WC3 Movie Index: Caliban
Kilrathi Ship - Thrakhath & Melek
Series H (winning track) - - Caliban Nebula. After narrowly escaping through an alternate jump point, the Victory is getting its bearings, having jumped to an unexpected location . . . another nebula.
MIDGAME: KILRATHI SHIP - THRAKHATH, MELEK (SERIES H ONLY)
08SPLN1
THRAKHATH PACES IN ANGER, HIS VOICE HISSING.
THRAKHATH
Explain to me how, even with their jump point masked, the Terran carrier escaped our grasp.
IF MELEK WERE HUMAN, HE’D BE SWEATING.
MELEK
To my deepest regrets, my liege, they managed to find another jump point outside the nebula where our masking techniques cannot function . . .
MELEK IS ABOUT TO SAY MORE, BUT STOPS HIMSELF. THRAKHATH GLARES AT HIM.
THRAKHATH
There’s more?
MELEK
-> (hesitant)
-------SEE SECTION 4
SECTION 4
We learned . . . only after it was too late . . . The Heart of the Tiger was one of the carrier’s
protectors . . .
THRAKHATH STOPS PACING. THIS NEWS HAS A VISIBLE EFFECT ON HIM: IT IS THE THORN IN HIS PAW.
THRAKHATH
The Emperor . . . must not know of the success of this Terran incursion.
MELEK
My thoughts exactly, my liege.
-> (beat)
The Emperor, of course, must stay focused on the larger picture: our ultimate triumph.
THRAKHATH
-> (beat)
Which, The Heart of the Tiger continues to jeopardize . . .
THRAKHATH PACES A FEW MORE STEPS, THEN STOPS. AND EVIL GRIN CURLS HIS LIP.
THRAKHATH
I have waited many, many years . . . And now . . . it is time . . .
-> (beat)
The trigger . . .
MELEK
An excellent plan, my liege . . .
THRAKHATH
Prepare to send The Message.
Details
- Source: WC3 PSX
- Run-length: 01:22
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Flight Deck - Cobra & Hobbes
FLIGHT DECK - HOBBES, COBRA (SLIDING) -> H0FDKHBS
BLAIR COMES UPON HOBBES AND COBRA - - WHO ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF A HEATED ARGUMENT. SHE SEEMS READY TO USE HER OWN “CLAWS” ON THE STOIC HOBBES.
CONDITION: IF Blair made it to G3:
COBRA
(furious)
Why didn’t you warn us that your kind could close jump points?
HOBBES
Lieutenant, I do not believe our shared enemy closed the jump point.
COBRA
Hey, I wasn’t hallucinating when it want off my screen.
HOBBES
Our esteemed Captain has theorized that the enemy cloaked the jump point. The characteristics of the nebula undoubtedly made this possible - - and explains why the Ariel system had been used for so long as a convoy passage. CONDITION: IF Blair did NOT make it to G3:
COBRA
You know the Ariel system like the back of your . . . paw. And you claim you had no clue of what was waiting for us?
HOBBES
No more that you, Lieutenant.
COBRA
You’re a liar.
BLAIR NOW STEPS BETWEEN THEM AND FACES COBRA.
Hobbes' morale UP:
Cobra's morale DOWN:
BLAIR
(angry)
Lieutenant, excuse me. Colonel Hobbes' loyalty is not to be questioned again. Is that understood?
COBRA STALKS OFF, WITHOUT RESPONDING: Hobbes' morale DOWN:
Cobra's morale UP:
BLAIR
Excuse me, lieutenant. If you have any hard evidence, I'd like to hear it in private. All right?
COBRA
Yes, sir.
SHE MOVES AWAY. BLAIR TURNS TO A SHOCKED HOBBES.
HOBBES
You have doubts about my loyalty, old friend?
BLAIR
Oh, come on, pal - of course not.
(beat)
Cobra's a good pilot. Hatred fuels that talent. It's something we can't afford to lose right now.
Details
- Source: WC3 PSX
- Run-length: 01:57
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Barracks - Flash
BARRACKS - FLASH (SLIDING - SERIES H ONLY) -> H0BARFHS
A SHELL SHOCKED FLASH LIES IN HIS BUNK, STARING UP.
*
FLASH
They can close the goddamn jump points! What’s next ?! I mean, they got us between their paws. It’s just a question of time now.
BLAIR
-> (beat)
We don’t know they can close the jump points. Theory has it that they just cloaked one.
*
FLASH SHOOTS HIM A LOOK.
FLASH
And to think . . . the only reason I’m here is because I lost a goddamn bet.
BLAIR
-> (smiles)
See where shootin’ off your mouth gets you?
*
Details
- Source: WC3 PSX
- Run-length: 00:29
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Gunnery - Maniac
GUNNERY - MANIAC (SLIDING) -> H0GUNMAS
CONDITION: IF Mission G3 success:
MANIAC GAZES OUT THE WINDOW AS THEY APPROACH THE CALIBAN NEBULA.
