|
Wing Commander Movie - Cut Scenes
10 EXT. KILRATHI BATTLE GROUP
A ship, a Snakeir, enters the frame. Thing's huge, ominous, deadly.
SUPERIMPOSE: KILRATHI BATTLE GROUP. ULYSSES CORRIDOR, VEGA SECTOR. 40 HOURS FROM THE CHARYBDIS QUASAR.
11 INT. SNAKEIR BRIDGE - ADMIRAL's FLAGSHIP
The interior of the huge space vessel is nearly obscured by a thick, almost viscous green fog: the nutrient atmosphere for the Kilrathi officers and crew. They are a biped, two armed race of beings nearly eight feet tall. But their features are obscured by the thick mist. Only their eyes, gleaming yellow, seem to penetrate the dense atmosphere. There is something vaguely cat-like about their silhouettes as they move lithely about the bridge. It's almost as though they can see clearly...which they can. Their vision is in the infrared spectrum.
11 CONTINUED:
A Kilrathi, this ship’s CAPTAIN, approaches the battle group commander, a Kilrathi ADMIRAL.
12 CAPTAIN's POV, INFRARED BAND:
Through his eyes, the fog disappears as he comes up behind the shadowy figure peering out into space through a thick window.
The CAPTAIN, head bowed, s peaks in a low hiss--the Kilrathi language--which we read in subtitles.
KILRATHI CAPTAIN
(Kilrathi; subtitled)
The Ulysses Corridor is clear. As you predicated, the door to Earth is open.
ADMIRAL turns. It's face is scarred, distorted, one eye missing. His plumes, indicative of rank, clan, and battle fought and won, flow over massive shoulders. Small smile creeps over his visage, exposes yellowed canines.
Human voices cuts through his reverie:
TRAITOR (O.S.)
And you have your prize.
ADMIRAL turns, looks. Dressed in a full atmospheric suit a human shape stands in shadow at the edge of the bridge. Around his neck hangs a PILGRIM CROSS. His voice is tiny and filtered through his comm device.
TRAITOR (CONT'D)
The NAVCOM A.I. has been reconfigured to your jump drives.
ADMIRAL's one good eye dilates, seems to flash. His voice is tinny and slightly delayed as its filtered through the a translation device.
ADMIRAL
You have betrayed your race on a scale unimaginable, Pilgrim.
TRAITOR
(ignores insult)
I have lived up to my part of our agreement. Live p to yours. Destroy Earth.
ADMIRAL looks long and hard at the Traitor.
BLAIR
We're holding steady on the beacon. Maniac has the helm.
He sees the old star charts.
BLAIR
These must be antiques.
PALADIN
Yeah. They were made by the first explorers in the sector. Pilgrims.
Paladin starts folding the star charts.
BLAIR
I couldn't help noticing the tattoo on your neck.
A small smile crosses Paladin's face; the type you use to conceal painful memories.
PALADIN
How about the Pilgrim cross you hide under your vest.
BLAIR reacts.
PALADIN (CONT'D)
Don't worry we all have pasts and secrets.
BLAIR
(remembering)
It was my mothers.
34 CONTINUED: (2)
PALADIN studies Blair, seems to like what he sees.
PALADIN
May I see it?
42 INT. TIGER CLAW - FLIGHT DECK
Marine guards scan the identity badges and examine the orders of the two new lieutenants, MOS, then step back and salute. Paladin's ID is also electronically scanned.
The three walk towards the elevators, passing the flight deck.
The flight deck is busy, as repair crews struggle to patch combat damage from the last engagement -- we get the sense that the Tiger Claw has seen a lot of action.
PALADIN
Well, gentlemen, don't think I haven't enjoyed your company.
MANIAC
We won't...Sir.
BLAIR
So what about the tattoo?
PALADIN
You know what it is?
BLAIR
It's a Kilrathi marker. You were a prisoner of war.
PALADIN
That's right. I was on the Iason when they took her.
BLAIR
The Iason. That was the first ship to have contact with the Kilrathi. There weren't any survivors.
PALADIN
I guess not.
Elevator doors open. PALADIN steps in.
42 CONTINUED:
BLAIR
Why don't you have it removed?
PALADIN
Let's just say, it helps me not forget.
BLAIR
Not forget what?
PALADIN
Why I fight.
Doors start to close.
MANIAC
So what exactly do the Kilrathi look like?
PALADIN
...They're ugly.
(directly to Blair)
Good luck.
Note the rotating 'Union of Border Worlds' logo on the screen; in 1996, Origin had this same graphic available for download from the Wing Commander IV official web site.
GERALD
(to Blair)
You wouldn't be related to Arnold Blair, would you
BLAIR steels himself. He lives in fear of this question.
