SHOW OF FORCE
By William C. Martell



         EXT. USS STOWERS AIRCRAFT CARRIER -- DAY

         Over a thousand feet long, weighing 91,487 tons, home to
         3,280 sailors and 2,480 fliers, a city in the ocean.

         INT. READY ROOM -- DAY

         TWO DOZEN PILOTS AND RIOS (radar intercept officers) are
         briefed on their mission by CAPTAIN ELSTER.  Briarwood pipe,
         paternal manner; Elster seems more like a high school math
         teacher than a Navy air wing commander.

                               ELSTER
                   We'll be patrolling the No-Fly Zone
                   again today...

         One of the RIOs, HANK "JOKER" MacKENNA, raises his hand.

                               ELSTER
                   Yes, MacKenna.

                               MACKENNA
                   Sir, should we really be patrolling a
                   no-fly zone in airplanes?  Doesn't it
                   defeat the purpose?

         Some laughs from the others.

         MacKenna's pilot and partner, Lt. TOM STONE, shakes his head.

         Stone is a take charge career pilot, hoping to make CAG
         (Commander Air Group) some day.

         Stone has seen the worst there is, and never lost his cool.
         A pair of chromed 45 automatics instead of the issued 92F.

                               ELSTER
                   Let me address that: Though there's
                   been little recorded activity in the
                   region, we need to stay on our toes.
                       (puffs his pipe)
                   There's nothing routine about our
                   mission here.  Stay alert and stay
                   alive.

         When MacKenna starts to raise his hand again, Stone grabs it
         and pulls it back down.  MacKenna raises his other hand.

         Stone pulls that one down.  This goes on until Stone and all
         of the pilots are laughing.  Elster gives them a look. Quiet.

                               ELSTER
                   Tonight's movie is "Courage Under
                   Fire" starring Denzel Washington...
                                                                  
   2.


         INT. HANGER BAY -- DAY

         MacKenna and Stone give their F-14 Tomcat a pre-flight
         inspection, a brown shirted CREW CHIEF notes any problems.

                               CHIEF
                   You want to kick the tires?

                               STONE
                   I'm flying it, not buying it.

         Stone checks the nose gear, then gives the Crew Chief a nod.

                               STONE
                   I'll sign.

         Crew Chief hands him a big 3 ring binder, Stone signs.

                               CHIEF
                   It's all yours.

         MacKenna and Stone punch their fists together.           
       
         The last time they will be able touch until the mission is
         over.  Once in the plane, their lives depend on each other,
         but they can't even see one another's face.

                               MACKENNA
                   Did you get the optional liability
                   insurance?

                               STONE
                       (laughs)
                   For ten bucks we can bring this thing
                   back in pieces.

         "Joker" MacKenna climbs the ladder and gets in, Stone       
          follows.

                               MACKENNA
                   Remember, it's not just a job, it's
                   an adventure.

         OTHER PILOTS AND RIOS punch fists together before entering
         their planes.  It's a ritual onboard the USS Stowers.

         EXT. USS STOWERS AIRCRAFT CARRIER -- DAY

         A jet roars off the bow of the carrier, taking flight.

         The elevator brings the F-14 up to the flight deck.

         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

         Behind Stone, MacKenna goes through take-off check list.
                                                                  
   3.


                               MACKENNA
                   Wings spread and locked.  Flaps and
                   slats in take off position.

         Stone communicates with Flight Deck Control.

                               FD CONTROL (V.O.)
                   Tomcat seven one seven you're up next. 
                   Cat number one.

                               STONE
                   Tomcat seven one seven, cat number
                   one, copy that.

         EXT.  FLIGHT DECK -- DAY

         A Yellow Shirted TAXI DIRECTOR waves Stone & MacKenna's F-14
         Tomcat into position at Catapult #1.  The jet blast deflector
         raises behind the plane, and a Green Shirted CAT CREW member
         connects the nose gear to the shuttle with a shear bolt.

         The Yellow Shirted SHOOTER signals Stone to go full throttle.

         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

         Stone goes full throttle.

                               STONE
                   Full throttle.

         EXT. FLIGHT DECK -- DAY

         The Shooter raises his left hand, palm out, five fingers up.

         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

                               STONE
                   Afterburners.

         EXT. FLIGHT DECK -- DAY

         The Shooter salutes Stone, touches two fingers to the deck..
         The launch signal.

         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

         Stone salutes, and prepares for launch.

         EXT. FLIGHT DECK -- DAY

         The catapult BLASTS the F-14 down the flight deck towards
         the bow of the ship...

         But something is wrong.
                                                                  
   4.


         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

                               STONE
                   Cold shot!  Cold shot!

         The catapult doesn't give the plane enough speed to fly,
         just shoves it off the deck of the carrier

         The F-14 SPLASHES into the ocean.

                               MACKENNA
                   Damn!

         Stone on the radio.

                               STONE
                   This is Tomcat seven zero seven. 
                   We've had a cold shot, do you copy?

         MacKenna notices it's getting dark in the cockpit.

                               MACKENNA
                   Stone?

         EXT. USS STOWERS AIRCRAFT CARRIER -- DAY

         The bow of the ship towering over them.

         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DARK

         Stone looks through the canopy.

                               MACKENNA
                   We're gonna get run over!

                               STONE
                   Hold on!

         WHAM!                                                    
       
         The whole cockpit shakes as the carrier hits them...    
         Then presses them 33 feet underwater!

         It gets darker.                                          
       
         Water begins flowing into the cockpit.

                               MACKENNA
                   Tom.  Tom.

                               STONE
                   It's okay.  Hold on.  We're under the
                   ship.  It's going right over us...

         MacKenna is panicking.                                   
  
         Water is SPRAYING in under the canopy.
                                                                  
   5.


         Stone looks up...

         THE SHIP'S BOTTOM SKIDS OVER THE CANOPY only inches          
         overhead. 1,040 feet of ship!  Will the plexiglass break?

                               MACKENNA
                   Tom?  We gotta punch out...

                               STONE
                   If we punch out, we'll splash the
                   hull of the ship.

         The cockpit is filling rapidly with water.               
       
         Up to their waist.                                       
  
         MacKenna is panicking.                                   
       
         The underside of the ship SCRAPES over the canopy.

                               STONE
                   We aren't going to drown, Hank.  We
                   have oxygen.  Okay?

         MacKenna can't see Stone, can't touch him.               
       
         Both men are only a few feet apart, but alone.           
       
         Alone in the dark.

         Water level reaching their chest...                      

         Their necks...

         Stone lifts his oxygen mask to his face.

         Then they hear the noise.

                               MACKENNA
                   Oh God.  The screws.  We're headed
                   right into the propellers.  They'll
                   turn us into hamburger....

                               STONE
                   We're gonna be okay, Hank.

         But Stone isn't so sure any more.                        
   
         The cockpit begins to VIBRATE as the propellers get closer. 
         The water level continues to rise.

                               STONE
                   Just keep your head, okay?

         No answer.

         Stone puts the mask back on as the water covers his face.

         Vibration increases.                                     
       
         The cockpit spins and shakes as if caught in a washing
         machine. Flipping upside down and backwards.
                                                                  
   6.


         The 22 foot diameter propeller slices off part of the plane.

         Then LIGHT begins to seep into the cockpit.

         The stern of the aircraft carrier moves away from them.

         EXT. OCEAN -- DAY

         The F-14 Tomcat floats in the ocean, a gash in the fuselage.

         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

                               STONE
                   Hank?  Hank?

         No answer.  But the water in the cockpit is tinted red.

         EXT. HELICOPTER -- DAY

         A rescue helicopter hovers over the F-14 Tomcat, rescuing
         Stone, and taking MacKenna's body away in a basket.

         The rescue helicopter glides over the ocean.

         INT. HELICOPTER -- DAY

         A MEDIC makes Stone let go of Hank's hand so that he can zip
         up the body bag.  Stone looks at the bag.

