|
TREASURE
GOLD RUSH - S.16
<<<<
SCENE
15 - ROV ATLANTIS
JOHN
REPORTS THE FIND OF NAZI U-BOAT LADEN WITH GOLD, BUT GETS
THREATENED
INT. ELIZABETH SWANN - BRIDGE - DAY
The ELIZABETH SWANN cruises up the English Channel, sunlight glinting off her sleek hull. The crew, JOHN STORM (40s), DAN HAWK
(20s), CLEOPATRA (Ageless 20s), and the Terramentals, show a mix of shock and euphoria – a brief respite from the harsh reality of a corrupt state.
A crisp, official VOICE cuts through the comms.
EDWARD THOMAS (V.O.)
London calling Elizabeth Swann. Come in Elizabeth Swann. Edward Thomas calling from Number Ten.
John raises a hand, silencing Dan who was about to respond. A faint, almost imperceptible smirk plays on John's lips.
JOHN
(Into comm, calm, controlled)
Commander Storm here. Pleased to hear a friendly voice, Prime Minister.
EDWARD THOMAS (V.O.)
I’ve Admiral Percival with me.
ADMIRAL LAURENCE (V.O.)
Good day to you, Commander.
JOHN
(A slight, knowing nod)
Correction, two friendly voices.
EDWARD THOMAS (V.O.)
Well, John. Not that friendly, I’m afraid.
JOHN
(Playing along)
Do tell? I’m on the edge of my seat.
EDWARD THOMAS (V.O.)
Sir Rodney Dunbar and Nick Johnson—MI6—are after your guts. Figuratively, for now.
HAL (A.I. Voice) cuts in, perfectly timed, a digital whisper.
HAL
Isn't he the General, and the Minister, suspected of undeclared interests, sir?
A beat of surprise on the comms.
EDWARD THOMAS (V.O.)
(Clears throat)
That’s not all we’re afraid of, Commander. Nazi gold, you see. Multiple owners. Claims galore: Germany, Poland, Austria. A diplomatic… minefield.
JOHN
Understood, Prime Minister. Already aware of the… historical currency.
ADMIRAL LAURENCE (V.O.)
AND—they are calling for the confiscation of the Elizabeth Swann.
JOHN
(Voice cool, unruffled)
On what grounds, may I ask? Or is this simply a hostile takeover disguised as bureaucracy?
ADMIRAL LAURENCE (V.O.)
Suspected theft. That old chestnut.
JOHN
(A subtle, dangerous edge to his voice)
That old chestnut. You know, of course, Admiral, we left everything undisturbed. All video recorded. Same as last time. And...
The Prime Minister's voice is instantly laced with concern.
EDWARD THOMAS (V.O.)
And what, John?
JOHN
Well, I'm still a Commander in the field, am I not? The Swann, a temporary ship of the line?
ADMIRAL LAURENCE (V.O.)
(A heavy sigh, he knows what’s coming)
Indeed. Fully commissioned.
JOHN
Then, if we’re fired upon, we have the right to defend ourselves. From unfriendly fire. Proportionately, of course.
Silence on the line. Then the Prime Minister’s voice, a flicker of an idea.
EDWARD THOMAS (V.O.)
Might I suggest speaking with President Lincoln Truman?
ADMIRAL LAURENCE (V.O.)
(A sudden urgency)
Hold on, John, he’s calling on another matter.
EDWARD THOMAS (V.O.)
Yes, of course, Admiral. Hold on a moment, John.
A brief, muffled conversation on the comms. Then, a new voice—deep, resonant, with an unexpected twinkle.
PRESIDENT TRUMAN (V.O.)
Well, call on one thing, it's a regular rodeo. How are my allies in Whitehall?
John doesn't miss a beat, cutting straight to the chase.
JOHN
Troubled again, Mr. President. And John Storm here. Stirring it up again.
PRESIDENT TRUMAN (V.O.)
John, is that you? Always at the center of the storm. Being threatened, you say? Is Hal listening?
JOHN
He is indeed, Mr. President. Every byte.
PRESIDENT TRUMAN (V.O.)
(A mischievous rumble)
Dandy. Hal, why don't you shut down MI6? Just for ten seconds, mind. No permanent scars, please.
The Admiral and Prime Minister are stunned into silence. Their shock is palpable even through the
comms.
ADMIRAL LAURENCE (V.O.)
What?! On earth—
EDWARD THOMAS (V.O.)
Bear with me, gentlemen. Go ahead, Hal.
HAL
Compliance.
On the bridge, a low, barely perceptible HUM of energy. Then, a sudden, complete SILENCE from the
comms, followed by the distant SOUND of a phone ringing frantically in the background.
