WC3 Movie Index: Introduction
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No dialogue.
Details
- Source: WC3 PC
- Run-length: 00:22
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Introduction
MIDGAME: KILRATHI IMPERIAL THRONE ROOM - EMPEROR, THRAKHATH, ANGEL 01THREM
A LARGE, GOTHIC, CATHEDRAL OF HELL: IN THE SHADOWS ALONG THE WALLS, CONFEDERATION PILOTS ARE HUNG LIKE PIECES OF MEAT. BEATEN AND NEAR DEATH, THEY CRY OUT IN PAIN AS KILRATHI SOLDIERS ROAM AMONG THEM, INFLICTING FURTHER TORTURE WITH STRANGE, HIDEOUS WEAPONS THAT COMBINE THE PRIMITIVE WITH THE HIGH-TECH. BLOOD DRIPS FROM THE TERRANS’ WOUNDS.
A CROWD OF KILRATHI PART, AS THE EMPEROR AND PRINCE THRAKHATH ENTER. THE EMPEROR TAKES HIS PLACE ON THE THRONE.
EMPEROR
The enemy has struck at the heart of our Empire. A puny contingent of their soldiers has been captured here on Kilrah.
CRIES OF SHOCK AND ANGER FROM THE KILRATHI THRONG. THE EMPEROR SILENCES THEM WITH A WAVE OF HIS PAW AND SIGNALS THRAKHATH TO BEGIN.
THRAKHATH
This incursion was an act of desperation.
HE GESTURES TO THE TERRAN PILOTS STRUNG UP ALONG THE WALLS.
THRAKHATH
The hairless apes now flail about, knowing that they are beaten. They have failed their race utterly.
A GROWLING CHEER GOES UP. THE BLOODLUST BOILS UP IN EVERY KILRATHI PRESENT (QUITE LITERALLY, IT’S THE LIONS VS. THE CHRISTIANS).
THRAKHATH
There will be no interrogation.
THE ROOM EXPLODES IN GROWLS OF SATISFACTION. THRAKHATH TURNS TO THE EMPEROR.
EMPEROR
Do what you will with them.
THRAKHATH GESTURES DISDAINFULLY AT THE PRISONERS.
THRAKHATH
Disintegration.
MOANS AND HISSES OF DISAPPOINTMENT.
THRAKHATH
Silence. My brethren, they are not warriors, but maggots.
WITH A FLICK OF HIS PAW, THRAKHATH SIGNALS AN EXECUTIONER WHO KEYS IN A CODE AT A CONSOLE.
THE SHACKLES RESTRAINING THE CONFED PILOTS ARE WIRED AND - -
IN A RAGING SURGE OF VOLTAGE AND BLINDING FLAMES THEY ARE REDUCED TO LITTLE PILES OF ASH . . .
IT AIN’T PRETTY . . .
THRAKHATH
Only one among them is worthy of being treated as a warrior. The one they call ‘Angel.”
ON THAT CUE, ANOTHER DISHEVELED AND BLOODIED PILOT IS ESCORTED INTO THE THRONE ROOM BY A HEAVILY-ARMED HONOR GUARD, AND THE BLOODLUST RISES UP IN THE KILRATHI AGAIN.
THE PILOT IS COLONEL JEANNETTE DEVEREAUX - - CALLSIGN: ANGEL. AROUND 30, SHE IS PETITE. THE WAR HAS NOT TAKEN ITS TOLL ON HER BEAUTIFUL BELGIAN FEATURES. BUT SHE WEARS HER DEFIANCE LIKE A SHIELD.
THE KILRATHI CAN BARELY BE KEPT AT BAY: FOR A SECOND, IT SEEMS SHE’LL BE TORN TO PIECES RIGHT IN FRONT OF US.
THRAKHATH APPROACHES, AND ANGEL LOOKS AT HIM WITH DISDAIN AS SHE STRUGGLES AGAINST HER CONSTRAINTS.
THRAKHATH
Still defiant, Major Devereaux? If we were to offer co-existence with your kind, would you not accept it?
ANGEL
The Kilrathi do not co-exist.