         EXT. HELICOPTER -- DAY

         The rescue helicopter disappears.

                                                        FADE OUT

         INT. PILOT'S LOCKER ROOM -- DAY

         Stone, with a day's growth of beard, opens the locker labeled
         "Joker".  Fights to maintain composure as he packs MacKenna's
         personal belongings into a cardboard box.

         In the back of the locker, a drugstore envelope of photos.

         Stone closes the locker, closes the cardboard box, opens the
         envelope of photos.

         EXT. FLIGHT DECK -- DAY

         Ocean as far as the eye can see.

         Stone stands at the railing, flipping through the photos.
         Snapshots from shore leave.  Stone or MacKenna or the other
         PILOTS hamming it up.  Smiling.  Drinking.  Living.
                                                                  
   7.


         One photo shows Stone and MacKenna laughing, beers raised.

         Stone keeps this photo, tosses all of the other photos into
         the ocean.  The saltwater makes the colors run.

                                                         FADE OUT

         EXT. USS STOWERS AIRCRAFT CARRIER -- DAY

         The city on the sea.

         INT. READY ROOM -- DAY

         Stone is the only one in the room.                       
       
         A full week's beard, out of uniform.                     
       
         Captain Elster enters.

                               ELSTER
                   Stone?

                               STONE
                   Yes, sir.

                               ELSTER
                   Get yourself a shave.  You're back on
                   duty tomorrow.

                               STONE
                   Yes, sir.

                               ELSTER
                   Your new Radio Intercept Officer...

         JUDY BARTON enters the ready room.  She may be a beauty in
         civilian clothes, but in uniform: a tough, competent RIO.

                               ELSTER
                   Lt. Tom Stone, Lt. Judy Barton.

                               BARTON
                   "Thrasher" to friends...

         She holds out her hand to shake, Stone nods to her instead.
         He has BECOME stone, closing himself off from others.

                               ELSTER
                   I wanted to get you up in the air for
                   a test run tomorrow, but we've got
                   new orders... Something's come up.

         INT. GNN NEWS REPORT -- DAY

         PAUL PRESCOTT, Global News Network's top reporter, reads the
         news, augmented by graphics.
                                                                  
   8.


                               PRESCOTT
                   Today's top story: Peace in the Middle
                   East.  After years of work by the
                   current Secretary Of State and his
                   predecessors, a treaty involving every
                   country in the Middle East has finally
                   been hammered out.

         Graphic of the region, each country lights as it's mentioned.

                               PRESCOTT
                   Iran, Iraq, Syria, Jordan, Saudi
                   Arabia, Israel, Egypt, Turkey, Lebanon,
                   the U.E.A, Qatar, Oman and Yemen.

         Back to Prescott, with file footage of Presidents.

                               PRESCOTT
                   Tuesday, the Presidents, Prime
                   Ministers, and Rulers of over a dozen
                   countries will sign the agreement
                   onboard the USS Stowers Aircraft
                   Carrier under the supervision of the
                   President Of The United States.

         File footage of the Aircraft Carrier.

                               PRESCOTT
                   This will be an historic occasion,
                   rivaling the end of World War Two,
                   and GNN will take you there live.

         INT. PILOT'S LOCKER ROOM -- DAY

         Stone touches the locker next to his labeled "Joker". Hank's.

         Barton enters with her gear.  Her helmet says: THRASHER.

                               BARTON
                   Empty locker?

                               STONE
                   No.

         Barton nods, has to stuff her gear in a corner cubby.

         EXT. MARINE CAMP -- DAY

         The 24th MEU SOC Marine Base in the Middle East.

         INT. MARINE CAMP -- DAY

         A GROUP OF MARINES listen to Colonel RUPERT "Big Dog" CADELL,
         their Commanding Officer.  Cadell looks like a Basset hound.
                                                                  
   9.


                               CADELL
                   As with any assembly of this size,
                   there are security concerns.
                       (beat)
                   The 24th MEU SOC has been asked to
                   help augment the Marine Security
                   Detachment assigned to the Stowers.

         Among the Marines is MIKE LOGAN, a proud member of the team. 
         Ready to go where ever the send him and do what it takes to
         get the job done. Relaxed, confident. Logan knows who he is.

                               CADELL
                   This is good duty.  A front row seat
                   while history is being made.
                       (beat)
                   We'll be onboard the carrier for two
                   days, leaving at oh-six hundred hours
                   tomorrow morning.
                       (smiles)
                   Pack light, it's going to be crowded.

         Smiles from the men.

                               CADELL
                   Let's get a move on.

         Cadell and the Marines exchange salutes as they are
         dismissed.

         Next to Logan, Lance Corporal CHARLIE NEWTON, fresh from
         Paris Island and excited as a puppy.

                               NEWTON
                   Sounds boring to me, Gunny.

                               LOGAN
                   It's good duty.

                               NEWTON
                   What's bad duty?

                               LOGAN
                   Getting shot at in Mogadishu.

                               NEWTON
                   That sounds like FUN duty.

                               LOGAN
                   You don't know what you're talking
                   about.

                               NEWTON
                   Yeah.  But I'd like to find out.
                                                                  
  10.


         Logan is patient with the kid, explains:

                               LOGAN
                   Standing around watching history going
                   down, something to tell the grand
                   kids, that's the best duty there is.

         EXT. USS STOWERS AIRCRAFT CARRIER -- DAY

         F-14 Tomcat Fighter planes rocket off the deck.

         INT. READY ROOM -- DAY

         Captain Elster addresses the room.

                               ELSTER
                   Ladies and gentlemen, tomorrow the
                   USS Stowers will be host to a large
                   number of guests.  Members of the
                   Marine's 24th MEU SOC came onboard
                   this morning to provide additional
                   security for this historic occasion.
                       (puffs his pipe)
                   So let's review Security Alert
                   Protocol.

         Pilots sit next to their RIOs, except Barton and Stone. 
         They sit across the room from each other.  Stone is alone.

                               ELSTER
                   Some of our guests are elder statesmen. 
                   Possibly with health problems.  Should
                   one of them suffer a heart attack, or
                   should any other emergency develop,
                   we will go on Security Alert.

         Barton studies Stone... he's withdrawn.

                               ELSTER
                   A member of the Marine Detachment
                   will blow a whistle sounding the alert.
                       (puffs)
                   When you hear a whistle or a siren,
                   everyone on the ship, no matter where
                   you are, is required to shore up
                   against the nearest bulkhead and clear
                   a path for the Marines and emergency
                   services.  Does everybody understand
                   Security Alerts?  Any questions?

         Smiling pilot "KRAZY KAT" KOVAC raises his hand.

                               KRAZY KAT
                   Sir, are we going to be on TV?
                                                                  
  11.


                               ELSTER
                   Glad you brought that up, Kovac.
                       (draws on his pipe)
                   Some of you may be chosen to put on
                   your dress whites and represent the
                   Navy to the press and public.  I don't
                   care how long we've been at sea, I
                   just want you to look SHARP.
                       (puffs)
                   Be courteous to members of the press
                   if you bump into them in a passageway. 
                   Remember: You represent America.

         A little applause, as Elster steps away from the podium.

         INT. PASSAGEWAY -- NIGHT

         Stone walks through the passageway, bumping into a Marine...

                               STONE
                   Excuse me.

                               LOGAN
                   Sorry.

         Logan and Stone trade nods, continue in opposite
         directions.

         EXT. USS STOWERS AIRCRAFT CARRIER -- DAY

         The Carrier sparkles in the Arabian Sea.  Moving around the
         ship to a deck filled with uniformed SAILORS in white.

         EXT. GNN NEWS REPORT - ON THE CARRIER -- DAY

         NEWS CAMERA FOOTAGE shows Paul Prescott with SAILORS in dress
         white. The GNN "bug" in the lower right corner of the
         picture.

