TRIUMVIRATE SE Chapter Fifteen
By The Host
Doyle jumps up and begins to move quickly back to the
others; Davies stands and sees the object and sees Doyle
coming and is confused. Macy, inside the umbilical, spins
his head around.
MACY
What?
DAVIES
Shouldn’t--?
At that instant the item hits the gunship head-on; the
gunship sways sickeningly and moves out of position,
twisting the umbilical; the glass in the gunship starts to
crack and tiny streams of water begin to pour in; Doyle is
thrown sideways into a jutting piece of equipment, strikes
his head hard against it, and falls to the floor, his hair
matted with blood. Davies is terrified.
DAVIES
Jesus.
INSIDE THE UMBILICAL, water is spouting in little jets
through tiny tears in the umbilical.
WILLEM
What the hell?!
Macy’s checking a monitor on the underside of the gunship
above him.
MACY
Umbilical integrity should hold
another forty-five seconds, maybe.
(Shouting)
C’mon, Davies, Doyle, get in here!
Getty’s now through the hatch and Willem’s on his way;
Davies drops into the connector.
MACY (CONT'D)
Doyle?
DAVIES
I think he’s dead.
Even as Willem’s head disappears there’s a loud CREAKING and
then a SMASHING and then the RUSH of water. Water suddenly
begins pouring into the umbilical from above.
MACY
Shit! Jack, get down there!
DAVIES
I didn't think—
MACY
GO!
Davies promptly obeys and disappears into the hatch.
INT. MACGUFFIN BASE - OUTER SHELL - DARK - CONTINUOUS
The ladder leads down to a catwalk maybe fifteen feet below
the hatch; below that and around it darkness bleeds into
impenetrable depths. The only light is that which comes from
the hatch and gunship above; it is scattered by the
cascading water. The water pours down on Davies, making the
ladder slippery. Davies is terrified: he struggles down as
best he can but the water is making it hard and suddenly his
hand slips and he slides down and catches onto the next
rung. He catches his breath as a feeble light appears below
– somebody’s flashlight – and then the light above
disappears and the flow of water stops. Davies looks up a
second to see a shadowy figure come down almost onto his
face.
MACY
It’s only me! Keep going!
Davies moves faster now, eagerly toward the light. As he
steps onto the catwalk Macy hops down right behind him and
there is a sudden WRENCHING as the gunship above them
implodes. Davies looks at his mates in the dim light of now
two flashlights, his chest heaving.
DAVIES
We were hit. I thought it could
handle impacts. We entered the
water fast—
MACY
At a precisely calculated angle.
We were one degree from death back
there. And I don’t think whatever
hit us hit us at such a perfect
angle.
Davies tries to control his breathing. The remaining two
flashlights switch on.
DAVIES
Doyle’s dead.
But the others are already moving forward down the catwalk.
MACY
Come on, let’s go.
Davies, after a moment, quickly follows, not wanting to be
left alone in the dark.
INT. UNITED CENTER - CONTINUOUS
The audience sits down together. There is a pause as the
President takes a long sip of water, emptying his glass, and
then places it heavily beside him on the podium. He speaks.
THE PRESIDENT
Clearly, we have attained great
things.
(Beat)
But none of it has been of our own
accord.
Silence.
INT. COPLEY’S OFFICE - CONTINUOUS
Copley, bringing his glass to his lips, halts all movement
and stares at the holographic image of the President.
INT. QUARTERS - CONTINUOUS
Johnson leans forward with sudden interest.
INT. USS GEMINI - STRATEGIC PLANNING ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Dawson swings his head around to the small image of the
President near at hand.
INT. MACGUFFIN BASE - OUTER SHELL - DARK - CONTINUOUS
The five remaining Black Aces move forward along the
catwalk. To either side of them darkness sweeps into the
abyss below. Willem is keeping a close eye on a hand-held
monitor.
WILLEM
Should be a door just ahead.
At that moment walls approach from left and right and the
group is now in a corridor only inches wider than the
catwalk itself. A few feet on they come to a hatch and halt.
MACY
Let’s check this out.
Steve is already plunging through his pack.
INT. UNITED CENTER - CONTINUOUS
One could hear a pin drop from five hundred feet. The
President slowly resumes his speech.
THE PRESIDENT
Our nation has achieved all of its
glories, its victories and its
defeats, through the will, through
the desire, and through the greed
of The Corporation.
The CEO stands up at his place. There are murmurs throughout
the crowd.
INT. QUARTERS
Johnson and his wingmates are positively stunned by the
President’s words.
INT. MACGUFFIN BASE - OUTER SHELL - CONTINUOUS
Steve grabs a monitor connected to a stethoscope-like
object, which he now holds up to the door. The others gather
around to see: on his glowing monitor screen is etched the
image of what lies beyond the door. Another door.
STEVE
(Looking up)
It’s an airlock. We must be on
different pressure systems or
something.
MACY
All right, help me open this.
The others help Macy to turn the wheel on the outer hatch.
INT. UNTIED CENTER - CONTINUOUS
The President carries on.