BLAIR
He was my father, sir.
GERALD
He married a Pilgrim woman, didn't he
BLAIR
(cautious.)
Yes sir.
Sansky is interested, observes Blair closely.
GERALD
Mixed marriages seldom work out. Pilgrims don't think like us.
Blair takes offense.
BLAIR
You won't have to worry, sir. They're both dead.
SANSKY
(stepping in.)
I'm sure the lieutenant's heredity will have no bearing on his performance, Mister Gerald.
GERALD
No sir. I'm sure it won't.
SANSKY
That's all, Lieutenant. I suggest you stow your gear and familiarize yourself with the ship.
Blair can barely contain his anger as he turns and leaves the bridge. GERALD watches after him.
SANSKY (CONT'D)
You don't trust him
GERALD
Computer what are the odds that a Kilrathi battle group could infiltrate Confederation space undetected and destroy Pegasus station
44 CONTINUED (2)
TIGER CLAW'S artificial intelligence computer responds
COMPUTER
One chance in one point two one million. To the tenth power.
GERALD
No, sir, I do not.
45A INT. TIGER CLAW - CORRIDOR
BLAIR, still fuming from Gerald's dig, walks the corridor with MANIAC.
BLAIR
It never changes.
MANIAC
So Gerald's another tight-ass X.O.. So what? Let it go, we are about to meet our fellow pilots. The men and women we are going to fight with, perhaps even die with and perhaps...
BLAIR
Don't worry, I won't let the fact that I'm pissed keep you from getting laid.
Maniac throws an arm around Blair's shoulder.
MANIAC
Me? I'm worried about it keeping you from getting laid. I'll show you how to make friends.
They open the hatch to the Pilot's Mess.
46B INT. TIGER CLAW - CORRIDOR
BLAIR walks down the corridor, pissed.
DEVERAUX
(sternly)
Lieutenant.
BLAIR stops, his back to Angel.
DEVERAUX (CONT'D)
I need to know that you have your priorities straight. Who the hell do you think you are?
46B CONTINUED:
BLAIR
I'm a fighter pilot on a capital ship in a war zone, ma'am.
DEVERAUX
Right. Which means you're nothing. You're a pawn in somebody else's game. We get ten, twelve replacements a month -- as fast as the Academy can spit out spare parts.
BLAIR
(pissy)
Well that really installs confidence Commander
Deveraux gets right in Blair's face.
DEVERAUX
(too harsh)
Let me give you a Reality check -- in all likelihood, you're going to die out here -- we all are -- What none of us needs to be is reminded of that fact -- so, you die, you never existed. Understood?
BLAIR
Yes ma'am.
DEVERAUX
Good. Cause that's the only sensitivity training speech I can remember. Now move on.
INT. TIGER CLAW - CHART ROOM
CLOSE ON: Thousands of numbers scrolling across the screen.
CAMERA pulls back and we see a huge holographic chart. A single blip, the Tiger Claw, flashes red on the curved grid. In front of the Tiger Claw is a mathematical representation of the pulsar, a pulsating, constantly moving series of circles. Unlike a black hole (a discrete singularity), the pulsar is a discrete singularity with an infinite number of constantly changing permutations, each one capable of transporting a vessel to another part of the galaxy. Problem is, most are dead ends. With an emphasis on dead.
Slowly, the grid begins to deform as an icicle shaped spike pulls and distorts the grid. The icicle transforms into a stalagmite, with a thick wide hole at its neck. The flashing red point is poised in front of this huge gap in the grid.
CAMERA pulls back to reveal GERALD and DEVERAUX watching the hologram as PALADIN inputs final calculations into the NAVCOM. Sansky comes through the hatch. Looks at the chart with interest.
PALADIN points to the tip of the stalagmite. His hands trace the trajectory across the wide gap in the quadrant.
PALADIN
The Ulysses Corridor...four days of hard travel using three known jump points. By using this pulsar, we will be there in...
(Glances at a big digital clock.)
...less than three minutes.
HE glances at the console, pushes a final button.
GERALD (O.S.)
If your calculations are correct.
CAMERA Pans to GERALD who's just entered the chart room
PALADIN
They're right.
GERALD
NAVCOM and the finest minds in the Confederation couldn't plot this jump. What makes you sure your right?
75 CONTINUED:
PALADIN
Because they're Pilgrim coordinates, Mr. Gerald.
DEVERAUX reacts. CAMERA pans to BLAIR who's just entered the chart room.
DEVERAUX
Why aren't you at your station, Lieutenant Blair?
GERALD, already angry, turns to him.
BLAIR
Ma'am, I--
PALADIN cuts Blair off.
PALADIN
I asked Lieutenant Blair to be here.
