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TRIUMVIRATE (Installment Seven)
By The Host
Here's the next twelve pages, bringing us to the 76-minute mark. The next two installments will detail the attack on MacGuffin base, which will represent the second-biggest action sequence in the film. As I will be going home for Christmas break in a few days and will have sporadic internet access at best, the timing of the next installments will be a little difficult to predict. I'll try to get the next bit up on Wednesday, if I have time away from packing; if not, it probably won't be up until Friday -- as I have a thiry-hour train and car ride Wednesday and Thursday, and an inability to sleep on a moving vehicle, I expect to spend most of Thursday afternnon and evening asleep.
So, um, it'll be out when it's out. Meanwhile, here's part seven.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. UNDERGROUND CITY -- PLEASURE GARDENS
The Pleasure Gardens are breathtaking. Set as they are within the harshly-lit cavernous dome, they provide a verdant contrast to the rock and concrete surrounding. Lush vegetation crawls across the walkways between planters. Fountains and statues and benches dot the pleasant space. Hundreds of CITIZENS and OFF-DUTY SOLDIERS congregate in the space. Within the throng walk Jack Davies and Admiral Dawson. Every moment or two Dawson is interrupted by an admirer saluting or saying ‘Hello’ or ‘How do you do?’
DAWSONSo how have you been getting on with your new wingmates?
DAVIESPretty well, I suppose. New routines take adjusting to, I guess.
Dawson nods.
DAWSONI’m glad to hear it.
They continue on in silence a moment or two. Then Davies speaks.
DAVIESSir, why did you put me with that flight group? They seem so much more experienced than me.
Dawson smiles.
DAWSONPerhaps I see a bit of myself in you, Mr. Davies. And like me, you could become one of the Fleet’s great commanders one day, if you so chose to remain in the military. And if you receive proper training. You see, I’ve placed you in Flight Wing Eleven more for your sake than for that of your new companions: within that circle you will learn more than you ever could from the most advanced simulators. Experience drips from their fingers, and wisdom. And I have great things in mind for you, Mr. Davies. Very great things indeed.
They continue on. Davies thinks hard, then finally stops walking. Dawson halts with him and turns to him as Davies reaches into his breast pocket and discretely withdraws the vial. He holds it up, looks to Dawson, and nods. Dawson serenely takes it from him.
DAWSONThank you, Jack. Thank you.
The Admiral very quickly places the vial in a pocket of his own uniform.
DAWSONI’d best see to this.
(He begins to walk away, looking back to Jack)
Be ready, Mr. Davies. We go to battle as soon as we can!
The Admiral turns around, almost bumping into a SHORT SOLDIER that was saluting him, and rushes away.
EXT. PRESIDENTIAL TOWER -- DAY
The Presidential Tower looms above the city of Magnapolis.
INT. PRESIDENT’S OFFICE -- DAY
The President lays asleep on a comfortable couch in his office. After a moment, his SECRETARY’s voice fills the room.
SECRETARY (V.O.)Sir, we have a communications request from Admiral Dawson.
The President springs up from his place.
THE PRESIDENTUh, wait a moment, there, Joyce, please. Hold on, hold on, hold on...
He mutters this to himself as he runs to a mirror and slicks his hair back, then bounds over to his desk and sits behind it, trying to make himself look very Presidential.
THE PRESIDENT (CONT'D)All right, Joyce. Put him through.
There is a beep and the holographic image of Admiral Dawson appears before the President.
THE PRESIDENTSpeak.
DAWSONMister President—
THE PRESIDENTNo, on second thought, I think I’ve got something to say.
DAWSONSir—
THE PRESIDENTWhy are you doing this?
Dawson stammers a moment.
DAWSONMister President, I – I feel that this government has been corrupted under the unwarranted influence of the Corporation. I feel that this government is weak—
THE PRESIDENTI can see why, but you’ve misjudged—
DAWSONAnd I know about the weapon you’ve been secretly manufacturing. I have Jack Davies. I have the cure. And I have every intention of making this state great again, if I have to use force to do it—
THE PRESIDENTAnd what’ll you do with that force, Admiral? Overthrow this government, I guess. And then what? You take over?
DAWSON (Laughing sardonically)
Mister President, if you think—
THE PRESIDENTYou, Dawson, think that I’m a fool. Maybe I am. But then again, maybe I’ll fool you.
DAWSONI hardly know what to say to that.
THE PRESIDENTThat’s a change. Scriptwriter on vacation? You’re more politician than I am.
DAWSONYou’re more puppet than politician.
THE PRESIDENTWe’ll see.
DAWSONI have contacted you only to announce that I and my Fleets have defected from service to the United Star Systems.
