THE WILL
(by: Marc Adrian Reyes)
Chapter 1 · Episode 8 - "THE ALPHA AND THE BETA: Dangerous Duo"
INT. GENERAL ALVIN'S EMERGENCY CAMP - DAY
A fortified, makeshift command camp sits in a clearing. The SQUAD files in, exhausted and tense. GENERAL ALVIN GERONIMO moves with calm authority.
(Lieutenant) KYLA walks beside her father.
KYLA
Dad - what is this place?
GENERAL ALVIN
(proud, low)
My command camp. Built it for emergencies like this.
KYLA
Why wasn't I told about it?
GENERAL ALVIN
(smiles)
Now you are.
YNA trails, trembling, eyes downcast. MARC wraps an arm around her shoulder - steady, protective.
GENERAL ALVIN
Captain SanDiego - I've located your daughter, your father, and most of your family. They're in Block 6. They're here now. Jeff - your family is in Block 1. Sophia...?
GENERAL ALVIN stops mid-sentence, confusion cutting through his composure.
GENERAL ALVIN (CONT'D)
(uneasy)
Hold on - I was told Sophia has a twin. Which one are you? Who is Sophia?
SOPHIA raises her hand, ashamed and small.
GENERAL ALVIN (CONT'D)
Your foster parents are in Block 4. Ella - your parents are in Block 2. Jomari... I don't know if your family is still here - you've been gone a long time. Justine - your wife and daughter are in Block 5. Arnel - you're alone; join Ella's family. Captain SanDiego, I'll speak to Jerome's family and explain what happened. Leah - announce a state of emergency and meet me in the command room.
LEAH
Yes, sir! (rushes off)
GENERAL ALVIN
(calling to the men)
Everyone listen up! Spread out. Begin rescue operations now!
DOCTOR SOTTO steps forward, pale and urgent.
DOCTOR SOTTO
General - we have to move fast. Any moment now, President Mendoza or Major Santos could spread the infection beyond control.
GENERAL ALVIN
I know. (points to a heavy door) That's your lab. Take soldiers, grab whatever equipment you need, secure it.
DOCTOR SOTTO
(glances at Sophia, frightened)
Understood. (rushes to the door and locks it)
GENERAL ALVIN
(soft, to Sophia)
You terrified him.
CUT TO:
INT. CAMP MEDICAL TENT - LATER
The tent is quiet, everything muffled. YNA sits on a cot, hollow-eyed. A DOCTOR steps away, face lined with regret.
DOCTOR
(soft)
I'm sorry. The baby didn't make it.
Silence hits like a blow. Marc collapses to his knees beside her.
MARC
(voice cracking)
Babe-
YNA slaps his hand away, raw with grief.
YNA
(screaming)
What?! Go on - shout at me! Yell at me! Tell me it's my fault! Tell me I shouldn't have gone on that mission!
MARC reaches for her, pleading.
MARC
Yna - please-
YNA
(throwing herself at him)
Say it! Say I should have stayed! Say I brought this on us!
Marc pulls her into a fierce, controlled hug. He does not yell.
MARC
(urgent, broken)
No. It's not your fault. It's not anyone's fault. Only Major Santos is to blame.
YNA collapses into his chest, sobbing until she has no sound left.
YNA
(through tears)
Please - scream at me. I deserve it.
MARC tightens his arms until it hurts.
MARC
(soft, determined)
No. I will never scream at you. Never.
SILENCE - then SAMANTHA and MENARD SANDIEGO enter. Samantha is frightened. Menard is hollow with guilt.
SAMANTHA
Mommy? Daddy? Are you fighting? You said you'd never fight...
MARC lets Yna go. She forces a smile for their daughter.
MARC
No, sweetheart. Mommy and Daddy aren't fighting. Why would you think that?
SAMANTHA
I heard Mommy screaming.
YNA
(wiping her face)
I'm okay, baby. I'm just... glad you're safe. (hugs Samantha, then stands)
MENARD
(voice small)
What happened?
