closer to 
Galactus’ chest.

                    NOVA (O.S.)
          You’re almost to the chest cavity.

The dot reaches a point where the spine goes off into 
several branches.  We TIGHTEN ON this maze-like area as:

                    NOVA (O.S.)
          Take the left branch.  You’re getting 
          close...

INT. GALACTUS’ BODY - SPINAL COLUMN - THE SILVER SURFER

He slips into the left branch, continuing to:

THE END OF THE TUNNEL

Directly ahead of the Surfer, the open bone suddenly seals 
into a dead-end.  We WIDEN TO INCLUDE the Surfer as he 
stops himself just before a crash and goes tumbling from 
his board.

                    NOVA (O.S.)
          Surfer!  What happened?

The board circles back to him, and the Surfer climbs (he’s 
no longer able to leap) back onto it.

                    SILVER SURFER
          I do not know.  I will go back  --

ANOTHER ANGLE

As the Surfer heads back where he came from --

                    NOVA (O.S.)
          Look out!

Again, the Surfer stops short -- as another dead-end forms! 
He holds up his hand, FIRES a SPUTTERING VERSION OF HIS 
COSMIC POWER BLAST.  The vertebra BLOWS open -- and a WALL 
OF ENERGY GUSHES OUT, inundating him like a tidal wave!

CLOSER ON THE SILVER SURFER

Behind him, what was a dead-end suddenly opens up, and, 
CRYING OUT WORDLESSLY, the Surfer is swept through it by 
the ENERGY WAVE as:

EXT. GALACTUS’ CONTROL CENTER - GALACTUS’ MOUTH

He CRIES OUT wordlessly.  We ANGLE TO Nova, falling as 
though she herself was struck.  Around her, one of 
Galactus’ giant holographic viewscreens EXPLODES!

                    NOVA
          Surfer -- !

And then she breaks off, as, O.S., we hear the SOUND OF AN 
EXPLOSION, Galactus’ entire ship rocking with the impact 
as:
EXT. DARK PLANET SOLAR SYSTEM - GALACTUS’ SHIP

Around it, a vast fleet of starships is WARPING IN.  These 
are the ships of the WANDERERS, some large, some small, 
some marked with fancy designs, others bare.  All the ships 
have two things in common:  They are tattered, patched-
together, old -- and they are using their ENERGY WEAPONS 
like there’s no tomorrow, BLASTING away at Galactus for all 
they’re worth! We HOLD on the sudden attack, Galactus’ ship 
reeling, and we

                                                   FADE OUT.

                       END OF ACT ONE

                          ACT TWO

FADE IN:

EXT. DARK PLANET SOLAR SYSTEM - GALACTUS’ SHIP

Under heavy ENERGY FIRE from the new arrivals.  The ship 
doesn’t -- can’t -- fight back -- but it does shake and 
shimmy with each hit!

                    NOVA (O.S.)
          Surfer!  Somebody’s trying to blow us 
          out of the universe...!

EXT. GALACTUS’ CONTROL CENTER - NOVA

Getting no response.  An ENERGY BEAM DETONATES in the air 
above her, its CONCUSSION WAVE sending Nova sprawling 
across the control center.  Her flame becomes a shade 
lighter, weaker, as she picks herself up only to go 
sprawling when the ship shudders from another hit.  Forcing 
herself to move, Nova flies upward to:

GALACTUS’ HELMETED HEAD

Hanging back, his giant eyes closed.  DISSIPATING ENERGY 
continues to waft upward from him.  Nova circles Galactus’ 
head.  Her tone is a cross between panic and irony as:

                    NOVA
          Oh great, just great...!

Panicked, she flies in closer to one huge ear, shouting 
like Tinkerbell trying to get Peter Pan’s attention:

                    NOVA
          Galactus!  Can I help it if this is my 
          first space war?  What do I do?  What 
          do I do?

