The jerry-rigged plasma weapon (similar to the first time we saw it operate in the Prologue) is bathed in energy from Midway's conduits. It pulses and then ... FIRES!
EXT. MIDWAY (CG)
A SWIRLING BALL OF ENERGY PLASMA flares away from the Midway toward the transport in the center of the alien fleet. The BALL EXPLODES and BLUE ARCS of GLOWING ELECTRICITY crackle across the ship, which EXPLODES. The heart of the enemy battle group evaporates in a cloud of flaming_debris--a mini-nova of amazing force.
EXT. SPACE -- CASEY'S DEVASTATOR CG (IF NOT TOO CLOSE)
CASEY's ship outruns the blast and zooms past camera. The Midway is also badly shaken, but most of the enemy fleet is spectacularly destroyed. CASEY lands safely.
INT. FLIGHT DECK
Where CASEY receives a hero's welcome from MAESTRO, STILETTO, RACHEL, Finley, the CAG, Blair the CAPTAIN--all of our principal characters. They have a brief party, screams of jubilation, as everyone hugs CASEY, slaps him on the back, etc. Ad lib congratulations all around. Then FEATURE just Blair and CASEY. A heartfelt moment: CASEY salutes him. Blair returns the salute, then offers him his hand. They shake hands at first ... then embrace as the crowd of PILOTS and TECHS wash over them.
The jerry-rigged plasma weapon (similar to the first time we saw it operate in the Prologue) is bathed in energy from Midway's conduits. It pulses and then ... FIRES!
EXT. MIDWAY (CG)
A SWIRLING BALL OF ENERGY PLASMA flares away from the Midway toward the transport in the center of the alien fleet. The BALL EXPLODES and BLUE ARCS of GLOWING ELECTRICITY crackle across the ship, which EXPLODES. The heart of the enemy battle group evaporates in a cloud of flaming debris--a mini-nova of amazing force.
EXT. SPACE -- CASEY'S DEVASTATOR CG ( IF TOO CLOSE)
The blast wave spreads out from the wrecked alien fleet, endangering CASEY. His ship is battered, tossed, and burned. His fighter explodes. He dies. GAME OVER.
ZERO, STILETTO, MAESTRO and CASEY sit at the Wolfpack table. STILETTO: Give me a couple more of those plasma weapons and I'll carve out my own corner of the universe. MAESTRO: Looks like it's all over but the shouting. CASEY: I hope you're right ... Silence falls as the CAPTAIN and the CAG enter. STILETTO: Attention! CAPTAIN on Deck. Everyone begins to stand, but the CAPTAIN releases them with a gesture and they relax back into their seats, eyes ocused on the CAPTAIN and the CAG. CAG: Congratulations. We've cleared a path to the Kilrah jump point. next stop, the Wormhole Gate itself. The pilots cheer. The CAPTAIN signals for silence. CAPTAIN: We must assume our objective will be strongly defended. This job is far from over. ZERO: But, CAPTAIN, won't our new toy make short work of the remaining aliens? CAPTAIN: Unfortunately, Lieutenant, our new "toy" turned out to be a fire-and forget weapon. We fired it once and now we can forget about using it again. Commander Finley estimates that if we charge it up a second time, there's a 67% probability it will cause a fatal overload and destroy the Midway in the process. I'd rather not test those odds unless we absolutely have to (beat) Now we'll have to fight this next engagement the old-fashioned way-mission by mission. CAG: And that first mission will occur right after the jump to Kilrah System. CAPTAIN: Carry on. They leave, as MAESTRO et al look at each other in silence.
EXT. SPACE -- JUMP SEQUENCE(CG)
The Midway passes through the jump point to Kilrah ... Caption: Kilrah System
The doors open and CASEY sees the CAG and Blair in a heated argument. They don't notice him--as he stays back in the Rec Room doorway. Blair is partially decked out in flight gear, but he's not even fully zipped CAG: I don't care if you bullied your way back on the roster, you're still off the flight line. BLAIR: The CAPTAIN will eat you alive. CAG: The CAPTAIN lets me do my job. BLAIR: Then why won't you let me do mine? CAG: Because you're not ready. Period. BLAIR: The flight surgeon has cleared me, the CAPTAIN gave his okay, you're the only one who says I'm not fit to fly. CAG: I'm Commander Air Group. My decision is the only one that matters. Do you read me? The CAG exits to the Briefing Room. Blair slumps onto the bench, exhausted. BLAIR: I'm too old for this... (notices CASEY) And you're too damn young. CASEY: You really want to fly again? BLAIR: More than anything. I make a much better pilot than a staff officer. CASEY: But after what they did to you--? BLAIR: I want to make damn sure they don't do it to anyone else. He rises to his feet, gets weak, drops. CASEY catches him and helps Blair steady himself. BLAIR: (anger building) I fought the Kilrathi half my life. They were a ruthless, implacable enemy. But these aliens we're fighting now, they make the Kilrathi look like ... housecats. They have to be stopped. (beat) I don't care what the CAG says-I'll be doing my share. Period. He zips his flight suit and exits.
