NEAR THE BARRIER

Inside the cramped confines of the bunker near the barrier, fear and tension hang heavy as the researchers and scientists huddle together, their faces etched with worry. Fear is palpable as the ominous sounds of headhunters scratching and pounding on the bunker doors reverberate. DR. MARTIN, a middle-aged scientist, wipes sweat from his forehead as the tension rises.

DR. MARTIN (whispering) - They're trying to get in. doors can't hold them off for long.

DR. JONES (voice trembling) - We're going to die here. Those things will break through any moment.

DR. HARRIS (resolute) - If they breach the doors, they'll tear us apart. We can't let fear paralyze us. We need a plan.

Suddenly the voices were gone and the group inside fell silent for a moment, exchanging worried glances.

DR. MARTIN (looking around) - We need to prepare for the worst.

DR. NATASHA (with dread) - Prepare? What can we do?

DR. MARTIN (urgent) - Time's running out. Brace yourselves.

As The researchers fortify their positions, readying for the impending threat, they hear complete silence outside. Haris opens the gate, revealing a blood-covered Mark with machetes in hand. 

Mark (in his comms) - Found the group.

Liam (on the comms) - Good, get them to the EVAC-truck

Mark - Move up! Head to the surface.

The group, led by Mark, ascends the stairs, emerging onto the battlefield. The area has turned into a chaotic battleground, with soldiers clad in exosuits fiercely battling, delivering powerful blows to the headhunters.

Mark sees Liam. Liam, surrounded by three headhunters, swiftly blows off the head of one with his AR. Suddenly, a fourth headhunter appears and smashes Liam away with a massive tree block throwing him away.

Liam (thinking) - These headhunters are showing intelligence. (Mutters) I can’t be the first to Die here.

Disoriented but fueled by adrenaline, Liam rises to his knees, contemplating the unexpected intelligence displayed by the headhunters. Seeing the approaching danger, Liam rushes towards the nearest headhunter. Dodging a powerful punch, he engages the thruster on his boots, vaulting over the headhunter and shooting at its exposed back. As he lands, another headhunter swings the tree block towards his head. Liam deftly dodges, narrowly escaping the deadly blow. 

Quick on his feet, Liam shoots the headhunter in front of him. The headhunter blocks the bullet with its arm. The headhunter wielding the tree block attempts to strike Liam's leg. Liam jumps over the block and uses his right leg to block the tree. The headhunter struggles to free the block from Liam's foot.

Spotting another headhunter on his left, Liam dodges its punch and shoots it in the face. Taking advantage of the distraction, the headhunter pulls the tree block away from the Liams holding. The headhunter retaliates, swinging the block towards Liam's head. Liam gets on his knees and blocks it by crossing his hand, simultaneously shooting another headhunter.

Engaging his thruster, Liam soars over the headhunters behind, he turns around, and shoots the headhunter's back and makes him bite the dust. Liam sees the horde approaching. However, he runs out of ammo. A punch lands on his face, prompting Liam to roll back on his knees.

Pulling out his Glock, Liam shoots the approaching headhunter, but it dodges the bullets. Another headhunter jumps from the right side and kicks Liam's Glock away. Liam switches to his AR to fend off the headhunter and the one wielding the tree block. The latter slams Liam, sending him crashing into the field.

As the headhunter lunges at him, Liam rolls aside to dodge. The headhunter swings the tree block towards his head, but Liam manages to evade. However, the headhunter strikes again, hitting Liam at the back of his head and causing him to fall to the ground.

An approaching headhunter draws closer, Liam gets up and pulls out another Glock. He shoots the headhunter, avoiding an incoming punch. Liam escapes another blow from the tree block, he jumps and shoots the headhunter from its mouth to its brain. The block falls on the ground

With four headhunters closing in, Liam grabs the wooden block, throws it onto the horde, and runs towards them. The block strikes three headhunters, making them stumble. Liam jumps over the fourth headhunter, aiming for its leg, causing it to fall. But as he attempts to shoot it, another headhunter rises, delivering a powerful punch to Liam's back, throwing him away. The two headhunters grab him, delivering a final devastating blow to his abdomen, blood streaming from his mouth, before throwing him away.

Liam, battered and bloodied, lies on the ground as the headhunters surround him, their relentless assault continuing.

Mark rushes to the evacuation truck, carrying the scientists. He glances back and witnesses the headhunters relentlessly kicking the fallen Liam.

Mark (muttering) - No, not again. (screams) NOT ANYMORE

The headhunters, sensing a new threat, shift their focus to Mark. Undeterred, Mark sprints towards the chaos, determination etched on his face. All the headhunters were Kicking Liam except one to move to attack Mark.

