EXT. Planet VAEL'TARNIS – ELARIS REACH – NIGHT
Twin suns hang low in a lavender sky. A colossal, translucent energy barrier curves across the horizon, refracting light.
THE AEGIS VEIL. It seals off an entire continent from the rest of Vael'Tarnis.
Inside the Veil. At the center stands a towering, silver spire, smooth, reflective. It rises like a blade of light from the planet. ELARIS REACH
One quarter of the land is lush and geometric, vast agricultural fields arranged in perfect symmetry. Biomechanical harvesters glide silently between crops, their limbs shifting shape to tend soil and water.
Beyond that, modernized roadways arc through districts of grown architecture and homes. Structures curve upward like polished stone petals. Walls ripple faintly with living energy. Balconies are wrapped in glowing vines. Windows shimmer instead of open.
Children run barefoot across suspended walkways. One shifts mid laugh, briefly taking the form of a winged creature before landing again in their natural Skrull form.
Parents smile. A group of families gather near a circular fire pit in an open plaza. The flames burn teal.
A mother morphs her face into a Kree diplomat's exaggerated expression, children burst into laughter. An elder tells a story, reshaping his hands into moving figures as he speaks.
Mira watching everything with wide eyes.
MIRA (V.O.)
Five years since the Sovereign Equality Pact…
we believed distance meant safety.
We believed peace could be engineered.
Gravik, sits apart slightly, watching the sky beyond the Veil.
INT. SKRULL CENTRAL SPIRE - ELARIS REACH – NIGHT
A circular chamber. Walls alive with shifting data streams.A massive curved display dominates the room. Footage cycles across it:
Festivals in the Commons Expanse. Children learning controlled morphing. Agricultural output graphs rising steadily. A quiet statistic in the corner:
Deaths: 3 (Year 5)
In the room: GENERAL VAREX, tall, rigid posture, scar across his brow. TALOS, G'IAH,MIRA and GRAVIK.
G'iah scrolls through holographic projections with quick gestures. Mira and Gravik looking at each other. Varex studies orbital readings.
VAREX (quiet)
We need more scientists.
TALOS (exhales) I know how important the space program is for us but we cannot rush, it would affect our development.
GRAVIK (steps forward) Developmant?
All we produce are crops and research papers.
Two professions. Farmers and scientists.
GRAVIK (gesturing at the screen) Father, where are the soldiers? The artillery? The deterrence?
Varex turns sharply.
VAREX I am not your father in thischamber. And you do not understand anything. Just do as we say.
Talos steps between them slightly.
TALOS (to Varex)
Enough.
Then he turns to Gravik, placing a steady hand on his shoulder.
TALOS (soft) Son…
The Sovereign Equality Pact forbids militarization.
Weapons manufacturing.
Combat training.
Even certain propulsion research. If we violate it, we give the Kree justification.
GRAVIK Justification?
He looks up at the shield projections.
GRAVIK (CONT'D) If their intent is to destroy us... they won't need justification.
They'll invent it.
MIRA (To Talos)
He is right, the day they are against us we will have nothing to defend ourselves with.
Then suddenly.
The chamber hums with low frequency energy. The orbital anomaly expands on the main screen. Then a BLUE SQUARE PORTAL tears open mid air between them. Light fractures across the room. Talos instinctively steps back. Mira shields her eyes. Gravik doesn't move.
From the portal, Black armored soldiers step through. Matte suits. Angular plating. Red visors glowing.
Five of them fan out instantly, weapons raised but controlled.
Varex steps forward, spine straight.
VAREX Authority. Now.
One soldier removes his red helmet. Pale blue skin. Cold eyes. A faint marking across his temple.
COMMANDER RHYLOX We are the CrimsonAccord.
RHYLOX (faint smile) Authorized by the Kree Government to enforce armed compliance and criminal adjudication across Vael'Tarnis.And your civilization has committed an A+ violation.
Outside ELARIS REACH, more blue portals rip open across the city. Through the chamber windows, flashes of light. Screams in the distance. Weapons fire. Agricultural fields ignite. Children running.
Mira's breathing quickens.
VAREX (firm)
If you claim authority, take me to your chief.
Rhylox tilts his head. Suddenly, he lunges. Grabs Varex by the throat. Lifts him effortlessly off the ground.
Gravik's hands clench.
RHYLOX You will speak to our chief?
RHYLOX (tightens his grip) What do you imagine yourselves to be?
Throws Varex across the chamber. He crashes into the display wall.
RHYLOX (CONT'D) We intercepted transmissions from your space program.Contact attempts with external species. You call it exploration. We call it strategic expansion.
Gravik helps Varex up. Varex coughs, blood at his lip. Gravik steps forward now. Slow.
GRAVIK What do you want?
