Cygnus (2017) Movie Script
1
CYGNUS CONSTELLATION
Straight Line Ascension: 20.62
Decay: +42.0
Quadrant: NQ4
CYGNUS X-3
BINARY SYSTEM
Distance: 37,000 light years
from planet earth
Object 1: Wolf-rayet star
OBJECT 2:
UNKNOWN
UNKNOWN
Not everyone sees it,
but telescopes
are the ones actually
in charge of exploring space.
Hey...
We already know how old
the universe is,
we know there's water vapor
in other planets,
we even know what's
at the center of the Milky Way.
All thanks to telescopes.
And if we ever find life
on another planet,
it will be through a telescope.
You'll see.
Is that your research project?
Finding life on other planets?
I mean...
who wouldn't like that?
SIERRA NEGRA VOLCANO
How are you?
How are you feeling?
Well, I'm starting
to feel the altitude...
But I'm fine.
Yeah? You feel well?
Your head doesn't hurt
or anything?
- No, no, no.
- You're not dizzy?
No.
What's two and two, then?
I ask respectfully.
It's...
because of altitude sickness.
There's little oxygen here
people start acting weird.
- I see.
- They don't even notice.
- No, I feel really well.
- Yeah.
And what's two and two?
Twenty-two.
All right,
all right, all right.
Are you ready, then, sir?
Ready. Let's go!
TOP OF SIERRA NEGRA VOLCANO
HEIGHT 1,223 FWhat do you think?
Well,
it's huge.
And the gamma ray observatory
is nearby, isn't it?
The HAWC is right
over there, yes.
All right.
Oh.
Esteban,
thank you so much.
- We're here if you need us, sir.
- See you around.
Lower your head.
Lower,
let it hang.
What's your name?
- Alejandra.
- Alejandra.
You were scared.
It's normal.
Your blood pressure is low.
Lift your head slowly.
We're going to the infirmary.
Anything else you need, doctor?
No, thank you.
- You don't like infirmaries?
- No.
You don't?
I hope you had a nice trip.
Yeah. Esteban is very nice.
Here's the rule book.
You have to read it through.
- The key to your room...
- Thank you.
And the telescope
schedule.
Let's see...
You can negotiate schedule
changes with Gerardo
Who's Gerardo?
The other astronomer
who works here.
You'll be sharing
the telescope with him.
You won't have any trouble.
He's approachable
You'll meet him.
Hi.
Gerardo?
I'm Fabian.
I'll be sharing
the telescope with you.
That's your place.
Rule number one:
Not overtime, not even
a minute over.
Got it?
Rule number two:
No schedule changes. You are
stuck with what you got.
Any questions?
No, I think not.
We'll see.
These chilaquiles
smell amazing, right?
Right?
Not to brag but this
time I really nailed them.
You always do.
Excuse me.
Pal.
Hey!
- Hi.
- Hi.
Ah! Sorry.
Sorry.
Good morning.
- How is the girl doing?
- What girl?
The one who was
in the hall yesterday?
Oh,
fine. We had to take her down,
but she'll be fine.
What happened to her?
- Altitude sickness.
- Oh, I see.
That happens a lot here,
doesn't it?
Sort of. We get a lot of people
who are not in shape.
- Hello, good morning.
- Good morning.
- A little of everything?
- Yes, please.
Is this your first time here?
Yes.
- And how are you feeling?
- Good.
Except for a small headache,
a little dizziness, nausea...
Other than that, good.
No! I'm joking!
- Relax.
- You are?
Yes. I know it's serious.
Terrible joke, I'm sorry.
- Good morning.
- Good morning, Mary.
- Everything?
- Everything.
- What's your name?
- Diana.
Fabian.
- Nice to meet you.
- Nice to meet you, too.
Cygnus...
Why do you keep looking at it?
There's nothing interesting
about it.
We'll see about that.
Look.
- So you know more than me?
- I didn't say that.
I have published nine articles
and one book.
What have you done?
- I was just going to show you...
- No, tell me!
What have you done?
Have you published something?
Got any scholarships? Anything?
I mostly just do research.
That's what astronomy
is about, isn't it?
You're a romantic!
Of course I'm not.
Please tell me you're one
of those silly people
who look at the stars at night.
No.
You are!
Awesome!
A romantic!
GAMMA RAY OBSERVATORY
1640 feet
So, why did you
become an astronomer?
I'm asking because
I find it strange
that anyone would want to spend
their life staring at the sky.
Well, it's not like
I'm staring at it
the whole time.
- It's not?
- No.
Mainly,
I look for what we cannot see.
Look, to give you an example
when I was a kid,
I don't know,
maybe eleven or twelve,
my mom took me camping
and at that moment
I made a discovery that
dramatically changed my life.
I discovered that...
I hate camping tents.
- Oh, yeah?
- Really.
Seriously.
There I was
in that immense forest
and the damn tent
wouldn't let me see a thing,
not even a tree.
And you didn't crawl out?
Yes, I nearly caught pneumonia
from sleeping outside.
My point is that, to me,
the universe
is like...
like that immense forest.
And Earth is like
the damn tent
keeping us from seeing what's...
what's out there.
This is Cygnus.
And this is Earth.
No, no, no.
Let's say...
this is Earth, shall we?
Actually, no.
Because Earth couldn't be here.
It would have to be very far...
Somewhere in China.
Thirty-seven thousand
light-years away.
- Okay.
- That's very far away.
The point is
that here
there is an object that no one
has been able to identify.