MARC
I don't know. (turns away)
MENARD catches his shoulder, voice breaking.
MENARD
I'm so sorry for what I did-
MARC pulls his father's hand off, a hard mixture of hurt and regret.
MARC
You should've said that a long time ago.
Marc walks out toward the command room with General Alvin. Menard exhales, forcing himself not to fall apart.
INT. COMMAND ROOM - MOMENTS LATER
The squad stands assembled, taut with readiness. MARC takes center. GENERAL ALVIN looks to Leah.
MARC
Sir - any leads?
GENERAL ALVIN
Yes. Leah?
LEAH
We've got a signal from their chopper. That's their location.
GENERAL ALVIN
(into radio)
All units, battle stations. Repeat - proceed to battle stations immediately!
Personnel snap to formation. Marc moves to the front. General Alvin addresses them, voice heavy with the stakes.
GENERAL ALVIN
Tonight the world is at risk. Humanity is at risk. Our enemy is not only human. Captain SanDiego - anything to add?
MARC salutes, then turns to the soldiers with cold clarity.
MARC
If you encounter the infected - shoot them in the head. They're fast. Don't let them bite you.
JEFF flips up a screen showing the infected - faces twisted, horrifying.
MARC (CONT'D)
(steely)
These aren't people anymore. The only way to stop them is to destroy the brain... or remove the head.
A ripple of murmurs. The men brace.
GENERAL ALVIN
Now - fight for your family, your country, your friends. Fight for the living.
SQUAD & SOLDIERS
Sir - yes, sir!
They move toward the choppers.
EXT. CHOPPER PAD - DUSK
Kyla tugs at her father's sleeve.
KYLA
Dad - I want to go.
GENERAL ALVIN
(firm)
No. Your leg's wounded. You and Leah will run the drones from here.
KYLA
(disappointed, composed)
Yes, sir.
Meanwhile, Marc hands Yna a rifle. It's a small grounding gesture.
MARC
It's not your last mission.
Yna forces a fragile smile and takes the rifle.
SOPHIA (whispers)
For Jerome.
ELLA, ARNEL, JEFF, JUSTINE - each grips a weapon, eyes hard.
AGATHA
(mutters)
For the good kisser.
SOPHIA looks at Agatha, surprised.
SOPHIA
What?
AGATHA
He kissed me.
DOCTOR SOTTO overhears, flushing.
DOCTOR SOTTO
(awkward)
He thought She was you, Sophia.
Sophia gives him a look; he looks away, ashamed.
MARC (to Agatha)
You're part of my squad now.
Agatha salutes, trembling but proud.
AGATHA
Sir - yes, sir!
Marc sees JOMARI and punches him in the gut - a physical, painful accusation.
MARC
That's for leaving us.
JOMARI doubles over, then forces a salute.
JOMARI
Are we even now?
MARC hands him his old uniform and his favorite M60, smiling with hard affection.
MARC
Welcome back.
JOMARI struggles to stand, nods.
JOMARI
I'll get myself back, Captain. Don't worry.
Marc turns to the squad, voice rising.
MARC
Stop those traitors! Fight for freedom! Kill every bastard who stands in our way! Major Santos is mine-
YNA finishes, fury and grief in her voice.
YNA
-ours!
The squad roars, united - grief turned to purpose.
SQUAD
Ready!
They board the choppers - a force forged from loss, anger, and resolve.
Menard approaches, wearing his veteran uniform.
MENARD
I'm coming.
MARC
(cold, tense)
No. Stay here. Look for Samantha.
MENARD
I can still fight.
MARC
(angry, snapping)
Do whatever you want!
MARC'S BROTHER
Don't worry. We'll take care of her. Just... let our dad join you.
Marc stares coldly, then walks toward the chopper.
---
INT. PRESIDENTIAL BASE - COMMAND ROOM - NIGHT
President Mendoza and Major Santos are in conversation.
MAJOR SANTOS
Sir... are we going to release them now?
PRESIDENT MENDOZA
Yeah. Set it for five hours.
MAJOR SANTOS
Yes, sir.