GERALD
Why?
PALADIN ignores the question.
SANSKY
I authorized it.
PALADIN
We'll have a lovely view from the bridge.
SANSKY
Radar, status?
RADAR TECH
Scanners picking up strong electromagnetic signature at 111 mark 43. An asteroid field. I'd say she's a Kilrathi, sir.
BLAIR has fetched a first aid kit, and is using a small laser pen to seal Deveraux's scalp wound.
DEVERAUX
Ouch.
89CONTINUED: (2)
BLAIR
Sorry.
BLAIR tries to check her scalp. As if annoyed by this enforced intimacy with Blair, DEVERAUX pulls away.
DEVERAUX
It's all right.
BLAIR
It's still bleeding. If I--
DEVERAUX
(pulls away)
It's all right.
BLAIR
(irked)
Yes, Ma'am.
SANSKY
(To Angel:)
Lt. Commander, prepare a recon. I want to know what's out there.
DEVERAUX
Yes, sir.
SHE heads out, Blair trailing.
SANSKY
And Deveraux, I don't want them to know we're here. Not yet.
94 INT. TIGER CLAW - VARIOUS STATIONS - MONTAGE
As officers, pilots and crew listen to the intercom.
SANSKY (V.O.)
(over intercom)
This is the Captain. AS most of you have guessed, we just made one hell of a jump.
Rodriguez kisses his St. Christopher...
SANSKY (CONT"D)
Actually we've just taken a little short cut into the Ulysses Corridor... If you don't already know, that's where the Pegasus Naval Base was attacked and destroyed. The main Kilrathi battle fleet is in the Quadrant and headed for the Charybdis Quasar. In eleven hours, it will be in position to jump into Earth space.
(MORE)
94 CONTINUED:
SANSKY (Cont'd)
Our mission is to find the Kilrathi, asses their capacities and plan of action, and if necessary, stop them.
Maniac and Forbes look at each other. Action!
SANSKY (CONT'D)
We're the only Confed ship in the sector, people. We can count on no help and no rescue. We can only count on each other. That is all.
104I NT. RAPIER COCKPIT - BLAIR
Blair is sweating, now, scanning his instruments.
BLAIR
My scanners are blind, Merlin. Talk to me.
MERLIN's voice only:
104 CONTINUED:
MERLIN
Crosstalk between a large Kilrathi vessel and the brown dwarf down there. Can't decipher the code.
BLAIR
They know we're here?
MERLIN
Possibly. From the sophistication of the equipment on board, I'd say the vessel is a Command and Communications module.
BLAIR
So what is it commanding?
MERLIN
At least six other ships down near the brown dwarf are communicating with it....Interesting. I'm picking up an ULF -- Ultra Low Frequency signal. The Rapier's scanners aren't equipped to receive or detect it.
BLIAR
But you are?
MERLIN
Don't tell me you've down-loaded my "sarcasm" program?
104 CONTINUED: (2)
BLAIR
(ignoring him)
What's it mean? This frequency?
MERLIN
It's a primitive pulse technology, ultra low frequency. Very slow, but it carries over extreme distances. Sort of like tom toms. Pilgrims used it in the war.
BLAIR
How do you know? You told me you didn't know anything about the Pilgrims?
Merlin is taken by surprise.
MERLIN
I -- I don't know how I know it -- I just do. Perhaps it's buried in my sub-operating memory. Left over from the war. Maybe it's intuition.
BLAIR
Intuition?
(scary thought)
Well do you have a direction?
MERLIN
It appears to be coming from quadrant thirty.
BLAIR
That's near the Tiger Claw? What's it saying?
MERLIN
The code isn't in my vocabulary.
(detecting something)
They're scanning the rocks.
BLAIR
Merlin off.
We can almost feel the pulse of energy passing over Blair as the Kilrathi ship scans the rocks.
110A EXT. SNAKEIR - SOMEWHERE IN THE ULYSSES CORRIDOR
The great battle ship, surrounded by several smaller escorts are enroute to Charybdis Quasar -- The stars in the background look unfamiliar.
SUPERIMPOSE: KILRATHI BATTLE FLEET: SOMEWHERE IN THE ULYSSES CORRIDOR. 10 HOURS FROM THE CHARYBDIS QUSAR.
110B INT. SNAKEIR - BRIDGE
The Kilrathi Admiral is on bended knee in front of a multiarmed fearsome beast-like Effigy -- The Kilrathi War God Sivar. Around the idol are the banners of the Admiral's clan - A testimony to their fallen and future glory.
The Kilrathi Captain approaches and waits respectfully. The Admiral raises his head.
KILRATHI CAPTAIN
(subtitled)
Sir, our lead ships have engaged a Confederation reconnaissance flight in sector 7.