THRAKHATH
No. And now that the tide has turned in this war, your defiance is a pathetic and useless gesture.
ANGEL
You bore me, monsieur.
Disintegrate me so I might join my comrades . . .
THRAKHATH REGARDS HER WITH AN EVIL GRIN
THRAKHATH
Disintegration is not for you . . .
HISSES AND CATCALLS FROM THE SURROUNDING THRONG, WHO ARE LOOKING FOR A KILL . . .
THRAKHATH
Your fate will be different . . .
ANGEL REPLIES BY SPITTING IN HIS FACE. THRAKHATH GROWLS AND TURNS TO THE THRONG.
THRAKHATH
The human cannot appreciate the honor that I am about to bestow her.
She is not only a great warrior . . .
-> (beat)
. . . but her lair-mate is The Heart of the Tiger.
THRAKHATH TURNS BACK AND MOVES IN ON ANGEL WITH DEATH IN HIS EYES - - AS THE BLOODTHIRSTY CRIES FROM THE CROWD REACH A CRESCENDO. . .
DISSOLVE TO:
MIDGAME: EXT. VESPUS - PALADIN -> O2VESPA
COLONEL CHRISTOPHER BLAIR AND GENERAL JAMES TAGGART - - CALLSIGN: PALADIN - - MOVE TO THE EDGE OF A WIND-SWEPT BLUFF. THEIR EYES FALL UPON THE DISASTROUS WRECKAGE OF THE T.C.S. CONCORDIA, JUTTING LIKE A TOMBSTONE OUT OF THE SEA BELOW.
BLAIR’S OUR HERO AND LOOKS IT - - HANDSOME, SOMEWHERE IN HIS 30’S. HE’S FOUGHT IN THE WAR HIS ENTIRE ADULT LIFE AND CARRIES HIMSELF LIKE A SEASONED, SELF-ASSURED PILOT. EVEN NOW, AS HE GAZES AT THE REMAINS OF THIS ONCE GLORIOUS CARRIER, HE KEEPS HIS EMOTIONS IN CHECK, BUT HIS EYES BETRAY HIM, REVEALING A DEEP FEELING OF SADNESS AND LOSS.
PALADIN - - MID 50’S, OF SCOTTISH DESCENT - - IS A VETERAN PILOT AND HIGH-RANKING COVERT OPERATIONS OFFICER. HE AND BLAIR GO WAY BACK.
THE TWO WARRIORS STAND THERE A MOMENT, JUST TAKING IN THE DEVASTATION, THEN:
PALADIN
May they rest in peace.
BLAIR
-> (bitter)
Peace . . . Have we ever known anything like that, Paladin?
PALADIN
-> (beat)
Not for a long time, laddie.
BLAIR
First the Tiger’s Claw, now this.
PALADIN
Enough! You were not to blame for either.
BLAIR
Some would disagree.
BLAIR RAISES A COMM DEVICE TO HIS MOUTH.
BLAIR
This is Colonel Christopher Blair. Report to Admiral Tolwyn. The wreckage of the Concordia has been located on Vespus off the Mistral coast.
Evaluation . . .
-> (beat)
Total loss.
HE SWITCHES THE COMM UNIT OFF. PALADIN LOOKS AT HIM.
PALADIN
You can’t live your life for the approval of one man.
BLAIR LOOKS AT PALADIN, THEN TURNS BACK TO THE WRECKAGE AND STARES IN SILENCE FOR A BEAT.
BLAIR
Any word from Angel?
PALADIN
None.
BLAIR
Is that the ‘official’ line?
PALADIN
-> (beat)
I know how much she means to you, laddie.
CUT TO:
MIDGAME: TOLWYN’S OFFICE - CONFED HQ - TOLWYN -> O3TOLTL
BLAIR STRUGGLES TO CONTROL HIMSELF:
BLAIR
. . . Excuse me, sir. Did you say . . . the Victory?
ADMIRAL GEOFFREY TOLYWN LOOKS UP FROM THE BANK OF BUILT-IN MONITORS ON HIS DESK. BLAIR STANDS AT ATTENTION BEFORE HIM.