                               PRESCOTT
                   This is Paul Prescott, GNN News,
                   reporting live from the deck of the
                   USS Stowers Aircraft Carrier in the
                   Arabian Sea.

         EXT. FLIGHT DECK -- DAY

         Mike Logan, in dress uniform, watches Prescott and his CAMERA
         MAN compete with REPORTERS from other countries for shots.
                                                                  
  12.


         EXT. GNN NEWS REPORT - ON THE CARRIER -- DAY

                               PRESCOTT
                   Exactly fifty years ago today, the
                   Nation Of Israel was created, and the
                   Middle East was thrown into turmoil.
                       (beat)
                   The ongoing wars between neighboring
                   countries have been quelled several
                   times, most notably the November 6th
                   1956 agreement and the November 11th
                   1973 Yom Kippur war cease fire.
                       (beat)
                   Two years ago Operation Desert Fox...

         INT. WARD ROOM -- DAY

         Stone, Krazy Kat, Barton and other pilots sit in the ready
         room watching GNN News on a small color TV set atop a VCR.

         Krazy Kat rips the packaging off a blank VHS tape, then
         blocks everybody's view of the TV when he put it in the
         recorder.

                               PILOTS (O.S.)
                   Out of the way!

                               KRAZY KAT
                   Anybody know how to program this thing?

                               PILOTS (O.S.)
                   Kovac, you're blocking the TV!

                               KRAZY KAT
                   Man, history's going down a hundred
                   feet from here, and I can't even get
                   this VCR to work.

         Stone moves Krazy Kat Kovac out of the way, hits the record
         button, and sits back down.

                               KRAZY KAT
                   That's it?  It's recording?

                               STONE
                   Yeah.  Why don't you take a seat so
                   we can watch the show.

                               KRAZY KAT
                   Stone, you're my hero.

         Krazy Kat tries to give Stone a big hug, gets pushed away.

                               STONE
                   Stay away from me, Kovac.
                                                                  
  13.


                               PILOTS
                   Sit down!

         Krazy Kat frowns at Stone, hurt; finally sits, they watch
         GNN News Live.

         EXT. GNN NEWS REPORT - ON THE CARRIER -- DAY

         Prescott gives us the play-by-play as the events unfold.

                               PRESCOTT
                   As the Marine Corps Band plays "Hail
                   To The Chief", the President of the
                   United States takes the center chair.
                       (beat)
                   Behind the President is Rear Admiral
                   Ferguson, commander of this carrier
                   group.  Our host.

         ADMIRAL FERGUSON is a rugged Texan who looks like he'd be
         more at home on a bucking bronco than in dress whites.  Looks
         a little like John Wayne with a bandito moustache.

                               PRESCOTT
                   Through the work of the President,
                   Secretary Of State, and past Presidents
                   including Jimmy Carter, we will finally
                   see peace in the Middle East.

         INT. WARD ROOM -- DAY

         Stone, Krazy Kat, Barton and the Pilots watch the TV screen.

                               PRESCOTT (O.S.)
                   But none of this would have been
                   possible if Iraq's Saddam Hussein had
                   not been toppled from power.
                       (beat)
                   Without the support of the elite
                   Republican Guard, many of whom were
                   killed in the 1998 bombings, the crazed
                   dictator was forced to seek exile in
                   Libya, where he lives in poverty.

         EXT. GNN NEWS REPORT - ON THE CARRIER -- DAY

                               PRESCOTT
                   Today, the new Prime Minister of Iraq
                   will be the first to sign this historic 
                   peace agreement.
                       (beat)
                   Here he comes now...
                                                                  
  14.


         EXT. FLIGHT DECK -- DAY

         Mike Logan tries not to be blinded by the flashbulbs as the
         turbaned PRIME MINISTER signs the document.

         The PRIME MINISTER leaves, another DIGNITARY signs the 
         document.

         EXT. GNN NEWS REPORT - ON THE CARRIER -- DAY

                               PRESCOTT
                   Premier of Syria, Mahmoud Al-Zubi.....

         INT. WARD ROOM -- DAY

                               KRAZY KAT
                   He was on my bowling team.

         Stone isn't watching TV.  He's thinking about Hank's death.

                               PRESCOTT (V.O.)
                   State Of Palestine leader Yassir
                   Arafat, followed by King of Jordan...

         Barton looks across at Stone, worried about him.

                               PRESCOTT (V.O.)
                   Sheik Al-Maktum of the U.A.E, and the
                   Sultan of Oman...

         EXT. GNN NEWS REPORT - ON THE CARRIER -- DAY

                               PRESCOTT
                   The President of Egypt.

         The President of EGYPT shakes hands with the PRESIDENT of
         the United States, prepares to sign.

         When SHOTS are fired!

         EXT. FLIGHT DECK -- DAY

         The President of Egypt is hit in the chest!  Blood sprays!

         Screams and panic... more shots fired!

         The President of the USA is shot in the shoulder.       
         SECRET SERVICE agents cover him immediately.

                               FERGUSON
                   The President's been shot!

         Logan blinks away the flash from the flashbulbs, sees the
         KILLER: a middle eastern photographer from the press corps.
                                                                  
  15.


                               KILLER
                   Death to the infidels!  Burn the
                   Egyptians and American dogs!

                               FERGUSON
                   Get down!  Get down!

         Admiral Ferguson sees to the safety of the DIGNITARIES.

         One of the Marines blows the Security Alert whistle.

         SCREAMS and GUNFIRE as the Killer slams through the crowd,
         ripping the phoney plastic camera housing away from his gun.

         Mike Logan bolts for the Killer.

         INT. WARD ROOM -- DAY

         All of the Pilots on their feet.                        

         Krazy Kat moves closer to the TV, blocking the view of
         others.

                               PILOTS (O.S.)
                   Get out of the way!

         Krazy Kat moves, as all eyes are glued to the TV screen.

         EXT. GNN NEWS REPORT - ON THE CARRIER -- DAY

         The GNN camera spots the fleeing Killer...  Logan only two
         dozen feet behind him.

         The camera swings back around to show Prescott ducking as if
         in a war zone.   Screams and panic all around him.

                               PRESCOTT
                   Shots were fired by an unknown gunman. 
                   The Egyptian President has been killed. 
                   Assassinated.  The President of the
                   United States has also been hit, but
                   he appears to be alive at this time...

         More shots fired, more panic.

                               PRESCOTT
                   A group of Marines have chased after
                   the gunman, we're going to stay on
                   top of the action...

         EXT. FLIGHT DECK -- DAY

         General panic, screams, and confusion.

         Prescott grabs his CAMERAMAN.  They chase after the Marines.
                                                                  
  16.


         The President of EGYPT is pronounced dead.

         The PRESIDENT of the US receives medical attention from a
         pair of NAVY SURGEONS while Admiral Ferguson stands by.

         SAILORS stand against the bulkheads as MARINES run past.

         Other MARINES take charge of the situation on the deck.

         INT. PASSAGEWAY -- DAY

         SAILORS stand against the walls as Logan chases the Killer.

         A moment later, Prescott and his Cameraman run past.

         INT. ANOTHER PASSAGEWAY -- DAY

         The Killer turns left, running down an empty passageway.

         Logan takes a left, gun out, in pursuit.                 
      
         Followed by a half dozen Marines including Newton.

         A moment later, an out of breath Prescott and his Cameraman
         pause for a moment before making the left turn.

         INT. ANOTHER PASSAGEWAY -- DAY

         Logan and the Marines turn another corner...

         And are met by gunfire from the Killer!

         They dive back around the corner for cover, bumping into
         Prescott and his Cameraman.

                               LOGAN
                   We're in a security alert situation. 
                   Get your back against the wall NOW.

                               PRESCOTT
                   My First Amendment rights give me...

         The Cameraman starts around the corner, and Newton grabs him
         and pulls him back, JUST AS BULLETS fly.