ADMIRAL
Do we have a fix on the Tiger Claw signal?
110B CONTINUED:
KILRATHI CAPTAIN
Yes, sir.
The Admiral stands and looks into the shadows beyond his command chair.
KILRATHI ADMIRAL
(English: delayed translation)
Your friend is dedicated.
The TRAITOR steps forward. Still in this light we can't quite make out his features.
TRAITOR
He's a Pilgrim. This is what he trained for. Prepare the ambush.
ADMIRAL
...In time.
TRAITOR
That ship is the only thing that stands between us and the success of this mission. It is yours for the taking.
ADMIRAL
That ship is insignificant. The hate of your kind blinds you. All things pass. Let it go.
TRAITOR
You are wrong, old man. Most things pass: love, passion, anger, life. One is eternal: hate.
111 INT. TIGER CLAW - BRIDGE
BLAIR and DEVERAUX stand "at ease" before Gerald and Sansky. Paladin stands in the background.
GERALD
You knew what the orders were. No contact with the enemy. Now you've compromised the mission, and the very existence of this ship.
BLAIR
I had no choice, sir. They had spotted Lt. Commander Deveraux's heat signature.
GERALD
Really? Angel, how sure are you that the Kilrathi had you targeted? Given the Lieutenant's background, are you really that certain?
111 CONTINUED:
BLAIR
Excuse me?
GERALD
It's well documented that Pilgrim saboteurs have been responsible for much of the Confed's problems in this war...
DEVERAUX turns to Blair. The look on her face says volumes.
DEVERAUX
(Overly stern)
Did they have me targeted? Or did you just get trigger happy?
Before Blair can answer, Sansky cuts in.
SANSKY
This is sterile conjecture. The Kilrathi are aware that Rapiers don't fly around in deep space without a carrier close by.
(To Blair:)
Tell me about this "communication" you claim to have heard.
BLAIR
(Eyes on Gerald:)
It was a ULF signal emanating from the vicinity of the Tiger Claw, sir.
SANSKY
(To the Tiger Claw A.I.)
What about it, NAVCOM? Were any communications sent from this ship?
AI VOICE
Negative, Captain. There were no transmissions sent by the Tiger Claw.
SANSKY turns to Blair.
SANSKY
Thank you Lieutenant. That is all.
BLAIR
Sir, I--
SANSKY
Dismissed, Lieutenant.
BLAIR nods, exits.
197 EXT. TIGER CLAW - MOON CRATER
The stricken ship bleeds air and debris into the void.
198 INT. TIGER CLAW - SANSKY's QUARTERS
Sansky is propped up, very weak. IV tubes are sticking out of his arm. He seems almost relieved -- Like the weight of command is lifted from his shoulders.
A grim GERALD stands over him.
GERALD
Sir, they have known our every move before we make it. And all since Paladin...Commodore Taggart, Marshall, and Blair have come aboard. Then the ULF signals. There is a traitor on board the Tiger Claw--
PALADIN (O.S.)
Make your point, Mr Gerald.
GERALD and SANSKY look at the door, see PALADIN standing there.
GERALD
The boy's a Pilgrim
198 CONTINUED:
PALADIN
And in your eyes, that makes him guilty of treason?
GERALD
...Yes, sir, it does.
PALADIN
(Shakes his head, disgusted)
Lt. Blair risked his life to save mine today. He's as good a s they get. And I've fought with the best. He can fly on my wing any mission, any time. Now I urge you to get over that damned war, Commander. We have another to fight.
GERALD
(Spits the word out.)
Commodore. Sir. With all due respect to your apparent rank. You are a Naval Intelligence officer. You don't know a damned thing about space combat, strategy, or war.
PALADIN
I knew enough not to send Deveraux's wing on a wild goose chase while the Tiger Claw was attacked.
GERALD
And if we had been destroyed, you would have been safely out of harms way.
SANSKY
(Breaking in.)
None of this maters now. What does, is our survival and our mission.... Welcome aboard, Commodore. Do you have any orders for me?
PALADIN
Sir, this is your ship. I offer you every assistance in the current crisis.
SANSKY looks at Paladin, nods.
SANSKY
As matters stand we need all the help we can get. The ship has suffered massive damage, and we have almost no operational fighters left.
PALADIN
The Kilrathi will be at the jump point in three hours and we still don't know their capabilities or plan of attack.
(Touching the bulkhead)
I think this old lady's got a little fight left in her yet.
198 CONINUED: (2)
GERALD
...Engineering took a direct hit. Our fuel cells are ninety percent gone. We don't have enough power to keep up with the air pumps let alone get under way. Barring a miracle, we've failed.