MANIAC
Well, ain’t we the lucky ones? Just jump from one nebula to another. Seems we’ve just signed on to the whole galactic nebula tour package. CONDITION: IF Mission G1 OR G2 OR G3 failure:
MANIAC GAZES OUT THE WINDOW AT THE DELIUS ASTEROID BELT.
MANIAC
(sour)
Ain’t we the lucky ones? First a nebula, now an asteroid belt. We seem to be flying in one damned obstacle course after another.
BLAIR
Well, look on the bright side, Maniac.
MANIAC
Which is - - ?
Maniac’s morale UP:
BLAIR
At least you’ll be able to find something to hide behind.
MANIAC
That’s funny. Maniac’s morale DOWN:
BLAIR
It ain’t any easier on the Kilrathi. They gotta navigate through it too.
MANIAC
(morose)
I dunno. Sometimes I think they got eyes in the back of their heads. Weird cat thing.
Details
- Source: WC3 PSX
- Run-length: 01:27
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Briefing Room - None
SPECIAL NOTE: The following Midgame is triggered when Blair enters the Briefing Room.
BRIEFING ROOM -> H1BRFXX
BLAIR ENTERS AND IMMEDIATELY HEARS AND ANNOUNCEMENT ON THE SHIP’S PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEM:
ROLLINS (V.O.)
Colonel Blair - - report to the bridge on the double.
Blair will then have to move through all the rooms (no other conversations will be available) to the Bridge . . .
Details
- Source: WC3 PSX
Bridge - All
Scene 84
MIDGAME: THE VICTORY BRIDGE -> H1BRIBL
WHERE EVERY VIDEO MONITOR ON THE BRIDGE HAS BEEN TAKEN OVER BY A CLOSEUP OF A GLOWERING, TAUNTING HISSING THRAKHATH.
BRIDGE PERSONNEL ARE SCRAMBLING ABOUT, TRYING TO CONTROL THE SITUATION.
BLAIR JOINS HIS FELLOW PILOTS - - WE SEE COBRA, FLINT, HOBBES, VAGABOND, AND VAQUERO AMONG THE CROWD.
Maniac and Flash should also be seen if still alive.
BLAIR LOOKS AT FLINT.
BLAIR
What’s going on?
FLINT
Our comm system’s been jammed and - -
SHE GESTURES TO THRAKHATH’S IMAGE ON THE SCREENS - -
FLINT
- - guess who’s behind it?
EISEN
-> (to Rollins)
C’mon, Lieutenant! Don’t tell me you can’t do anything!
ROLLINS IS MADLY WORKING KEYBOARDS, SLIDERS, AND SWITCHES.
ROLLINS
I’m trying, sir. But it’s like some kind of video-virus - - or should I say, ‘worm’? This looks like a major debug - -
SUDDENLY THRAKHATH’S MULTIPLE IMAGES ARE ACCOMPANIED BY THE SOUND OF HIS BOOMING VOICE:
THRAKHATH
I have read your Terran Bible, with its predictions that there will be a weeping and gnashing of teeth. It is about to be fulfilled. We will tear your tongues out, we will scoop out your brains.
COBRA
-> (whispering to Vagabond)
That ain’t all they’ll do . . . if they ever get their paws on us.
THRAKHATH
. . . You will be prime examples to the other races in the galaxy - - and clownish baboons for our amusement . . .
VAQUERO
-> (to the monitors)
For baboons, we sure have been gettin’ our shots in, Se–or Gato.
THRAKHATH
. . . Your race will suffer a thousand torments and more. Do not be emboldened by the presences of The Heart of the Tiger among you. Colonel Blair will be reduced to a pile of entrails . . .
THE VICTORY PILOTS REACT TO BLAIR BEING SINGLED OUT.
THRAKHATH
. . . I’ll see to it personally that you pay for every noble Kilrathi who has died at your hands in combat . . .
-> (beat)
I leave you and your miserable comrades to contemplate your ignoble futures . . .
HE BEGINS LAUGHING - - THE HIDEOUS, DEMONIC KILRATHI LAUGH THAT IS A LITTLE LIKE DICE RATTLING AROUND INSIDE A SKULL.
THE MONITORS FRITZ OUT IN FOUNTAINS OF RED, THEN GO DARK.
THE VICTORY CREW STANDS IN SILENCE FOR A MOMENT.
FINALLY, FLINT TURNS TO BLAIR.
FLINT
I didn’t know . . . you and he . . .
-> (beat)
. . . had a history.
BLAIR
-> (beat)
Yeah, Thrakhath and I have gone a few rounds . . .
EISEN
-> (raising and eyebrow)
He seems to have a special nickname for you.
BLAIR
That’s news to me, Captain. An ‘honor’ I could do without.
VAGABOND
You ask me, the cats are running a little scared.
EISEN
Perhaps our incursion into Ariel had something to do with that. Hobbes?!
FOR AN INSTANT, HOBBES SEEMS TO BE A LITTLE LOST IN THOUGHT . . .
HOBBES
Kilrathi believe always that war is psychological. It is a contest of wills as much as weapons.