TOLWYN’S IN HIS 60’S AND IS THE DEFINITION OF SPIT-AND-POLISH BRASS. YOU DO IT BY-THE-BOOK, WITH MILITARY PARADE FLOURISH, OR YOU DON’T DO IT AT ALL. HE SPEAKS WITH A CLIPPED BRITISH ACCENT.
TOLWYN
Is there something wrong with your hearing, Colonel?
BLAIR
No, sir. It’s just that I . . .
TOLWYN
The T.C.S. Victory is a fine carrier with a long history of service to the Confederation.
BLAIR
Yes, sir, a very long history, sir.
TOLWYN SHOOTS HIM A LOOK.
TOLWYN
Ship assignments aren’t open to debate, Colonel. Of course, I realize that the ‘accommodations’ may not be what you’re quite used to.
BLAIR
No, sir, I didn’t mean to suggest that -
TOLWYN STOPS HIM WITH A WAVE OF HIS HAND.
TOLWYN
The Victory will benefit greatly from having a Wing commander of your stature and experience.
BLAIR
Thank you, sir, but - - can’t we at least discuss
the . . .
TOLWYN
Now that we have the Kilrathi on the run in both the Gardel and Morpheus systems, I can afford to shift you to the Victory in Orsini.
-> (beat; thin smile)
What I’m trying to tell you, Colonel, is that things are looking up. The Confederation has been making some very positive strides.
Dismissed!
BLAIR JUST STARES. HE HASN’T SEEN ANY EVIDENCE OF AN “UPSWING” IN THE WAR, BUT HE KNOWS BETTER THAN TO CONTRADICT THE ADMIRAL.
TOLWYN TURNS HIS ATTENTION BACK TO HIS MONITORS. THEN REALIZES BLAIR HASN’T MADE A MOVE TO LEAVE.
BLAIR
Sir, uh, about my . . . request --
TOLWYN
-> (frowns)
Yes, that came as a bit of a surprise to me. As you know, Colonel Devereaux’s status is on a need-to-know-basis.
BLAIR AGAIN STRUGGLES TO CONTROL HIMSELF.
TOLWYN
Your shuttle is waiting.
BLAIR
-> (angrily)
Yes, sir.
BLAIR SALUTES THE ADMIRAL AND WALKS OUT.
CUT TO:
MIDGAME: SHUTTLE - BLAIR -> O1SHTBL
Newsbriefs should be available to the Player throughout the game by clicking on vidscreens peppered throughout the Victory.
The following, however, plays NOW as a MIDGAME in order to show the contrast between Tolwyn’s “upbeat” attitude and the realities of the war.
(This Newsbrief also available in Series A)
WIDE SHOT OF CONFED HQ, SHOWING BLAIR’S SHUTTLE LEAVING.
Scene 4 CUT TO:
INSIDE THE SHUTTLE, WHERE BLAIR IS SEATED AND LOOKING AT A SMALL “NEWS-SCREEN” (SIMILAR TO A SUBNOTEBOOK OR PDA) ON HIS LAP OR IMBEDDED IN THE SEAT IN FRONT OF HIM. (THIS IS THE EQUIVALENT OF HAVING BEEN GIVEN A NEWSPAPER BY A FLIGHT ATTENDANT.)
Scene A4 CUT TO:
NEWSBRIEF 1 - BARBARA MILES -> O1NWSNC
A CLOSEUP OF THE SCREEN WHERE BARBARA MILES, THE FEMALE TNC NEWS READER, IS PRESENTING HER REPORT:
BARBARA
. . . Despite recent losses in several densely-populated sectors, Confederation spokespeople insist that Humanity maintains the upper hand in its galactic struggle with the Kilrathi.
-> (beat)
However, our sources document a consistent underreporting of Kilrathi incursions, as well as civilian and industrial losses.
-> (beat)
There are even reports of Confed plans for a ‘doomsday’ evacuation of Earth, replanting the seeds of humanity in a distant galaxy.
-> (beat)
The question is . . . who would go? Who would be left behind? And, most importantly, who is making these decisions?
DISSOLVE TO:
MIDGAME, SERIES A . . . THE SHUTTLE APPROACHING THE VICTORY . . .
