WC3 Movie Index: Ariel
Flight Deck - Rachel
Series G - - Ariel System - - the Victory is assigned to be the core of a recon group making an offensive incursion into Kilrathi territory.
FLIGHT DECK - RACHEL (SLIDING) -> G0FDKRAS
AMIDST THE HUSTLE AND BUSTLE ON THE DECK, RACHEL’S MOVING A MILLION MILES AND HOUR. SHE SEES BLAIR COMING AND HOLDS UP HER HAND:
RACHEL
Not now, partner. All you jocks wanted recon work so bad - - now you got it, which means us grunts gotta bust our asses for you.
Details
- Source: WC3 PSX
- Run-length: 00:11
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Flight Control - Cobra
FLIGHT CONTROL - COBRA (SLIDING) -> G0FCTCBS
A SMILING COBRA LOOKS DOWN UPON ALL THE ACTIVITY IN THE HANGAR.
COBRA
‘bout time . . .
BLAIR
I don’t recall ever seeing that before . . .
COBRA LOOKS AT HIM, CONFUSED.
BLAIR
That smile on your face. It looks good.
COBRA
I can smell ‘em, sir. Now that we’re in their territory. All those Kilrathi waiting to die at my hands.
BLAIR
-> (raising an eyebrow)
Well, being on the offensive seems to have brought you out of that shell of yours.
COBRA
I didn’t become a pilot just to baby-sit bases.
Cobra’s morale UP:
BLAIR
We’re gonna kick some ass here. Cobra’s morale DOWN:
BLAIR
You gotta be pumped on all the missions, Cobra - - not just the ones you like.
COBRA
Point well taken, sir.
BUT SHE DOESN’T LOOK REAL HAPPY. .
Details
- Source: WC3 PSX
- Run-length: 00:49
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Rec Room - Hobbes, Cobra & Vagabond
This midgame would be triggered upon Blair’s FIRST entrance to the Rec Room.
MIDGAME (SLIDING): REC ROOM - COBRA, HOBBES, VAGABOND A1RECCB
LIEUTENANT LAUREL BUCKLEY - - CALLSIGN: COBRA - - IS AT THE BAR IN THE BACKGROUND. SHE HAS A BROODING INTENSITY THAT UNNERVES A LOT OF PEOPLE. SHE SHOOTS BLAIR A COLD, DON’T-FUCK-WITH-ME LOOK.
BLAIR FINDS A FRIENDLIER LOOK IN THE SMILING FACE OF LIEUTENANT WINSTON CHANG - - CALLSIGN: VAGABOND - - WHO’S AT A TABLE, SHUFFLING A DECK OF CARDS. VAGABOND IS A LAID-BACK, EASY-GOING CHINES PILOT, 30-45. HE’S A VETERAN WHO’S KNOCKED AROUND THE STAR SYSTEMS FOR YEARS, NEVER PUTTING DOWN ROOTS WITH ANY PARTICULAR SQUADRON.
HOBBES ENTERS FROM THE BARRACKS AND MOVES TO THE BAR. COBRA ABRUPTLY STANDS AND STORMS OUT, SHOOTING ANOTHER LOOK AT BLAIR AS SHE GOES.
HOBBES LOOKS EMBARRASSED.
VAGABOND
Hey, Hobbes, how ‘bout goin’ a round with me? Bet you a week’s pay on one hand.
HOBBES
Thank you, no.
HOBBES EXITS TO THE LIFT.
Details
- Source: WC3 PSX
- Run-length: 00:29
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Rec Room - Vagabond
REC ROOM - VAGABOND (OPTIONAL) -> G1RECVAO *
VAGABOND. WITH THE CARDS . . . AND THE SMILE.
VAGABOND
C’mon. Try your luck, sir.
BLAIR SITS DOWN. VAGABOND BEGINS DEALING. BUT BLAIR SHAKES HIS HEAD.
BLAIR
Don’t I get to cut the deck, at least?
VAGABOND
-> (laughs)
You’d be surprised how many rookies just ante up and look shocked when they lose their first pot.
BLAIR
-> (cutting the cards)
Well, they get what they deserve, then.
VAGABOND NODS AND DEALS. HE TRIES TO REMAIN CASUAL, BUT THERE’S OBVIOUSLY SOMETHING BOTHERING HIM.
VAGABOND
I hear we’re going after a garrison.
BLAIR
-> (shrugs)
I haven’t been briefed.