It's invisible to the naked eye,
but we know it's there
due to its behavior.
Some say it's a neutron star,
others say it's a black hole
and no one's reached
an agreement.
Here's the most
interesting part.
Excuse me.
Put your hands on the table.
Close your eyes.
Do you feel that?
This object is emitting
a very intense radiation.
Not just any type of radiation.
It's more like
millimetric waves,
like this.
The question is:
Why doesn't it emit X rays
or gamma rays
like other objects
with similar characteristics?
- Why?
- Uh...
I don't know.
Me neither.
But I don't think it is
what it looks like.
I have been researching
for years,
trying to figure out what it is,
as many astronomers before me.
You know what
the big difference is, though?
The difference
is, I'm using the largest
millimeter telescope ever
and whatever it is,
I'm going to identify it.
I saw you!
Maintenance, good evening.
- This is Doctor Fabian Ocampo.
- How are you?
Fine, thank you.
I need a favor. Can you check
the tertiary mirror
is properly in place?
- Sure, give me a minute.
- Thank you.
POSITION
POSITIONED
Oh!
Please don't be a satellite,
please don't be a satellite...
INCOMING SIGNAL DETECTED
SOURCE:
Well?
I checked.
The mirror is properly in place.
- And the chamber window?
- That too.
Are you sure? It's open?
Yeah, I just checked.
Need anything else?
My shift just ended.
No, thank you.
CONTROL SPECTRUM
CAPTURED SPECTRUM
UNKNOWN MOLECULAR LINE
NO MATCHES FOUND
AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY
Where are the others?
Do you know what happened?
Fabian! How are you?
Fabian! Can you hear me?
Fabian!
Come back!
Don't get up. Lie down.
Get off me!
- Easy.
- What's going on?
- You're in the infirmary?
- Don't touch me.
- Easy.
- Don't touch me!
- Fabian, calm down.
- Get off.
- It's all right.
- Get off.
- Grab him.
- Get off.
Let me go!
Calm down.
- Let me go!
- Calm down!
You will hurt yourself.
- Let me go!
- You will hurt yourself!
Take it easy!
What are you doing?
What is that?
No! No!
Good morning.
How are you feeling?
A little dizzy.
That's normal.
- What happened?
- You passed out.
And when you woke up,
you had a panic attack.
I had to sedate you.
Good morning.
How do you feel?
Fine...
I think.
You gave us a right scare
last night.
You have to let us know
if you're feeling ill, Fabian.
But I wasn't.
I was working
on the computer and...
And?
And what?
There was a line on the graph.
What graph?
The signal...
What are you doing here?
Weren't you at the infirmary?
What's going on?
Fabian found a signal.
- It's no longer being emitted.
- What isn't?
- The signal.
- But what was it?
I don't know.
I tried to identify it,
but I couldn't locate it
on any known molecule catalogue.
When I heard it, I couldn't
clearly tell what it was.
Hold up! Hold up!
For starters, you couldn't
have heard it, come on!
Now it turns out sound
does travel through space?
This signal
behaved unlike anything
we've ever seen before.
If you don't believe me,
I'll show you. Here it is.
LOADING
What's wrong?
I can't find the files.
They should be here.
Do you know if anyone
used my computer?
I don't think so.
- No one is allowed in here.
- Are you sure?
- You didn't see anyone?
- I don't know.
I have better things to do
than watch over your computer.
Gerardo,
it's very important
that I find these files.
Please, if you know where
they are, tell me.
How would I know?
- You think I have them?
- I don't know, do you?
Come on!
You were very interested
in my research, weren't you?
Are you accusing me of theft?
- Me?
- All right, let's take it easy.
I'm not accusing you,
I'm asking.
There's a huge difference.
Well, stop asking,
you stupid child!
- All right, enough.
- What did you call me?
- Enough!
- You heard me.
- Let's go!
- Say it again! What was that?
Let's go outside.
I ask him one thing
and look how he reacts!
Let's go outside.
Put your jacket on.
He was the only one
in the control room.
- I know. Let's go outside.
- I swear it was on the computer!
You had altitude sickness.
Perhaps you were confused.
No, I'm sure the signal
was on my computer.
How could you know
if you were passed out?
That was after!
Miguel,
you're the supervisor.
You could look into Gerardo.
What for?
To see if he's got my files.
Why would he want to steal them?
Have you any idea
what I just found?
That line was much too thin
to belong to a natural source.
The altitude is getting to you.
No, no, no. Listen to me.
This signal
may be the first
scientific proof
of intelligent life
outside of Earth.
Why don't you go down
to the town for a few days?
There's no need, I feel great.
- You feel great?
- Yes.
You nearly got into
a fist fight with Gerardo.
He insulted me, you saw!
You believe you found
an extraterrestrial signal.
It's not a belief, I had proof!
Not to mention the fainting
and getting aggressive
when you woke up.
What would you do in my place?
Okay.
I see what you mean.
Looks like I've gone crazy, huh?
I actually don't know
what happened to me yesterday.
I don't know, maybe it was
altitude sickness like you say.
Or whatever, but I'm fine now.
Don't worry.
It took me a lot to get a turn
at the telescope, Miguel.
Please let me stay.
Please.
All right.
But if you attack anyone
on my staff again...
Yes, I know. Don't worry.
I promise it won't happen again.
Really.
Two and two, twenty-two.
Two and two, twenty-two?
Two and two, twenty-two.
- Are you dizzy?
- No.
One more time.
Everything appears to be normal.
I don't see anything strange.
Nothing?