THE PRESIDENTA bit redundant at this point, isn’t it?
DAWSONI’ve had enough of this. Good day to you, and good bye.
Dawson disappears. The President sits smiling, running his hands along his desk, asserting his posture.
INT. GAULEIUS BASE -- COMMUNICATIONS CENTER –- CONTINUOUS -- DIM
The communications center is lit only by a shaft of light falling upon a low round platform and the warm glow of monitors and relays around the space. As Dawson steps off of the platform the lights come on revealing a cramped space full of complicated equipment. The Admiral strides out of the room.
INT. UNDERGROUND CITY -- CORRIDOR -- BRIGHT
WE FOLLW A YOUNG COUPLE, girl on guy’s arm, as they stroll together through a wide corridor busy with other young, OUTLANDISHLY DRESSED DENIZENS of the Underground City. At the end of the corridor a pair of doors slide open and the couple enter a small chamber filled with PEOPLE. The doors close and, after a moment, we CRANE UP and out of the corridor to. . .
EXT. UNDERGRONUD CITY -- CONTINUOUS
. . .Follow the glass-walled elevator – girl and guy inside – up, up, ever up the side of one of the city’s great towers. The city surrounding is wondrous to behold: twinkling lights stretching for eternity; great towers soaring up and dripping down like bejeweled stalactites and stalagmites; and spotlights swirling and searching and plying into the dusky air.
And still up the elevator goes, past neon lights and thousands of vehicles, headlamps gleaming, until finally it nears the tower’s lofty peak, and then stops. WE PUSH FORWARD, through the elevator, and follow the couple into. . .
INT. LEENO’S TAVERN -- CONTINUOUS -- DIM
Leeno’s is one of the Underground City’s most swinging hot-spots, home of fast women and faster drunks, expensive booze and arrow collars, white spats, and lots of dollars. WE MOVE THROUGH the undulating CROWD, still following the couple, until they turn aside before a corner table surrounded by the Black Aces, sans Doyle and Davies.
The Aces are drinking, talking, laughing, having a good time. All except Macy. He scowls over his drink and, finally, stands up unnoticed. As he strides through the crowd WE FOLLOW.
Macy is looking for somebody, searching. Presently he finds him: Jack Davies is sitting alone nursing a drink. Davies takes a long swig of the draught as Macy approaches and sits beside him. They each remain silent a moment, observing the scene.
MACY
You have a few of those?
Macy nods, indicating the drink in Davies’ hand. Davies sniffs and wipes his mouth roughly with his hand.
DAVIESA few.
MACYWhy don’t you come on over.
DAVIESI’m fine where I am.
MACYOkay. . .
He puts his feet up and returns to watching the crowd.
MACY (CONT'D)Okay.
Davies takes another drink, stands and leaves. Macy pulls his feet to the ground and, after a moment of surprise, springs up to follow Davies.
INT. CORRIDOR -- BRIGHT
Admiral Dawson strides through a decidedly less busy corridor and passes through a set of doors.
INT. CONTROL CENTER -- CONTINUOUS -- BRIGHT
The base’s control center is a room of monitors and workstations, efficiently organized and efficiently run. It is dominated by a central rostrum which Davies now marches to. All OFFICERS in the room immediately snap to attention as he enters. STATION COMMANDER EXLER JOGGINS, a young and clean-cut officer, salutes.
JOGGINSAdmiral.
DAWSONCommander Joggins, give me internal communication.
JOGGINSYes, sir.
He nods to the COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER, who promptly moves to a nearby terminal and punches something in. The communications officer then turns and nods to Joggins.
JOGGINSGo ahead, sir.
DAWSONMay I have your attention, please.
INT. CORRIDOR -- BRIGHT
All SOLDIERS and OFFICERS halt in their tracks and listen to the Admiral’s voice.
DAWSON (CONT’D) (V.O.)This is Admiral Dawson.
EXT. PLEASURE GARDENS
So, too, have all OFF-DUTY OFFICERS in the pleasure gardens stopped whatever it was that they were doing to pay heed to the message now filtering through.
DAWSON (CONT’D) (V.O.)All officers, commissioned and non-, are to report to an emergency meeting in their assigned Officers’ Briefing Rooms immediately.
INT. LEENO’S TAVERN -- CONTINUOUS
Davies waddles over to the table where the others sit and plunks down heavily beside them. Steve turns to him while dealing out a hand of some sort of playing cards.
STEVEHey, look who’s decided to join us, mister anti-social.
Davies just holds up his drink in reply. Willem looks up and smiles.
WILLEMHey, Jack.
Getty nods a greeting. Macy arrives at that moment. He speaks to Getty, Steve, and Willem. Davies pays no attention to anything beyond himself and his drink.