         He drops the camera as he's yanked around the corner.  
         Bullets ricochet.

                               LOGAN
                   This is for your own safety.

                               PRESCOTT
                   Look, my Constitutional Rights...
                                                                  
  17.


                               LOGAN
                       (with force)
                   Stay here.

         Prescott finally obeys.

         INT. ANOTHER PASSAGEWAY -- DAY

         Logan and the Marines carefully turn the corner...       

         The Passageway is empty.

         They jog to the end of the hall, and around the next corner.

         INT. WARD ROOM -- DAY

         The TV screen shows the passageway, as Logan and the Marines
         turn the corner at the end.  Stone moves to his feet.

                               STONE
                   Wait a minute.

         Blocking the TV screen, he fiddles with the VCR.

                               PILOTS (O.S.)
                   Stone, sit down!

         Stone hits REWIND, then PLAY.

         ON THE TV SCREEN

         The Killer reaches the end of the hall turns right, when
         Logan and the Marines give chase, they turn THE WRONG WAY.

                               STONE
                   He's coming right towards us.

         Stone begins searching the Ward Room for a weapon.      
         Picking up a trophy from a showcase, heading to the door.

                               BARTON
                   Stone, what are you doing?  It's a
                   Security Alert.  If you go out there
                   you'll get written up.

                               STONE
                   He just shot the President.

                               BARTON
                   The Marines will get him.  Let them
                   do their job.

                               KRAZY KAT
                   Jeeze Stone, listen to her.  They're
                   gonna ground you...
                                                                  
  18.


                               PILOTS (O.S.)
                   It's a Security Alert!

         Stone ignores everyone, hefts the trophy, and pops open the
         door and steps out, ready to battle the Killer.

         INT. PASSAGEWAY -- DAY

         As Stone steps out.... WHACK!

         The Killer SLAMS him in the head with his gun and takes off
         down the passageway.  Stone shakes it off and gives chase.

         INT. ANOTHER PASSAGEWAY -- DAY

         Logan, Newton and the other Marines run down the passageway
         to the T at the end.  Left?  Or right?

                               LOGAN
                   This tub is a damned maze.  Anybody
                   know where we are?

                               NEWTON
                   Think we could get a map someplace?

                               LOGAN
                   Newton, Rutland and McGruder take the
                   port side, the rest of us will go
                   starboard.

         They split up, searching cautiously.                     
     
         Not knowing where the Killer might be hiding.

         INT. PASSAGEWAY -- DAY

         As Stone takes off after the Killer, Barton and Krazy Kat
         Kovac call after him from the doorway.

                               BARTON
                   Stone!  It's a Security Alert!

                               KRAZY KAT
                   Elster will throw you in the brig!

                               BARTON
                   Come back!

                               KRAZY KAT
                   He's freaking crazy.  The Marines are
                   gonna arrest him.

         Krazy Kat and Barton go back in before THEY are arrested.
                                                                  
  19.


         EXT. FLIGHT DECK -- DAY

         As the PRESIDENT of the USA is being put on a stretcher by a
         pair of MEDICOS, a pair of DIGNITARIES begin yelling at each
         other in Arabic.  Coming to the point of blows.

                               PRESIDENT
                   Stop... Please, stop...

         Admiral Ferguson puts his hand on the President's arm.

                               FERGUSON
                   I'll take care of it, sir.
                       (to the MEDICOS)
                   Get him to the sick bay.

         As the Medicos take the President away, Ferguson breaks up
         the impending fist fight between the two yelling Dignitaries.

                               FERGUSON
                   Gentlemen.  Gentleman.  Let's not be
                   jumping to conclusions about what
                   happened.  This will all sort out.

         The Dignitaries calm a little.

                               FERGUSON
                   If you have to fight, please don't do
                   it on my flight deck.

         One of the Dignitaries still looks mad.

                               FERGUSON
                   Let's not throw away a chance at peace
                   because of one idiot with a gun. 
                   Okay?

         Both Dignitaries nod, completely calm.

                               FERGUSON
                   Good.

         Ferguson turns back to the melee, taking control.

                               FERGUSON
                   This ship is on full Security Alert. 
                   Completely locked down.
                       (beat)
                   No one is allowed to leave their
                   present location until this gunman
                   has been captured by the Marine
                   Security Team.
                                                                  
  20.


         INT. ANOTHER PASSAGEWAY -- DAY

         Logan and his Marine Team creep down a long hallway searching
         for the Killer.

         Dozens of doorways, each with an address:                
       
         Odd numbers on the Port side, Even on the Starboard. 
         Numbering from the front of the ship to the back, prefaced
         by a two digit deck code (like 03 for Third Deck).

         At every doorway, a pair of Marines cover while Logan kicks
         open the door.  Tension.  Will they be met by gunfire?

         Door by door they search the passageway.

         At the LAST DOOR before the dead end, Logan KNOWS he has the
         Killer.  The Marines ready their rifles.

         Logan kicks down the doorway, spins inside.

         INT. MACHINERY ROOM -- DAY

         Logan and the Marines creep into the Machinery Room, using
         standard two-by-two cover formation.

         Logan uses hand signals to show a Marine where to search.

         Nothing.  Nobody.  The room is empty.

                               LOGAN
                   We lost him.

                               MARINE #1
                   What are we going to do?

                               LOGAN
                   Find him.

         Logan glides out of the Machinery Room with the Marines.

         INT. PASSAGEWAY -- DAY

         Stone hears the echo of footsteps in front of him.       
      
         Close.

         Stone pours on speed, turns the corner to the next
         passageway...

         INT. ANOTHER PASSAGEWAY -- DAY

         As Stone enters the passageway, he sees the Killer reach the
         end of the passage and turn right.

         Stone gives chase.
                                                                  
  21.


         INT. ANOTHER PASSAGEWAY -- DAY

         Paul Prescott creeps down the passageway... fully lighted by
         the video camera aimed at him by his Cameraman.

                               PRESCOTT
                   Someplace within this city on the sea
                   an assassin roams.  Possibly laying
                   in wait for the brave Marines sent to
                   capture him.

         INT. GNN NEWS REPORT - ON THE CARRIER -- DAY

                               PRESCOTT
                   There are miles of hallway on the
                   modern aircraft carrier.  Ten decks,
                   over two thousand rooms, a byzantine
                   maze of passages and compartments
                   with millions of places to hide.

         INT. ANOTHER PASSAGEWAY -- DAY

         Logan and the Marine Team begin clearing another passageway,
         checking behind every door, searching for the Killer.

         INT. PASSAGEWAY -- DAY

         Stone rounds a corner into the passageway.

         Where the Killer waits, gun ready!                       
       
         The Killer opens fire!

         Stone dives for cover: A doorway.                        
    
         Bullets ricochet.

         Stone looks down at the trophy, still in his hands.

                               STONE
                   Not much of a weapon.

         He tosses the trophy out into the passageway, where it is
         DECIMATED by gunfire from the Killer.

                               KILLER
                   Die you American dog!

         THE KILLER's gun runs dry, and he pops out the magazine and
         shoves in another, running backwards down the hall.

                               KILLER
                   Burn in hell, American Satan!

         When Stone peeps his head out, bullets splatter at him,
         forcing him back behind cover.
                                                                  
  22.


         INT. ANOTHER PASSAGEWAY -- DAY

         Logan and the Marine Team hear the gunfire.

                               LOGAN
                   Where?  That way?

         He and the Team start jogging towards the sound.  When they
         get to a corner, they spin around, following the sounds.

         Bumping RIGHT into.....

         INT. ANOTHER PASSAGEWAY -- DAY

         THREE HEAVILY ARMED MEN WITH AUTOMATIC WEAPONS!

         Guns are aimed, then Logan and the Marine Team realize they
         are about to kill NEWTON and the other two Marines.

                               NEWTON
                   Woah!  We surrender.

                               LOGAN
                   That way.

