seaWolf ASV | Episode 103-The Higher Cause

seaWolf ASV

"The Higher Cause"

Episode 103

Written by Michael M.Warren

Sunday, December 9th, 2001

Web Text Draft

Special Guest Star: Patrick Stewart as Lawrence Jackson

Based on "seaQuest DSV" Created by Rockne S. O'Bannon and

"seaQuest 2032" Created by Rockne S. O'Bannon and Clifton Campbell.

TEASER

FADE IN:

EXT. EXCALIBUR

The ship, clearly in better shape, remains docked at the Neptune complex.

INT. BRIDGE

The lights are dimmed for ship’s night. Scaros sits at the command console, as Barratt walks onto the bridge. As he approaches, the young lieutenant registers his approach, and snaps to attention.

SCAROS

Sir.

Barratt waves a hand.

BARRATT

Relax, Lieutenant. Everything OK?

Scaros sits back down.

SCAROS

Yes, sir. Repairs are just about complete, and we’re just waiting for the reactor to re-energise.

Cmdr. Stamp should take care of that by morning.

Barratt sits at his own console, turns his chair to face Scaros.

BARRATT

Why are you here, Lieutenant? I thought the Captain was on watch this shift.

Scaros indicates the screen, which shows telemetry from two Spectres, as well as a sonar display.

SCAROS

He’s out there, sir, testing Lt. Hargrove’s new toy.

Barratt looks back at the screen.

BARRATT

The hybrid?

We zoom in from Barratt’s POV, towards the screen, as the opening bars from Four Star Mary’s “Pain” fade in.

SCAROS

Uh-huh.

The view DISSOLVES TO:

EXT. OCEAN

Near to the continental shelf, and the Neptune entry tunnel, a Spectre fighter screams across shot, hotly pursued by another Spectre (the H-Spectre), this one smoother, sleeker and with some adaptations. The first Spectre spins and dives to avoid a pulse of laser fire from the H-Spectre, which follows it down.

INT. SPECTRE TWO-COCKPIT

Lt. HARGROVE frantically changes settings as she wrestles with the control stick, putting the Spectre into a series of complex manoeuvres.

HARGROVE

Having fun?

SPECTRE ONE-COCKPIT

Warren, in a slightly altered cockpit, matches Hargrove’s attitude changes, but with much less haste.

WARREN

Absolutely, Lieutenant.

He hits the firing toggle, then checks a display.

WARREN

And kill number 7 to me.

HARGROVE

(annoyed)

What?

Warren nods.

WARREN

Laser strike directly aft, blew out the cockpit.

(with false sorrow)

I’m terribly sorry.

SPECTRE TWO-COCKPIT

Hargrove pulls out of a turn, laughing.

HARGROVE

I take it the Captain is happy with our new Spectre?

SPECTRE ONE-COCKPIT

Warren nods again.

WARREN

Absolutely. How DID you get these additional parts? Certainly not from Neptune…

SPECTRE TWO-COCKPIT

Hargrove looks away.

HARGROVE

Well… we had to clear an expensive piece of hydrosphere space.

WARREN

What did you take apart, Lieutenant?

HARGROVE

The… the SF-P1, sir.

SPECTRE ONE-COCKPIT

Warren stares in astonishment.

WARREN

You gutted the only seaFox on the Excalibur?

HARGROVE

Aye, sir.

WARREN

A $50 million subfighter?

HARGROVE

Aye, sir.

Warren thinks for a second, then shrugs.

WARREN

Ah, well.

Hargrove laughs.

HARGROVE

Glad to hear that, sir.

Warren smiles.

WARREN

I never like the idea of an aerial subfighter anyway.

Warren’s com unit beeps. He turns to it.

WARREN

Hold on, Lieutenant.

He hits a control.

WARREN

Warren here.

Barratt’s voice filters through, a slight but noticeable edge on it.

BARRATT

Sir, I think you’d better get back here. There’s… something you should see here.

Warren looks concerned.

WARREN

What is it, John?

BARRATT

Best if you see for yourself, sir.

A sigh escapes from Warren’s lips. He turns back to the main console.

WARREN

Alright, Commander. Spectres One and Two, heading in.

He cuts the transmission.

WARREN

Sorry, Lieutenant. Looks like our time’s up.

HARGROVE

Roger that. Heading in.

Off Warren’s worried face, as he gets the Spectre moving, we

CUT TO EXT. EXCALIBUR

The two subfighters fly into shot and enter the hydrosphere doors.

INT. BRIDGE

Warren and Hargrove walk onto the bridge, still in pilot’s gear. The rest of the command crew is already there, their faces solemn. Warren looks over at Taylor, but even her smile seems forced. Warren walks over to the command console, where Barratt sits, as Hargrove heads over to Taylor’s console.

WARREN

What’s going on, John?

Barratt turns to him, then back to the console, pressing a control.

BARRATT

We caught this live transmission from INN just over 5 minutes ago.

The viewscreen springs to life, and a news anchor appears on the screen (CGI logos and captions as required)

As he speaks, the camera zooms in.

NEWS ANCHOR

…too early to tell. And repeating our main headline, UEO Central Command today called off their extensive search for the missing subs, Excalibur and seaQuest.

The camera cuts back to Warren, shocked, as the voice goes on.

NEWS ANCHOR

The two subs, missing since April 11th, were dispatched to intercept a Macronesian Alliance fleet on course for Pearl Harbour. Although the fleet was destroyed, UEO Command lost contact with both subs shortly thereafter.

We zoom in closer to Warren’s horrified face.

NEWS ANCHOR

UEO Secretary-General McGath said today, that the loss of the two subs was…

Off the shock…

FADE OUT:

END OF TEASER

ACT ONE

FADE IN:

EXCALIBUR-WARDROOM

A few moments after the previous scene. The command crew, still clearly in shock, sit in silence as the news report plays out.

NEWS ANCHOR

UEO Excalibur was the first of the Advanced Submergence Vessels, commanded by Captain Michael Warren, who, at 26 years of age, was the youngest person in UEO, and indeed naval, history to attain the rank.

UEO seaQuest, perhaps the most well known vessel in UEOFLT, was close to retirement, and completed an extended refit only two years ago, designed to keep her up to date with the latest Macronesian

sub-destroyers.

The loss of both ships will be a severe blow to the fragile UEO, whose member confederations are…

Warren switches off the screen.

WARREN

Well?

Stamp sighs.

STAMP

I suppose the first thing we have to do is, well, tell them we’re not dead.

Smith shakes his head.

SMITH

Easier said than done. All long-range communications are down.

SCAROS

What about UEONet?

STAMP

We’d need satellite access through the antenna array, and that’s toast.

BARRATT

Couldn’t we just… go to Pearl?

Warren nods.

WARREN

Are we up to it?

Stamp turns to him.

STAMP

Just give us one hour to fully power up, then we’re all set.

Warren smiles for the first time since the news.

WARREN

Excellent. Let’s get to work. Dismissed.

They push back from the table and walk out, Warren, Parker and Stamp one way, the rest another.

EXCALIBUR-CORRIDOR

The three men walk along the corridor.

WARREN

You think the reactor can last us to Pearl?

Stamp checks his EXPOC as they turn the corner.

EXCALIBUR-CORRIDOR/STAIR SET (A DECK/B DECK/C DECK)

STAMP

That’s what we’re saying. I’m not entirely sure, though.