There’s no response as we TIGHTEN PAST Nova’s fearful face 
TO one of the remaining viewscreens.  Another ship is 
WARPING IN, and like the spy satellites, it too is 
familiar:  We HOLD ON the Draconian Mother Ship and

                                                   CUT TO:

INT. DRACONIAN MOTHER SHIP - BRIDGE - A VIEWSCREEN

REVERSE ANGLE of the same view:  Galactus’ ship taking its 
pounding from the Wanderers’ smaller vessels as:

                    FIRST MINISTER IVAR (O.S.)
          My lord!  Is it possible?  Can 
          Galactus’ truly be defenseless...?

As he talks, we WIDEN TO SEE LORD GLENN and FIRST MINISTER 
IVAR, watching the viewscreen.  Nearby, at their stations, 
are the rest of the robotic Draconian bridge crew.

                    LORD GLENN
          We will know soon enough, Ivar. The 
          probes have shown all they can...

Lord Glenn points to the viewscreen, where the fake Harpy 
Rasps come into view.  Beyond them, ENERGY BEAMS BLAST 
everywhere.

                    LORD GLENN
          Now it is up to our allies to draw the 
          Devourer out -- 

Ivar breaks off, as, from the ship’s communicator:

                    GAMORA (O.S.)
               (filtered)
          Lord Glenn!

INT. GAMORA’S SHIP

A one-person fighter craft, the lone occupant of which is 
GAMORA, a beautiful -- and lethal -- young humanoid woman 
with blue skin and black hair.

                    LORD GLENN (O.S.)
               (filtered)
          I read you, Gamora.  Are you as 
          astonished by what lies before us as I?

ANOTHER ANGLE - INCLUDING THE FRONT VIEWPORT

Gamora gets Galactus’ control center in the middle of her 
sights, hits a button, speaks into her communicator.

                    GAMORA
          Every night in my dreams I relive the 
          destruction of my home planet by 
          Galactus.  Yet now I find his ship even 
          more awesome than I remembered...

EXT. DARK PLANET SOLAR SYSTEM - THE ATTACK

Gamora’s ENERGY BLAST stabs at the control center!  A chunk 
of Galactus’ ship is torn off, BLOWING into space!

                    LORD GLENN (O.S.)
          And, it would seem, more vulnerable as 
          well.

                    GAMORA (O.S.)
          Frankly, Lord Glenn, I’m almost as 
          frightened by the fact that he’s not 
          fighting back as I would be if he 
          did...

INT. DRACONIAN MOTHER SHIP - BRIDGE

Where the viewscreen shows Galactus’ ship rocking from the 
attack.

                    GAMORA (O.S.)
          I can’t shake the feeling that this is 
          a trap.

                    LORD GLENN
          But why would a being with the power of 
          Galactus resort to such a tactic?

EXT. DARK PLANET SOLAR SYSTEM - THE ATTACK

As Gamora’s ship swoops closer to that of Galactus.

                    GAMORA (O.S.)
          I guess we’ll have to find out.
               (quickly)
          Refugee One to Wanderers -- move in 
          another notch, people -- but stay 
          prepared to cut and run... 

And, as the other ships follow her lead, we

                                                   CUT TO:

INT. GALACTUS’ BODY - SPINAL COLUMN - THE SILVER SURFER

Helpless, out of control on a chute-the-chutes ride through 
Galactus’ spinal cord.  He’s swamped by the ENERGY the way 
an earth surfer would be by a wave, and he clings to his 
board by his fingertips!

                    SILVER SURFER (V.O.)
          Everything that has happened since I 
          entered Galactus’ body must be a 
          product of his immune system...

The "tunnel" in which the Surfer is trapped makes an abrupt 
right turn, slamming him against it, and he almost loses 
his grip on the board.

                    SILVER SURFER (V.O.)
          How can I fight both him and the 
          disease -- ?

Another, opposite, turn.  He slams against the "wall" 
again, continues forward toward:

THE SILVER SURFER’S POV - WHAT’S COMING DEAD AHEAD

Another dead-end -- but before it dangle long fibrous 
tissues like thick ropes.  The tissues wriggle like the 
legs of jellyfish as the Surfer comes closer, closer --

BACK TO THE SILVER SURFER

Reaching the fibers.  With every last ounce of strength, he 
grabs onto them, swinging up out of the ENERGY WAVE. 
GRUNTING with exertion, the Surfer makes use of all his 
momentum, swinging up toward the "ceiling" of the "tunnel."
 