THE PRESIDENT
Right now a rebellion is
beginning. None of you have been
forewarned, at Corporate request.
But as we speak MacGuffin Base is
being attacked by the fleets of
our Admiral Dawson.
A tide of astonishment washes across the audience. Some
stand and try to leave. The Presiden’t aide moves toward him
and is motioned away. The President continues on, louder
now.
THE PRESIDENT (CONT'D)
Admiral Dawson feels this
government is weak. Admiral Dawson
feels this government is
subservient to a greater power. I
intend to prove him wrong!
INT. AIRLOCK - CONTINUOUS
The men are now in the small airlock, the door behind them
sealed tight, and Steve has his small device pressed to the
inner door. On the other side he can see a long empty
corridor stretching off to the left and right.
STEVE
Coast’s clear.
MACY
All right, open it.
Steve plugs his monitor into a small outlet near the door
and presses a few buttons. There is a soft beep, and then
the door begins to slowly slide open – and immediately water
explodes in from the corridor, which is completely flooded.
MACY
Jesus Christ!
He swings to the outer hatch and grabs the wheel.
INT. UNTIED CENTER -- CONTINUOUS
The President continues to speak, louder now.
THE PRESIDENT
I make it my mandate to dissolve
The Corporation and strike a
committee to investigate its
practices and its leaders!
INT. AIRLOCK
Water is now at chest level and rising quickly.
MACY
Come on!
Already he and Getty are turning the wheel; now Steve and
Willem and Jack Davies too; and then Macy takes a deep
breath and plunges into the water as it finally fills the
entire chamber, and still they struggle to turn, turn, turn,
and then suddenly they’ve done it, and the hatch swings
open, and the water rushes out.
INT. OUTER SHELL – CONTINUOUS
And all of a sudden the corridor the catwalk passes through
has become a rushing river, carrying the five wingmates
along its gushing path, along the catwalk.
MACY
GRAB ONTO SOMETHING!
And Willem reaches out with his hands, searching, and finds
the railing of the catwalk, and grips, and holds, and grabs
with his other arm, and holds himself there against the
unending onslaught of water. So too does Steve grab onto a
railing post and hold on for dear life. Macy and Getty and
Davies are swept out into the wider darker expanse and still
they cannot grab on to anything, and Macy finally tumbles
forward past the water as it seeps over either edge of the
catwalk, but then the force of this very same water flips
Davies over the rail, and he grabs hold of it at the last
possible second, and dangles there over the impenetrable
darkness and unfathomable depths below, pounded constantly
by water, and then Getty goes right over him, and Davies
watches as Getty falls down ever down the new waterfall-of-
sorts, beyond Jack and almost engulfed by shadow before he
hits a jutting pipe and ricochets sickeningly but still
falls ever down. Jack looks up and all his sight is blinded
by water and darkness, and he can only feel the railing,
feel it and hold on, but even now his hands start to slip.
Suddenly he feels a welcome hand grip onto his, helping to
hold him up.
MACY
Hold on, Jack!
Hawk Macy has difficulties of his own. He stands on the
narrow catwalk, braced against rail posts and pounded by
water; he holds a railing in a death grip with one hand and
with the other he hangs desperately onto Davies, fallen over
the opposite rail. He looks to Willem and Steve, still both
stunned and holding onto the rail in the corridor.
MACY (CONT'D)
Get that goddamn hatch closed, I
don’t care how!
Willem nods, frantic.
INT. UNITED CENTER – CONTINUOUS
The Center is in utter chaos. The CEO has left. Audience
members clap, cheer, boo, shout, scramble towards the
podium, ask questions, throw papers. The President remains
resolute.
THE PRESIDENT
We will use force if necessary.
And I assure you, we will prevail!
INT. OUTER SHELL - CONTINUOUS
Meanwhile, the four surviving Black Aces fight against the
torrent. Macy smiles at Davies as he continues to grip his
flightmate’s arm.
MACY
Don’t ever let anybody call you
inexperienced after this.
Davies tries to smile, weakly, but finds himself little
comforted and still utterly terrified.
Macy turns to the others.
MACY
Jesus, guys, come on!!
Willem, still holding tightly to the railing, is finally
able to jump up so that both of his feet are on the rail,
between his hands, and he crouches there for a second, a few
inches above the flowing water.
WILLEM
(To Steve)
Like this.
Then, in a single smooth move, Willem lets go of the rail
with both hands and stretches his left leg across the
corridor so that his foot comes to rest upon the opposite
rail. He spreads his arms and splays them against the walls
for support. Steve begins to follow suit.
INT. THE UNITED CENTER - CONTINUOUS
The President surveys the scene before him with stolid
pride. An AIDE finally reaches the President and turns him,
protesting, away from the podium. Suddenly a laser blast
rings out and a MAN only a few feet from the President falls
down dead. There is a rising terror within the audience.
INT. OUTER SHELL - CONTINUOUS
Willem and Steve have reached the hatch by walking along the
railings, Steve first.
STEVE
Secure me.