They descend the stairs.

EXCALIBUR-CORRIDOR/STAIR SET (B / C / D)

Stamp hands Warren the EXPOC. He studies it.

WARREN

Why not?

EXCALIBUR-CORRIDOR/STAIR SET (C / D / E)

Stamp shakes his head as they leave the stairs and go down the corridor.

STAMP

Just a feeling, I guess.

They turn the corner.

EXCALIBUR-ENGINE ROOM

The three men enter the vast chamber, dominated at its centre by the vast cold fusion reactor. Parker heads for a side console, taking two ND techs with him. Stamp and Warren go to the master diagnostic table.

WARREN

Well, your “feelings” have been accurate in the past. Better run a few more diagnostics, just in case.

STAMP

(nodding)

I will.

He turns to the room in general.

STAMP

OK, people, let’s go! Summit meeting!

The engineering staff crowd around the table.

STAMP

Alright, here’s how we’re going to play. I want us fully powered up in one hour.

(to two NDs)

Fredericks, Jansen, check the PTCs for combat damage. Make sure the injectors function properly. Don’t want us going nowhere, and the reactor flying through the hull at 200 kph.

They laugh.

STAMP

(to two ensigns)

Craig, Nicole, test the power distribution net. Low power only, don’t blow any fuses. Everyone else, diagnostic duty. Every system. If it works, good. If it doesn’t, I wanna know why, and what we’re going to do about it. Bypasses, low-tech, high-tech, I don’t care. We’re not going for the neatness award here. Have cables strewn all over the ship if you need to.

(beat)

Alright, let’s do it.

The crew disperse. Stamp goes over to Warren.

WARREN

Nice pep talk.

(beat)

“Not going for the neatness award.” Where the hell did you get that from?

Before Stamp can reply, Warren’s PAL beeps.

WARREN

Always happens.

He walks into an alcove, activates the PAL.

WARREN

Warren, go.

EXCALIBUR-BRIDGE

Barratt swivels in the command chair, checking displays.

BARRATT

Sir, all bridge systems are operational. We’re set to cast off ties.

EXCALIBUR-ENGINE ROOM

Warren turns to Stamp.

WARREN

Understood. Departure in 1 hour. Out.

Warren switches off the PAL, rolls up the sleeves of his uniform, and heads towards a service conduit hatch.

WARREN

Let’s see if we can’t sort…

He opens the hatch, to reveal a mess of sparking circuitry.

WARREN

…this out.

Stamp hands him a laser welder, as we

CUT TO EXCALIBUR-BRIDGE

Barratt walks over to the Tactical console, calls up a picture of the weapons room.

BARRATT

Barratt to Weapons Control. Status, please.

Taylor walks into shot.

TAYLOR

Taylor here. We’ve managed to repair most of the damage, Commander…

EXCALIBUR-WEAPONS ROOM

Behind Taylor, who is speaking at a console, Clark and three crewmembers work welding equipment, opening a shattered torpedo door.

TAYLOR

…but we’ve had to completely seal several torpedo tubes, and bypasses six control linkages, due to heavy damage, beyond basic repair.

BARRATT

Alright, do what you can, then get back up here. We leave in 50 minutes.

TAYLOR

Affirmative. Weapons Control out.

She walks over and crouches behind Clark and the crewmembers, helping them remove a wrecked torpedo from the tube.

CLARK

Well?

TAYLOR

We’ve got 45 minutes.

CLARK

It’s not enough.

TAYLOR

The Commander said do the best we can.

CLARK

(straining)

Fine.

They wrench the torpedo from the tube, and set it on a rack.

EXCALIBUR BRIDGE

Barratt walks to the upper deck, to the Sensor Chief’s station.

BARRATT

You had any luck locating the seaQuest, Jackie?

She turns to him.

MACEY

Negative, sir. I think we’re too far away.

Barratt looks confused.

BARRATT

Hypersonar has a range of almost 200 km. Surely we’re not that far from them?

MACEY

Afraid so. Think they’re OK?

Barratt nods.

BARRATT

I know they’re OK. Thanks, Chief.

MACEY

(smiling)

What I’m here for.

He walks back to his station.

BARRATT

(to himself, less confident)

I know they’re OK.

EXT. seaQuest

The sub, still on the ocean floor, looks much better than we last saw her. The outer bioskin is almost completely repaired, covering the whole sub again. Small TeamCraft ships can be seen circling her.

INT. seaQuest BRIDGE

Fully illuminated, damage less obvious, consoles repaired. Lucas sits at the command console.

WOLENCZAK

Thrusters ready?

Henderson turns from the forward console.

HENDERSON

Online and fully functional.

WOLENCZAK

Good. Standby. Tim, patch me through to EVA #1.

O’NEIL

Aye, sir.

seaQuest EVA #1-COCKPIT

Ford sits in control of a seaCrab. To one side, a control beeps. Ford hits it.

FORD

Ford here.

WOLENCZAK

We’re recalling all EVA units, sir. Better get back here.

Ford looks around him.

FORD

Roger. How long before we leave?

seaQuest BRIDGE

Wolenczak looks at Henderson, who nods.

HENDERSON

We’re ready now, Captain.

seaQuest EVA #1-COCKPIT

The sub is visible in the screen. We see the open doors of the hydrosphere ahead.

FORD

I’m the last in, Lucas. Take us out.

seaQuest BRIDGE

Wolenczak nods.

WOLENCZAK

No problem.

He walks to Henderson.

WOLENCZAK

Lonnie, activate thrusters. Push us off the ocean floor.

(To Piccolo, at the helm)

Tony, ready main engines, one-third.

PICCOLO

Aye, sir.

EXT. seaQuest

The sub lifts up from the ocean floor, sediment and debris falling off as she does so. Once she clears the bottom, she begins to move forward.

INT. seaQuest BRIDGE

The crew cheer as the pulse of the engines reaches them. Ford walks onto the bridge, smiling.

FORD

Well done, Commander.

Lucas turns, also smiling.

WOLENCZAK

Thank you, sir.

Ford’s smile fades.

FORD

Let’s hope things go smoothly from now on.

EXT. AXIS COLONY

(Caption: Axis Colony, Western Pacific, UEO Territory)

A medium-sized, typical underwater colony.

INT. AXIS COLONY-COLONY CONTROL

Relatively small, and deserted. The lights here, too, are dimmed for night. Two people sit at consoles. JACKSON, the colony governor, enters. One of the two yawns.

JACKSON

Now boring you, are we?

When Jackson speaks, it is with the power of a commanding officer, and carries with it a sense of self-assuredness.

The technician turns.

TECHNICIAN #1

No, sir.

Jackson walks over to him, smiling.

JACKSON

I know it’s a tough job, but you still have to do it.

The tech nods. Suddenly, an alarm sounds. Jackson turns.

JACKSON

What is it?

The second technician runs across the room, to a status board, as more people enter the room, some still in nightwear.

TECHNICIAN #2

Perimeter alert. Multiple breaches.

Jackson walks up to the board.

JACKSON

Take us off standby.

One of the technicians hits a control, brightening the lights. A deep rumble shakes the control room, as the lights flicker and begin to fade again.

TECHNICIAN #2

What the hell…

EXT. COLONY

A huge shadow covers the colony, and an immense, heavily armed sub comes into view. Lysanders swarm around it, and begin to spiral down to the colony.

