INT. ROOM - NIGHT
The group sleeps in their beds. Daniel and Bailey lay in the same bed.
A blaring alarm begins ringing and a red light flashes. The group awakens.
JOEL
What now!
The group gets out of bed and walks down the halls. Multiple soldiers rush past them.
INT. CONTROL ROOM - NIGHT
The group enters the control room. Multiple personnel including Dobson and the Programmer look at a giant screen that is pixelating.
DANIEL
What’s going on?
FREDDY DOBSON
What are you all doing here?
GREG
Well, we were sleeping and then your super alarm went off.
THE PROGRAMMER
We’re receiving a transmission from the outside world. I’m clearing the signal.
The Programmer types at his computer and the giant screen clears and on it, is Diana.
THE PROGRAMMER
Diana?
DIANA
Hello Gideon. You’ve grown old.
THE PROGRAMMER
I know. Why are you calling?
DIANA
I’m… delivering a message. From Adrian.
FREDDY DOBSON
And that is…?
DIANA
You have 10 hours to awaken the others in the sim. To free them from their prison.
FREDDY DOBSON
And if we don’t?
DIANA
Then we will do it by force. If they are not released in 10 hours, we will attack LEVEL.
FREDDY DOBSON
Listen here and listen closely, I will not awaken those people. Not when they are in a safe place.
DIANA
The real world isn’t lost.
FREDDY DOBSON
My scientists have determined the widespread radiation will last 6,000 years.
DIANA
There are pockets that are habitable.
FREDDY DOBSON
Be that as it may, it is not a viable option.
DIANA
Gideon, talk some sense into him. For everyone’s sake.
FREDDY DOBSON
End the transmission.
The Programmer simply stares at Diana.
Dobson bangs on the keyboard and the transmission ends.
FREDDY DOBSON
Alright listen, we got 10 hours to prepare for an attack. I want personnel posted along the perimeter. Send recon drones out. I want three choppers in the air. Programmer, is the antivirus complete?
THE PROGRAMMER
Um… yes. Yes, it’s… done. I made the adjustment like you requested.
DANIEL
Adjustment?
FREDDY DOBSON
Are you still here?
DANIEL
Yes, we are. Without us you wouldn’t have an antivirus. Now what adjustment did you make?
FREDDY DOBSON
(Sigh)
We… are re-entering the simulation.
TYLER
We are?
FREDDY DOBSON
Yes. As you heard, the outside world is no longer habitable. The Refugium is humanity’s last safe haven.
THE PROGRAMMER
I upgraded the antivirus so that while it is rebooting the simulation, it will permanently upload our consciousness to the simulation.
JOEL
Soooooooooo what does that mean?
THE PROGRAMMER
It means that our minds will no longer be tethered to our physical bodies. The simulation will be our permanent home.
GREG
So, once we enter, there's no going back?
The Programmer nods.
FREDDY DOBSON
But we can’t re-enter until the Luddite threat is neutralized.
DANIEL
You're forgetting someone. Boss. He’s still alive in the simulation. Even if you stop the Luddites, you still have to deal with Boss. The Refugium will never be safe while he's still alive.
FREDDY DOBSON
Let me guess, you want to be the one to fight him.
DANIEL
Makes sense. We fought him more than you have.
FREDDY DOBSON
So, I keep being told.
BAILEY
So why don’t you listen this time.
THE PROGRAMMER
Freddy, you and your men can fight the Luddites while Daniel and the others fight Boss and upload the antivirus.
Dobson looks at the group and then at the Programmer.
FREDDY DOBSON
When I started all this, all I wanted to do was save mankind.
(Sigh)
Alright, Daniel and the others will go in the sim. Destroy Boss once and for all.
INT. COMPUTER ROOM - NIGHT
The Programmer and Daniel sit in front of a computer.
THE PROGRAMMER
I’ve been looking into why you… turned blue.
DANIEL
And?
THE PROGRAMMER
When Boss hit you with his programming energy you absorbed it.
DANIEL
Are you saying, I have the same abilities as Boss?
THE PROGRAMMER
Yes. With a catch.
DANIEL
What?
THE PROGRAMMER
You… share your abilities… with the other Daniel.
DANIEL
You're joking.
THE PROGRAMMER
I wish I was. Without his cooperation, you won’t be able to fully harness them.
DANIEL
This is my one advantage against Boss, and I have to share it with my antithesis.
THE PROGRAMMER
Perhaps if you talked with him?
DANIEL
He won’t listen. Believe me, I know. All he cares about is having Bailey to himself.
THE PROGRAMMER
Perhaps you could compromise.
DANIEL
What do you mean?
THE PROGRAMMER
He wants Bailey. He can’t have her if the Refugium is destroyed.
DANIEL
I guess. It’s worth a try.
There is a beeping sound, and The Programmer looks at his watch.
DANIEL
What?
THE PROGRAMMER
Adrian’s ultimatum. It's up.
EXT. WASTELAND - NIGHT
Adrian looks at his watch. Diana stands next to him.
ADRIAN
Well?
DIANA
LEVEL hasn't waked the others.
ADRIAN
Okay then. Looks like we’ll have to do this the hard way. Prepare Boss.
Diana leaves and Adrian turns around. Behind him, is a large army of Luddites, armed with heavy artillery.
END.