PALADIN
Failure is not an option, Commander. And if it's a miracle we need, I suggest we find a way to make one. Understood?
GERALD
...Yes, sir!
198A EXT. KILRATHI BATTLE GROUP
The massive ships head through space, the Charybdis Quasar a distant swirl of color.
SUPERIMPOSE: KILRATHI BATTLE GROUP. 2 HOURS FROM THE CHARYBDIS JUMP POINT>
198B INT. SNAKEIR - BRIDGE
Admiral looks out the windows at the distant Charybdis Quasar. TRAITOR stands in shadow behind him.
TRAITOR
You should have sent more ships. The Tiger Claw is alive, and still a threat.
ADMIRAL looks at the traitor, contempt and hate evident.
ADMIRAL
Go to the ConCom. Prepare the jump coordinates and transmit them to the fleet.
210 CONTINUED:
Behind them, we see THE MARINES checking equipment dropping clips into weapons.
THEIR POV, through the Diligent windows; The ConCom ship.
DEVERAUX
That's no destroyer.
BLAIR
It's the Communication ship we came up against.
GERALD
They'll spot our heat corona, soon.
PALADIN
They won't have the chance. Blair, man the ion gun.
(pushes radio button)
Hit it.
211 EXT. ASTEROID FIELD
The two Rapiers streak from behind meteorites and engage the Dralthi. The Kilrathi ComCon ship begins to veer away, but as it passes the asteroid, the Diligent leaves its cover and heads for it. Maniac's Rapier DESTROYS THE FIRST DRALTHI
MANIC (O.S.)
(over radio)
Yeah!
The second Rapier is engaged in a winding, twisting dogfight. Maniac veers his fighter to engage the second Kilrathi.
TWO MORE DRALTHI suddenly appear from around the moon, on full afterburner.
SC> 212 - 214 OMIT
215 INT. DILIGENT - BLAIR'S GUN POSITION
From his dome, he can see the Dralthi coming right at them!
BLAIR
Tow more Bogies at six o'clock!
Blair opens fire at one of the attackers, who return fire, then veers off.
216 INT. DILIGENT - BRIDGE
Paladin is piloting the Diligent up toward the larger Kilrathi ship.
PALADIN
(over intercom)
Marines, to your stations!
217 INT. DILIGENT - BAY
The Marines, in pressure suits, lock and load their weapons, gather around the bay door.
PALADIN (O.S.)
(over intercom)
As soon as you get in, go straight for the bridge. We've got to get control of that ship before they scuttle her.
218 INT. DILIGENT - BLAIR's GUN POSITION
A second Dralthi makes its attack run, cannons blasting. Blair tracks him and blasts him to fragments.
BLAIR
Yes!
219 EXT. KILRATHI COMMUNICATIONS SHIP
The Diligent is alongside, inching closer to the upper deck. The Diligent's docking umbilical extends...
220 INT. DILIGENT - BRIDGE
DEVERAUX
They can't use missiles, now. We're too close.
THEIR POV, through the window: A Dralthi fighter appears, heads straight for them.
GERALD
He's going to ram us!
SC. 221 MERGED WITH SC. 220
222 INT. DRALTHI - COCKPIT
The Kilrathi, in an opaque space helmet, streaks in, the image of the Diligent reflected on his face plate.
222AINT. RAPIER COCKPIT - MANIAC
Maniac depresses his joystick.
MANIAC
Heads up, asshole!
222B INT. DRALTHI - COCKPIT
The Kilrathi turns his head, sees Maniac's Rapier bearing down on him. HE can clearly see Maniac’s giving him the finger.
222C EXT. NEAR KILRATHI COMCON SHIP
Maniac's Rapier collides with the Dralthi cockpit, SHEERING IT OFF NEATLY. The Dralthi spins wildly out of control and c rashes into the Communications ship!
222D INT. RAPIER COCKPIT - MANIAC
Maniac's damaged Rapier shakes, rattle and rolls.
MANIAC
That's for you, Rosie.
SC. 223 - 226 OMIT
227 EXT. KILRATHI COMCON SHIP
The Diligent's umbilical latches onto the Kilrathi ship.
229 INT. DILIGENT - BLAIR'S GUN POSITION
BLAIR can hear radio crosstalk and sounds of battle as he scans his radar screen. MERLIN's voice comes out of nowhere.
MERLIN
I'm picking up some strange electromagnetic emissions from the Kilrathi ship.
BLAIR
So?
MERLIN
They're Pilgrim. The same ULF frequency I picked up earlier.
This gets Blair's attention.
BLAIR
Where?
MERLIN
Deck two, aft section. The bridge.