ANOTHER ANGLE 

As the Surfer nears the top, he lets go of the fiber with 
one hand, FIRING a POWER ANOTHER PALE COSMIC BLAST directly 
above.  At first, nothing happens.  Then, in the knick of 
time, the tissue dissolves, the Surfer arcing into the 
hole.

                    SILVER SURFER
          To me, my board!

THE SILVER SURFER’S BOARD

Careening against the tide of ENERGY and soaring upward to:

INT. GALACTUS’ BODY - CHEST CAVITY

The Surfer leaps onto his board, soaring into a dark 
chamber like an enormous, striated cave.  He glides to a 
stop and tumbles off the board, lying exhausted and 
sweating on his side.  He calls out hoarsely, trying to be 
heard through the REVERBERATING BEATING of Galactus’ heart:

                    SILVER SURFER
          Nova!  Can you hear me...?

EXT. GALACTUS’ CONTROL CENTER - UPSHOT

The ships that we’ve learned belong to the WANDERERS come 
in low, STRAFING the control center.  We ANGLE TO:

                    SILVER SURFER (O.S.)
          I am within Galactus’ chest...!

GALACTUS’ HELMETED HEAD

Hit by one beam, another.  He spasms as though jolted by an 
electric shock, but otherwise shows no sign of knowing 
about the attack.

                    NOVA (O.S.)
          I hear you, Silverado...

WIDENING, we FIND Nova, crouched on Galactus’ shoulder.  
She ducks as an ENERGY BOLT almost hits her.  The young 
woman both looks and sounds terrified as:

                    NOVA
          But I can’t exactly help much right 
          now -- !

She rushes across Galactus’ neck, out of the way of another 
VOLLEY.  The BLASTS take out a bank of machinery.  
Suddenly, Nova GASPS as:

NOVA’S POV - SPACE OVER THE CONTROL CENTER

Where the WATCHER RIPPLES INTO VIEW, his somber face 
looking down at the attack on Galactus’ ship.

                    NOVA (O.S.)
          Silverado!  There’s this weird looking 
          bald guy staring at us from the middle 
          of nowhere!

INT. GALACTUS’ BODY - CHEST CAVITY

Where the Surfer’s having his own troubles, trying to get 
to his feet.  From the COMMUNICATION BEAM come the SOUNDS 
of the attack.

                    SILVER SURFER
          The Watcher...!  His presence here 
          shows that this is indeed a portentous 
          event!

Using his board for support, the Surfer forces himself to 
his knees.

                    SILVER SURFER
          You must defy fate, Nova...!

EXT. GALACTUS’ CONTROL CENTER - NOVA

TIGHTENING ON her as the Surfer continues:

                    SILVER SURFER
          Reach inside yourself, and replace the 
          strength you have lost with the courage 
          you will always have!

His words get to her, and Nova’s face shows with new 
resolve.

                    NOVA
          Silverado, if you ever get tired of 
          hanging ten through the spacewaves, I 
          know some folks at Notre Dame who’d 
          love to sign you up as a coach!

And, as she says it, her FLAME BURNS MORE BRIGHTLY, and she 
launches herself upward, to:

EXT. DARK PLANET SOLAR SYSTEM - GALACTUS’ SHIP

Dozens of FIRE STORMS rage across the areas where the 
surface of the ship has been hit, and the cables of 
destruction are mangled and broken. A Wanderers’ ship banks 
and STRAFES -- and, suddenly, Nova appears, soaring from 
the control center like a fiery streak. A STREAM OF FLAME 
SPEWS from her outstretched hand, engulfing the ship, and 
it goes spinning out to space end over end!

CLOSER ON NOVA

Allowing herself a grim smile.

                    NOVA
          Back to the cheap seats, creeps! And 
          try some take-out -- like my solar 
          flambe!