Scientist (confused) - where are you going?

Ignoring the scientist's question, Mark faces the oncoming horde of headhunters. With his Glock, he fires round after round, each shot finding its target. As the Glock runs out of bullets, Mark throws it with all his strength, impaling a headhunter's brain.

Mark (yelling) - COME ON, YOU MOTHERFUCKERS!

He swiftly draws his AR, shooting two headhunters approaching from the front and one from his left. Mark moves with calculated precision, dodging attacks and eliminating threats. He runs toward another headhunter, aims up to his brain and shoot, he dodges the headhunter falling on him and runs

Meanwhile, a headhunter violently drags Liam from his hair across the ground, delivering ruthless punches and kicks, as he was trying to dismantle the EXOZ

Mark (to Himself) - Hang on, Buddy.

A headhunter swings his punch over, Mark blocks it with his hand and shoots its head off. Another headhunter swings, but Mark gracefully ducks, retaliating with a shot to the abdomen. He then runs towards another headhunter, swiftly aiming for its brain and firing.

Approaching the headhunter tormenting Liam, Mark shoots the headhunter at back, the headhunter looks back, Mark throws his AR aside and runs to him and engages in hand-to-hand combat, unleashing a series of powerful punches aiming at headhunters face. Liam crawls back.

Mark (Yelling) - You took my City.

Mark jumps and Punches the headhunter, making it fall on the ground, Marks continues to punch its face, as the EXOZ enhances the blows, causing the headhunter to bleed heavily.

Mark - YOU TOOK MY PEOPLE.

Liam (weakly) - Mark, Stop.

Marks Ignores Liam in Rage.

Mark - TOOK MY FAMILY.

Mark lands a final, devastating kick to the headhunter's face. The EXOZ-enhanced impact triggers an explosion, ending the headhunter's threat. Mark, panting and covered in headhunter remains, looks back to Liam. Liam sees the rage in Mark's eyes. Another soldier comes to Help Liam.

Soldier - C’mon Soldier, Our Mission is about to end, we are going home.

Mark and the Soldier help Liam to take him to the truck.

Another soldier (yells) - they took one of the Scientists.

Mark listened to the call.

Liam - Mark… go.

Mark takes the soldier's gun and runs to rescue the scientist. As he enters the cloud of mist and fog, A headhunter hurls Dr. Jones near the Barrier, his terror palpable as other headhunters close in. Mark, witnessing the danger, swiftly shoots one headhunter in the back and charges toward the others. Multiple headhunters become Mark's targets as he skillfully eliminates them with precise shots to the face.

Mark (yelling) - Don’t worry, Doctor! I got you.

Engaging in hand-to-hand combat, Mark faces a headhunter. Swiftly dodging a swing, he retaliates with punches to the chest and face. The headhunter, undeterred, strikes back, tossing Mark and his AR aside. The weapon lands in front of Dr. Jones.

In a state of fear, Dr. Jones seizes the opportunity, pulls up the AR, and shoots a headhunter, causing it to fall and simultaneously throwing himself back onto the ground. As Dr. Jones rises, Mark runs toward a remaining headhunter.

Mark - Don’t get up!

Mark leaps onto the headhunter's back, delivering a flurry of punches. The headhunter retaliates, striking Mark with its elbow, sending him sprawling on the ground. The headhunter makes a run for it, but Mark, determined, jumps on its back, delivering a final blow by tearing its head off.

Mark stands, scanning the area for Dr. Jones. Worried, he calls out.

Mark (yelling) - Doctor!

No response. Mark picks up his AR and calls again.

Mark (Yelling Louder) - DOCTOR!

Failing to locate Dr. Jones, Mark reloads his gun and heads toward the Barrier. At the ridge's end, he witnesses the glowing barrier with headhunters entering. A soldier contacts Mark through the comm.

Soldier (on comm) -What's the situation, Mark?

Mark - I failed to save him. But the headhunters are entering the barrier.

Curious, Mark jumps from the ridge to inspect.

Soldier - Don't approach. We have secured the lead researcher. Our mission is done here. We're moving to HQ.

Mark gazes at his reflection in the barrier.

Mark (muttering) - Like a mirror in the bottom.

Soldier - DO NOT APPROACH. We don’t need it to escalate.

Mark, seeing the reflection of his face. He turns his face left and sees a Mining outpost.

MARK - Yeah, yes, copy that.

Mark retraces his steps, And feels the silence of the moment and moves back to the evacuation truck.