BLAIR looks at the radar, considers, pulls out his Pilgrim cross, kisses it, places it on the outside of his suit. He attaches his helmet and grabs a weapon. As he exits t he Diligent, he can see PALADIN and GERALD in the cockpit, their backs to him.
230 INT. KILRATHI SHIP - CORRIDOR
Blair comes through the hole, weapon ready, swings into the corridor, and right into a Kilrathi! It's dead, floating gruesomely in the airless corridor.
230 CONTINUED:
MERLIN
Nice. I believe there's another way. To the right.
BLAIR, looks left, can just make out the signs of battle, weighs his options, goes right.
Inside of the Kilrathi ship is alien, hard, grotesque. Sharp angles and exposed tubes give it almost a predatory feel, like the lair of some jungle animal. He comes to an airlock. Hitting the pressure plate he steps inside.
The green fog-like atmosphere that the Kilrathi breathe makes it difficult to see, makes the alien architecture creepy, gruesome. Blair switches his suit to thermal imaging.
BLAIR's POV (THROUGH THERMAL IMAGER): Similar to normal vision except that forms are more defined, details less so. Anything "hot" is enhanced.
230A INT. KILRATHI SHIP - CORRIDOR
MARINES push forward hard towards a heavily defended hatch way. Air is alive with laser fire, the stink of cordite, and the oppressive feeling of death. Bodies, both Kilrathi and human, litter the deck. A Marine's hit, and DEVERAUX pulls him out of the line of fire.
230B INT. BRIDGE - KILRATHI SHIP. (PREVIOUSLY SC. 234)
Two Kilrathi warriors stand at the door, weapons ready. Behind them, a KILRATHI OFFICER prowls nervously, watches a bank of monitors which show the battle raging in the ship's corridors. He keys a code into the main console and glances at the big, RED BUTTON set in the center of the console.
SC. 231-232 OMIT
233 INT. DILIGENT - BRIDGE
PALADIN
(over intercom)
Blair! Blair? Answer your station...
No answer. Gerald turns, looks down the long corridor to the gunnery station. Empty. To Paladin:
GERALD
You should have never brought that half-breed on this mission. His orders were to stay on this ship. Stay here. I'll find him.
GERALD locks his helmet in position, cocks his gun and heads for the air-lock Paladin looks worried.
233A INT. KILRATHI SHIP - UNFAMILIAR CORRIDOR
BLAIR's head appears from a lower deck. Cautious, he pans the area, climbs up to the deck. In front of him is a hatchway. He looks through the small window.
HIS POV: The Bridge. THE KILRATHI OFFICER'S fixated on the monitor. Slowly, he turns to an effigy of the god, Sivar, kneels before it. Then HE stands, walks towards the red button, hand raised.
BLAIR drops an explosive round into the grenade launcher section of his weapon, lines it on the door.
233B INT. KILRATHI SHIP - BRIDGE
The KILRATHI OFFICER utters a ritual phrase in Kilrathi. Subtitle's read: "I am honored to die for the glory of Kilrah, the Emperor, and the Empire."
Three Kilrathi react as the door's blown off its hinges! Thing spins into the room in an explosion of smoke steel.
KILRATHI OFFICER recovers, brings a clawed hand down on the self-destruct button. He's blown back by a laser blast as BLAIR, weapon lined and firing, rolls in.
KILRATHI WARRIORS return fire! BLAIR has to dive a way as the wall behind him is torn up. HE ends up on the other side of console.
WARRIORS close on him, weapons firing, slugs tearing into the console, ripping it to pieces.
BLAIR's POV: Massive, armored feet closing on his position from both sides, flanking him.
Last second, he rolls under the console, pops up, fires point blank into the back of a Warrior's head. Blast spatters tissue and crimson fluid on the wall.
BLAIR snaps around, tries to line his weapon on the second Kilrathi. Too late. Thing's right there. An armored fist knocks Blair's weapon away. Backhand sends him spinning back. HE lands hard on the floor.
WARRIOR looms over him, picks him up by his vest, lifts him off the floor, holds him up.
Four inch serrated claws appear in the thing's right hand. It cocks its arm, ready to strike...stops, lets Blair go, stumbles back.
Lodged in its chest is Blair's Pilgrim cross. BLAIR watches he thing fall to the floor.
MERLIN
Nicely done.
BLAIR pulls the cross from dead Kilrathi, wipes the blade.
233B CONTINUED:
BLAIR
Thanks for the help.
MERLIN
I'm a hologram. Don't touch the red button.
BLAIR looks around the room. On the counter he dove behind, he sees a black box with a score of cables emanating from it, some leading to a monitor that is scrolling numbers. A piece of the door lies on top of the box, partially obscures it. He can see the letters "NAV."
BLAIR
What thee hell?