Concentrating intently, Nova holds out both her hands, 
sweeping them around in a huge circle, and from them 
SPRAYS:

A WALL OF FIRE

Nova orbits Galactus’ ship, and the wall of flames 
surrounds it, cutting it off from the attacking vessels as:

INT. GAMORA’S SHIP - CONTROL CONSOLE AND VIEWPORT

Nova and her wall are plainly visible as panels SPARK AND 
SIZZLE from the intense heat.  We WIDEN TO SEE Gamora 
yanking back her hand just in time to keep from being 
burned by a tongue of flame that dances along the console.  
She continues into the communicator:

                    GAMORA
          Wanderers, this is Refugee One -- 
          disengage!  Repeat -- disengage!

EXT. DARK PLANET SOLAR SYSTEM - THE WATCHER

Looking on closely as Gamora veers away from the wall of 
fire, the other ships following her lead.  We TIGHTEN PAST 
the activity to Nova.

                    NOVA (V.O.)
          How ‘bout that?  Looks like the kid 
          from Venice Beach just won a round...

INT. DRACONIAN MOTHER SHIP - BRIDGE - THE VIEWSCREEN

Where the retreat continues as:

                    FIRST MINISTER IVAR (O.S.)
          That resource is not in our database!  
          What is happening?

We WIDEN TO SEE Lord Glenn stride to the viewscreen, Ivar 
right behind him.

                    LORD GLENN
          Ah, Ivar, is that not the question we 
          lesser beings have been asking about 
          Galactus since the beginning of time?  
          Or did you genuinely believe his end 
          would come so easily?

                    FIRST MINISTER IVAR
          I had hoped, my lord -- how I had 
          hoped! -- to cause him to suffer, as he 
          has caused us...

                    LORD GLENN
          As did we all, Ivar.
               (beat)
          As did we all...

Lord Glenn’s expression grows as thoughtful as a robot’s 
can. We ANGLE PAST him to the viewscreen again.  The 
Wanderers’ withdrawal is complete, the little ships huddled 
around the Draconian mother ship as we

                                                   CUT TO:

EXT. GALACTUS’ CONTROL CENTER - GALACTUS’ HELMETED HEAD

Reflecting the RED GLOW from Nova’s fire wall.  Suddenly, 
Galactus convulses again, as:

INT. GALACTUS’ BODY - CHEST CAVITY

Where the Surfer slogs exhaustedly into the cavern, 
carrying his board.  The entire cavern shudders, and ENERGY 
FLASHES like lightning.  For a beat, the LOUD HEARTBEAT 
FALTERS, the Surfer once again FLASHING OUT OF EXISTENCE, 
then reappearing as Galactus’ heart resumes even more 
slowly than before.

                    SILVER SURFER (V.O.)
          Galactus grows still weaker -- and so 
          do I!

Another LIGHTNING BOLT strikes, and the Surfer throws 
himself aside, stares at the source of the bolt, stunned.

                    SILVER SURFER (V.O.)
          What manner of bodily organs are these?

ANOTHER ANGLE 

Deep within the chest cavity are spherical masses 
resembling nothing so much as the gutted planets we SAW 
elsewhere in this star system.  They drift in a CURRENT OF 
ENERGY, the kind of LIGHTNING that almost struck the Silver 
Surfer triggering the opening and closing of gigantic 
containment valves. From the spheres comes a KEENING SOUND, 
like the moaning of millions of lost souls!  As the Surfer 
makes his cautious approach, the LIGHTNING STRIKES again, 
hitting him and sending him flying backward as:

                    THE VOICE OF THE SPHERES
          Silver Surfer!  Noble Lackey of 
          Galactus!  So good of you to visit our 
          ignoble selves! 

The voice RESONATES like a sarcastic chorus.  The Surfer 
looks from sphere to sphere.

                    SILVER SURFER
          What are you, to mock me like this?

                    THE VOICE OF THE SPHERES
          We will show you!

Another LIGHTNING BOLT strikes the Surfer, and, dropping 
his board, he goes sprawling as we TIGHTEN ON his face and

                                                   SMASH CUT TO:

INT. SILVER SURFER’S MIND - VARIOUS PLANETS - SERIES OF
SCENES

All garishly OVEREXPOSED TO A NUMBING WHITENESS, and 
including the following:

A FANTASTIC CITYSCAPE

Starting to crumble as Galactus’ cables of destruction 
plunge into it from the sky!