Well, then I don't know
what it was.
What's going on?
It's been a pretty weird day
for me.
I'm sure.
Remember I told you
I discovered a signal?
Yes. What happened?
Someone stole it from me.
What do you mean stole it?
Someone...
took the files from my computer.
But Miguel doesn't believe me,
so there's nothing I can do.
Wait, hold up.
Are you sure they were
on the computer?
All data is automatically
stored.
And there's no way to prove
they were stolen?
How?
Well, I don't know. The computer
must be able to tell
if files were copied
or deleted, right?
I'm an idiot!
I didn't check the Log.
SYSTEM LOG
SAVED BACK-UP
UNMODIFIED BACK-UP
What?
Why so nervous?
I'm not nervous.
Are you sure?
Can't even stand me
looking at you.
You know what?
I'm not going
to keep arguing with you,
you whack job.
Hi.
Can I come in?
Sure, come on in.
Thank you.
Are you feeling better?
Much better, thanks.
Good.
What can I do for you?
Well,
I need to look at a tape.
Which tape?
From last night.
It's just that...
I think some of my files
were stolen,
but I need to see
the tape first.
You know, to be sure.
Man, I'm sorry. But no.
I'd like to help,
but I need an order
signed by the supervisor and...
I cannot let you watch
the security tapes!
Why not?
Because I can't let you
spy on others.
It's against the rules!
What's against the rules
is someone stealing my research.
- Do you have proof?
- No.
Gerardo hacked my OS.
I'm sick of that nonsense!
I have been patient with you
because you're young,
but aliens and now hackers?
Quit fucking around, Fabian!
Miguel,
please let me look at the tape.
I swear that if I see Gerardo
didn't do anything,
I'll pack my things and go.
No,
Dr. Ocampo, you're leaving
right now.
Right now!
What?
It's clear to me you're in
no condition to work.
That's not true.
And I'll not let you continue
to slander my staff!
It's not slander, I tell you!
Gerardo has shown
exemplary behavior
at this telescope, unlike you.
He's lying, Miguel!
How can you not realize...
One more word
and I swear I will
destroy your career!
Is that clear?
You have ten minutes
to collect your things.
A van will wait for you outside.
Have a nice trip.
Get me Esteban.
May I?
Yes, yes.
Did you burn something?
No, I was just
shuffling some papers and...
Don't worry, it's not important.
I heard you're leaving.
I guess the Log thing
didn't work.
No.
Don't give up.
Take care.
You too.
Diana!
Yes.
Thanks for everything.
Leaving so soon?
Yup.
Fun didn't last long, did it?
- No?
- Sorry?
I thought you'd be
staying longer.
Ah, yes.
Me too.
So?
It's nothing. I had a problem
with the supervisor.
Oh, you should
have told Gerardo.
Gerardo?
Gerardo is good friends
with the supervisor,
he could've helped you out.
Do you know how long
Gerardo's been here?
About six months, I think.
Six months?
Yes.
No one is allowed more than
two weeks at the telescope.
Didn't I just tell you
they're friends?
- What's going on?
- I'll be right back.
I've already told the
supervisor and he wants
to speak to you in person.
Why didn't he use the radio?
Well...
it's a delicate matter
and he doesn't want
everyone to find out.
He's not in his office, though.
Where is he?
In the dining hall.
He's actually very pissed off.
Why?
Because he says...
it's not the first time
it's happened,
and you probably didn't
notice because...
you were reading
those magazines.
- He said that?
- Yup.
Good luck.
Don't do this to me.
Come on!
- Mary, where's the supervisor?
- I don't know.
Wasn't he here?
- What's going on?
- Come with me.
DO YOU WISH TO COPY THE FILE
TO THE USB DRIVE?
COPY
COPYING
SURVEILLANCE ROOM
FILE COPIED
- Hello?
- Sir.
Someone just stole a tape
from the surveillance room.
What?
Sectors one and two clear.
Pedro, do you copy?
Yes. What is it?
I need you to check
sector three.
On it.
Pedro, what's up? Where are you?
I need it stat, all right?
What happened? Did you find him?
I saw him.
Keep looking.
All right.
What do you think you're doing?
No wonder you didn't want me
to watch the tape.
What tape?
The one where you tell Gerardo
to steal my files.
I have no idea
what you're talking about.
Come on, enough.
Who are you trying to fool?
- I'm done here.
- Don't even think about leaving!
Sit down.
Sit down!
Everybody come to my office!
I saw you give Gerardo
the order.
I asked him
to back up your data!
That is not true.
- It's not true!
- Come on, now.
You're a scientist, right?
Think.
What's more likely?
For some hacker
to be hiding
extraterrestrial signals
or for me to ask Gerardo
to back up your data?
Huh?
Look at you.
This isn't you.
Huh?
It's altitude sickness.
Why has he been here
for six months?
- Who?
- Gerardo.
Why did you let him
stay that long?
- What's it with you?
- Answer me!
Boss?
Let them get you off
the mountain, for your sake.
- Get in!
- Shut up!
Don't move!
- Easy.
- Step aside.
- Easy, don't do anything...
- Out of the way!
- I'm going to drop the club.
- Yes, yes, yes.
- Out of the way.
- Easy.
Shut up!
Where are we going?
To Gerardo.
- You stay here, understood?
- All right.
Easy.
Careful.
INCOMING SIGNAL DETECTED
SOURCE:
The difference
is I'm using the largest
millimeter telescope
in the world
and whatever it is,
I'm going to identify it.
I'm going to identify it.