BLAIR pulls the piece of door away, sees the words PEGASUS NAVCOM A.I. stenciled on them.
BLAIR (CONT'D)
They have the Charybdis jump coordinates, Merlin.
MERLIN
They have more than that. I'm picking up strong electromagnetic emissions from the panel to the right. It's a ULF signal. They're the Tiger Claw’s coordinates.
BLAIR moves to the big communications panel, ponders the strange script and numerical readouts.
BLAIR
What's the source?
MERLIN
...The Tiger Claw.
BLAIR
A traitor on the Claw?
MERLIN
It gets worse. It's encrypted with an executive level code.
BLAIR
Who has access to those codes?
MERLIN
Only Sansky and Gerald.
Panel flashes, and suddenly, the code numbers and letters start to scroll by at increasing speed.
MERLIN
It just went from ULF to Ultra High Frequency. The Tiger Claw just became a beacon.
233B CONTINUED: (2)
BLAIR
Every Kilrathi ship in the sector will be able to find her.
BLAIR reacts to a sound, spins around, sees GERALD standing behind him, weapon lined.
GERALD
You'd like that, wouldn't you, you treacherous piece of garbage. I'd should feed you to these things.
BLAIR
Looks like you'll get your chance.
(pointing at Navcom)
They owe you a few favors, don't they Mr. Gerald?
GERALD crosses the deck in several long deliberate strides.
GERALD
Mr. Blair...
He smashes Blair across the side of the head with the butt of his weapons, sends Blair sprawling to the deck.
GERALD (CONT'D)
I believe you just called me traitor.
GERALD lines the weapon on Blair's head, pulls the slide back, motions to the panel with a nod.
GERALD (CONT'D)
Turn if off.
BLAIR looks at Gerald. If it's not him, then its....
A hallow, very human laugh cuts through the tension.
TRAITOR (O.S.)
To think we came from you.
Both men snap around, react at the sight of the Traitor, weapon lined. He steps out of the shadow...
It's Admiral Wilson!
GERALD
Wilson? But the Pegasus? It was your command.
WILSON
Twenty years of service. Ironic isn't it? Twenty years, all to destroy the world that trains you.
His finger tenses on the trigger.
BLAIR
Wait!
233B CONTINUED: (3)
BLAIR lifts his cross, holds it high.
WILSON
Where did you get that cross?
BLAIR stands, cross held in front of him.
BLAIR
It was my mother's. She was killed at Peron.
Wilson studies Blair.
BLAIR (Cont'd)
I was five.
WILSON
My wife burned in those flames. When you remember Peron, what do you feel?
BLAIR looks at Gerald with a dead and deadly expression.
BLAIR
...Hate.
WILSON
(considers)
...If you're a Pilgrim, prove it. Kill him.
BLAIR nods, reaches for his weapon.
WILSON (Cont'd)
With the blade.
Slowly, Blair's hand moves away from the weapon. HE pulls the cross from his neck. A whooshing sound as the blade periscopes out. GERALD pulls an ugly looking fighting knife from his vest, assumes a fighting stance.
GERALD
I was right all along. Come on, Pilgrim, pass your test.
BLAIR and GERALD circle one another, blades moving in slow, almost hypnotic patters. BLAIR feints left and Gerald tries to cut him. Blades spark. GERALD kicks Blair. Blow knocks Blair off balance, gives Gerald the advantage. HE swings, cuts Blair in the arm. Two men circle. Then GERALD makes a mistake: with a head fake, he stabs at Blair. BLAIR catches Gerald's arm, steps in, and in a classic jujitsu move, sweeps his legs out. GERALD lands hard on his back, BLAIR standing over him, blade held high.
WILSON
Finish him!
BLAIR brings the cross down. But instead of digging it into Gerald, he throws it.
233B CONTINUED: (4)
Cross flies through the air, catches Wilson in the chest. He staggers back, slumps against a column. We can hear the hiss of his suit losing air. Inevitable death.
GERALD looks at BLAIR, approaches the dying traitor.
GERALD
Why warn Tolwyn?
WILSON
(weak smile)
The stars were the Pilgrim's destiny. Not Earth's, not Kilrahs.
With his last ounce of energy Wilson props himself up. In his other hand he holds something.
A grenade... With no safety! Wilson relaxes his hand. The firing pin spins off...
BLAIR
Shit!
Blair and Gerald dive through the doorway, just as a huge explosion envelopes Wilson and most of the room.
The two men get to their feet.
BLAIR (Cont'd)
(Turning to Gerald.)
Now do you want to know who your traitor is?
Suddenly DEVERAUX and Marines enter.
DEVERAUX
You alright in here?
They look back at the scorched bridge.