AN ALIEN VILLAGE

All but vanishes as the cables strike!

AN UNDERWATER EMPIRE

Fishlike inhabitants swimming for safety as the water roils 
and boils and bubbles around a group of cables!

A MONTAGE OF PLANETARY DESTRUCTION

As SEEN from space:  Planets of all colors turn shrivelled 
and BLACK as Galactus’ cables suck out their energy!  The 
IMAGES COME FAST AND FURIOUS, and the Surfer CRIES OUT:

                    SILVER SURFER (O.S.)
          STOP!!!

And, on his anguished cry, we 

                                                   SMASH CUT TO:

INT. GALACTUS’ BODY - CHEST CAVITY

LIGHTNING STRIKES everywhere.  Valves open and close.  The 
prostrate Surfer gasps for breath.

                    THE VOICE OF THE SPHERES
          Do you recognize us now, Silver Surfer?  
          We are the essence of the worlds 
          consumed by Galactus...! 

The Voice of the Spheres becomes almost a whisper:

                    THE VOICE OF THE SPHERES
          Consigned by you and your master to 
          this limbo of eternal despair!

                    SILVER SURFER
          I was not myself!  I knew not what I 
          did!

The Surfer’s tone is defensive.  More LIGHTNING STRIKES on 
each side of him, and, in a voice as quiet as that of the 
Voice of the Spheres:

                    SILVER SURFER
               (continuing; realizing)
          Yet still, do I hold myself 
          accountable...

Now ANOTHER VOICE responds...deep...malignant:

                    THE INFECTION (O.S.)
          Then you must allow me to put an end to 
          the evil!

With a final FLASHING OF LIGHTNING, more valves open and 
close, shunting the Spheres aside and revealing:

GALACTUS’ HEART

An enormous, red ventricular sac, moist and GLISTENING.  
Running along the heart are thick, viscous lines of BLACK 
FLUID, like tendrils, leading to a BLACK CENTER that is 
like a smaller version of the Dark Planet over which 
Galactus’ ship now orbits. The tendrils squeeze the 
ventricular sac, and GALACTUS’ HEARTBEAT BECOMES even 
slower than before.  In the black center a saw-toothed 
mouth opens in vile LAUGHTER!

THE SILVER SURFER

Determined, he rises, takes a step toward the blackness.

                    SILVER SURFER
          You are the infection!

                                                   CUT TO:

EXT. DARK PLANET SOLAR SYSTEM - THE WATCHER

Looking down at the WALL OF FIRE around Galactus’ ship. 
Suddenly, the FLAME DIMS.  We ANGLE TO Nova, flying 
unsteadily.  The FLAME SPEWED by her hands starts to 
SPUTTER.

                    NOVA (V.O.)
          Feel so drained...can’t hold out much 
          longer...sure miss Amber...and the 
          boardwalk...
               (catching herself)
          No!  Gotta -- keep -- going!

She gives it all she’s got, and both her flame and the WALL 
OF FIRE BRIGHTEN again as:

INT. DRACONIAN MOTHER SHIP - BRIDGE

Where Lord Glenn and Ivar see the change in the flame.  
From the communicator we HEAR:

                    GAMORA (O.S.)
               (filtered)
          Lord Glenn, Galactus’ defense is 
          weakening again!

                    LORD GLENN
          May I remind you, Gamora, that organic 
          tissue such as yours is notoriously 
          frail?  I suggest you and your people 
          continue to reconnoiter.

INT. GAMORA’S SHIP

She’s looking out the view port intently.

                    GAMORA
          Lord Glenn, I’ve waited to get at 
          Galactus since I six years old. Now 
          that I’m this close I can’t keep 
          backing away.
               (harder)
          Call it the curse of being "merely 
          organic," but the Wanderers’d much 
          rather have revenge than survive!

EXT. BLACK PLANET SOLAR SYSTEM - THE WATCHER

Looking on as, around Galactus’ ship, the FIRE WALL 
steadily weakens with Nova’s fading power.  FIRING, Gamora 
and her fleet sweep forward! NOVA Is a wreck.  The FIRE 
WALL GROWS STILL DIMMER, and her own FLAME IS SPUTTERING as 
we 

                                                   CUT TO:

INT. GALACTUS’ BODY - CHEST CAVITY

Where a tendril of the INFECTION’s black fluid flows out at 
the Surfer.  He stumbles away -- and another tendril wraps 
around his ankle.  The Surfer CRIES OUT as the area around 
the tendril BUBBLES and turns BLACK!