Suddenly, a loud crash and gunshots erupt outside.
MAJOR SANTOS
(alarmed)
What is that?!
SOLDIER
Sir! We're under attack!
The soldier is shot by the chopper. President Mendoza and Santos duck behind cover.
---
EXT. BASE - NIGHT
GENERAL ALVIN
Don't spare them!
Gunfire erupts everywhere.
---
INT. BASE - GARAGE - NIGHT
Agatha and Sophia take cover, firing at hostiles.
SOPHIA
(while firing)
You kissed Jerome?
AGATHA
(covered, firing back)
He's the one who kissed me. Do we really need to talk about this now?!
SOPHIA
Go! Go!!!
They reach the garage. Sophia stops, amazed.
SOPHIA
Woah... they have tanks here.
AGATHA
Dibs on the launcher!
Agatha rushes toward the tank.
SOPHIA
Hey! I don't know how to drive that thing!
AGATHA
You're a soldier. Figure it out!
---
INT. TANK - NIGHT
Sophia fumbles with the controls, trying to figure out the tank.
SOPHIA
(nervous)
Uh... hold on!
She accidentally hits a lever, and the tank lurches backward, crushing a group of enemy fighters charging outside. They scream and scatter in panic.
SOPHIA
(panicked, apologetic)
Oh! Sorry!!
Outside, gunfire erupts. Arnel shouts.
ARNEL
We need reinforcement, General Alvin!!
The tank bursts through the garage door. Everyone-Jeff, Arnel, and the others-pauses, confused.
JEFF
(shouting, panicked)
They have a tank! Take cover!!
The enemy chopper keeps firing at General Alvin's team relentlessly. The tank's turret rotates toward the chopper and fires, destroying it instantly.
SOPHIA
(over radio, laughing nervously)
Did someone say backup?
Jeff, Ella, and the others see the chopper down and realize the tank is on their side. They erupt into cheers and excitement.
JEFF
(raising his gun, excited)
Yeahhh!!!!!!
ELLA
(jumping, arms raised)
Hell yeah!!!
AGATHA
(laughing, exhilarated)
Finally, they see us!
ARNEL
This is insane!!!
GENERAL ALVIN
Go for the tank! We move forward!!!
---
EXT. ROOFTOP - NIGHT
Marc and Yna leap from a chopper, taking out enemies with precision. They spot President Mendoza and Major Santos escaping.
MARC
BASTARDS!!!
They run while firing. President Mendoza hands a gun to Santos.
PRESIDENT MENDOZA
Give me your gun. I'll cover you.
MAJOR SANTOS
(hesitant)
Here.
President Mendoza shoots Santos in the leg. Santos falls, shocked.
PRESIDENT MENDOZA
Those two? They're after you, not me.
MAJOR SANTOS
(lying on the ground, enraged)
You...! You betrayed me!
PRESIDENT MENDOZA
We're both traitors. We both know we can't trust each other!
He runs toward the rooftop. Marc grabs Santos.
---
EXT. BATTLEFIELD - NIGHT
The team advances on enemies. Menard follows President Mendoza.
MENARD
Stop!
He aims his rifle at President Mendoza.
PRESIDENT MENDOZA
Hello... ex-general. How's retirement?
MENARD
I'm going to end you-for my son!
President Mendoza shoots Menard in the heart. He falls. Marc screams in horror.
MARC
No!!!!!!!!!!
Marc fires a burst, killing Mendoza instantly. He rushes to his father.
MARC
Dad? Come on! Stay with me!
MENARD
Son... I'm sorry... for cheating on your mom.
MARC
No, no, no! Don't say that! Say it when... when you're fine! Please, stay with me...
MENARD
I did this for you... so you'd finally forgive me...
Marc hugs him tightly as Menard dies in his arms.
MARC
(crying, desperate)
No... stay... stay... I shouldn't have been cold to you for so long... please...
---
EXT. BATTLEFIELD - NIGHT - FINAL CELEBRATION
Outside, everyone is cheering as they've won. The remaining enemies flee or are down.