RHYLOX smiles. He circles Gravik.
RHYLOX (CONT'D) Two options.
RHYLOX (raising two fingers) Option one. My favourite. You die tonight.
RHYLOX (lowering one finger) Option two.
You continue living, peacefully, under Kree oversight. But you will surrender the majority of your population for biological integration.
Silence. Mira freezes. G'iah looks stunned. Talos goes still.
GRAVIK Integration?
RHYLOX(stepping closer) Your species possesses a unique evolutionary advantage. Shapeshifting. You never weaponized it properly. You could have spied on us. Studied us. Replaced us. But you chose farming. Your most powerful weapon is rusting. We will be taking it from you and in return let you live, obviously peacefully
His eyes flick toward the burning fields visible outside.
TALOS (stepping forward) We agree, but we need time to figure out who will be staying here and some last time with their families.
Gravik turns sharply to Talos. Rhylox considers it. Then nods slightly.
RHYLOX (raises his left arm) Time. You have one cycle.
The soldiers step backward. Blue portals reopen. They vanish. Silence. Only distant explosions remain.
Gravik stands frozen. Varex steadies himself. Blood on his hand.
VAREX Mira.
She snaps out of shock.
VAREX (CONT'D) Prepare evacuation vessels. Immediate departureprotocols. Gravik, you go with her. Talos, Load every living civilian onto transport carriers. Activate Aegis Veil emergency defense. G'iah, copy all archives. Erase the rest.
On Screen Natural Deaths: 3 It flickers. Outside, another blast. The number changes.
Gravik watches the burning skyline through the window. His jaw tightens.
CUT TO BLACK.
INT. BASE 2 – NIGHT, ANOTHER FLASHBACK
A dim blue glow softly lights the lab as old monitors hum quietly. Mira sits at a cluttered desk, flipping through weathered schematics and data sheets, her eyes tired but sharp. The soft clatter of paper stops when the door creaks open.
Gravik steps in calm. He walks over and takes a seat beside her without invitation.
GRAVIK (softly, looking at the papers)
Hi after a long time I got time to interact with you. I know you mind that doesn't just solve problems, it creates futures. You've got the kids here learning off your solar pads,farmers tripling their crops with your soil codes...
MIRA (cutting in, without looking up)
And why does that matter to you?
GRAVIK (shrugging lightly, but eyes sharp)
Maybe it doesn't. When my father was alive, he adored you...
(pauses, leans forward)
See, you could've invested all this brilliance elsewhere. Somewhere less...broken.
(beat)
Don't get me wrong. What you're doinghere is noble.
But noble doesn't always change the world.
(pause)
As your old friend I know what you wanted so I'm offering you a spacequiet, untethered. Where no one dictates your work. No rationing. No dying batteries. Just you and your vision.
MIRA (sets the papers down, finally looks at him)
You mean your vision.
GRAVIK (smiles faintly)
I mean freedom.
(leans back)
What you're doing now... it's keeping people alive.
What I'm offering?
Might just save us all.
Mira stares at him, Gravik holds the silence a moment longer, then stands up slowly.
GRAVIK
Think about it.
(turning to leave)
The door slides shut behind him. Mira looks down at the papers again.
She exhales shakily, jaw clenched.
INT.UNDERGROUND LAB, BASE 2 – NIGHT, ANOTHER FLASHBACK
Gravik watches her from the doorway, arms crossed. He steps in with a subtle smile, calm and calculated.
GRAVIK (voice gentle)
See? Your decision to work with me itwasn't a mistake.
(steps closer)
You've never failed our cause, Mira.Your brilliance has become its spine.
MIRA (focused on her work, voice low)
But... is this even right?
(looks at him)
We're talking about an invasion. Maybe not tomorrow. Maybe not even this year.
But we're building for it. Preparing. Doesn't that make us the threat?
GRAVIK (steps beside her, voice soothing)
No.
(shakes head)
We're not invading anyone, Mira.
(beat, leans in slightly)
We're preparing... just in case. You know how humans are.
(chuckles)
The day we really stop hiding they'll come for our blood. We both know it.
MIRA (slightly shaken)
But what if they don't?
GRAVIK (soft smile)
Then we'll never have to use the backup. Simple.
But if they do?
(quiet)
If they turn on us hunt our children, torch our homes
(pauses)
Shouldn't we be ready?
Mira looks down.
GRAVIK (speaking lower now)
You're not a soldier, Mira. I know that.
That's why I never asked you to be.
I gave you freedom. The freedom tobuild, to imagine, to change the veryfabric of what it means to be us.
(gently)
No more restrictions you're limitless.
MIRA (quietly)
And yet... I've never felt more caged.
Gravik's smile fades slightly. He studies her, then places a hand gently on her shoulder.