INT. AXIS COLONY-COLONY CONTROL

Jackson and the technicians stand, watching. Jackson turns to the technicians, still staring at the screen.

JACKSON

Begin evacuation procedures.

They hurry out. Jackson turns to the technician beside him.

JACKSON

Send out a distress call. To any UEO ship in the area.

As the technician complies, the room rocks.

EXT. COLONY

Explosions light the underside of the huge sub as its lasers fire. Torpedoes streak from it and detonate in quickly extinguished fireballs amongst the colony’s structures. Lysanders strafe the colony’s limited weapon emplacements, as their low-power lasers dash themselves off the sub’s hull.

Off the carnage…

FADE OUT:

END OF ACT ONE

ACT TWO

EXT. NEPTUNE

The lighting gantry powers down, darkening the Excalibur, whose internal lights come on.

WARREN

(V.O.)

Captain’s Log, April 24th.

INT. EXCALIBUR BRIDGE

The bridge is swarming with activity. Clark turns to Warren.

CLARK

Sir, all moorings have been cleared. Alex reports the dock is powered down. We’re ready to move.

Warren turns to his console.

WARREN

Thank you, Lieutenant. Helm, take us out.

EXT. NEPTUNE

The Excalibur slowly moves out of the dock, watched from the gangway overhead by the GELF, Alex (from “Neptune”).

WARREN

(V.O.)

With repairs to the Excalibur complete, we are abandoning Neptune Base.

EXT. BAJA CALIFORNIA

The Excalibur emerges from the Neptune launch tunnel, and heads out of shot.

WARREN

(V.O.)

We have still not been able to contact Pearl, and our efforts to raise seaQuest have also failed.

INT. EXCALIBUR-WARREN’S QUARTERS

Warren sits, reading, while recording his log entry.

WARREN

We are proceeding to Pearl with all possible speed, hoping to rendezvous with seaQuest at the location of our confrontation with the Macronesian fleet.

A beat.

WARREN

(sighing)

I can only hope that she’s there, her crew alive, the ship intact.

He pauses, thinking, then punches in a command.

WARREN

Delete that last, and close log.

A beep. Then another, this time from Warren’s PAL. Warren reaches over, and picks it up, activating it.

WARREN

Warren here.

SMITH

Captain, you’re wanted on the bridge.

Warren looks around.

WARREN

So much for off-duty.

He activates the PAL to speak.

WARREN

I’m on my way.

He turns the PAL off, and leaves the book on the table. We focus on it to see the title:

“The Higher Cause, Tom Clancy”.

EXCALIBUR BRIDGE

Warren walks onto the bridge, to find most of the senior staff crowded around one of the upper deck consoles. He walks up to them. As he approaches, Barratt looks up, and sees him.

BARRATT

We’re receiving a distress call.

WARREN

Where from?

Barratt checks.

BARRATT

Axis colony. It’s a residential community in UEO-held waters.

WARREN

Are they under attack?

Barratt nods.

BARRATT

Aggressor unknown.

Warren looks at the forward screen.

WARREN

How far?

BARRATT

About 100km.

Warren walks down to his console.

WARREN

Then we’re probably the only ship in the area.

CLARK

It’s a pretty deserted area, sir. Not really anything of value. Only one UEO sub patrolled it.

The Sao Paulo.

Warren shakes his head (The Sao Paulo was destroyed in “Dawning”). He looks to the helm.

WARREN

Mr. Parker, set course for Axis colony, best speed.

Parker is not at the helm. His console is empty.

WARREN

(looking up)

Lieutenant?

Parker hurries from the huddle on the upper deck to his console.

PARKER

Sorry, sir.

He inputs the new course.

PARKER

Course laid in. Underway.

Macey calls out from her station.

MACEY

Sir, I’m reading a number of vessels near the colony. And… that’s odd.

Warren turns.

WARREN

What is it, Chief?

MACEY

I… thought I saw something. A distortion of some kind.

WARREN

Natural?

Macey shakes her head.

MACEY

I don’t think so. It almost looked like… Sir? The vessels are moving away.

Warren walks over to her station, checking the readings.

WARREN

Good.

EXT. COLONY

The Excalibur pulls over the colony, now heavily damaged.

EXT. COLONY DOCKING STATION

Excalibur comes to a stop. A docking tunnel latches on, forward of the hydrosphere.

INT. EXCALIBUR AIRLOCK

Warren, Stamp, Taylor and a security team, fully armed, in combat gear, walk into the room with Barratt and Smith. Warren turns to Barratt as the security men enter the airlock.

WARREN

As soon as we’re through, break seals and move to a safe distance. Have Hargrove dock a Trident here for our return.

BARRATT

Aye, sir.

WARREN

We’ll check in every 15 minutes.

(to Smith)

Channel 14-Baker, Commander.

Smith nods.

WARREN

See you on the flip side.

The others enter the airlock

BARRATT

Good luck.

Warren reaches for, and puts on, his combat visor (kind of like sunglasses, but with targeting screens in the lenses) as the airlock door closes.

AXIS COLONY-CORRIDOR

A security team member jumps from the raised airlock, checks the corridor, and waves the others through. Warren comes out first, then Taylor, two security men, Stamp, and the remaining security men. Warren then orders the men into position (hand signals), and looks to Stamp.

STAMP

We need to check the power station first. Don’t want this place going nuclear on us.

Warren nods.

WARREN

Fine. You know the way?

Stamp enters something on the heavy-duty PalmPC he holds, then turns it to Warren, displaying a map of the colony.

STAMP

I do now.

They move out, down the corridor.

EXCALIBUR BRIDGE

Barratt paces the deck.

BARRATT

Where are they?

Smith, at his console, checks a screen.

SMITH

Nearing the colony’s power station.

A beat, then Smith turns to Barratt.

SMITH

They’re going to be OK, Commander.

Barratt nods, and continues pacing.

BARRATT

I know, but, in the last few weeks, just about every one of us has been hurt or injured. The chances of that happening…

SMITH

Yeah. But,…

(with humour)

…do you think you could sit down, or change your pattern or something? You’re making me dizzy.

Barratt smiles slightly, the tension of the moment easing. Macey walks up to Barratt.

MACEY

Sir, that distortion effect seems to be returning.

Barratt turns to her, the tension returning.

BARRATT

Did you manage to identify it?

Macey shakes her head. Barratt sits at the command console.

BARRATT

Damn. Well, natural or not, we’d better be careful.

He turns to Clark.

BARRATT

Lieutenant, take us to Condition Two.

CLARK

Aye, sir.

He touches a control, and speaks over the intercom.

CLARK

All hands, Condition Two. Repeat, we are at Condition Two. Damage control teams standby. Off-duty personnel, report to secondary duty stations.

AXIS COLONY-POWER STATION

Stamp stands at a diagnostic console, scanning it with the PalmPC in his hand. Warren emerges from an alcove and goes over to him.

WARREN

Well?

Stamp turns.

STAMP

Reactor is safe, shielding intact. Power systems are functional.

He looks around at the damage to the room.

STAMP

Another few hits, though, and this place wouldn’t be here, along with four square miles of ocean.

Something beeps on the PalmPC. Stamp checks it.

STAMP

Lifesign!

Warren whirls around.

WARREN

Where?

Stamp crosschecks with the map.

STAMP

Residential Area #2. About 300-350m away.

Warren turns to the corridor.

WARREN

Form up!