No, no, no.
No, no, no, no, no.
Come back.
Come back!
Now, now. Ready?
There, there.
- Hold the stretcher.
- Yes.
- What happened?
- He passed out.
And the moment we tied him up
he began to convulse.
Why did you tie him up?
I need you to stabilize him
so we can take him down.
Did you hit him?
Get out of here,
let me do my job.
- Are you sure?
- Out!
AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY
- Breathe.
- Where did he go?
Who?
- Easy.
- Diana.
Yes. Don't lift your head,
Fabian. Breathe.
- It was a dream.
- Yes.
It was a dream...
Take it easy.
What's going on?
Take this off, Diana.
Why did they hit you?
Do you believe me now?
No, no. There's no time.
Wait.
- Now?
- No.
What are you doing?
I have to...
I have to go
to the control room.
You can't leave like this.
You have a head wound,
maybe even a concussion...
- You can pass out if you leave.
- Diana! Diana!
I have to go
find my files, okay?
Fabian, you really
can't go out like this.
You want to help me?
Call the police.
Tell them what's going on.
All right, but I need
to check that wound.
Listen to me.
It's clear these people
are hiding something.
I have to get
to Gerardo immediately
so I don't lose my files.
This had never happened before.
We have to get him down.
Is Esteban ready to take him?
Yes.
Do you know if he attacked
anyone else?
No.
God damn it...
This can't be.
I need the whole staff
accounted for.
Let me know if anyone's missing.
Immediately, you hear?
Not half an hour later.
Yes, sir.
Juan!
- What happened to you?
- Move!
You're a real fucking asshole!
It's not what it looks like.
I just wanted to know
what you were looking for.
Where's the signal?
I don't know. I found nothing.
When you passed out,
I tried to back up your data,
but your computer was jammed.
I had to restart it.
I didn't find anything.
I do have something to confess,
I'm looking at Cygnus
on the HAWC.
May I?
I thought nothing of it
at first.
But a while ago I saw
that the HAWC
detected an energy event
coming from Cygnus X-3.
The emission
happened last night,
at 10:15. Ring a bell?
That's when I caught the signal.
Well, here's the proof
that you're not crazy.
You better share
the credit with me, eh?
Credit is the last thing
on my mind.
Thank you.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
What kind of event was it?
I don't know.
I never saw anything like it.
This was...
a whole party
of energetic particles.
The detectors
could barely handle it.
Do you want to check it out?
Of course I want to!
Let me see!
I'll leave you to it.
Meanwhile, I'm going
to prep the telescope.
We have a lot of work ahead.
SYSTEM ERROR
Now what?
Gerardo.
No, no, no.
Juan.
Juan.
What happened?
Be very careful.
Yes, sir.
Diana!
Fuck!
Who are you?
What do you want?
Why are you doing this?
Because of the telescope?
I don't get it.
What does it have to...?
INCOMING SIGNAL DETECTED
SOURCE:
SYSTEM ERROR
You.
You deleted the files.
You burned my notes.
You are...
You came in
through the signal...
for my research,
to sabotage me.
Why?
Why don't you want me
to look over there?
- What's on Cygnus?
- Fabian!
- Fabian!
- Don't come any closer!
He could hurt you!
Who?
Him!
Can't you see him?
Fabian,
listen.
You have altitude sickness.
No, no. I'm fine.
Gerardo found proof
that the signal was real.
Gerardo is dead.
He did it.
He killed him.
Who?
There's no one there, Fabian.
Listen,
you are not well.
I know you can't see that,
so you're going
to have to trust me.
This is a sedative.
Let me give it to you.
No, no.
Security is on its way.
They have weapons.
Don't let them come here,
they will all end up dead.
No, you'll end up dead!
Fabian, please.
Let me help you.
Diana!
- No! Stay there!
- Step aside!
No! Let me talk to him.
Are you insane?
Let me try.
Look,
no one else
has to die, all right?
It doesn't matter if the signal
was real or not.
Let me give you
the sedative, Fabian.
Don't give them a reason
to shoot you.
What are you doing?
Fabian...
No, no, no...
Let her go!
No!
No, Fabian, please!
Fabian, listen!
Get back here!
Fabian!
What happened?
No,
this can't be happening.
No!
Leave her alone!
You're in my head.
No!
Let me go!
MEXICAN SOCIETY
FOR ASTRONOMICAL RESEARCH
INTERNAL INVESTIGATION COMMITTEE
A tape that freezes?
That's his proof?
It freezes at the exact moment
when Fabian hears the signal.
A supposed signal
that no one else saw.
That's right. As you can tell
from the tape,
Fabian was alone at that moment.
- Doctor...
- I know.
This isn't enough proof,
nor is my word,
but I know what I saw.
Doctor,
you were standing
over 4,000 meters of altitude,
with very little oxygen
in your brain.
I had never had a problem
with altitude,
my brain was perfectly fine.
That's not what the police said.
It doesn't matter
what the police said.
I'm telling you. You're the ones
who should know this.
That signal
did something to Fabian.
Look Doctor,
I know you just went through
something very tough.
I can't even imagine
what it must have been like
up there.
But these types of events
have repercussions
and you know it.
Why don't you get
some professional help?
There's nothing wrong
with seeing a therapist.
I don't know what else
I can do here.
I'll just tell you one thing,
this might happen again
if you do nothing.
Do you think no one else
is going to look into Cygnus?
Doctor!
I was very interested
in what you said at the meeting.
Do you think
we could talk later?
Yes, of course.