GRAVIK
Sometimes, cages are made by fear, not by walls. (squeezes her shoulder)
You're doing something greater thanyou know.
Someday, you'll see that.
He walks away, leaving Mira in the sterile light, surrounded by her creations tools.
INT. MirA'S LAB – Night - Present Time
MIRA stands still. She stares at a dusty mirror panel bolted on the wall. The reflection shows a tired woman, not the same Mira from the past.
MIRA (voice low, regretful)
Father taught us to examine every action...
(beat)
To ask ourselves if it heals or harms. If it serves others… or births chaos.
(her fists clench)
I chose what felt convenient. What made me feel powerful.
(voice begins to tremble)
And because of that... I failed him.
(beat)
I failed myself.
She closes her eyes a deep breath. Then, she mutters
MIRA
Enough of regrets.
Without hesitation, Mira transforms, and her body slowly begins to mutate, bones cracking subtly as her green skin morphs into Rhodey's. The moment the transformation completes, she turns to the control terminal and deactivatesPod #9.
Immediately, the pod's life support hisses and shuts down. Inside, a young Skrull, half conscious and restrained, senses something is wrong. Suddenly, the containment fluid turnsacidic.
The Skrull convulses violently. He claws at the walls, skin bubbling like it's boiling from the inside out. Green blood spatters against the glass. His throat tears from screaming no sound makes it through the soundproof barrier, but Mira watches the entire thing. The body spasms. Twists. The eyes burst open in sheer, silent agony then roll back. His face contorts, pleading for mercy. After a final twitch, the green body goes limp. Smoke clouds the pod. Mira closes her eyes tightly, jaw clenched, breathing heavily. Her lip trembles but no tears. Then, another pod unlocks beside her with a soft hiss. Steam escapes as the chamber slowly opens.
Inside lies YELENA BELOVA bloodied, pale, weak. Her eyes flutter open. She sees Mira still in Rhodey's form and gasps, trying to move, but her arms are too weak. YELENA sits on a cold metal bench, bruised, breathing hard. Her wrists are cuffed, but she's clearly been in a fight.
YELENA (still dizzy, gasping, eyes narrowing at Rhodey )
You're... you're an Avenger, right?
YELENA (distrust rising)
What the hell is this place?
I was in the middle of a deal and then one of the buyers... he shifted. His skin turned green. I tried to fight back almost made it out but they swarmed me.
She coughs, her voice faltering.
YELENA (eyes darting)
Thanks for getting me out but... thisplace, what are you doing here?
MIRA as RHODEY (calm, controlled)
Just listen to me.
There are certain things I need you to understand
A sharp metallic hiss echoes behind them. A door slowly slides open. Five silhouettes step into the room, shadows stretching across the floor.
YELENA (eyes widening, retreating)
Oh, God. No... no, no
That's them.
MIRA, still wearing RHODEY's face, steps forward.
Metal screams as the WAR MACHINE armor builds around her piece by piece, slamming into place like a siege weapon arming itself.
Shoulder guns lock in with a violent snap. The chest plate crushes down with a thud. Hydraulics snarl.
The faceplate crashes shut, sealing her in steel. SUIT ONLINE. READY FOR COMBAT.
The figures enter fully into the flickering light. It's TALOS, G'IAH, and three SKRULL OFFICERS all armed, their faces determined.
Yelena stumbles back and raises her arms defensively.
YELENA (dizzy, snarling, trying to stay brave)
Back off! You think you can screw with me again? You're messing with War Machine now!
The Skrulls freeze. G'iah raises a hand to hold her officers back.
YELENA (grinning slightly throughbloodied lips)
You picked the wrong prisoner today.
MIRA stares them down. Then, the WAR MACHINE helmet opens with a hiss revealing her face. Her skin shifts mid motion from RHODEY to her true Skrull form Mira.
YELENA (dizzy, blinking, jaw dropping)
What the actual f...hell?!
G'IAH (stepping forward, cautiously)
Mira...?
Mira doesn't wait. With a burst from her suit's thrusters, she launches forward slamming a flying armored punch straight into G'iah's chest.
G'iah crashes against a metal crate, groaning.
TALOS (yelling)
Enough!
MIRA (angrily, armored fists raised)
She left me. You all did. Don't act like this is some peaceful reunion.
Yelena, confused but backing Mira, watches from behind.
GIAH (narrowing her eyes at Yelena,cautious but curious)
Is she... one of us?
MIRA (firm, voice edged with frustration but controlled)
No. She's Natasha Romanoff's sister.Gravik had her locked up. I got her out.
MIRA (gently)
I know this is all a lot, Yelena. Butlisten… just like you've got people who betray and destroy we do too. The ones here with me... we're not your enemies. We're fighting for peace, for survival just like yoursister once did.