MACYGuys, keep an eye on him, he’s, uh...
Macy holds his right hand up to his mouth and dips his head back as though he were drinking.
STEVE (Sarcastically)
Sure thing, Hawk. We got it covered.
WILLEM(Smiling)
Jesus, Steve. You want in, Hawk?
MACYNo.
STEVEForget him. We’ve got easy pickings over here.
(Louder, so that Davies can hear)
Our dear friend Jack’s a lush. You want in, Davies? Will I deal you a hand?
DAVIESFuckin’ right.
Davies holds up his drink again. Steve laughs to the others and prepares to distribute the cards again when Holden Doyle walks up behind them. Steve sees him first.
STEVEHere comes Holden Doyle to piss on our party!
Willem turns to his officer.
WILLEMHey, Holden.
Doyle smiles.
DOYLEHey, Willem. How’d I know I’d find you guys here?
STEVEYou lookin’ for us, cap’n?
DOYLE‘Fraid so, boys.
(Holds up a palm-sized monitor)
Just got our orders from the Admiral. We move out tomorrow afternoon.
Willem and Getty throw their cards down and Steve curses. Macy looks up inquisitively.
MACYAgainst who?
DOYLEAgainst the United Star Systems.
Shoulders sag around the table. Steve curses again, throwing down the remainder of the deck. Davies, in timely fashion, belches.
INT. PRESIDENT’S OFFICE -- DUSK
The President nervously paces the width of his office. He murmurs to himself, mouthing a practiced speech over and over again. He looks briefly out the window toward the dim red sun sinking beneath the horizon, painting the city in vivid shades of magenta, then begins to pace again, shaking his head, his knuckles white, his nails bitten to the quick. He moves fleetly to his desk, presses a button and speaks to his secretary.
THE PRESIDENTUh, Joyce, could you—
There’s a pause.
SECRETARY (V.O)Could I what?
THE PRESIDENTNever mind.
SECRETARY (V.O)Are you sure, sir?
THE PRESIDENTYes, Joyce. No, wait – are my final draft speech notes ready yet?
SECRETARY (V.O)Have been for an hour, sir. I told you when they were complete.
THE PRESIDENTOh, right. Can you transfer them in here, please?
SECRETARY (V.O)I already did.
THE PRESIDENTOh. All right, thank you, Joyce.
There is a beep as the line closes. The President stands by his desk staring at nothing in particular for a moment, slowing his breathing. Then he resumes pacing.
INT. QUARTERS – BRIGHT
The Black Aces are assembled in the lounge area of their quarters. Holden is passing a hand-held monitor to each of them. Davies looks miserable. When’s he’s finished, Doyle moves to the front of the room and addresses them.
DOYLEThose have specific mission details. Look them over if you get a chance en route.
STEVEAll right, so what mess do they want us to clean?
DOYLEWe’re about to engage in a mass attack against MacAffee base. That’s an underwater spacecraft production facility. We’re going to need a few of those or else our fleet is going to get steadily smaller while the United fleet gets rapidly larger. What they want us to do is to infiltrate the station and disable their weapons systems and countermeasures. They’ve got a small patrol squadron and very big guns that’ll outclass any number of bombers we can throw at them. Our boys might get one clean run if the element of surprise stays on our side, but after that those guns can’t be shooting anymore or we’re out of commission. Don’t screw up, guys. This is our first attack and the USS won’t give us many more targets of opportunity like this one.
WILLEMWho’s on what detail?
DOYLEWillem, you’re gonna be our hacker – you have to get in their system, cut out their guns, make a mess big enough it’ll take them a while to clean it, and then get out. We’ve got a few codes we think might make it easier; it’s all in your detailed briefings I just gave you. Macy and Getty and Steve are gonna get you to their weapons station in the first place: Macy and Getty are strong-arm; Steve’s on demolition duty.
STEVESweet.
DOYLEI’ll pilot us there. We’ve got a modified gunship with umbilical, should be able to get you in. Once there, if all goes well, they’ll think you’re one of them. You’ve got the right uniform to blend in.
DAVIESSir, what do I do?
DOYLEDavies, you’re going to stay with me. This is the real thing, Jack, not training. I’ll be blunt: I don’t think you’re ready.
MACYSir, with all due respect, I don’t think that’s a wise decision.
DOYLEMacy, you’re not in the Fleet to think.
Steve guffaws.
STEVEOuch.
DOYLEEnough, guys. Go suit up. We leave in eighty minutes.
The crew jumps into action, Davies perhaps a bit more reluctantly than the others.
There you go. Please comment!
-Host
12/8/2002 1:52:13 AM
Comment on this fan fiction!
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