I'll wait for your call.
CYGNUS CONSTELLATION
Straight Line Ascension: 20.62
Decay: +42.0
Quadrant: NQ4
CYGNUS X-3
BINARY SYSTEM
Distance: 37,000 light years
from planet earth
Object 1: Wolf-rayet star
OBJECT 2:
UNKNOWN
UNKNOWN
Not everyone sees it,
but telescopes
are the ones actually
in charge of exploring space.
Hey...
We already know how old
the universe is,
we know there's water vapor
in other planets,
we even know what's
at the center of the Milky Way.
All thanks to telescopes.
And if we ever find life
on another planet,
it will be through a telescope.
You'll see.
Is that your research project?
Finding life on other planets?
I mean...
who wouldn't like that?
SIERRA NEGRA VOLCANO
How are you?
How are you feeling?
Well, I'm starting
to feel the altitude...
But I'm fine.
Yeah? You feel well?
Your head doesn't hurt
or anything?
- No, no, no.
- You're not dizzy?
No.
What's two and two, then?
I ask respectfully.
It's...
because of altitude sickness.
There's little oxygen here
people start acting weird.
- I see.
- They don't even notice.
- No, I feel really well.
- Yeah.
And what's two and two?
Twenty-two.
All right,
all right, all right.
Are you ready, then, sir?
Ready. Let's go!
TOP OF SIERRA NEGRA VOLCANO
HEIGHT 1,223 FWhat do you think?
Well,
it's huge.
And the gamma ray observatory
is nearby, isn't it?
The HAWC is right
over there, yes.
All right.
Oh.
Esteban,
thank you so much.
- We're here if you need us, sir.
- See you around.
Lower your head.
Lower,
let it hang.
What's your name?
- Alejandra.
- Alejandra.
You were scared.
It's normal.
Your blood pressure is low.
Lift your head slowly.
We're going to the infirmary.
Anything else you need, doctor?
No, thank you.
- You don't like infirmaries?
- No.
You don't?
I hope you had a nice trip.
Yeah. Esteban is very nice.
Here's the rule book.
You have to read it through.
- The key to your room...
- Thank you.
And the telescope
schedule.
Let's see...
You can negotiate schedule
changes with Gerardo
Who's Gerardo?
The other astronomer
who works here.
You'll be sharing
the telescope with him.
You won't have any trouble.
He's approachable
You'll meet him.
Hi.
Gerardo?
I'm Fabian.
I'll be sharing
the telescope with you.
That's your place.
Rule number one:
Not overtime, not even
a minute over.
Got it?
Rule number two:
No schedule changes. You are
stuck with what you got.
Any questions?
No, I think not.
We'll see.
These chilaquiles
smell amazing, right?
Right?
Not to brag but this
time I really nailed them.
You always do.
Excuse me.
Pal.
Hey!
- Hi.
- Hi.
Ah! Sorry.
Sorry.
Good morning.
- How is the girl doing?
- What girl?
The one who was
in the hall yesterday?
Oh,
fine. We had to take her down,
but she'll be fine.
What happened to her?
- Altitude sickness.
- Oh, I see.
That happens a lot here,
doesn't it?
Sort of. We get a lot of people
who are not in shape.
- Hello, good morning.
- Good morning.
- A little of everything?
- Yes, please.
Is this your first time here?
Yes.
- And how are you feeling?
- Good.
Except for a small headache,
a little dizziness, nausea...
Other than that, good.
No! I'm joking!
- Relax.
- You are?
Yes. I know it's serious.
Terrible joke, I'm sorry.
- Good morning.
- Good morning, Mary.
- Everything?
- Everything.
- What's your name?
- Diana.
Fabian.
- Nice to meet you.
- Nice to meet you, too.
Cygnus...
Why do you keep looking at it?
There's nothing interesting
about it.
We'll see about that.
Look.
- So you know more than me?
- I didn't say that.
I have published nine articles
and one book.
What have you done?
- I was just going to show you...
- No, tell me!
What have you done?
Have you published something?
Got any scholarships? Anything?
I mostly just do research.
That's what astronomy
is about, isn't it?
You're a romantic!
Of course I'm not.
Please tell me you're one
of those silly people
who look at the stars at night.
No.
You are!
Awesome!
A romantic!
GAMMA RAY OBSERVATORY
1640 feet
So, why did you
become an astronomer?
I'm asking because
I find it strange
that anyone would want to spend
their life staring at the sky.
Well, it's not like
I'm staring at it
the whole time.
- It's not?
- No.
Mainly,
I look for what we cannot see.
Look, to give you an example
when I was a kid,
I don't know,
maybe eleven or twelve,
my mom took me camping
and at that moment
I made a discovery that
dramatically changed my life.
I discovered that...
I hate camping tents.
- Oh, yeah?
- Really.
Seriously.
There I was
in that immense forest
and the damn tent
wouldn't let me see a thing,
not even a tree.
And you didn't crawl out?
Yes, I nearly caught pneumonia
from sleeping outside.
My point is that, to me,
the universe
is like...
like that immense forest.
And Earth is like
the damn tent
keeping us from seeing what's...
what's out there.
This is Cygnus.
And this is Earth.
No, no, no.
Let's say...
this is Earth, shall we?
Actually, no.
Because Earth couldn't be here.
It would have to be very far...
Somewhere in China.
Thirty-seven thousand
light-years away.
- Okay.
- That's very far away.
The point is
that here
there is an object that no one
has been able to identify.
It's invisible to the naked eye,
but we know it's there
due to its behavior.