YELENA (still dizzy, but breathing steadies)
Peace? You people shape shift into monsters. How the hell do I knowyou're not playing me too?
MIRA (softly, looking her in the eye)
Because if I were playing you... youwouldn't be breathing right now.
(beat)
I made a choice to save you. That hasto count for something.
A silence hangs
TALOS (stepping forward, handsslightly raised in peace)
We didn't come to fight. We came for help. Gravik's plan is spiraling out of control
MIRA (cutting him off)
Oh, now you come for help? Where wereyou when I was trapped under his thumb? When I was building his machines, thinking I was doing good
(Turning sharply to G'iah)
And you... you were watching me. Spying. For years. Did you ever thinkabout stepping in? Or did you enjoy watching me fall deeper into Gravik'slies?
G'IAH (guilty, stepping forward)
I watched... because I had to. Because I thought maybe you'd see thetruth yourself.
(Her voice breaks slightly)
And when I did try, I was too late. But Mira... this isn't about you and me anymore. Gravik's changing. Becoming something... inhuman. He is becoming like the Kree the same species that exiled us, broke our people.
(She walks closer to Mira)
And now he's going to do the same to Earth. We can't waste time on blame.
MIRA (quietly, bitterly)
You want to talk about wasted time?
MIRA (to Talos)
I looked up to you. I thought... maybe you saw me. Maybe you'd stop him. But all I got was silence. You were too busy helping Nick Fury play god on Earth.
TALOS
I know... I failed you. I failed allof you. I thought I was protecting usby working from the shadows, balancingpeace with Fury...
But in doing so, I forgot something simple, to be there. For you. For G'iah.
A long pause
MIRA (whispers, eyes suddenly widening)
...Nick?
MIRA ( almost to herself)
Oh no... If Gravik's making a move… and Nick's involved... he'll go for thecore.
YELENA (dry, sarcastic but serious)
Okay... someone better explain what the hell is going on. Because I'm not dying for some green civil war.
MIRA turns to her, takes a deep breath.
MIRA
You won't. Not if we stand together. Gravik wants division between humans, between us. That's how he wins.
(She looks back to G'iah and Talosvoice softer now, almost trembling)
...But maybe... just maybe, if we're finally honest, if we unite, we canstill stop him.
Silence.
The air suddenly vibrates. A deep, mechanical HUM echoes across the sky. G'iah instinctively looks up.
G'IAH (tense, shielding her eyes)
What the hell is that?
Mira, calmly but defiantly, transforms back into Rhodey with a flicker of green light.
YELENA (blinks, half amused)
She did that again... Okay, is that her party trick or something?
A SHADOW grows over them. The QUINJET soars in overhead, slicing through the clouds. Its stealth design gleams in the fading sun, the engines roaring louder as it descends.
With aloud crash, FALCON dives in from above, holding BUCKY by one arm. He pulls Bucky through the air like a missile aimed at the heart of the room. Just as they hit the ceiling
SHHHRAAASH!
A massive glass roof shatters. Sam lets go. Bucky drops, superhero landing on one knee, metal arm hitting the ground with a heavy THUNK. Dust rises. Sparks fly.
From the Quinjet's side ramp, SHARON CARTER and MARIA HILL stride in, guns drawn, eyes locked.
HILL (eyes narrowing at Talos)
You Talos? ...How could you?
SAM (FALCON)
(hovering, eyes on Mira)
Hey whoever's in that War Machine suit step out. Now.
SHARON (pointing at Yelena) That's Natasha's sister? Wait is she a Skrull too?
Talos and G'iah transform to their Skrull forms
YELENA (dizzy, throws hands up)
Okay, seriously if one more person turns green, I'm walking out of here.
TALOS (voice trembling)
It's not what it looks like. Hill,listen to me please try to understand.
TALOS (to Mira)
Mira... open up the suit. Transform back. They need to see you.
TALOS (to Avengers)
I ask only for mercy. You're professionals I know that. But if you shoot first, everything we've workedto protect will burn.
Sharon raises her weapon slightly, distrust on her face. Sam's eyes shift from Yelena to Giah to Mira.
MIRA & GIAH (together, firm, protective)
Talos. Stop that.
MIRA
(facing the Avengers, voice filled with weariness)
We are done hiding. And we are done serving Gravik. That ends now.
SHARON (eyes narrowing)
Gravik... what?
HILL You are not with him?
GIAH (steps forward)
No, he's the real enemy. He's the one who turned the world against you. Against the Avengers.
silence.
YELENA (dizzy, sarcastic) Cool. So now we have a green shapeshifter turning people into terrorists... and I still don't know who the hell is human. Raise your hand if you're not a Skrull?
No one moves.
YELENA (dizzy, under her breath)
I'm gonna need a drink and a DNA test after this.