Taylor and the security team run in.

WARREN

We’ve found a Lifesign, around 300m away. Myself, Commander Stamp, and you two…

(he points at two of the security men)

…will go after it. Trish, take the rest and secure Colony Control.

Taylor nods.

WARREN

Move out.

The two groups walk out of the corridor, Warren’s turning left at an intersection, Taylor’s going straight on. Taylor and Warren share a last look, as the two groups vanish from each other’s sight.

AXIS COLONY-RESIDENTIAL AREA #2

The small group passes open doors, leading to residential quarters. Smoke and fire damage blackens the walls, and several bodies are visible.

WARREN

(looking around)

Must have been a hell of a fight.

Stamp checks his PalmPC.

STAMP

Most of the escape transports are gone. The colonists must have evacuated.

Warren steps on a teddy bear, left behind in the frantic evacuation. He picks it up, sees the body of an adult colonist in the quarters next to him.

WARREN

(soberly)

Not all of them.

Stamp stops near the entrance to one set of quarters, the door blocked open by debris.

STAMP

In here.

Warren and one of the security men remove the debris blocking the door and enter, weapons at the ready.

WARREN

Hello? Is anyone here?

The room is a wreck. Things that might once have been personal possessions are strewn everywhere, broken and torn. The furnishings are in a similar state, and the ceiling of the room has collapsed. A groan comes from one of the debris piles. All four men rush over, and remove the debris to reveal Jackson, battered, bloodied, but alive. He coughs, and looks up.

JACKSON

Who the hell are you?

He gets up, raising a weapon. Warren raises his hands.

WARREN

Whoa, relax, buddy!

He puts one hand out, pushes the gun down.

WARREN

Captain Warren, UEO Excalibur.

Jackson takes the proffered hand.

JACKSON

(unsure, and just a little suspicious)

Lawrence Jackson, colonial governor. The…Excalibur? UEO reported you MPD.

(Creator’s note: my abbreviation for Missing, Presumed Destroyed)

WARREN

It’s a long story. Now… what the hell happened here?

Jackson sighs.

JACKSON

Another long story. Macronesian assault group. Led by something I’ve never seen before, and never want to see again. Closest thing to an ASB I’ve ever seen.

Stamp whispers to Warren.

STAMP

(sotto)

ASB?

Warren nods.

WARREN

Advanced Submersible Battleship. A Dreadnaught. UEO tinkered with the idea for a while. The Capricorn class was the result.

Stamp whistles.

STAMP

Most heavily armed sub in terms of size ever. They lost all six in sea trials, right?

WARREN

Right, about 4 years ago.

He turns back to Jackson.

WARREN

Mr. Jackson, how do you know about the ASB?

JACKSON

Built the damn things. Used to be in charge at the San Francisco shipyards until I retired.

Before Warren can reply, a familiar, deep rumble can be heard, growing louder. A mug, amazingly untouched by the previous attack, rattles off a desk, and shatters on the floor.

WARREN

(looking round)

What the hell is that?

Jackson steps forward.

JACKSON

(urgent, with a hint of fear)

It’s coming back. Call your ship, Captain. Call them, and tell them to get out of here before it destroys them.

Warren pulls out his PAL, and activates it.

WARREN

(desperate)

Excalibur, break off! Evacuate the area!

EXCALIBUR BRIDGE

The bridge rocks, and one of the screens on the upper deck explodes. Barratt holds on to the command console.

BARRATT

Slight problem there, sir! We’re in trouble!

EXT. EXCALIBUR

The A-WSKRS field takes a battering from a pulse cannon burst, as the ASB flies overhead. Smaller subs blast at the Excalibur with lasers.

END OF ACT TWO

ACT THREE

EXT. AXIS COLONY

The colony takes a hit, as, in the background, the Excalibur turns sluggishly to minimise target area.

INT. AXIS-RESIDENTIAL AREA #2

The room shakes.

WARREN

We don’t have much time.

He reactivates the PAL.

WARREN

Warren to Taylor.

AXIS COLONY-COLONY CONTROL

Taylor and her team are inspecting the wrecked command centre. Taylor activates her PAL.

TAYLOR

Receiving.

AXIS COLONY-CORRIDOR

Warren, Stamp, Jackson and the security men run down the corridor.

WARREN

We’re evacuating! Get your people out of there, we’ll meet you at the Trident! Out.

Another code goes into the PAL.

WARREN

Warren to Hargrove.

TRIDENT SHUTTLE-INTERIOR

Hargrove is at the pilot’s console, checking readings.

HARGROVE

Hargrove.

WARREN

We need the Trident powered up and ready to move.

Hargrove’s hands are blurring across the controls, and the engines begin to hum.

HARGROVE

I’m way ahead of you, sir.

Another impact rocks the shuttle.

AXIS COLONY-CORRIDOR

The corridor shakes, and an explosion hurls Jackson and the two security men into the wall.

Stamp turns.

STAMP

Sir!

Warren does the same, and they rush over. The two security men are still, clearly dead. Stamp checks them, shakes his head. Jackson is slumped against the wall, barely breathing, a red stain grows across his chest, where a piece of shrapnel is embedded. Warren kneels beside him.

WARREN

Are you OK?

Jackson smiles, then coughs. pink foam spilling from his mouth, indicating lung trauma.

JACKSON

I’m afraid not, Captain.

He looks around, as a fire rages behind them.

JACKSON

(distant)

Strangely fitting, somehow. Captain goes down with the ship.

A beat, then

JACKSON

(slow, breathing shallowly)

It’s far better… to die for a higher cause, than live… without one…

Jackson’s eyes close, and his breathing slows to a stop. Stamp puts his hand on Warren’s shoulder.

STAMP

Sir… we’re out of time. We have to go.

Warren stands, looks around.

WARREN

Alright.

The two men hurry away.

TRIDENT SHUTTLE-INTERIOR

Warren and Stamp dive into the shuttle, as Hargrove seals the door. Warren hurries to the co-pilot’s seat.

WARREN

Get us out of here!

As Hargrove undocks, in the forward port, we see a torpedo heading right for us. Warren sees it.

WARREN

Gun it, Lieutenant!

Hargrove looks up, gasps, and pulls the control stick back.

EXT. AXIS COLONY

The Trident blasts away from the docking tunnel as the torpedo slams into it, destroying it. The shuttle streaks towards the battered Excalibur, as the colony’s main complex is hit.

INT. EXCALIBUR BRIDGE

Warren, Stamp and Taylor sprint onto the bridge, already heavily damaged. Barratt surrenders the command console to Warren, and steps to his own.

WARREN

Report!

The ship rocks, again and again.

BARRATT

A-WSKRS field down, bioskin layers 1 and 2 breached. Layer 3 holding. Weapons at 85%, propulsion nominal.

Macey suddenly calls out from her station.

MACEY

Sir! I’m losing sensors. Targeting is failing. Interference from that sub is impacting on our systems.

As if on cue, lights, consoles and screens start flickering. Some shut down completely.

STAMP

Systems are crashing. Tremendous EMP output from the ASB.

Barratt turns to Warren.

BARRATT

An ASB?

WARREN

(nodding)

That’s what the survivor said.

Another hit. Warren looks over to Stamp.

WARREN

Anything you can do about it?

STAMP

No, sir. There’s no way to block it.

More impacts. Sparks fly, and the bridge become even more damaged.