         Logan points down a passage, and the ENTIRE Marine Team take
         off, following the echoes of gunfire.

         INT. GNN NEWS REPORT - ON THE CARRIER -- DAY

         Prescott hears the echoes of gunfire (far away) and ducks. 
         Moving back into frame, he continues his report.

                               PRESCOTT
                   You heard that... The sounds of battle. 
                   A war rages within the bowels of this
                   battleship, and we will take you there
                   live.  Show you the assassin's capture
                   as it happens.  Only on Global News.

         Prescott gestures for his Cameraman to continue moving back,
         deeper into the aircraft carrier.

         INT. PASSAGEWAY -- DAY

         Stone hears footsteps echoing as the Killer runs away.  Pokes
         his head out, when it isn't blown off, returns to the chase.

         At the end of the Passageway, he spots a few spent shells,
         like Hansel & Gretal's crumb trail.

         Stone begins following the spent shells.  One every dozen
         feet, around a corner and down a stairway to a lower deck.
                                                                  
  23.


         INT. ANOTHER PASSAGEWAY -- DAY

         Logan and his Marine Team jog into a long hallway, trying to
         chase the echoes of gunfire.

         INT. STAIRWAY -- DAY

         Logan kicks a spent shell, which tinkles against the stairs.

                               LOGAN
                   Stairs.

         Logan and the Marine Team creep downstairs to a lower deck.

         INT. ANOTHER PASSAGEWAY -- DAY

         At the base of the stars, Logan sees more shells.

                               LOGAN
                   Wait.

         Using hand signals, he gestures to the doorways.         
       
         The Team splits into two groups to search the rooms.

         At every doorway, a pair of Marines cover while Logan or
         Newton kick open the door.

         At every doorway: suspense.  Will they be met by gunfire?

         Door by door they search the passageway, until Logan spots
         ANOTHER spent shell near the bulkhead door.

         He signals for the Marines to cover him as he opens the door.

         Tension builds.... He gets the door open, and there is NO
         ONE in the next passageway.  Logan relaxes.

         THE KILLER SPRINGS FROM AN OPEN DOORWAY and fires on the
         Marines!

         INT. GNN NEWS REPORT - ON THE CARRIER -- DAY

         Paul Prescott hears the shooting.

                               PRESCOTT
                   More gunfire.
                       (beat)
                   Onboard this Aircraft carrier are
                   over six thousand men and women... 
                   One of them a cold blooded killer.

         INT. ANOTHER PASSAGEWAY -- DAY

         The Marines take cover, and a firefight ensues.
                                                                  
  24.


         MARINE #1 rolls out to blast the Killer, but is shot.    
    
         Newton drags him bend a bulkhead, as bullets spark nearby.

         MARINE #2 is hit by a ricochet, and goes down.

         Logan and MARINE #3 move to either side of the doorway, then
         swing out, shooting, at the same time.

         THE KILLER retreats, chased by gunfire down the passageway. 
         Running deeper into the ship.

         Logan lifts his walkie talkie to his mouth.

                               LOGAN
                   This is Mike Logan, Marine Security
                   Detachment.  We are in pursuit of the
                   killer.  We have two men down, in
                   need of medical attention.  At...
                       (looks around)
                   I don't know where we are.

                               NEWTON
                   The door address.

                               LOGAN
                   Door address is 03-124.  I'll leave a
                   man behind, but the rest I'm going to
                   need to capture this guy.

         Logan returns the walkie.

                               LOGAN
                   McGruder, you stay here with Rutland
                   and Inwood.
                       (to the rest)
                   Let's go get this guy.

         INT. PASSAGEWAY -- DAY

         Stone hears the footsteps.                              
         Getting CLOSER.

         No weapon.                                               
       
         No back up.                                              
       
         Alone against the assassin.

         INT. ANOTHER PASSAGEWAY -- DAY

         The Killer slaps a new magazine into his gun as he runs.

         Fifty new shells... fifty chances to kill Stone.
                                                                  
  25.


         INT. PASSAGEWAY -- DAY

         Stone hears footsteps getting CLOSER, comes up with a plan. 
         Closing the main passageway door, he opens the door to a
         Machinery Room... a trap.

         INT. MACHINERY ROOM -- DAY

         Stone looks for a weapon, finds a wrench in a tool chest.

         He hides behind the door, waiting for the Killer to enter. 
         Holding his breath.                                      
   
         Footsteps getting closer.

         INT. PASSAGEWAY -- DAY

         The Killer comes to the closed door, almost moves to open
         it, then sees the open door.  An ambush?

         He readies his gun and creeps into the Machinery Room.

         INT. MACHINERY ROOM -- DAY

         Stone swings the wrench at the Killer.

         The Killer sees the movement and spins, deflecting with the
         gun.  Clang!  He slams the wrench out of Stone's hands.

         Stone grabs the Killer's wrist in his hands, pushing the gun
         towards the ceiling.

         THE KILLER PULLS THE TRIGGER.                            
    
         BLAM!

         Sparks from the ceiling shower the two men.

         FACE TO FACE, only inches between the two struggling men. 
         Loaded gun moving between them.

                               STONE
                   The Marines are right behind me...

         The Killer twists the gun barrel around to Stone's face.

         Stone grabs the gun barrel to press it away.            

         Sizzle!

         HE SCREAMS, as the hot gun barrel burns his palms.

         The Killer presses the gun barrel against Stone's left cheek. 
         His finger gets ready to pull the trigger.

         Stone grabs the gun barrel, pushing it up into the air.
                                                                  
  26.


         BLAM!                                                    
   
         STONE AND THE KILLER struggle with the gun.

         The Killer tries to twist the barrel down at Stone's face. 
         Stone tries to keep the damned thing away from him.

         INT. PASSAGEWAY -- DAY

         Logan and the Marine Team run to the Machinery Room.

         INT. MACHINERY ROOM -- DAY

         Logan and the Marine Team aim their rifles at the Killer.

                               LOGAN
                   Get out of there!  We need a clear
                   shot!

         Stone would LIKE to get out of there, but the Killer will
         kill him before Logan's team get off any shots.

                               STONE
                   Can't.  He'll kill me.

         The Killer twists the gun away from Stone... and kicks him
         to the floor.  Stone goes down HARD.

         The Killer aims at Stone, laughs as he pulls the trigger.

         BLAM!  BLAM!  BLAM!  BLAM!  BLAM!

         The Killer is hit five times by Logan and the Marine Team
         and goes down before he can get off a shot.

         Newton steps on the Killer's wrist and kicks the gun from
         his hand... The Killer mumbles something.

         That's when Paul Prescott and his Cameraman BURST into the
         room, camera light blazing.

                               PRESCOTT
                   The Marines have dealt swift justice
                   to this mad dog assassin...

         Logan gets ready to forcibly remove Prescott from the room.

                               NEWTON
                   Logan.

         Logan turns from Prescott.                               
       
         The Killer speaks his last words.
                                                                  
  27.


         INT. GNN NEWS REPORT - ON THE CARRIER -- DAY

                               KILLER
                   It is too late American Dogs.  The
                   war has already begun.

         The Killer's last words, broadcast LIVE to the world on GNN.

                               KILLER
                   Death to the Egyptians!  Praise to
                   Jordan!

         INT. WAR ROOM -- DAY

         Deep inside a missile bunker in the Zagros Mountains, GENERAL
         AQMED ZAHEDI watches the Killer die on TV.

                               ZAHEDI
                   A brilliant performance.

         Zahedi is the hard edged leader of his country's military,
         promoted for his take-no-prisoners attitude.   A man who
         loves both the strategy and the blood of the battlefield. 
         Never goes anywhere without his computer chess game.

         His second in command, URIBE, enters.

                               URIBE
                   The Prime Minister is preparing to
                   leave the American aircraft carrier.

                               ZAHEDI
                   Splendid.  Begin phase two.  Are the
                   planes ready for the first bombing raid?