VAQUERO
Talkin’ trash, is all I call it.
HOBBES
It is the politics of superiority. Not, perhaps, one of my race’s more admirable social constructs.
COBRA
-> (snorts)
“Social constructs.’ A pack of animals with ‘admirable social constructs.”
SHE WALKS OFF. HOBBES LOOKS A BIT CHAGRINED.
NOTE; This midgame has two possible endings:
CONDITION: IF this is Series E:
ROLLINS LOOKS UP FROM HIS COMM DESK.
ROLLINS
Captain, we have a Kilrathi force heading our way - - I think they came through that last jump point . . .
(beat)
And it doesn’t look like they’re runnin’ scared, sir.
EISEN TURNS TO BLAIR
EISEN
I’ll see you in the briefing room. CONDITION: IF this is Series I:
EISEN TURNS TO ROLLINS.
EISEN
I want every comm station up and running in an hour.
(to Blair)
I’ll see you in the briefing room.
ROLLINS
Yes, sir.
Details
- Source: WC3 PSX
- Run-length: 03:02
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Briefing - Caliban 1
BRIEFING H1 - EISEN -> H1BRFEI
BLAIR ENTERS THE ROOM AND APPROACHES EISEN.
EISEN
Ah, Colonel. I hope you’re not putting much stock in all that hot air Thrakhath decided to blow our way.
BLAIR
No, sir.
EISEN
Good. Headquarter’s pretty sure the Kilrathi has a special device in Ariel that enabled them to use nebular gasses to throw a ‘curtain’ over that jump point. Now, Confed thinks Ariel is the only system where they have this capability, since that’s where they carried on so much of their convoy traffic.
NOTE TO ORIGIN: a visual illustrating this “cloaking” of the jump point might be very good.
BLAIR
That’s good news. I don’t feel like running into may more closed doors.
EISEN NODS AND POINTS TO THE MAP TABLE.
EISEN (V.O.)
Obviously the Prince’s transmission was a good indication they’re coming after us, hot and heavy. so we’re going to split from our escorts once we enter this nebula, and you’re going to protect these two destroyers. Navigation has located a new jump point inside the nebula which we can use for our retreat once we’ve taken out enough of our pursuers.
-> EISEN
Give us your best, Colonel! Dismissed!
Wingman choices for Mission H1: Cobra, Flash*, Flint, Hobbes, Maniac*, Vagabond, Vaquero.
Details
- Source: WC3 PSX
- Run-length: 01:02
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Flight Control - Flint
FLIGHT CONTROL - FLINT (SLIDING - H2;/H3 ONLY) -> H0FCTFLS
BLAIR COMES UPON FLINT STUDYING NAV MAPS AT A TERMINAL.
FLINT
You know, my father hold very definite ideas about flying under these condition. He feels you can always find a way to fling the obstacles back in the enemy’s face.
-> (beat)
I got a holo-mail trans from him after Rollins got communications back up.
BLAIR
What’s your father flying these days?
FLINT
Oh, only a desk. Unfortunately.
Flint’s morale UP:
BLAIR
I’ll bet he wishes he was behind the ‘stick.
FLINT
Oh, you better believe it. It’s like an addiction, isn’t it? I mean, once you get hooked . . .
BLAIR
You know, I’d like to meet him someday. It’s guys like him who really wrote the book on how to fight this war.
FLINT
Well, he’d like to meet you. I told him I was flying with you and he was very impressed.
BLAIR
Really? Thanks. Flint’s morale DOWN:
BLAIR
Well, and he’ll probably outlive all of us.
Details
- Source: WC3 PSX
- Run-length: 00:57
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Briefing - Caliban 2
BRIEFING H2 - EISEN -> H2BRFEI
EISEN
Listen up, Colonel. As usual, we got our work cut out for us.
BLAIR
No doubt, sir.
EISEN (V.O.)
You see these Kilrathi fighters that have suddenly left the main flock? I think they figured out where the jump point is, and they plan on getting out of the nebula radio shroud to sound off about it to their main fleet command. You are to stop every last one of them from getting out and being able to send a clear trans.
EISEN
Good Luck, Colonel!
Wingman choices for Mission H2: Cobra, Flash*, Flint, Hobbes, Maniac*, Vagabond, Vaquero.
Details
- Source: WC3 PSX
- Run-length: 00:30
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Briefing - Caliban 3
BRIEFING H3 - EISEN -> H3BRFEI
EISEN
Let's get down to business, shall we?
BLAIR
I'm ready, sir.
EISEN (V.O.)
Get us to the new jump point, Colonel. Word is Confed’s got some other plans for us, and it’d be a shame to disappoint them. But since we’re moving such a large force, you can bet the Kilrathi will want to give us one of their noisy send-offs..
EISEN
Good Luck, Colonel!
Wingman choices for Mission H3: Cobra, Flash*, Flint, Hobbes, Maniac*, Vagabond, Vaquero.
Details
- Source: WC3 PSX
- Run-length: 00:26