SOPHIA & AGATHA
(pop on the tank, high-five)
Yeah!
JEFF
(raising his gun)
Yeahhh!!!!!!
ELLA
We won!!!!
ARNEL
(walking closer to Ella, moving his lips, whispering)
Sorry...
ELA
(shocked)
What? Come here.
She kisses him back.
GENERAL ALVIN
(smiling)
We won....
EXT. BATTLEFIELD - NIGHT
After winning the battle, Marc calls for other soldiers.
MARC
(into radio)
General Alvin, get my dad out of the battlefield. Bring him back to base for a proper funeral.
CUT TO: HOLDING AREA
Marc, Ella, Jeff, Arnel, Yna, Justine, Sophia, and Agatha stand around Major Santos, tied up on a chair.
MAJOR SANTOS
(sitting, tied up)
You finally caught me, Captain, huh...
MARC
(just staring)
MAJOR SANTOS
(smirks at Yna)
Did you enjoy me? Raping you, pretty lady?
YNA
(eyes glassy, punches Santos)
Bastard...
MAJOR SANTOS
(mouth bleeding)
Tell me you like it...
Yna strikes again. Santos just smiles.
YNA
(walks out)
MARC
(staring at Santos)
Tell me everything you know about the infection you're going to spread.
MAJOR SANTOS
(chuckles)
No...
MARC
(cold stare)
Move his pants.
Jeff Jomari removes Santos's pants, revealing his core.
MAJOR SANTOS
(smiles)
I didn't know you're such a gay captain...
MARC
(smiles)
You done there, babe?
YNA
Yeah... (holding a tied infected girl)
MAJOR SANTOS
(shocked)
What are you doing?
MARC
Nothing... now tell me, what's your plan?
MAJOR SANTOS
(looking at the infected, then thinking why Marc ordered his men to remove his pants, chuckles)
You can't do that. You need me to know what the president's plan is...
MARC
Really?
(gestures to Yna)
Yna kicks the infected girl's back knee, making it kneel and face Santos' core.
MAJOR SANTOS
(shocked)
What are you doing?
MARC
One more question... what are you guys planning?
MAJOR SANTOS
(chuckles)
You can't do this. You need me...
MARC
(gestures to Jeff)
Jeff injects something into Major Santos.
MAJOR SANTOS
Ahh!! What is that?!
YNA
Temporary vaccine that Doctor Soto made...
MAJOR SANTOS
What are you planning to do?
MARC
I'm the one who's asking-what the hell are you planning?
MAJOR SANTOS
(chuckles)
I'm not saying anything!!!
MARC
(gestures to Yna)
Yna moves the infected's face closer to Santos' core. The infected bites it. Santos screams.
YNA
(crying with anger)
Tell me you like it!
MAJOR SANTOS
Ahh!!!!!
I-like it!!! Please remove this thing!!! Ahh!!!
MARC
(leans closer)
Now, what are you planning?
MAJOR SANTOS
We're going to spread the infection around the globe!!!
MARC
(stands up, gestures to Agatha)
Agatha pours gasoline on Santos.
MAJOR SANTOS
W-what is this?
(screaming as the infected attack his core)
SOPHIA
A ticket from hell...
MAJOR SANTOS
W-what?
(screams as the infected attack his core)
ELLA
(terrified)
The Captain and Ma'am Yna-they're a dangerous couple...
ARNEL
They are...
MAJOR SANTOS
You can't... ahhh!!!! Do this, Captain! Ahh!
MARC
Yes, I can.
(gestures to Jomari)
Jomari throws a cigarette on Santos. Santos screams intensely as the infected attack his core while he burns.
MARC
(into radio)
Sir... we've got a situation. The infection is-
GENERAL ALVIN (V.O.)
Captain, it's starting...
The whole world is in chaos. Infected are spreading globally; everyone screams. The faster infected are strong and carry rabies, and they aren't afraid of water. Marc and the team join General Alvin as they reach the base.
GENERAL ALVIN
The problem is just about to begin...