                               URIBE
                   Yes, sir.

         Uribe salutes and leaves.  Zahedi glances at the TV as he
         continues winning his computer chess game.

         INT. GNN NEWS REPORT - ON THE CARRIER -- DAY

         The camera swishes away from the dead Killer to Prescott.

                               PRESCOTT
                   A dramatic declaration of war brings
                   this peace conference to a close...

         INT. MACHINERY ROOM -- DAY

         Whatever else Prescott was going to say gets cut off as Logan
         and another Marine grab them and toss them against the wall.
                                                                  
  28.


                               LOGAN
                   Security Alert means up against the
                   wall.  EVERYBODY against the wall.

         The camera slams onto the floor, shattering.

         Logan turns to Stone, still on the floor.

                               LOGAN
                   You okay?

         Logan grabs Stone's hand and pulls him to his feet.      
      
         This turns into a hand shake.

                               STONE
                   Sorry about breaking Security Alert
                   Protocol.  He was close, I thought I
                   could get him.  My mistake.

         Logan studies Stone for a moment, decides not to hassle him.

                               LOGAN
                   Okay.  But you owe me one.

         Stone nods.  Logan lifts his walkie talkie.

         INT. FLIGHT DECK -- DAY

         Ferguson watches a MARINE DETAIL turn the peace signing area
         into a crime scene.  His aide, GILBERT, taps him.

                               GILBERT
                   Sir, they've apprehended the killer.

         Gilbert: straight laced, never used profanity in his life.

                               FERGUSON
                   Have him brought to...

                               GILBERT
                   He's dead, sir.

                               FERGUSON
                   I want a full report.

         Gilbert nods, salutes, gets to work.

         INT. MACHINERY ROOM -- DAY

         Logan turns to Newton, who is searching the Killer's body.

                               LOGAN
                   What have you got?
                                                                  
  29.


                               NEWTON
                   No ID, no labels in his clothes; he's
                   still a mystery guest.

                               LOGAN
                   He had to have a press pass and
                   documents to get on board.

                               STONE
                   Unless he wasn't a member of the press.

                               LOGAN
                   Spill it.

         Stone bends over the Killer and lifts his hands.

                               STONE
                   Fresh manicure.  You know any
                   terrorists or soldiers who get
                   manicures?

                               LOGAN
                   Hey: Don't ask, don't tell.

                               STONE
                   I think he came as an attache to one
                   of the dignitaries...

         Logan laughs and shakes his head.                        
       
         That opens a can of worms.

                               LOGAN
                   I'll let you tell that theory to the
                   Admiral.  Sounds like trouble to me.

         Logan and Stone leave the machinery room.

         INT. PASSAGEWAY -- DAY

         Logan and Stone head to the upper decks to report to Admiral
         Ferguson.  When they pass Paul Prescott and his Cameraman,
         Logan barks an order.

                               LOGAN
                   Against the wall!  Now!

         Prescott and the Cameraman IMMEDIATELY put their backs against
         the wall, dropping whatever they were doing.

         After they pass Prescott, Logan introduces himself.

                               LOGAN
                   Mike Logan.
                                                                  
  30.


                               STONE
                   Tom Stone.

                               LOGAN
                   You know your way out of this maze?

                               STONE
                   No, sir.  I'm just a pilot.  You'd
                   have to talk to a Fireman or a Medic. 
                   They're the only ones who actually
                   know the whole ship.  The rest of us
                   just stick to our own little section.

         INT. FLIGHT DECK -- DAY

         Gilbert brings Logan and Stone to Admiral Ferguson.  Salutes.

                               LOGAN
                   Sir, how are my injured men?

                               FERGUSON
                   Stable.  They've got the same doctors
                   as the President.
                       (beat)
                   The President would like to thank you
                   personally, but he's busy trying to
                   keep this thing from becoming a major
                   furball.
                       (beat)
                   Declined anesthetics when they pulled
                   the bullet out, so that he'd have a
                   clear head.  He's got those Dignitaries
                   in the sick bay trying to keep this
                   peace treaty incident from becoming a
                   full scale war.
                       (beat)
                   What can you tell me about this killer?

                               LOGAN
                   No ID card, no press pass.  Tell him
                   your theory Stone.

                               STONE
                   I think the Killer may have been a
                   member of the dignitary's...

         Gilbert cuts him off, yelling at Admiral Ferguson.

                               GILBERT
                   Sir!  AWACs has picked up a squadron
                   of fighter planes heading towards
                   Jordan!  Looks like an attack!
                                                                  
  31.


         INT. COMBAT DIRECTION CENTER -- DAY

         The "war room" where information from the Air Traffic Control
         Center next door, as well radar and intelligence information
         is formulated into combat strategy.

         Admiral Ferguson, Gilbert, Logan and Stone watch one of the
         display screens, where radar shows a squadron in flight.

                               FERGUSON
                   What's their time to target?

                               GILBERT
                   Minutes.  No time to intercept.
                       (beat)
                   Jordan is readying their air force.

         Ferguson turns to Stone and Logan.

                               FERGUSON
                   Gentlemen, we're in the middle of a
                   war zone.

                               GILBERT
                   Should we evacuate the President,
                   sir?

                               FERGUSON
                   He's safer on the Carrier than on a
                   chopper in the middle of an air war.
                       (beat)
                   Keep all of the VIPs onboard, too. 
                   We don't want any accidents...

                               GILBERT
                   Sir, the President of Iran insists on
                   leaving.  He's on the flight deck...

         Ferguson looks at the radar image:  Egyptian planes flying
         towards Jordan... Saudi planes taking off from Riyhad... 
  
         A full scale war on the horizon.

                               FERGUSON
                   They'll be flying right into that.

         Ferguson bolts out of the CDC, Gilbert trying to catch up.

         EXT. FLIGHT DECK -- DAY

         The PRESIDENT OF IRAN and his entourage are boarding a Lynx
         Mk3 transport helicopter when Ferguson catches up with him.
                                                                  
  32.


                               FERGUSON
                   Sir, I'm asking all the dignitaries
                   to stay on board.  There's a full
                   scale air war out there.

         An ATTACHE holds Ferguson back as the President boards.

                               ATTACHE
                   Our country may come under attack. 
                   The President must be with his people.

         The Attache hops into the chopper and it takes off.      
     
         Ferguson and Gilbert cover their eyes from the prop wash.

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         The President of Iran's Mk3 helicopter zooms back to Iran.    

         Right into the air war!

         Dozens of fighter planes fly towards each other, ready to
         mix it up.  Camouflage F-16s zooms at green Tornado Mk-1s.

         The Iranian helicopter tries to fly around them, but...

         A black MiG-27 fighter zooms out of the clouds behind the
         Camouflage F-16s and roars at the helicopter.

         INT. MIG COCKPIT -- DAY

         COLONEL MAHED FARQUA, dressed entirely in black, targets the
         Mk3 helicopter, fires a pair of AIM-9 sidewinders.

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         The missiles roar away from the MiG.

         The helicopter tries to out run and evade the missiles. 
         Turning left, then right.                                
       
         The missiles match the moves.

         Heat seekers.                                            
       
         Closer.                                                  
       
         Closer.                                                  
       
         Closer.                                                  
       
         No escape!

         BLAAAAAAAM!  The helicopter explodes.

         The black MiG-27 disappears into the clouds.

         INT. COMBAT DIRECTION CENTER -- DAY

         The radar image of the Iranian helicopter disappears.
                                                                  
  33.


         Ferguson grabs the red phone, dials.

                               FERGUSON
                   Give me the President.

         INT. SICKBAY -- DAY

         The President, IV drip in his arm, listens to Ferguson's
         report.  Dignitaries crowd the room, fighting for peace.

                               FERGUSON (V.O.)
                   Sir, the President of Iran's helicopter
                   was just shot down.  Probably by the
                   Egyptians.   We have a full scale air
                   war out there.  Dozens of planes.