Steve hops down into the water, holding onto the railing.
Willem grabs a rope out of his bag and loops it around
Steve’s waist, tying it tightly, and then loops it around
the rail several times and ties it tightly again. Steve lets
go of the rail and pushes against the hatch with all his
might, pushing back on a rail post with his heel for
leverage, while Willem ties himself to the rail. Suddenly
Steve slips and is carried back a few feet by the water; he
bangs his chin hard against the metal floor of the catwalk
but is all right. He struggles to right himself.
MACY, meanwhile, holds onto Jack with an iron grip. Jack is
terrified.
DAVIES
I’m slipping.
MACY
No you’re not.
DAVIES
I can feel it, I’m slipping.
MACY
I’ve got you.
Willem and Steve struggle against the hatch but the force of
the water is too strong, and they can budge it only a few
inches. Steve yells out.
STEVE
Macy, we need you!
Macy looks up.
MACY
I can’t!
STEVE
We can’t get this hatch closed by
ourselves!
Macy thinks for a second, then looks back to Jack.
DAVIES
No, no—
MACY
Jack, I have to go now and get the
hatch.
DAVIES
Don’t leave me. I’ll fall.
Macy looks up again, bites his lip, looks down.
MACY
It’ll only be a minute, Jack.
DAVIES
No—
MACY
Here’s what I want you to do. I
want you to hold on tight – just
curl your fingers around and hold
on tight—
DAVIES
I can’t.
MACY
Yes you can. It’s only for a
minute. I have to let you go,
Jack.
Davies can’t speak for fear.
MACY
Hold on tight, Jack. I’m letting
go ... now.
Macy pulls his hand away. Davies holds on still, his teeth
grit, his eyes closed. He opens his eyes and looks up at
Macy, and squeaks out a single word.
DAVIES
Hurry.
Macy disappears. He indeed does hurry, pushing himself
against the current, gripping the rails, until he comes to
the corridor; then he hops onto the rails and walks quickly
down to the door. He crawls over Steve and Willem, wedging
himself behind the door where there’s no water flow, and the
three of them push as hard as they can, leaning all of their
weight into the door.
DAVIES holds on as tight as he can but he can’t hold on much
longer. He moans; the fingers of one hand start slowly to
slip off of the rail.
AND FINALLY the three men together are able to close the
hatch maybe halfway, but now Steve and Willem can go no
farther, being tied to the rail. Macy holds the door,
grunting under the incredible pressure, as the other two
untie themselves one by one.
AND DAVIES’S HAND SLIPS, dangles below him; his glove falls
off into the darkness below, and it’s only a matter of time
now . . .
AND STEVE AND WILLEM ARE FREE, and with a final mighty shove
they heave the door closed, and Macy turns the wheel to lock
it as Steve and Willem speed along the corridor to Jack.
JACK DAVIES’S HAND is starting to slip, and Jack Davies is
starting to wail, as Steve and Willem finally reach him,
reach down, and grab him, one by the arm and the other by
the shoulder, and as the last droplets of water drip down
down down, they haul Jack Davies over the side and onto the
catwalk. They lie there in a heap, propped against the rail,
as Macy reemerges from the corridor.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. OUTER SHELL - MOMENTS LATER
The four water-logged survivors reach another hatch, this
one open. Steve passes through and scans the inner door with
his monitor.
STEVE
Definitely no water.
There are dozens of SOLDIERS moving along this corridor.
MACY
Fuck it, we’ll take our chances.
Just as Willem heaves the hatch to Steve inserts his monitor
into a receptacle near the door as before and the doorway
slides slowly open.
INT. CORRIDOR - CONTINUOUS
The four battered men emerge into the busy hall; the door
shuts behind them. They turn together and start moving down
the corridor when an OFFICER shouts at them from behind.
OFFICER
You there!
They turn.
OFFICER (CONT'D)
It’s all over.
Macy sets his jaw and moves to draw his laser pistol.
MACY
Like hell it is.
The officer holds his hands out in a gesture of peace.
OFFICER
No, I mean, it’s over. We’ve been
ordered to stand down.
Macy looks to his comrades. This is perhaps the most
exhausting news yet.
FADE OUT. . .
AUTOR'S COMMENTARY:
Definitely one of the most fun scenes to write, though I’m
again afraid it goes a tad too long. The action is changed
completely from the same action sequence in Gemini’s
Redemption, which is a more generic dogfight. I decided to
change it literally when I started writing it. I let it go
where it wanted to, and I think it went the right way. It
foreshadows a later scene, which was an idea I got at about
this point as well. The President’s address, however,
remains pretty much the same. It’s one of the big surprises
in the movie, I think.
And now a moment of silence for the dearly departed. I
always intended to get rid of Doyle in this scene: what a
way to go. Getty was just icing on the cake: that’s me
falling down that shaft! I wrote this all in a single
sitting and, I tell you, it was exhilarating.
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4/11/2003 10:17:29 PM
(Updated: 4/12/2003 5:43:57 PM)
(Updated: 4/12/2003 5:48:44 PM)
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