The doors open and CASEY enters the half-full room. The CAG is talking to ANDERSON as he takes a seat. Blair sits nearby. The CAG cornes to the Podium CAG: Settle down, people. Our next job is a simple one--reduce the Dreadnought's defenses. Primary targets are her turrets. Secondaries are her bridge and engines. BLAIR: May I make a suggestion? If the Midway launched a volley of training missiles in the Dreadnought's direction, we could distract her fire. Give our people an edge. The tension between the CAG and Blair 's clear, but she still manages a smile. CAG: And you think you're a bad staff officer?! BLAIR shrugs. The CAG turns back to the pilots. CAG: You heard the Colonel. Expect a barrage of training missiles-timed to the launch of CASEY's wing. Now, check your ICIS for mission details. They look down. Mission Data.
The CAG appears behind them as they move to decontam. CAG: Hang on to your gear--you're taking another pass at that Dreadnought. MAESTRO: (rolls his eyes) Can't wait. STILETTO: At least CASEY pulled her fangs. CAG: As soon as she's done with, we can make a run for the Wormhole Gate. SCRAMBLE ALARM. Everyone reacts. CAG:Go, go, go! The PILOTS run to the gangway.
The CAG appears behind them as they move to decontam. CAG: Hang on to your gear. You're taking another pass at that Dreadnought. CASEY: But I didn't take out all her turrets ... CAG: Can't be helped. As long as she poses a threat, we can't make a run for the Wormhole Gate. SCRAMBLE ALARM. Everyone reacts. CAG: Go, go, go! The PILOTS run off.
BEGIN on main screen and a CUTAWAY DIAGRAM of the WORMHOLE GATE. Its TOWERS are HIGHLIGHTED as we hear ... FINLEY: (OS) The Wormhole Gate's generated by seven heavily shielded stabilizing towers. They hold the rift open. The CAG, Finley and a roomful of PILOTS watch attentively. Colonel DEKKER and Blair are also in attendance. FINLEY: (CONT.) By destroying all seven Towers, the Wormhole can be made to collapse. FINLEY looks to the CAG, who continues. CAG: The Midway will retreat to a safe distance, drawing the enemy's attention, while two Vampires escort a Marine LC to the Gate's Command Center. Check your ICIS for mission specifics and assignments. CASEY, et al, look down at their ICIS.
BLAIR, CAG, MAESTRO, Maniac and the CAPTAIN mull over their options. CAG: Unless we shut down the shields on that last tower ... CAPTAIN: CASEY's wing can't close the gate ... MAESTRO: And an entire enemy fleet will Jump in our laps. BLAIR shrugs, seemingly unconcerned. BLAIR: We're just going to have to pick up where the Marines left off; Fly a man into the Command Center, here. He kills the shields and CASEY's wing kills the tower. MANIAC: Oh ... I can see this coming a mile away. MANIAC starts to ham it up, taking a superman stance and then shielding his eyes in a mock search. MANIAC: What we need is a bonified HERO! Excuse me ... are there any heroes in the house? BLAIR: You're looking at him. The CAG starts to raise an objection. CAG: This is not the time-- BLAIR: (over her) --AND--l've spent some hard time on one of their ships. I know how to find my way around-- CAG: And you're mad as hell and want to kick some alien ass. BLAIR: I'm the best pilot for the job ... and you know it. The CAPTAIN puts a hand on the CAG's shoulder. The gesture speaks volumes. CAPTAIN: (to the CAG) Patricia ... I think we need him now. The CAG is torn. But then relents. CAG: All right. But you're taking two wingmen for backup. MAESTRO and Maniac immediately step forward ... MANIAC: Just like old times. BLAIR: (almost smiles) That's what worries me. BLAIR taps a control at the comm station. BLAIR: CASEY-cavalry's on the way.