GERALD
Secure the fuel cells. Blair and I have some business to take care of.
245 INT TIGER CLAW - SANSKY'S QUARTERS
Blair and Gerald rush in, weapons drawn. Sansky is propped up in his bed, In his hand he holds SOMETHING.
GERALD
You were the best CO I had. Why?
SANSKY
Because, Paul, sometimes the role you play isn't the one you were born for.
GERALD
You've failed in both.
245 CONTINUED:
SANSKY
(Smiling ironically.)
Have I? A bad spy and a bad captain.
(close to death)
Give this back to Tolwyn, please.
Sansky gives TOLWYN'S RING to Blair -- then his hands fall lifelessly to his side.
Gerald picks up Sansky's HOLO-PIC, remembering better times.
CLOSE ON THE HOLO-PIC: A different angle on the Graduating Class Sansky is in -- At the podium is ADMIRAL WILSON.
GERALD, staring at the holo-pic, reacts to the intercom. Obutu's voice comes over:
OBUTU (V.O.)
Engineering reports that the Kilrathi fuel cells have been adapted. We have 60 percent power.
GERALD
Very well. Take us out of the crater.
245A INT. BLAIR'S QUARTERS -- TIGER CLAW
Blair is changing into his flight suit - Ready for the Tiger Claw's last hurrah. His hand instinctively goes to his chest -- but the cross is no longer there.
He pauses for a moment, noticing Tolwyn's ring. He pockets it and heads out the door.
251A INT. TIGER CLAW - BRIDGE. (PREVIOUSLY SC. 250)
GERALD and PALADIN stand, watch as the massive ship lifts up. OBUTU works on a shattered console. Blair and Deveraux wait.
GERALD
Prepare a drone. Input the Kilrathi jump coordinates. Send it through the Charybdis Quasar to Admiral Tolwyn.
(To Paladin:)
They should be able to target the exact location of the Kilrathi jump entry. It'll be over before they can get their weapons on line.
Obutu bangs at the console.
PALADIN
If Tolwyn's there, Mr. Gerald. If he's there.
OBUTU
Sir, we have a problem. Drones are off line. Executive over-ride.
GERALD
Sansky. Without those coordinates, Tolwyn doesn't have a chance and we're too big to slip past the Kilrathi and warn the fleet.
PALADIN
We'll have to send a fighter through.
308 INT. SNAKEIR - BRIDGE
The Kilrathi Captain reports to the Admiral.
KILRATHI CAPTAIN
Planetary torpedoes online. We will be in range in forty minutes. There is no response to the Rapier's transmissions. Sivar smiles on us. The surprise is total.
An alarm goes off. Through the dense green atmosphere, A KILRATHI RADAR TECH growls his report.
KILRATHI TECH
The Rapier is homing in one a beacon signal. It could be a Confederation guidance buoy.
KILRATHI ADMIRAL
Or a capital ship. Identify and report. Full battle stations.
308 CONTINUED:
Other alarms go off in the Kilrathi ship. On the Admiral's INFRARED MONITOR, he watches the Rapier--a tiny speck--head for the bacon.
329A INT. BRIDGE - CONCORDIA
Tolwyn looks out through the windows -- we can see the Tiger Claw -- and Earth.
Blair comes on deck, looking very tattered himself.
He salutes Tolwyn. Tolwyn offers his hand and smiles.
TOLWYN
Your father would have been pound.
Blair takes his hand.
BLAIR
I have something for you.
Blair takes Tolwyn's Ring from his pocket and hands it to Tolwyn.
BLAIR (Cont'd)
Sansky asked me to return it.
Tolwyn takes the ring. Behind the mask of command we can see the memories of past battles - friends and enemies lost.
TOLWYN
The wounds of civil war run deep. He was a good captain despite everything.
BLAIR
Did they locate Lt. Cmdr Deveraux?
TOLWYN
Paladin went out to search for her. We haven't heard from him since the Tiger Claw arrived in Earth space.
The comm chirps.
BELLEGARDE
The Diligent reporting. Commodore Taggart requesting permission to land on the Tiger Claw, sir.
Bellegarde is listening to the transmission.
BLAIR
Is she with him?
BELLEGARDE
Lt. Cmdr Deveraux is on board.
329A CONTINUED:
BLAIR
I knew she'd make it!
BELLEGARDE
Taggart is requesting an emergency medical team to meet him on the flight deck immediately.
The celebration ends quickly.
BLAIR
What's wrong?
BELLEGARDE
I'm sorry. The rest of the transmission got cut off as they entered the Tiger Claw's air lock.
Tolwyn looks at Blair.
TOLWYN
I think you're on the wrong ship.
Blair salutes and leaves. Fast.
| 