                               PRESIDENT
                   Admiral, let's see if we can head
                   this thing off at the pass...

         INT. COMBAT DIRECTION CENTER -- DAY

                               FERGUSON
                   Right, sir.

         Ferguson hangs up.

                               FERGUSON
                   The President is trying to patch this
                   thing with diplomacy.  Thinks he can
                   slick talk them into grounding their
                   planes until this gets sorted out.
                       (to Stone and Logan)
                   Gentlemen, your C.O.s are going to be
                   looking for you.  Looks like you're
                   going to see some action.

         Logan and Stone salute and leave the CDC.

                               FERGUSON
                   Who'd want to blast the President of
                   Iran out of the sky?

                               GILBERT
                   Iraq?

         EXT. FLIGHT DECK -- DAY

         Prescott uses his cell phone for a voice remote, while the
         Cameraman smokes a cigarette.

                               PRESCOTT
                   On the horizon, only a few miles away
                   from us, the sky is black with planes..
                                                                  
  34.


         INT. GNN NEWS REPORT -- DAY

         A photo of Prescott is supered over a map of the region.

                               PRESCOTT (V.O.)
                   ...as a full scale air war breaks out
                   in the Middle East...

         INT. READY ROOM -- DAY

         Elster briefs the PILOTS and RIOS.

                               ELSTER
                   We've already got at least two
                   countries flying against each other.

         Barton and Stone sit near each other, but not together.

                               ELSTER
                   So we're faced with the most difficult
                   of assignments: preventing this from
                   turning into full scale war.
                       (points to map)
                   Enforce the No Fly Zone.  Try to keep
                   each country's squadrons separate.

                               KRAZY KAT
                   Sir, what if this thing's a big hairy
                   furball by the time we get there?

                               ELSTER
                   Remember: Fire only if fired upon. 
                   Our job is to maintain peace, here. 
                   That's not going to be easy, but I
                   think we can handle it.  Let's go.

         Pilots and RIOs get ready for action.

         INT. PILOT'S LOCKER ROOM -- DAY

         Overly handsome pilot BILL "HOLLYWOOD" JONES notices Barton.

                               HOLLYWOOD
                   Who's the nugget?

                               BARTON
                   Judy Barton.  "Thrasher" to my friends.

                               KRAZY KAT
                   Hope you took your Dramamine.  The
                   Stone-Man's a flying fool.  Loop the
                   loops, rolls, all kinds of stunts. 
                   Wanted to run away and join the flying
                   circus, but we talked him out of it.
                                                                  
  35.


         Krazy Kat Kovac tries to get a smile out of Stone, hugs him.

         Stone goes ballistic, pushes him away.  Keeps pushing until
         he gets Krazy Kat up against the locker, an arm at his throat.

                               STONE
                   Quit the fucking gags, Kovac.  I don't
                   see "Joker" on your helmet.

                               KRAZY KAT
                   Just trying to keep things light,
                   man.  Help you get your grove back.

         Stone regains control, takes a step back.

                               STONE
                   I don't appreciate it.

                               KRAZY KAT
                   You don't seem to appreciate anything
                   anymore.

         Stone gets ready to slug him, but Barton pulls him back.
         Stone shakes her off and storms out.

         INT. PASSAGEWAY -- DAY

         Barton tries to catch up with Stone.

                               BARTON
                   Stone.  Stone.

         He doesn't even slow down.

         INT.  FLIGHT DECK CONTROL -- DAY

         CREW MEMBERS move model airplanes with tail ID numbers across
         a replica of the flight deck and hangar bay.

         Model planes are moved with precision and dexterity, an echo
         of the way the planes are being taxied and moved on deck.

         A model of Stone's F-14 is moved from the Hanger Bay to
         Elevator #2, and a color-coded metal nut is placed on the
         model to note that it is preparing to take off.

         INT. HANGER BAY -- DAY

         Barton and Stone give their F-14 Tomcat a pre-flight
         inspection, a brown shirted CREW CHIEF notes any problems. 
         Stone checks EVERYTHING... paranoid about flying.

                               CHIEF
                   You want to kick the tires?
                                                                  
  36.


                               STONE
                   No.

         Stone checks the nose gear, then gives the Crew Chief a nod.

                               STONE
                   I'll sign.

         Stone signs off for the plane.

                               CHIEF
                   It's all yours.

         OTHER PILOTS AND RIOS punch fists together before entering
         their planes.  Stone doesn't punch Barton's fist.  She feels
         like a third wheel... Stone, MacKenna's Ghost, Judy Barton.

                               BARTON
                   We've kicked the tires, let's light
                   the fires.

         No response from Stone, so Barton climbs the ladder.    

         Stone takes a deep breath, and follows.

         EXT. USS STOWERS AIRCRAFT CARRIER -- DAY

         A jet roars off the bow of the carrier, taking flight.

         The elevator brings the F-14 up to the flight deck.

         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

         The photo of Stone & MacKenna on Stone's flight clip board.
         Behind Stone, Barton goes through take-off check list.

                               BARTON
                   Wings spread and locked.  Flaps and 
                   slats in take off position.

         Stone communicates with Flight Deck Control.

                               FD CONTROL (V.O.)
                   Tomcat seven one seven you're up next. 
                   Cat number one.

                               STONE
                   Tomcat seven one seven, cat number
                   one, copy that.

         EXT.  FLIGHT DECK -- DAY

         A Yellow Shirted TAXI DIRECTOR waves Stone and Barton's F-14
         Tomcat into position at Catapult #1.
                                                                  
  37.


         The jet blast deflector raises behind the plane, and a Green
         Shirted CAT CREW member connects the nose gear to the shuttle
         with a shear bolt.

         The Yellow Shirted SHOOTER signals Stone to go full throttle.

         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

         Stone goes full throttle.  Every step brings him closer to
         what he fears most... another cold shot.

                               STONE
                   Full throttle.

         EXT. FLIGHT DECK -- DAY

         The Shooter raises his left hand, palm out, five fingers up.

         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

                               STONE
                   Afterburners.

         EXT. FLIGHT DECK -- DAY

         The Shooter salutes Stone, then touches two fingers to the
         deck... the launch signal.

         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

         Stone salutes, and prepares for launch.  The moment of truth.
         Glances down at the photo of Hank.

         EXT. FLIGHT DECK -- DAY

         The catapult BLASTS the F-14 down the flight deck towards
         the bow of the ship... But something is wrong.

                               BARTON
                   Stone... Adjust the flaps.  Stone?

         Stone snaps out of it and makes the adjustment.

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         The F-14 stabilizes, and zooms away from the Carrier.

         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

         Stone relaxes, still alive.
                                                                  
  38.


         INT. FLIGHT DECK CONTROL -- DAY

         The Model Plane with Stone & Barton's tail number is moved
         off the ship, onto the playing field.

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         Four F-14s flying in the "Fluid four" formation.

         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

         Stone radios Ferguson.

                               STONE
                   Base, this is Blue Leader.  Our target
                   is still BVR, requesting bogey dope.

         INT. COMBAT DIRECTION CENTER -- DAY

         Ferguson studies the latest CIS Satellite photo.

                               FERGUSON
                   Blue Leader, this is base.  Target
                   heading is one zero niner at eight.

         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

                               STONE
                   Copy that, base.

         Stone talks to Barton.

                               STONE
                   Anything on the box?

                               BARTON
                   Got 'em.  Radar contact at one zero
                   niner at angels thirty.  A dozen
                   planes... Not getting any IFF readings.

                               STONE
                   Copy that.  Keep playing with your
                   dolly.  This could get hairy.

         Barton nods and goes back to the "Dolly", a data-link to the
         CDC which receives targeting information.

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         The planes fly.

         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

         Stone communicates with the other pilots.
                                                                  
  39.


