TRIUMVIRATE SE Chapter Twenty
By The Host
INT. CORPORATE TOWER –- CEO’S OFFICE –- NIGHT
The CEO stands near the window of his lofty office at the
city of Magnapolis, head bowed and hands folded in silent
prayer. Outside life continues unabated in the dark city
despite the destruction surrounding what had once been the
Presidential Tower across the wide greensward below. We hear
the soft voice of a female REPORTER faintly behind the CEO;
he does not look up, however, from his prayer.
REPORTER (O.S.)
The President of the United Star
Systems is dead.
EXT. MAGNAPOLIS - CONTINUOUS
The reporter stands superimposed before the twisted wreckage
of Magnapolis’s centerpiece, addressing us.
REPORTER (CONT’D)
A right-wing terrorist group
quickly came forward admitting to
the assasination, which left tens
of thousands of others dead and
injured, in a statement released
just hours ago. The hunt is now on
to find te terrorists and bring
them to swift justice.
ANOTHER ANGLE FROM ABOVE shows small explosions and the
burst of laser fire occurring in alleyways and on street
corners below. Then VARIOUS ANGLES of street violence and
shoot-outs.
REPORTER (V.O.) (CONT’D)
Fighting, meanwhile, has broken
out in other parts of the city.
Pro-Corporate forces face off
against vigilante thugs across the
nation’s capital in fights that
have left an untold number of
casualties.
ANOTHER ANGLE as a train of dark vessels prowls throughout
the air lanes of the city. On the ground below, COLUMNS OF
TROOPS wheel and march.
REPORTER (V.O.) (CONT’D)
In response to other terrorist
bombings this night martial law
has been invoked in Magnapolis and
the United Senate has escaped into
hiding. Corporate troops are
aiding the United Army in
maintaining order.
GREAT HANGAR DOORS open somewhere in the city and a massive
starship slowly pokes through. A NEW ANGLE reveals literally
dozens of ships emerging from similar hangars across the
landscape and slowly moving into the night sky.
REPORTER (V.O.) (CONT’D)
The evacuation of Magnapolis
continues as above the city fleets
prepare for what seems like an
inevitable battle between
Corporate and Senatorial forces,
and those loyal to the now-dead
President of the United Star
Systems.
EXT. SPACE – CONTINUOUS
United and Corporate fleets begin to assemble above the dark
planet as the city, occupying almost a quarter of the
planet, shines below.
REPORTER (V.O.) (CONT’D)
It is now only a matter of time
before the city itself is engulfed
in flame. All parties prepare for
war.
INT. GAULIEUS BASE – AMPITHEATRE
Dawson stands at a rostrum before a great crowded
ampitheatre in the Underground City. Spotlights illuminate
the admiral and the massive banners – ‘DAWSON’, they read –
that stand behind him.
DAWSON
Today is a great day, truly great.
An opportunity has been delivered
upon us: our nation’s destiny lies
now in our hands. Today is the day
that we fight for what is right,
for what is just. We fight against
injustice and tyranny. We fight
against those who would usurp our
freedoms and our rights. We fight
against those who would unleash
the hellfires of war upon us all
for no more reason than petty
greed. We fight with fire in our
hearts for this nation’s
deliverance. A great opportunity
has today been delivered upon us:
and I say take up that banner of
courage and rally behind us! We
warriors today shall make this
nation great again! Our children’s
freedom and security will be
sealed with our blood, our
nation’s tranquil destiny
purchased with our blood, our
planets’ soils soaked with our
blood, the blood of noble men.
Once more unto the breach, dear
friends, once more, or close the
wall up with our bravest dead! In
peace there’s nothing so becomes a
man as modest stillness and
humility; but when the blast of
war blows in our ears, then
imitate the action of the tiger:
stiffen the sinews, summon up the
blood. Today we shall conquer!
Cheers from the martial AUDIENCE.
AUTOR'S COMMENTARY:
The first half of this chapter is one of the oldest scenes
in the story. Earlier versions of the screenplay had several
montages like this one; I think this is the only that
survived. Essentially, at this point I want to cover as much
ground as quickly as possible. No more character
development, no more plot. The priority is simply setting
the scene for the final battle. That said, the second half
of this chapter is the newest scene in the story. I had
wanted to have a scene like this from the get-go, but could
never find the right place in which to insert it, and feared
it might just bog down this important section of film. I was
also afraid that it might be cheesy, a la Independence Day.
On the contrary, upon rereading Triumvirate, I felt that
this scene was vital. We are given to understand that
Dawson’s troops hold their highest allegiance to he himself:
why? We are told that he is more politician than general:
how so? This scene establishes him not just as a manipulator
but as a charismatic demagogue. It’d be tough to pull this
off on film without going over the top, but it’s still
important that it be there.
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4/11/2003 10:24:35 PM
(Updated: 4/12/2003 5:46:28 PM)
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