                    SILVER SURFER
          Where do you come from?  Why are you 
          doing this?

Another tendril grabs the Surfer’s other leg, and that leg 
too BUBBLES AND BLACKENS!  The Infection LAUGHS.

                    THE INFECTION
          I am the Universal Scourge, born and 
          bred to be Galactus’ last meal...!

The Surfer tries to pull away -- and another tendril wraps 
around his arm, making it too BUBBLE AND BLACKEN!

                    THE INFECTION
          Millennia ago, a selfless civilization 
          dedicated all its resources, its very 
          life, to the eradication of the 
          Devourer!
               (beat)
          For eons they followed in his wake, 
          collecting the detritus Galactus left 
          behind and bringing it to the planet 
          below, where its toxicity was 
          cultivated as in a garden...

ANOTHER ANGLE The Surfer never stops struggling -- and a 
tendril grabs his remaining arm, which BUBBLES AND BLACKENS 
as:

                    THE INFECTION
          The effort destroyed them, but the 
          venom, powerful enough to exterminate 
          even the Dreaded One, lived on -- 
          sending out a signal of false energy, 
          and inviting Galactus to dine!

Again, the Infection laughs.  The Surfer summons all his 
strength, and his body starts to GLOW.

                    SILVER SURFER
          NOOO!!!

And the Surfer BLASTS ALL HIS POWER COSMIC directly at:

THE INFECTION

LAUGHS as the BLAST SPUTTERS harmlessly!

                    THE INFECTION
          You think you can stop something begun 
          before any race now living rose from 
          the slime?!

WIDER

More black tendrils writhe toward the Surfer, who BLASTS 
uselessly as they wrap around his body, BUBBLING AND 
BLACKENING it completely.  The Surfer cries out in despair:

                    SILVER SURFER
          Galactus!  I have not the strength!
               (even louder)
          You must focus your remaining energy, 
          and trust me with all your POWER!!!

EXT. GALACTUS’ CONTROL CENTER - GALACTUS’ EYES

As the Silver Surfer’s voice RESOUNDS OVER everything, 
Galactus’ eyelid flutters.  There’s a tense beat, and then 
the eye snaps open!

                    GALACTUS (O.S.)
          First Herald...!

Within Galactus’ pupil-less eyes, ANGRY ENERGY FLASHES.  We 
TIGHTEN ON it as:

INT. GALACTUS’ BODY - CHEST CAVITY - A BOLT OF THE POWER 
COSMIC

THUNDERS through the cavern like a BOMB -- and strikes:

THE SILVER SURFER

The black tendrils EXPLODE, and the Surfer’s darkened 
surface shines silver once more.  He leaps onto his board, 
soars at: 

GALACTUS’ HEART 

The Infection’s mouth opens in an EAR-SPLITTING SCREAM as 
the rejuvenated Surfer FIRES twin BLASTS OF THE POWER 
COSMIC into the center of the infection! 

ANOTHER ANGLE 

The Surfer BLASTS again and again, and, one after another, 
the black tendrils SPARK and DISSOLVE!

                    SILVER SURFER
          Scourge of the Universe, you do what 
          you must...
               (beat)
          But so do I...

As the Surfer continues BLASTING, we TIGHTEN ON the center 
of the Infection.  It too SPARKS, WITHERS -- and DISSOLVES! 
The Infection dwindles, getting smaller and smaller, its 
SCREAM BECOMING A PITIFUL MOAN as we

                                                             CUT TO:

EXT. BLACK PLANET SOLAR SYSTEM - GALACTUS’ SHIP

Around it, the FIRE WALL gives one final SPUTTER and 
DISSIPATES COMPLETELY, Gamora and her ships flying in, 
WEAPONS BLAZING!

NOVA Collapsing, unconscious, and falling back toward the 
gigantic ship while ENERGY BLASTS all around her.