EXT. OCEAN

The ASB fires two torpedoes at the Excalibur, striking midships.

INT. EXCALIBUR BRIDGE

Macey runs from her station as it explodes.

EXT. COLONY

A squadron of Lysanders peels off, firing at the colony. Laser strikes from the Excalibur take them out, as another torpedo hits.

INT. EXCALIBUR BRIDGE

Clark calls out from the upper deck, sparks flying around him.

CLARK

Hull breach, C Deck, Section 24!

Warren hits a control on his console.

WARREN

Hull teams to C Deck.

(to Stamp)

Activate transverse bulkheads.

(to Taylor)

Power up the pulse cannon, Trish. Burst mode. Target the ASB.

Taylor brings up a target image. The shape of the ASB is fuzzy, distorted. She turns to Warren.

TAYLOR

Sir, targeting still distorted. I can’t get a firm lock.

WARREN

Fire blind, then. Target the centre of the mass, and estimate range.

Taylor turns back.

TAYLOR

Aye.

EXT. EXCALIBUR

The pulse cannon flares, and sends out 6 blasts of energy, as a laser burst sends the sub around in a flat spin.

EXT. ASB

The pulse bursts impact, and are harmlessly absorbed by a defence shield.

INT. EXCALIBUR BRIDGE

Taylor turns, astonished.

TAYLOR

Pulse bursts absorbed!

Warren looks back.

WARREN

A shield? Our A-WSKRS field wouldn’t hold out against 6 pulse bursts!

Another hit. An explosion blows open one of the clamshell doors, bending it back.

CLARK

This keeps it up, we won’t have a bridge left!

Parker yelps, as one side of the helm console sparks.

PARKER

I’m losing helm control!

Warren leaves the command console, and runs over to Stamp.

WARREN

Dave?

STAMP

I’m doing the best I can, but the systems fail faster than I can reinforce them.

The ship rocks yet again. More sparks fly, more consoles go down. Warren looks about, saddened, then turns back to Stamp.

WARREN

How the reactor?

STAMP

It’s holding.

Warren nods.

WARREN

Good. The last thing I want to do after all this is abandon ship.

STAMP

Especially with a Macronesian fleet that wouldn’t think twice about capturing a derelict Excalibur.

Barratt calls out to Warren.

BARRATT

(panicked)

Sir!

Warren turns.

EXT. EXCALIBUR (FOCUS ON AFT SECTION)

Lasers and torpedoes streak towards the engines. Some only peel off bioskin layers, but a small group penetrate to the hull, causing an explosion which tears off the port engine strut.

INT. EXCALIBUR BRIDGE

A massive impact. A huge explosion destroys the console on the starboard upper deck. Shrapnel flies. Parker and Smith are caught in it. Stamp and Warren are blown off their feet into the engineering console. Sirens, loud and varied in tone, shriek through the blaze. Smoke envelopes the bridge. Extinguisher pours from the fire suppression system, dousing the blaze. The sirens continue. Warren gets up, and runs to a crewman who was at the upper deck. His face and hands are shredded by shrapnel. Warren lifts his arm, bleeding and with shrapnel embedded. After a few seconds, Warren drops the arm, and turns to the others. Parker is holding his arm, obviously injured.

WARREN

Turn off those klaxons!

The noise reduces, but not by much. Warren looks back at the crewman.

WARREN

He’s dead.

Impact. Warren looks at Parker.

WARREN

Get to the infirmary, Richard.

Parker moves out. Stamp recovers into his seat. A red light flashes on his board. Warren hurries to his own console.

STAMP

Sir! The port engine strut has been destroyed! Reactor under severe stress.

Warren hits some controls.

WARREN

Shut down the engines.

The sound of the engines whines down. Stamp shakes his head.

STAMP

No effect. Reactor 30 seconds from critical.

Warren closes his eyes. Only one option left.

WARREN

Take the reactor off line. Stand by… to abandon ship.

Everyone looks at him, as Stamp puts in the order. The lights fade to darkness, then come back, faintly.

STAMP

Reactor off-line. Battery power activated.

Explosions can be heard, and sparks fly on the bridge, as Warren lowers his head.

EXT. EXCALIBUR

Now adrift, with bubbles pouring from the severed strut end, the sub rocks visibly as several torpedoes swarm and strike.

FADE OUT:

END OF ACT THREE

ACT FOUR

FADE IN:

EXT. EXCALIBUR

Dead in the water, she drifts. Axis Colony below is lit by multiple explosions, as sub-fighters swoop around her.

INT. EXCALIBUR BRIDGE

The entire starboard side blackened, the upper deck destroyed. The few remaining crewmembers remain doggedly at their posts. Stamp turns from his console.

STAMP

Evacuation procedure ready.

WARREN

Not yet, Commander.

He turns to Taylor.

WARREN

(wearily)

Trish, report.

Taylor looks back, her face blackened by smoke.

TAYLOR

It’s hopeless, sir. Every weapons system on the boat is down. We’re outnumbered and outgunned.

WARREN

I’m not giving up, Trish.

TAYLOR

We may have no other choice.

Macey suddenly calls out to Warren.

MACEY

(bemused)

Sir, one of the Macronesian subs has just exploded!

A sudden beep, and Macey turns to her console.

MACEY

Hold on, I’ve got a blip on the sonar.

More beeping.

MACEY

Identification coming through…

(beat)

What the…

She looks up.

MACEY

Captain… it’s seaQuest!

Warren whirls to look at the viewscreen.

EXT. seaQuest

The sub emerges from the haze, firing lasers.

EXT. COLONY

The seaQuest swoops into the fray, tearing Lysanders apart.

FORD

seaQuest to Excalibur, do you read?

INT. EXCALIBUR BRIDGE

The wearied crew cheer. Warren grins.

WARREN

We read you, Jonathan.

FORD

We figured you could use a hand.

Warren looks at Barratt.

WARREN

I guess you could say that. Come alongside. We’ve got a colony to defend.

EXT. COLONY

seaQuest swings around to join the seaQuest, as the Macronesian forces regroup.

INT. EXCALIBUR BRIDGE

Stamp turns to Warren.

STAMP

Residual power available in weapons systems. It may not be enough.

Warren nods, then activates his PAL.

WARREN

Warren to Hargrove. Is Spectre One ready for launch?

HARGROVE

Aye, sir.

Warren turns to the doors.

WARREN

Prep her. I’m on my way.

As he starts to run out, Barratt stands, and turns around.

BARRATT

Sir!

Warren stops, turns.

BARRATT

You can’t go out there.

WARREN

(solemnly, as if it may be the last time they see each other)

Keep her safe for me, John.

With that, he leaves, sharing one last look with Taylor, who watches him go.

EXT. EXCALIBUR

The adapted Spectre screams from the sub, followed by three standard model Spectres. Two other groups of four are also visible. They streak off-screen.

SPECTRE ONE-COCKPIT

Warren sits, in full combat gear, watching his displays. He activates the com-link.

WARREN

Lieutenant, form up on my six.

SPECTRE TWO-COCKPIT

Hargrove hits her com-link, as she alters course to comply.

HARGROVE

Roger.

SPECTRE ONE-COCKPIT

Warren continues his instructions.

WARREN

Spectres 4 and 7, take flanking positions. We have to run interference for Excalibur and seaQuest, so they can target the Mac subs. Spectre wings Bravo and Delta, attack pattern Sierra 42. Your targets: the fighters and the ASB. We need that jamming field lifted, or we’re dead in the water. Good hunting.