THEY START PLAYING. THEN VAGABOND LEANS FORWARD, SUDDENLY VERY SERIOUS.
VAGABOND
It may not seem like it . . .
-> (tapping his head)
. . . but my wheels are always turnin’. I fly better
when I know what the real objectives are. HQ’s got -> *
a bad habit of labeling every target a military
installation . . . even when they ain’t. -> *
-> (beat)
I like to be real sure.
Vagabond’s morale UP:
BLAIR
Hey, we’re the good guys, remember? We don’t go after innocents. That’s the difference between us and them.
VAGABOND
Well, it’s like the cards, see? A lot of people? They never ask questions about what’s dealt. Vagabond’s morale DOWN:
BLAIR
In this war? Everything’s military.
VAGABOND
(beat; darkly)
Not everything, sir . . .
Details
- Source: WC3 PSX
- Run-length: 01:19
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Barracks - Vaquero
BARRACKS - VAQUERO (SLIDING) -> G0BARVQS
VAQUERO SITS ON HIS BUNK, STRUMMING SAD CHORDS ON HIS ANTIQUE GUITAR. HE LOOKS PENSIVELY AT BLAIR.
*
BLAIR
Let me guess . . . You’re an RV. -> *
VAQUERO
RV, sir?
BLAIR
Recon virgin. First time behind enemy lines? -> *
VAQUERO
(nods) -> *
I think you always fight a little harder when you’re on your own turf.
Vaquero’s moral UP:
BLAIR
Enemy lines are just squiggles drawn on a map, Vaquero. They don’t mean squat otherwise. Don’t worry about it.
VAQUERO SMILES AND GOES BACK TO HIS STRUMMING. Vaquero’s morale DOWN:
BLAIR
Well, you know Vaquero, we have little choice in where we fight. Get used to it.
VAQUERO GOES BACK TO HIS SAD CHORDS.
Details
- Source: WC3 PSX
- Run-length: 00:45
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Bridge - Rollins
BRIDGE - ROLLINS (SLIDING) -> G0BRIRLS
ROLLINS RISES FROM HIS COMM DESK AND MOTIONS BLAIR OVER TO THE
SIDE . . .
CONDITION: IF group morale is HIGH:
ROLLINS
For once, sir - - we’re actually taking it to the cats.
BLAIR
Whaddya think, Lieutenant? Maybe we have a chance in this war after all?
ROLLINS
Could be. But I wouldn’t make plans for the victory party just yet. CONDITION: IF group morale is LOW:
ROLLINS
They said “join the Navy and see the universe” - - but I’d just as soon not buy the farm in Kilrathi territory.
BLAIR
(shakes his head)
Only you can read trouble into an offensive recon assignment.
*
ROLLINS
Yeah, well . . . My decodes from the comm traffic tell me we’re just flailin’ away here. This ain’t some great strategic stroke - - it’s desperation city.
Details
- Source: WC3 PSX
- Run-length: 00:53
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Gunnery - Hobbes
GUNNERY - HOBBES (SLIDING) -> G0GUNHBS
HOBBES STARES OUT AT THE STARS AND PLANETS OF THE ARIEL SYSTEM.
HOBBES
It is good, the missions we now fly. At last we take the battle to the enemy.
BLAIR
A little rockin’ and rollin’ is good for the soul, I guess.
HOBBES
-> (beat; thoughtful)
Strange . . . that despite the skill and courage demanded in flying, a part of the Kilrathi spirit is never entirely satisfied by interstellar combat.
BLAIR
You like it up close and personal.
HOBBES RAISES A PAW.
HOBBES
We are taught how to use these claws even before we can speak or walk. this seems . . . ‘savage’ to you? Primitive?
BLAIR
Killing is killing. Hot-blooded or cold. You’re one of the best pilots we’ve got, buddy - - don’t start second-guessing what you do.
Details
- Source: WC3 PSX
- Run-length: 00:52
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Briefing - Ariel 1
BRIEFING G1 - EISEN -> G1BRFEI
CONDITION: IF all Series E OR Series F mission played:
EISEN
part of the reason we’re in Kilrathi space is because of your flying, Colonel. You’ve done the Victory proud.
HE POINTS TO THE MAP TABLE. CONDITION: IF Blair grounded Flint in Series E AND IF Mission E1 was a failure:
EISEN
I’ve reinstated Flint. Keeping her grounded is not a luxury we can afford.