Some say it's a neutron star,
others say it's a black hole
and no one's reached
an agreement.
Here's the most
interesting part.
Excuse me.
Put your hands on the table.
Close your eyes.
Do you feel that?
This object is emitting
a very intense radiation.
Not just any type of radiation.
It's more like
millimetric waves,
like this.
The question is:
Why doesn't it emit X rays
or gamma rays
like other objects
with similar characteristics?
- Why?
- Uh...
I don't know.
Me neither.
But I don't think it is
what it looks like.
I have been researching
for years,
trying to figure out what it is,
as many astronomers before me.
You know what
the big difference is, though?
The difference
is, I'm using the largest
millimeter telescope ever
and whatever it is,
I'm going to identify it.
I saw you!
Maintenance, good evening.
- This is Doctor Fabian Ocampo.
- How are you?
Fine, thank you.
I need a favor. Can you check
the tertiary mirror
is properly in place?
- Sure, give me a minute.
- Thank you.
POSITION
POSITIONED
Oh!
Please don't be a satellite,
please don't be a satellite...
INCOMING SIGNAL DETECTED
SOURCE:
Well?
I checked.
The mirror is properly in place.
- And the chamber window?
- That too.
Are you sure? It's open?
Yeah, I just checked.
Need anything else?
My shift just ended.
No, thank you.
CONTROL SPECTRUM
CAPTURED SPECTRUM
UNKNOWN MOLECULAR LINE
NO MATCHES FOUND
AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY
Where are the others?
Do you know what happened?
Fabian! How are you?
Fabian! Can you hear me?
Fabian!
Come back!
Don't get up. Lie down.
Get off me!
- Easy.
- What's going on?
- You're in the infirmary?
- Don't touch me.
- Easy.
- Don't touch me!
- Fabian, calm down.
- Get off.
- It's all right.
- Get off.
- Grab him.
- Get off.
Let me go!
Calm down.
- Let me go!
- Calm down!
You will hurt yourself.
- Let me go!
- You will hurt yourself!
Take it easy!
What are you doing?
What is that?
No! No!
Good morning.
How are you feeling?
A little dizzy.
That's normal.
- What happened?
- You passed out.
And when you woke up,
you had a panic attack.
I had to sedate you.
Good morning.
How do you feel?
Fine...
I think.
You gave us a right scare
last night.
You have to let us know
if you're feeling ill, Fabian.
But I wasn't.
I was working
on the computer and...
And?
And what?
There was a line on the graph.
What graph?
The signal...
What are you doing here?
Weren't you at the infirmary?
What's going on?
Fabian found a signal.
- It's no longer being emitted.
- What isn't?
- The signal.
- But what was it?
I don't know.
I tried to identify it,
but I couldn't locate it
on any known molecule catalogue.
When I heard it, I couldn't
clearly tell what it was.
Hold up! Hold up!
For starters, you couldn't
have heard it, come on!
Now it turns out sound
does travel through space?
This signal
behaved unlike anything
we've ever seen before.
If you don't believe me,
I'll show you. Here it is.
LOADING
What's wrong?
I can't find the files.
They should be here.
Do you know if anyone
used my computer?
I don't think so.
- No one is allowed in here.
- Are you sure?
- You didn't see anyone?
- I don't know.
I have better things to do
than watch over your computer.
Gerardo,
it's very important
that I find these files.
Please, if you know where
they are, tell me.
How would I know?
- You think I have them?
- I don't know, do you?
Come on!
You were very interested
in my research, weren't you?
Are you accusing me of theft?
- Me?
- All right, let's take it easy.
I'm not accusing you,
I'm asking.
There's a huge difference.
Well, stop asking,
you stupid child!
- All right, enough.
- What did you call me?
- Enough!
- You heard me.
- Let's go!
- Say it again! What was that?
Let's go outside.
I ask him one thing
and look how he reacts!
Let's go outside.
Put your jacket on.
He was the only one
in the control room.
- I know. Let's go outside.
- I swear it was on the computer!
You had altitude sickness.
Perhaps you were confused.
No, I'm sure the signal
was on my computer.
How could you know
if you were passed out?
That was after!
Miguel,
you're the supervisor.
You could look into Gerardo.
What for?
To see if he's got my files.
Why would he want to steal them?
Have you any idea
what I just found?
That line was much too thin
to belong to a natural source.
The altitude is getting to you.
No, no, no. Listen to me.
This signal
may be the first
scientific proof
of intelligent life
outside of Earth.
Why don't you go down
to the town for a few days?
There's no need, I feel great.
- You feel great?
- Yes.
You nearly got into
a fist fight with Gerardo.
He insulted me, you saw!
You believe you found
an extraterrestrial signal.
It's not a belief, I had proof!
Not to mention the fainting
and getting aggressive
when you woke up.
What would you do in my place?
Okay.
I see what you mean.
Looks like I've gone crazy, huh?
I actually don't know
what happened to me yesterday.
I don't know, maybe it was
altitude sickness like you say.
Or whatever, but I'm fine now.
Don't worry.
It took me a lot to get a turn
at the telescope, Miguel.
Please let me stay.
Please.
All right.
But if you attack anyone
on my staff again...
Yes, I know. Don't worry.
I promise it won't happen again.
Really.
Two and two, twenty-two.
Two and two, twenty-two?
Two and two, twenty-two.
- Are you dizzy?
- No.
One more time.
Everything appears to be normal.
I don't see anything strange.
Nothing?
Well, then I don't know
what it was.