Series A - - Orsini System - - Meet the characters and perform routine patrols, escorts and sweeps.
MIDGAME: SHUTTLE ARRIVING ON THE VICTORY -> O4SHPTL
THE SHUTTLE TRANSPORTING BLAIR APPROACHES THE T.C.S. VICTORY THROUGH SPACE. THE VICTORY IS A CONFEDERATION CARRIER THAT’S CLEARLY SEEN BETTER DAYS. IT’S AN OLD SHIP THAT MOST FIGHTER JOCKS WOULD THINK SHOULD BE RETIRED.
BLAIR’S SHUTTLE ENTERS THE HANGAR.
FLIGHT DECK - EISEN -> A1FDKEI
COLONEL BLAIR DISEMBARKS FROM THE SHUTTLE AND MOVES ACROSS *
THE FLIGHT DECK, DUFFEL BAG SLUNG OVER HIS SHOULDER. HE TRIES TO MASK HIS DISAPPOINTMENT OVER BEING ASSIGNED TO A CARRIER THAT’S SO RUN-DOWN AND OUTDATED.
A PORTION OF THE CARRIER’S CREW HAS ASSEMBLED IN RANKS TO WELCOME HIM ABOARD. BLAIR APPROACHES CAPTAIN WILLIAM EISEN, AN AFRICAN-AMERICAN IN HIS 50’S WHO HAS DEVOTED HIS LIFE TO THIS OLD TUB AND ITS CREW. NEXT TO EISEN IS BLAIR’S OLD FRIEND, THE KILRATHI DEFECTOR, COLONEL RALGHA NAR HHALLAS - - CALLSIGN: HOBBES.
THEY SALUTE BLAIR AND HE RETURNS THE GESTURE.
*
EISEN
Welcome to the TCS Victory, Colonel.
BLAIR
Thank you, Captain.
BLAIR’S SOUR LOOK DOESN’T ESCAPE THE SHARP EYES OF THE CAPTAIN WHO GRINS KNOWINGLY.
EISEN
Better known as “Tin Can Sally.”
HOBBES BOWS SLIGHTLY.
HOBBES
It warms my heart to see you again, Colonel. But I must excuse myself now, as your duty here takes precedence over our catching up on old times.
BLAIR
Thank you, Hobbes. We’ll talk later.
HOBBES SALUTES AGAIN AND LEAVES.
BLAIR GIVES HIM A LOOK.
EISEN
Yes, I know what you’re thinking: She’s no Concordia.
BLAIR
-> (beat)
Neither is the Concordia . . .
anymore.
EISEN LOOKS DOWN. HE KNOWS THE PAIN OF LOSS ON THAT SCALE.
EISEN
Yeah, terrible loss. My sympathies . . .
-> (beat)
However, you’re in my home now, and I’ll expect you to wipe your feet every time you come in . . .
BLAIR LOOKS AROUND. IT DOESN’T LOOK LIKE ANYONE WIPES ANYTHING AROUND HERE.
EISEN
-> (continuing)
I’ve been with the Victory most of my career. I was communications officer during her maiden voyage.
BLAIR
Well, sir, I’ll admit, I wasn’t looking forward to the assignment. But now that I see you have a pilot as fine as Ralgha nar Hhallas on your crew - -
EISEN
Hobbes? Yes, he’s my second-in-command.
BLAIR
-> (surprised)
He’s not flying?
EISEN
-> (uncomfortable)
At his request . . . I know all about his exploits with you, Colonel.
-> (beat)
But here no one will fly with a Kilrathi on his wing.
BLAIR
What about his exemplary record?
That must stand for something?
EISEN
-> (shrugs)
It was his request.
BLAIR
Captain Eisen, I’m not going to tell you how to run your ship, but I am going to insist that Hobbes is reinstated to the flight roster immediately.
EISEN
Well, that’s admirable, Colonel, but who
BLAIR
I will sir, (cutting him off)
I’ll fly with him. He’s the best wingman I’ve ever had.
EISEN SHRUGS AND NODS HIS CONSENT.
Details
- Source: WC3 PC
- Run-length: 11:22