EISEN (V.O.)
Now, as you may have heard on the grapevine, we’re here to destroy this system’s military garrison. We’re going to have to fight through several waypoint: the enemy;s spread out, with patrols everywhere. Any ship that can escape to the jump poit will be able to alert the rest of the Kilrathi to our presence here.
EISEN LOOKS AT BLAIR.
EISEN
And that would mean we’d have to scrap this entire offensive. You’ll need to nail every last one of ‘em, Colonel.
BLAIR
Consider them nailed, sir.
EISEN
God, I love that boy’s spunk!
Wingman choices for Mission G1: Cobra, Flash*, Flint, Hobbes, Maniac*, Vagabond, Vaquero.
Details
- Source: WC3 PSX
- Run-length: 01:00
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Rec Room - Flint 1
REC ROOM - FLINT (SLIDING - G2/G3 ONLY) -> G0RECFL1
CONDITION: The following scene available IF group morale is HIGH.
BLAIR WALKS INTO THE REC ROOM AND IS GREETED BY FLINT’S SMILING FACE.
FLINT (TO BARTENDER)
Thanks.
FLINT
Hello, Colonel. Good to see you.
BLAIR
You’re flying high today.
*
FLINT
Word is, things are looking up for the good guys. ->
-> (beat)
You know, when I was growing up, my father -> *
taught us about other campaigns. Other wars. -> *
Weapons keep changing, but we can still learn from -> *
the past. Take the Trojan Wars. That conflict also lasted generations.
BLAIR
Now that’s the one that ended with the Trojan Horse, right?
FLINT
According to legend . . . But the important thing is that it did end.
BLAIR
It’s good to know conflicts like this don’t last forever. It just seems like it . . .
Details
- Source: WC3 PSX
- Run-length: 00:40
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Rec Room - Flint 2
REC ROOM - FLINT (SLIDING - G2/G3 ONLY) -> G0RECFL2
CONDITION: The following scene available IF group morale is LOW.
BLAIR WALKS INTO THE REC ROOM AND IS GREETED BY FLINT’S RATHER SOUR LOOK.
FLINT
So what’s your opinion, Colonel? Are we winning this war? Or just digging our own graves?
BLAIR
Flint, this war has been going on for a generation. It’s not going to end next week, no matter what you hear.
FLINT
Guys like Lieutenant Rollins? Nobody would listen to them if Confed was more upfront about things.
BLAIR
What’s this illusion that HQ has everything figured out.
FLINT
So we’re on our own up here?
BLAIR
Everyone for himself . . . Don’t look for a saviour coming from Confed Command.
Details
- Source: WC3 PSX
- Run-length: 00:33
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Briefing - Ariel 2
BRIEFING G2 - EISEN -> G2BRFEI
EISEN
Let's get down to business, shall we?
BLAIR
I'm ready, sir.
EISEN (V.O.)
This is the kind of mission I take special pride in. We’re going to play possum inside the nebula here. The Kilrathi use it to screen convoys coming in and out of this system, and the longer we can stay undetected, the more damage we can do. Again, we can’t let a single one of their ships escape. And I don’t have to tell you the kinds of hazards you’ll face trying to navigate in a nebula.
EISEN TURNS TO BLAIR.
EISEN
Only the best flyers can make the necessary adjustments, Colonel. I have faith you’ll be one of them.
BLAIR
I won’t disappoint, sir.
Wingman choices for Mission G2: Cobra, Flash*, Flint, Hobbes, Maniac*, Vagabond, Vaquero.
Details
- Source: WC3 PSX
- Run-length: 00:49
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Briefing - Ariel 3
BRIEFING G3 - EISEN -> G3BRFEI
EISEN
No rest for the weary, Colonel. Let's get to it.
BLAIR
As you wish, Captain.
EISEN (V.O.)
We’re packing our bags and getting the hell out of here, Colonel - - Intell has a hunch the Kilrathi are on to us. Get this ole barge out of this nebula and to the jump point, OK? And let’s try and keep a low profile - - I hate long goodbyes.
EISEN
Go to it, Colonel.
Wingman choices for Mission G3: Cobra, Flash*, Flint, Hobbes, Maniac*, Vagabond, Vaquero.
In the middle of Mission G3, it will be discovered that the Kilrathi have closed the jump point.
Details
- Source: WC3 PSX
- Run-length: 00:29