What's going on?
It's been a pretty weird day
for me.
I'm sure.
Remember I told you
I discovered a signal?
Yes. What happened?
Someone stole it from me.
What do you mean stole it?
Someone...
took the files from my computer.
But Miguel doesn't believe me,
so there's nothing I can do.
Wait, hold up.
Are you sure they were
on the computer?
All data is automatically
stored.
And there's no way to prove
they were stolen?
How?
Well, I don't know. The computer
must be able to tell
if files were copied
or deleted, right?
I'm an idiot!
I didn't check the Log.
SYSTEM LOG
SAVED BACK-UP
UNMODIFIED BACK-UP
What?
Why so nervous?
I'm not nervous.
Are you sure?
Can't even stand me
looking at you.
You know what?
I'm not going
to keep arguing with you,
you whack job.
Hi.
Can I come in?
Sure, come on in.
Thank you.
Are you feeling better?
Much better, thanks.
Good.
What can I do for you?
Well,
I need to look at a tape.
Which tape?
From last night.
It's just that...
I think some of my files
were stolen,
but I need to see
the tape first.
You know, to be sure.
Man, I'm sorry. But no.
I'd like to help,
but I need an order
signed by the supervisor and...
I cannot let you watch
the security tapes!
Why not?
Because I can't let you
spy on others.
It's against the rules!
What's against the rules
is someone stealing my research.
- Do you have proof?
- No.
Gerardo hacked my OS.
I'm sick of that nonsense!
I have been patient with you
because you're young,
but aliens and now hackers?
Quit fucking around, Fabian!
Miguel,
please let me look at the tape.
I swear that if I see Gerardo
didn't do anything,
I'll pack my things and go.
No,
Dr. Ocampo, you're leaving
right now.
Right now!
What?
It's clear to me you're in
no condition to work.
That's not true.
And I'll not let you continue
to slander my staff!
It's not slander, I tell you!
Gerardo has shown
exemplary behavior
at this telescope, unlike you.
He's lying, Miguel!
How can you not realize...
One more word
and I swear I will
destroy your career!
Is that clear?
You have ten minutes
to collect your things.
A van will wait for you outside.
Have a nice trip.
Get me Esteban.
May I?
Yes, yes.
Did you burn something?
No, I was just
shuffling some papers and...
Don't worry, it's not important.
I heard you're leaving.
I guess the Log thing
didn't work.
No.
Don't give up.
Take care.
You too.
Diana!
Yes.
Thanks for everything.
Leaving so soon?
Yup.
Fun didn't last long, did it?
- No?
- Sorry?
I thought you'd be
staying longer.
Ah, yes.
Me too.
So?
It's nothing. I had a problem
with the supervisor.
Oh, you should
have told Gerardo.
Gerardo?
Gerardo is good friends
with the supervisor,
he could've helped you out.
Do you know how long
Gerardo's been here?
About six months, I think.
Six months?
Yes.
No one is allowed more than
two weeks at the telescope.
Didn't I just tell you
they're friends?
- What's going on?
- I'll be right back.
I've already told the
supervisor and he wants
to speak to you in person.
Why didn't he use the radio?
Well...
it's a delicate matter
and he doesn't want
everyone to find out.
He's not in his office, though.
Where is he?
In the dining hall.
He's actually very pissed off.
Why?
Because he says...
it's not the first time
it's happened,
and you probably didn't
notice because...
you were reading
those magazines.
- He said that?
- Yup.
Good luck.
Don't do this to me.
Come on!
- Mary, where's the supervisor?
- I don't know.
Wasn't he here?
- What's going on?
- Come with me.
DO YOU WISH TO COPY THE FILE
TO THE USB DRIVE?
COPY
COPYING
SURVEILLANCE ROOM
FILE COPIED
- Hello?
- Sir.
Someone just stole a tape
from the surveillance room.
What?
Sectors one and two clear.
Pedro, do you copy?
Yes. What is it?
I need you to check
sector three.
On it.
Pedro, what's up? Where are you?
I need it stat, all right?
What happened? Did you find him?
I saw him.
Keep looking.
All right.
What do you think you're doing?
No wonder you didn't want me
to watch the tape.
What tape?
The one where you tell Gerardo
to steal my files.
I have no idea
what you're talking about.
Come on, enough.
Who are you trying to fool?
- I'm done here.
- Don't even think about leaving!
Sit down.
Sit down!
Everybody come to my office!
I saw you give Gerardo
the order.
I asked him
to back up your data!
That is not true.
- It's not true!
- Come on, now.
You're a scientist, right?
Think.
What's more likely?
For some hacker
to be hiding
extraterrestrial signals
or for me to ask Gerardo
to back up your data?
Huh?
Look at you.
This isn't you.
Huh?
It's altitude sickness.
Why has he been here
for six months?
- Who?
- Gerardo.
Why did you let him
stay that long?
- What's it with you?
- Answer me!
Boss?
Let them get you off
the mountain, for your sake.
- Get in!
- Shut up!
Don't move!
- Easy.
- Step aside.
- Easy, don't do anything...
- Out of the way!
- I'm going to drop the club.
- Yes, yes, yes.
- Out of the way.
- Easy.
Shut up!
Where are we going?
To Gerardo.
- You stay here, understood?
- All right.
Easy.
Careful.
INCOMING SIGNAL DETECTED
SOURCE:
The difference
is I'm using the largest
millimeter telescope
in the world
and whatever it is,
I'm going to identify it.
I'm going to identify it.
No, no, no.