ANOTHER ANGLE

Suddenly, a silver streak soars from Galactus’ control 
center:  The Surfer, catching hold of Nova just as she 
caught him, and arcing back down to the ship with her as, 
in a barely contained ROAR of incredulity and fury:

                    GALACTUS (O.S.)
          WHO DARES?!

EXT. GALACTUS’ CONTROL CENTER - GALACTUS’ HAND

As, with no trouble at all, Galactus’ finger hits a button 
on the command chair and:

EXT. BLACK PLANET SOLAR SYSTEM - GALACTUS’ SHIP

Surges to life!  The cables straighten, no longer flailing 
ineffectually with the buffeting of the vessel, and a RING 
OF ENERGY FLARES out from the ship’s hull, heading in an 
ever-expanding circle for: 

THE WANDERERS 

Seeing what’s coming, the ships peel off, turning away from 
Galactus’ ship as:

INT. GAMORA’S SHIP

As she works the controls madly.

                    GAMORA
               (into communicator)
          The giant’s up and kicking! Abort!  
          Abort!

INT. DRACONIAN MOTHER SHIP - BRIDGE

Where both Lord Glenn and First Minister Ivar are 
astounded. Lord Glenn calls out to the helmsman:

                    LORD GLENN
               (to helmsman)
          Emergency maneuvers!  Take us out of 
          here!  Take us out!

Like all Draconians, the helmsman has a central panel in 
his chest.  It opens, and a single flexible limb snakes 
out, frantically working the ship’s controls as:

EXT. BLACK PLANET SOLAR SYSTEM

Desperately fleeing from Galactus’ ENERGY RING, the 
Draconians and the Wanderers FORESHORTEN INTO WARP.  In the 
space they’ve left behind, the ENERGY RING hits the Harpy 
Rasps, and they POLARIZE from positive to negative and 
back, VANISHING INTO PARTICLES.

We HOLD ON this part of space.  All that remains beyond 
Galactus’ ship is the impassive face of the Watcher.  He 
RIPPLES AWAY as we

                                                   DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. GALACTUS’ CONTROL CENTER - GALACTUS’ MOUTH

As grim and powerful as ever, as:

                    GALACTUS
          My herald!  You have work to do!

We WIDEN TO SEE the Silver Surfer and Nova, both of them at 
full strength, circling before what we can make out of 
Galactus’ huge face.  Nova screws up her courage:

                    NOVA
          Galactus -- the Silver Surfer just 
          saved your life, and that’s all you’ve 
          got to say?

                    GALACTUS
          I stand corrected, my Nova.  There is 
          indeed more.
               (beat)
          Know that the Great Hunger is upon me -- 
          and it is far greater than ever before!

Galactus speaks as though the Surfer isn’t even there.  
Nova looks astonished, but the Surfer simply shakes his 
head.  He soars from the control center, Nova following his 
lead. We TIGHTEN ON Galactus’ mouth once more -- as it 
opens for his sardonic LAUGH.

EXT. DARK PLANET SOLAR SYSTEM - GALACTUS’ SHIP

As the Surfer and Nova sweep out toward the edge of the 
system.  The Surfer speaks thoughtfully:

                    SILVER SURFER
          I hope that the universe can forgive me 
          -- for even I am not certain I did the 
          right thing.

                    NOVA
          Did Galactus make good on his promise?  
          Did he tell you where your homeworld 
          is?

                    SILVER SURFER
          In his way, Galactus is an honorable 
          man.  He said he would tell me all he 
          knew about Zenn-La, and he did...

They start going faster --

                    SILVER SURFER
               (continuing; bitterly)
          In his great anger, my former master 
          flung the planet so far into space that 
          even he is not aware of where it came 
          to rest! 

And faster --

                    NOVA
          I’m sorry, Surfer.

                    SILVER SURFER
               (getting an idea)
          Nova, you said something to me earlier 
          -- about always finding what you seek.  
          Do you think you could find Zenn-La?

                    NOVA
          Silverado -- I thought you’d never ask!

She smiles, and, as they FORESHORTEN INTO WARP, we

                                                   FADE OUT.

                          THE END



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