Ten seconds later, the comms suddenly CRACKLE back to life.
EDWARD THOMAS (V.O.)
(His voice tight, picking up the red phone)
First Minister speaking.
MI6 CYBER CHIEF (V.O.)
(Startled, panicked)
Sir, MI6 was just disabled for a while! All systems went dark!
EDWARD THOMAS (V.O.)
Ten seconds, was it?
MI6 CYBER CHIEF (V.O.)
Yes, sir, how did you know?!
EDWARD THOMAS (V.O.)
Never mind, Chief. I’ll get back to you.
PM Thomas puts down the phone. He exhales, a long, defeated but impressed sound.
EDWARD THOMAS (V.O.)
Okay. We're impressed. It’s futile attacking the Swann. Commander?
John’s eyes meet Dan’s, a shared, knowing glance.
JOHN
Yes, Admiral. And thank you, Mr. President. Good call.
EDWARD THOMAS (V.O.)
If fired upon, take evasive steps. You decide what constitutes UNFRIENDLY. A proportionate response, mind.
JOHN
(A faint, unreadable smile)
Roger that, Admiral.
SCENE
17 - BLUE SHIELD >>>>
PROPOSED
SCRIPT ORDER (90-110 pages) - V1.0 DRAFT
SCREENPLAY
ACT
1.
SCENE
1. PROTESTS - Peaceful
North Sea oil pollution protestors are framed and imprisoned,
by a corrupt judicial system.
SCENE
2. PREDATOR - On release the
Terramentals
& smuggler Jorges
Dicaprio, complete a
mini-sub capable of sinking submarines.
SCENE
3. PHOENIX - Terramentals
locate & hijack HMS Neptune in Irish
Sea, Cumbria, using the Predator mini-sub -
knocking out the crew.
SCENE
4. BRITISH PETROLEUM -
Terramentals warn North Sea rig operators to stop. Claymore
rig is torpedoed, Royal
Navy respond.
SCENE
5. BBC WORLD SERVICE - Jill Bird
reports Terramentals rig attacks, world shocked at pollution
cover up. Charley Temple investigates.
SCENE
6. UNEP SOS - The
UNEP ask John Storm to survey North Sea for oil pollution.
Elizabeth Swann detects HMS Neptune radiation leaks.
SCENE
7. RADIATION ALERT - John
& Dan twig radiation from
HMS Neptune possible serious reactor damage. Must warn Terramentals.
ACT 2.
SCENE
8. STEALTH MODE - Storm spots Astute sub, Swann
in stealth
mode, detected as John warns extremists of sub
radiation leakage.
SCENE
9. CHANGE OF COURSE -
Terramentals change course, heading for the
Straits of Gibraltar. Not believing radiation warning.
SCENE
10. U-BOAT 986 - Evading Swann, HMS Neptune navigates
off transport lanes. Swann picks up magnetic signature of U-Boat
986.
SCENE
11. SENATE, UK & EU DEBATE -
Sub
hijacking & rig destruction, alarm bells around world. Deepwater
Horizon shivers down
spines.
SCENE
12. REACTOR LEAK - Terramentals realise John
telling truth, as radiation rector damage detection system HMS Neptune triggers.
SCENE
13. RESCUE TOW - John rescues
Terramentals. MI6 order Neptune
sinking. MOD knew reactor dangerous, want evidence gone.
SCENE
14. LISBON PORT -
Terramentals & Storm, shut Neptune's reactor. Tow, stricken submarine
to Lisbon, prevent MI6 sinking evidence.
ACT
3.
SCENE
15. ROV ATLANTIS - Swann returns U-Boat stealth mode at night,
to avoid tracking. Surveys site,
discovers Atlantis & Nazi gold.
SCENE
16. TREASURE TROVE - John reveals gold find &
threatened. US Linc Truman support. PM, Ed
Thomas, &
Sealord, royal
support.
SCENE
17. BLUE SHIELD - Cleopatra
alerts Blue Shield, Newcastle
University, potential Atlantis find, suggests UNESCO
world heritage site.
SCENE
18. GOLDEN OFFER - Claimants
reward John U-Boat gold find. Agrees 1% cover costs 9% to Blue Shield surveys.
UNESCO grateful.
SCENE
19. GREEN MOBILITY - Galvanized
to action UK hit green H2 button, John gets grants low
income families, Jill
Bird, news item.
SCENE
20. IMO IS GO - The International Maritime
Org green
H2 & methanol,
certification. USA in. China India stay with coal,
gas
& oil.
SCENE
21. AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL - John & George
amnesty, pirate
caselaw & video proof set up. Harry & Johnson
charged treason.
|