EXT. OCEAN

Two groups of Raptors split off from the main, and head off. Macronesian fighters approach.

WARREN

All other ships, break and attack.

The fighters split in a dozen different directions, as Excalibur and seaQuest plough through the water where they were seconds earlier, firing lasers. The Macronesian fighters are destroyed.

INT. seaQuest BRIDGE

O’Neil turns to Ford, as the ship rocks.

O’NEIL

Fighters breaking clear. Entering colony boundaries.

Ford looks to Piccolo at the helm.

FORD

Tony, watch out for enemy fighters hiding amongst the colony’s structures.

PICCOLO

Aye, sir.

FORD

Tim, lock torpedoes on that sub out there.

O’NEIL

Trying, sir. Lock-on not responding.

The ship shudders again. Lucas looks back.

WOLENCZAK

Sir, the Macronesian destroyer’s interfering with our systems now.

FORD

Fire blind, then. Wide dispersion. All the tubes.

O’Neil runs to the upper deck, hits some controls, then returns.

O’NEIL

Torpedoes fired.

EXT. seaQuest

The torpedoes streak away, heading for the wavering silhouette, still firing at the colony. Impacting, flashes of torpedo strike block out the silhouette.

INT. EXCALIBUR BRIDGE

Still heavily damaged. Smith is constantly feeding information to Barratt, as the viewscreen is completely disabled, static crawling across it. All the other screen fritz and occasionally go blank.

Technicians rush across the bridge, fixing one failure after another.

SMITH

2 Macronesian subs approaching, bearings 055 and 062.

BARRATT

Evasive manoeuvres. Laser status?

Taylor turns to Barratt.

TAYLOR

42% capacity and falling rapidly. 10 minutes at most.

Before Barratt can reply, Smith turns right around in his chair.

SMITH

Sir! seaQuest reports direct hits on the ASB. They’ve lost contact with her!

Barratt stares.

BARRATT

Get the Captain.

EXT. SPECTRE ONE

The subfighter dives to avoid a laser volley, swivels and fires one of its own. The Macronesian fighter implodes, but two more emerge from the ensonified zone.

SPECTRE ONE-COCKPIT

Warren sighs, the cockpit around him much changed from the episode’s beginning. Wires dangle, smoke fills the cockpit, and one console is a sparking wreck.

WARREN

(exhausted)

Give me a break!

He swerves the ship, hitting the laser controls. Barratt’s voice filters through the engine’s frantic whine.

BARRATT

Excalibur to Raptor One. Captain, do you read?

Warren hits the damaged console, opening a com-link.

WARREN

Affirmative, John. What’s up?

BARRATT

Sir, seaQuest reports multiple hits on that sub.

Warren looks up.

WARREN

The ASB?

BARRATT

Aye, sir. But neither we nor her can get confirmation. Can you get Bravo or Delta wings to investigate?

Warren checks his sonar readout.

WARREN

I’ll try. Talk to you in a minute. Warren out.

Warren turns back to the wrecked communications console.

WARREN

Spectre wings Bravo and Delta, do you read? This is Spectre One, please come in.

EXT. OCEAN

A small group of Raptors spins to avoid a blast of pulse bolts from the shaded sub, which does show signs of damage.

More and more enemy subfighters fall in behind the small, fragile ships.

INT. BRAVO TWO-COCKPIT

Bravo Two, a young, inexperienced pilot, yanks back frantically on his control stick. A sudden jolt hurls him into the console. His squadron leader calls him.

BRAVO ONE

Two, this is One. Return to formation, repeat, return to formation.

Bravo Two lurches back, his nose bloodied.

BRAVO TWO

This is Bravo Two. My directional control’s out. Climbing to repair.

BRAVO ONE

Roger, Two. Bravo Three, Delta Two, close it up.

Warren’s voice, faint and laced with static, comes through.

WARREN

…is Spectre One, do you re… ...ravo and Delta, please come in…

Bravo Two flicks on his com system.

BRAVO TWO

Spectre One, this is Bravo Two. Sir, I read you.

WARREN

…ravo Two, acknowledged. What’s the status of your wing?

Bravo Two shakes his head.

BRAVO TWO

We’re a mess, sir. Only four of the whole strike force left. And… oh, my God…

EXT. ASB

The three surviving Spectres, in formation, are blown apart one by one. A short laser burst sends Bravo Two into a yaw.

SPECTRE ONE-COCKPIT

Warren struggles to get the connection back.

WARREN

Bravo Two… Bravo Two, do you read?

Bravo Two’s faint voice emerges from the speaker.

BRAVO TWO

Lost Jack… lost Austin. Some sort of stealth techn…

There is a ‘clunk’ noise from the speaker.

BRAVO TWO

…can’t manoeuvre…they’re pulling me in, Captain…

Warren continues to listen, oblivious to the warning lights.

EXT. SPECTRE ONE

A lone Macronesian fighter drops behind the Spectre. A burst of laser fire, followed by a torpedo, leaves it, and the fighter pulls clear. Two laser bursts strike, then the torpedo.

INT. SPECTRE ONE-COCKPIT

Behind Warren, the cockpit explodes in flames. He turns, and is thrown back around by a second blast, almost out of the chair. Loud klaxons sound. Warren touches several controls, then the com system.

WARREN

Spectre One is hit! Catastrophic damage!

(beat)

I’m punching out!

He hits a final control. A huge impact rocks the cockpit.

EXT. SPECTRE ONE

The cockpit section blasts upward, as beneath it, the remains of the Spectre explode.

INT. EXCALIBUR BRIDGE

Smith suddenly turns to Barratt.

SMITH

Sir, we’ve lost Raptor One’s beacon. Captain Warren reported catastrophic damage.

Barratt closes his eyes. Taylor whirls.

TAYLOR

Did he eject?

Smith shakes his head as he turns to her.

SMITH

We don’t know.

A massive impact. Stamp dives from his station as it explodes, getting clear just in time. Fire and smoke belch from it. Barratt goes over to him.

BARRATT

Dave, you OK?

Stamp nods, coughing violently.

BARRATT

(looking around)

We’re going to have a lot of work to do when we get back.

STAMP

(coughing)

Aye, sir.

Clark walks up to Barratt.

CLARK

(purposefully, yet unsure)

Commander?

Barratt turns and looks at him.

CLARK

I think we should leave.

The crew stops and stares at him.

BARRATT

(incredulous)

What?

CLARK

Sir, we have lost the colony. If we stay here and get destroyed, it’ll mean more casualties.

Barratt stands.

BARRATT

We’re not leaving.

(pointing at the viewscreen)

The Captain is out there.

CLARK

Sir, the Captain is one man. There are 500 people aboard this ship. Are you prepared to sacrifice those 500 for him?

The crew glance amongst themselves. Taylor walks from her station to Clark. We can see some of the anger from “Neptune” reappearing.

(if that happens, be somewhere else!)

BARRATT

(coolly, but with a hint of warning)

That is enough, Lieutenant.

CLARK

No, sir, it isn’t…

Barratt finally loses his temper.

BARRATT

Lieutenant! You are dismissed!

Clark is taken aback.

CLARK

Sir…

BARRATT

You heard me!

Another hit, and the console next to Barratt explodes, sending him to the ground near the command console. Clark runs to him.