No, no, no, no, no.
Come back.
Come back!
Now, now. Ready?
There, there.
- Hold the stretcher.
- Yes.
- What happened?
- He passed out.
And the moment we tied him up
he began to convulse.
Why did you tie him up?
I need you to stabilize him
so we can take him down.
Did you hit him?
Get out of here,
let me do my job.
- Are you sure?
- Out!
AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY
- Breathe.
- Where did he go?
Who?
- Easy.
- Diana.
Yes. Don't lift your head,
Fabian. Breathe.
- It was a dream.
- Yes.
It was a dream...
Take it easy.
What's going on?
Take this off, Diana.
Why did they hit you?
Do you believe me now?
No, no. There's no time.
Wait.
- Now?
- No.
What are you doing?
I have to...
I have to go
to the control room.
You can't leave like this.
You have a head wound,
maybe even a concussion...
- You can pass out if you leave.
- Diana! Diana!
I have to go
find my files, okay?
Fabian, you really
can't go out like this.
You want to help me?
Call the police.
Tell them what's going on.
All right, but I need
to check that wound.
Listen to me.
It's clear these people
are hiding something.
I have to get
to Gerardo immediately
so I don't lose my files.
This had never happened before.
We have to get him down.
Is Esteban ready to take him?
Yes.
Do you know if he attacked
anyone else?
No.
God damn it...
This can't be.
I need the whole staff
accounted for.
Let me know if anyone's missing.
Immediately, you hear?
Not half an hour later.
Yes, sir.
Juan!
- What happened to you?
- Move!
You're a real fucking asshole!
It's not what it looks like.
I just wanted to know
what you were looking for.
Where's the signal?
I don't know. I found nothing.
When you passed out,
I tried to back up your data,
but your computer was jammed.
I had to restart it.
I didn't find anything.
I do have something to confess,
I'm looking at Cygnus
on the HAWC.
May I?
I thought nothing of it
at first.
But a while ago I saw
that the HAWC
detected an energy event
coming from Cygnus X-3.
The emission
happened last night,
at 10:15. Ring a bell?
That's when I caught the signal.
Well, here's the proof
that you're not crazy.
You better share
the credit with me, eh?
Credit is the last thing
on my mind.
Thank you.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
What kind of event was it?
I don't know.
I never saw anything like it.
This was...
a whole party
of energetic particles.
The detectors
could barely handle it.
Do you want to check it out?
Of course I want to!
Let me see!
I'll leave you to it.
Meanwhile, I'm going
to prep the telescope.
We have a lot of work ahead.
SYSTEM ERROR
Now what?
Gerardo.
No, no, no.
Juan.
Juan.
What happened?
Be very careful.
Yes, sir.
Diana!
Fuck!
Who are you?
What do you want?
Why are you doing this?
Because of the telescope?
I don't get it.
What does it have to...?
INCOMING SIGNAL DETECTED
SOURCE:
SYSTEM ERROR
You.
You deleted the files.
You burned my notes.
You are...
You came in
through the signal...
for my research,
to sabotage me.
Why?
Why don't you want me
to look over there?
- What's on Cygnus?
- Fabian!
- Fabian!
- Don't come any closer!
He could hurt you!
Who?
Him!
Can't you see him?
Fabian,
listen.
You have altitude sickness.
No, no. I'm fine.
Gerardo found proof
that the signal was real.
Gerardo is dead.
He did it.
He killed him.
Who?
There's no one there, Fabian.
Listen,
you are not well.
I know you can't see that,
so you're going
to have to trust me.
This is a sedative.
Let me give it to you.
No, no.
Security is on its way.
They have weapons.
Don't let them come here,
they will all end up dead.
No, you'll end up dead!
Fabian, please.
Let me help you.
Diana!
- No! Stay there!
- Step aside!
No! Let me talk to him.
Are you insane?
Let me try.
Look,
no one else
has to die, all right?
It doesn't matter if the signal
was real or not.
Let me give you
the sedative, Fabian.
Don't give them a reason
to shoot you.
What are you doing?
Fabian...
No, no, no...
Let her go!
No!
No, Fabian, please!
Fabian, listen!
Get back here!
Fabian!
What happened?
No,
this can't be happening.
No!
Leave her alone!
You're in my head.
No!
Let me go!
MEXICAN SOCIETY
FOR ASTRONOMICAL RESEARCH
INTERNAL INVESTIGATION COMMITTEE
A tape that freezes?
That's his proof?
It freezes at the exact moment
when Fabian hears the signal.
A supposed signal
that no one else saw.
That's right. As you can tell
from the tape,
Fabian was alone at that moment.
- Doctor...
- I know.
This isn't enough proof,
nor is my word,
but I know what I saw.
Doctor,
you were standing
over 4,000 meters of altitude,
with very little oxygen
in your brain.
I had never had a problem
with altitude,
my brain was perfectly fine.
That's not what the police said.
It doesn't matter
what the police said.
I'm telling you. You're the ones
who should know this.
That signal
did something to Fabian.
Look Doctor,
I know you just went through
something very tough.
I can't even imagine
what it must have been like
up there.
But these types of events
have repercussions
and you know it.
Why don't you get
some professional help?
There's nothing wrong
with seeing a therapist.
I don't know what else
I can do here.
I'll just tell you one thing,
this might happen again
if you do nothing.
Do you think no one else
is going to look into Cygnus?
Doctor!
I was very interested
in what you said at the meeting.
Do you think
we could talk later?
Yes, of course.
I'll wait for your call.