they nerfed the whole planet... game over man. Game over!!
THE GROUP is gathered around Burke who sits in a chair, maintaining an icy calm although beads of
sweat betray intense concealed tension. Only a few minutes have passed and everyone is still buzzed on
adrenaline, as if the whole group is charged with high voltage.
HICKS
(pacing) I don't get it. It doesn't make any Goddamn sense.
Ripley stands in front of Burke, every fiber of her being accusing him with absolute outrage. Burke
tries to break Ripley's stare, which is like a diamond drill. He can't
RIPLEY
He wanted grind, only he couldn't get it accepted by the community. But if we were influenced...whatever you call it...and then rewarded for the trip at just the right time...
Then nobody would know about the frustrations we were carrying.
We and Newt.
Ripley glances at the little girl, a frail figure sitting nearby, hugging her knees and watching the
proceedings with somber eyes. She is all but lost in an adult jacket someone has found for her, and her still
damp hair is plastered to her forehead and cheeks.
HICKS
Wait a minute. We'd know about it.
RIPLEY
The only way it would work is if he sabotaged certain features on the next update. Then he could jettison the fun and make up any story he liked.
HUDSON
(to Burke) You're annoying, pal.
BURKE
This is total paranoid delusion. It's pitiful.
RIPLEY
(wearily) You know, Burke, I don't know which species is worse. You don't see them screwing each other over for a percentage.
HICKS
(serious) Let's debate him. (to Burke) No offense.
Ripley shakes her head, the rage giving way to a sickened emptiness.
RIPLEY
Just find someplace to lock him up until it's time to --
THE LIGHTS GO OUT. Everyone stops in the sudden darkness, realizing instinctively it is a new escalation in the
struggle. Hicks looks at the board. Everything is out. Revenues. Ship Capability. All enjoyment replaced with a
pending sense of cogent futility.
RIPLEY
They went live!
HUDSON
What do you mean, they went live? How could they go live, man? They're animals.
Ripley picks up her rifle and thumbs off the safety.