CLARK

My God…

The crew stands still, unsure of what to do. Clark looks at them.

CLARK

Get me a First Aid kit. Now!

Taylor runs and gets the small box from beneath the main helm console, and brings it back to Clark. She looks at him as he works.

TAYLOR

Is he going to be OK?

Clark looks up at her, his eyes wide. Smith runs over to them, accompanied by Stamp.

SMITH

The Macronesian subs are pulling away. Don’t know why, but what should we do?

Taylor looks at him.

TAYLOR

Let them go. There’s been enough fighting for today.

She looks down at the unconscious Barratt, a white bandage across his forehead.

FADE CUT TO EXT. COLONY

seaQuest and Excalibur hold position at the colony. A seaCrab zooms into shot, towing an adapted Spectre cockpit.

INT. EXCALIBUR HYDROSPHERE

The Spectre cockpit, dripping with water, cracked, blackened, and generally bashed about, opens.

Warren emerges, still in full combat gear, his only injury a cut on his forehead. He’s smiling, and we see why, as Taylor runs into shot. They hug, and walk down the steps.

EXCALIBUR-WARDROOM

The doors open, and Warren and Taylor walk in as if nothing had happened. Ford and Wolenczak stand there, with Stamp and Barratt sitting at the table, Barratt still with a bandage on his forehead.

FORD

Welcome back, Captain.

He holds out his hand, smiling.

WARREN

(grinning)

I could say the same to you, Jonathan. You gave us quite a scare back there.

Ford nods.

FORD

So… what are your plans now?

Warren looks around the wardroom, where even here the damage is considerable.

WARREN

We’re going to Pearl. The Excalibur needs some serious time in drydock to fix all this.

Ford nods.

FORD

Alright, well, we’ll get back to our ship, and leave you to get back to yours.

WOLENCZAK

We’ll stay on station here for a few days, but we’ll be back at Pearl by the end of the week.

WARREN

Good luck, Captain, and thank you.

Ford nods, and he and Lucas leave, as Warren walks to a chair, and collapses into it. He activates the intercom.

WARREN

Warren to Bridge.

PARKER

Captain, it’s good to hear your voice, sir.

WARREN

Thank you, Lieutenant. When we’re ready, resume course for Pearl Harbour, best speed.

PARKER

Aye, sir.

CUT TO EXT. EXCALIBUR

The sub pulls away from Axis, heavily damaged, limping out of shot, leaving seaQuest and two border cutters behind.

FADE OUT:

END OF ACT FOUR

ACT FIVE

FADE IN:

EXT. PEARL HARBOUR

The Excalibur limps through the water.

INT. EXCALIBUR BRIDGE

Warren, a bandage over his temple, sits at his console. Barratt is at his usual position, and Stamp stands behind Warren, with Taylor. Smith turns from his console to face Warren.

SMITH

Sir?

WARREN

Yes, Commander?

Smith smiles.

SMITH

I have a… rather confused Dockmaster on the comline.

WARREN

Let me guess… the Excalibur is supposed to be in little, bitty pieces on the ocean floor.

SMITH

That’s about it, sir.

Warren walks over to the communications console, and pulls down his headset microphone.

WARREN

Dockmaster, this is Captain Warren of the

(with emphasis)

UEO Excalibur.

Put me through to Secretary General McGath.

After a brief pause, Warren speaks again.

WARREN

Yes, sir. No, rumours of our destruction have been exaggerated.

He looks around.

WARREN

But not by much. Sir, the Excalibur’s going to need serious time in drydock. A few weeks, at least. Yes, sir. Right away.

He turns to his crew, their faces expectant.

WARREN

Welcome home, people.

Huge cheers. Warren grins.

EXT. PEARL HARBOUR-EXCALIBUR DOCK

The Excalibur crawls into her dock (as in “Dawning”). A vast crowd surrounds it.

INT. EXCALIBUR-AIRLOCK

Warren and the rest of the command crew stand at the inner airlock, in full (clean!) uniform. The docking lieutenant turns to Warren.

DOCK LT.

All ties and moorings secure, sir. We’re docked.

WARREN

Thank you, Lieutenant.

(to others)

Ready?

They all nod.

WARREN

Then let’s do it.

Warren touches a control. A light comes on, a siren sounds, and the airlock hisses open.

PEARL HARBOUR-EXCALIBUR DOCK

Huge cheers and applause. Warren and his crew walk along a gap formed by the crowd by UEO Security personnel. Secretary General McGath and three Council members, along with Stevens, stand at its end.

Warren steps forward, and salutes. McGath returns the salute.

MCGATH

Welcome back, Captain.

They shake hands.

WARREN

Thank you, Mr. Secretary.

More cheers. Warren turns to his crew, and smiles. McGath walks up to him.

MCGATH

Captain, we need to talk. My office, one hour.

Warren, turns, confused.

WARREN

Yes, sir.

McGath walks off. Warren turns back to his crew, celebrating. He looks at Taylor.

WARREN

Welcome home, Trish.

Taylor smiles.

TAYLOR

I already am.

Smiling, they walk off with the rest of the command staff.

CUT TO EXCALIBUR-TAYLOR’S QUARTERS

Taylor is packing a few things from her quarters to take with her while the ship is in drydock.

There is a knock on the door. She goes over and opens it. Warren stands there.

TAYLOR

(smiling)

Hi.

WARREN

(smiling)

Hi.

They stand there, smiling at each other.

WARREN

So, is it OK for me to come in?

Taylor blushes slightly. She steps back, allowing Warren to enter.

WARREN

I came to return something.

Taylor turns, confused. Warren gets out the resignation letter she left in “Neptune”.

WARREN

Take it.

Taylor shakes her head.

TAYLOR

I can’t.

WARREN

Why not?

Taylor sighs, and goes over to her duffel, carrying on with her packing. Warren goes over, and hugs her.

WARREN

Look… if you’re still worried about what happened in the base…

Taylor looks up at him.

TAYLOR

It happened again. On the bridge. I almost lost it, and hit Mike Clark.

WARREN

Oh, baby…

Taylor starts to cry.

TAYLOR

What if… I can’t control this? What if I can’t control my anger, and one day, just… lash out.

I might hurt somebody.

She cups Warren's cheek in her hand.

TAYLOR

I might hurt you.

Warren puts his finger on her lips.

WARREN

Shhh… don’t worry about it yet. Besides…

He lowers himself down, so they see eye to eye.

WARREN

Everything’s changed.

They kiss. Taylor pulls away, and looks out of the room.

TAYLOR

Yeah…

EXT. PEARL

We zoom out of the Excalibur, and head into Pearl City, reaching UEO Headquarters, and McGath’s office.

TAYLOR

…everything’s changed.

We see Warren entering the office.

INT. MCGATH’S OFFICE

Warren walks to the desk, where McGath sits.

MCGATH

Sit down, Captain. Just some paperwork to finish.

WARREN

Yes, sir. Not a problem.

Warren sits. McGath finishes his paperwork, then looks at Warren.

MCGATH

Well, Captain, you’ve had quite an adventure.

WARREN

Yes, sir.

McGath picks up a piece of paper (which carries the Excalibur logo) and quotes from it.

MCGATH

Repelling a Macronesian assault fleet, discovery of an abandoned, classified US Navy base, containing an early DSV prototype, and now “contact with a possible Macronesian super-sub, Capricorn-class in terms of attributes, and displaying technological advances previously postulated by the UEO, but never fully investigated.” And this is just the first page of your report, Captain.

He sighs, and leans forward.

MCGATH

What sort of advances are we talking about, Captain?

WARREN

Well, sir, it had some sort of stealth technology, which hid it from every form of scanning, even distorting plain visual. A targeting scatter system, preventing weapon lock-on. An incredibly strong defence field, capable of absorbing multiple pulse cannon blasts and holding. The ability to interfere with almost every system on Excalibur and seaQuest, and… need I go on, sir?

McGath shakes his head.

MCGATH

No, Captain. I originally called this meeting for another reason, but… after your report, I felt it important to reveal a classified matter to you.

He presses a button, and a door, opposite the one Warren entered by, opens, and Admiral Nathan Bridger enters, followed by Captain Markov, a tall, well-built man of around 40 yo.

BRIDGER

Michael.

WARREN

Nathan, what are you doing here?

McGath looks at the three men.

MCGATH

You three know each other?

WARREN

Yes, sir. Captain Markov was my lecturer in Advanced Command Protocol back at the Academy. I… had some difficulties. Captain Markov helped me out.

Markov smiles.

MARKOV

Bailed you out, more like, Michael.

WARREN

And…well, the Admiral and I go back a long way.

McGath puts up his hands.

MCGATH

Alright, before this overwhelming tide of nostalgia sweeps over us, perhaps we could get to the business at hand.

The four men sit.

MCGATH

Captain Markov, Admiral Bridger and I discussed, several months ago, the possibility of an all-out assault on Pearl Harbour by Macronesia. Although our time estimate was off…

MARKOV

We figured sometime next year.

MCGATH

…the scenario still held, until you came back, Captain. This new Macronesian super-sub changes everything.

BRIDGER

If the Alliance does possess an advanced super-sub, Pearl is in serious danger.

MCGATH

Luckily for the UEO, we’ve been preparing for that eventuality for quite a few years. The seaWolf class was one of those preparations. The other, we’re going to show to you now.

McGath stands.

MCGATH

If you’ll follow us, Captain.

McGath, Markov and Bridger leave, Warren behind them. They walk down a corridor to an elevator with a retinal scanner on the wall beside it. McGath goes first.

MCGATH

UEO Secretary General McGath. Access requested to Deep Fire. Authorisation: McGath omega 1. 3 additional.

COMPUTER VOICE

Access granted. Additional personnel, identify for retinal scan.

Bridger then follows.

BRIDGER

Rear Admiral Nathan Bridger. Authorisation: Bridger gamma 9.

Then, it’s Markov’s turn.

MARKOV

Captain Stefan Markov. Authorisation: Markov 67 beta.

Finally, Warren steps up to the scanner.

WARREN

Warren, Michael M. Captain. Authorisation: Warren alpha 25 delta.

COMPUTER

Retinal scan confirmed. Personnel approved. Elevator unlocked.

The four men enter the elevator car.

PEARL HARBOUR-LOCATION UNKNOWN

McGath presses the only button on the elevator panel. The doors close, and the lift descends. Warren turns to Bridger.

WARREN

Where the hell are we going?

Bridger smiles, mysteriously.

BRIDGER

You’ll see.

The elevator comes to a halt. The doors open. The four men walk out onto a large, artificially lit dock. Suddenly, Warren stops dead. He stares, astonished.

EXT. DEEP FIRE DOCK

A huge sub floats in the dock (we will come to know her as the seaFire), lit by an overhead gantry, surrounded by construction scaffolds. The sub emits a graceful, yet powerful presence, a sense of power barely reined in.

WARREN

(O.S.)

Holy shit!

DEEP FIRE- seaFire DOCK

Markov looks at Warren, smiling.

MARKOV

That’s pretty much the reaction I had when I first saw her.

Warren looks at McGath.

WARREN

What is it?

McGath, too, is smiling.

MCGATH

UEO seaFire. The first of the Submersible Combat Vessels. SCV 7900. We’ve been building her and the rest of her class in parallel with the seaWolf since 2035. Two more are already completed, the Rubicon…

He points to a similar ship further away.

MCGATH

…and in another dock, the Stromboli.

WARREN

What does she have?

The four men walk towards an airlock.

MARKOV

(proudly)

Triple-layered bioskin, covering a dual hull of titanium, Kevlar, and argonite, an experimental new alloy.

Warren is impressed.

WARREN

Wow.

MCGATH

46 torpedo tubes, Mark 95 torpedoes, 17 lasers, air defence missiles…

WARREN

Wow.

MARKOV

26 Spectres, 13 seaFoxes, Attack Stingers, observation helicopters…

WARREN

What about her specs?

BRIDGER

526m long, 60m beam, cost 90 Billion Euros, has a crush depth of

10 000m, a crew capacity of 850, and a maximum cruising speed of 320 kph.

WARREN

Nice. Can we take a look?

McGath nods.

MCGATH

This way.

They enter the airlock.

BRIDGER

I think you’ll like this, Michael. I think you’ll like it a lot.

The doors close, blocking them from view.

EXT. MACRONESIAN PRESIDENTIAL PALACE

Nighttime, but the palace is lit up as if at noon. The stars seem to be blocked for a large area behind the palace.

PALACE-WAR ROOM

Bourne sits at a desk, a world map behind him. A technician walks up to him.

BOURNE

Yes, what is it?

MACRONESIAN TECH

Sir, the commander of the…

Bourne holds up a hand.

BOURNE

Send him in.

A man in Macronesian uniform marches to the desk, snaps to attention and salutes Bourne

(Note: we never see his face)

BOURNE

The operation was successful?

ASB COMMANDER

Yes, sir. The colony was heavily damaged. Repair estimates are put at 6 to 9 months. Furthermore…

Bourne leans forward, his fingers steepled.

BOURNE

Yes?

ASB COMMANDER

We inflicted critical damage on the Excalibur, sir.

Bourne raises an eyebrow.

BOURNE

Indeed?

ASB COMMANDER

Extensive systems damage, hull damage, and the destruction of her port engine strut.

Bourne smiles.

BOURNE

Excellent work, Captain. You are dismissed

The commander salutes, turns, and marches out. Bourne stands, and walks to a balcony, containing a gangway. He walks along it to a lit dock, where he stops.

BOURNE

Soon, the world will know of you, and the UEO will tremble at the mention of your name. And then… the UEO will be mine.

EXT. ASB DOCK

The huge sub floats, illuminated by the palace lights, and the clear moonlight.

BOURNE

Archangel…

Off the sub…

FADE OUT:

END OF ACT FIVE

seaWolf ASV-“The Higher Cause”

Episode #103-Script Version 2.0

Commenced December 8th 2001

Completed December 9th 2001

The characters and events in this script are works of fiction.

Any similarities to people, living, or dead; places, events or institutions of any kind is entirely coincidental and unintentional.

(so, as you've probably guessed, it hasn't been written yet!)

Any other uses of copyright not recognised here are also without permission, and any offence caused is unintentional.

With thanks to Adam Holmberg and DGWilliams, all the guys on the sQ 2047 msg board (you know who you are!), and the crew of the UEO seaHawk at groups.yahoo.com/group/seahawk

see the continuing adventures of the Excalibur at

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/seawolfasv

Episode 104 "R&R" coming soon...

M Warren

9/12/01