                               STONE
                   Blue Squadron this is Blue Leader. 
                   Time To Target: just over two minutes.
                       (beat)
                   Blue Three is eyeball.  Hollywood,
                   try not to fall asleep this time.

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         Hollywood's F-14 zooms into position.

         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

                               HOLLYWOOD
                       (laughs)
                   Copy that Blue Leader.

         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

                               BARTON
                   Krazy Kat's your wingman, he should
                   be eyeball...

                               STONE
                       (ignores her)
                   Blue four is shooter.  Remember, we're
                   trying to stop a war, Gremlin, not
                   start one.

                               GREMLIN (V.O.)
                   Blue Four copies.  We come in peace.

                               STONE
                   Blue Two is shooter number two.

         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

         Krazy Kat is unhappy with his assignment.

                               KRAZY KAT
                   Blue Two copies.

         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

         Barton gets a blip on her screen.

                               BARTON
                   We've got Bandits at four o'clock
                   medium.  A dozen cammy planes, Egyptian
                   markings, flying West...

                               STONE
                   Egypt's to our east..
                                                                  
  40.


                               BARTON
                   Flying West...

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         The Camouflage F-16 fighter planes roar past.

         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

         Hollywood sights the planes.

                               HOLLYWOOD
                   Tally ho, twelve bandits, four O'clock.

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         The Camouflage planes are flying towards...

         TEN JORDANIAN MIRAGE 3 FIGHTER PLANES!

         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

         Barton nodes another group of blips on her radar screen,
         looks up to see...

                               BARTON
                   Tally ho!  Second target.  Ten Mirage
                   3s at ten o'clock, closing fast!

                               STONE
                   Base, this is Blue Leader.  We're
                   right in the middle of a luffberry. 
                   A pair of gorillas.  Please advise.

         But Stone doesn't have time to wait for an answer, he pulls
         up, just as the Mirages meet the Camouflage jets.

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         The Mirages and the Camouflage jets mix it up.

         EXT. USS STOWERS AIRCRAFT CARRIER -- DAY

         The city on the sea, war on the horizon.

         INT. COMBAT DIRECTION CENTER -- DAY

         Ferguson watches the big board's blip-display of the air
         battle, when Gilbert hangs up the red phone, turns to him.

                               GILBERT
                   Sir.
                               (MORE)
                                                                  
  41.


                               GILBERT (CONT'D)
                   The Egyptian delegate has assured the
                   President that they have no planes in
                   the air.  They have not, repeat NOT
                   retaliated in any way....

         Ferguson grabs the microphone.

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         The F-14s fly over...

         The clash of Mirages and Camouflage F-16 fighter planes.

         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

                               FERGUSON (V.O.)
                   Blue Leader, this is base.  Confirm
                   markings on Target One aircraft.

                               STONE
                   Egyptian markings... But we're getting
                   no IFF signal, sir.

                               BARTON
                   It's like they strangled their parrot. 
                   They've shut off their transponders
                   so we can't tell who they are.

                               FERGUSON (V.O.)
                   Copy that, Blue Leader.
                       (beat)
                   Egypt says those are NOT, I repeat
                   NOT their planes.  Some sort of spoof. 
                   Pull back until we get this whole
                   thing sorted out.

                               STONE
                   Copy that, Base.
                       (beat)
                   Hear that Blue Team?  Do not engage...
                   Bugout and head back to base.

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         Two of the F-14s flying next to each other.

                               KRAZY KAT (V.O.)
                   Blue Two bugging out.

                               HOLLYWOOD (V.O.)
                   Blue Three bugging back to base.
                                                                  
  42.


                               GREMLIN (V.O.)
                   Blue Four copies.

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         One of the Camouflage planes zips past a Mirage and pulls
         out of the skirmish, flying away.

         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

                               BARTON
                   Stone, I've got a straggler Cammy,
                   just broke left and is flying east at
                   one twenty, angels forty five.

         Stone spots the straggler.

                               STONE
                   Tally ho.
                       (on radio)
                   Base, I'm shadowing one of the Bandits. 
                   Going over the fence.  Breaking radio
                   contact.

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         The Camouflage plane zooms through the clouds...

         The F-14 zooms through the clouds behind it.  Following.

         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

                               STONE
                   We still naked?

                               BARTON
                   No indication he knows we're here. 
                   No spikes, no squawks.

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         The Camouflage Fighter changes course.

         The F-14 follows, maintaining cloud cover.

         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

                               BARTON
                   Heading south at one fifty, angels
                   forty five.

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         The Camouflage F-16 changes course once again.
                                                                  
  43.


         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

                               BARTON
                   He's changed course again.  Heading
                   west at ninety six...

                               STONE
                   Where the hell's he going?

                               BARTON
                   Do you think he's lost?

                               STONE
                   He acts like a man with a plan. Problem
                   is:  We don't know what the plan is.

                               BARTON
                   He's flying in circles.

                               STONE
                   To make sure no one's following him?

                               BARTON
                   Stone.  He's heading towards the
                   carrier group.

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         The Camouflage Fighter roars through the sky.

         The F-14 Tomcat zooms through the clouds behind it.

         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

         Stone radios base.

                               STONE
                   Paddles this is seven zero seven,
                   Blue Leader, headed back to home plate.

                               LSO (V.O.)
                   We'll clear a place for you.

                               STONE
                   I have an unwanted guest preceeding
                   me, you might want to hide the silver
                   and break out the guns.

                               LSO (V.O.)
                   Copy that.
                                                                  
  44.


         EXT. USS STOWERS AIRCRAFT CARRIER -- DAY

         The Aircraft Carrier in the shimmering ocean, surrounded by
         two cruisers, four fast frigates, a three ship Marine
         Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), and an oiler/tender.

         INT. COMBAT DIRECTION CENTER -- DAY

         Ferguson turns to Gilbert

                               FERGUSON
                   Sound General Quarters.

                               GILBERT
                   Aye, Admiral.  Sound General Quarters.

         INT. READY ROOM -- DAY

         The General Quarters Alarm sounds, and people start moving.

         INT. PASSAGEWAY -- DAY

         Sailors run down the passageways, grabbing helmets, getting
         ready for action.  The speakers onboard ship announce:

                               SPEAKER (V.O.)
                   General Quarters, General Quarters. 
                   Man your battle stations.

         EXT. GUN TURRET -- DAY

         A helmeted GUN CREW man one of the 4 Phalanx 20mm Gatling
         Guns on a turret just below the flight deck.

                               SPEAKER (V.O.)
                   Time minus two minutes.

         INT. COMBAT DIRECTION CENTER -- DAY

         Gilbert turns to Ferguson.

                               GILBERT
                   All stations are manned and ready.

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         The Cammy jet zooms at top speed towards the carrier group.

         INT. COMBAT DIRECTION CENTER -- DAY

         Gilbert looks up from the radar.

                               GILBERT
                   Twenty miles and closing fast.
                                                                  
  45.


         Elster gets on the radio.

                               ELSTER
                   Stone?

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         The F-14 Tomcat zooms through the clouds at top speed.

         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

                               STONE
                   In pursuit.  Bandit is still BVR.

                               BARTON
                   Got him on FLIR.  Five miles at our
                   12 O'clock.  Moving fast.

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         The Camouflage F-16 jet zooms closer to the Carrier Group.

         INT. COMBAT DIRECTION CENTER -- DAY

                               GILBERT
                   Fifteen miles and closing.

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         The F-14 zooms in pursuit of the Camouflage jet.

         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

         Barton watches her monitors.

                               BARTON
                   He's still five miles ahead of us. 
                   Won't this thing go any faster?

         Stone puts the pedal to the metal.                       
       
         Then he notices the fuel gauge... Not looking good.

                               STONE
                   We're almost out of playtime.

                               BARTON
                   Can't bingo if this guy blasts the
                   ship.

                               STONE
                   I hear you.
                                                                  
  46.


         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         The F-14 Tomcat ROARS past at high speed.

         INT. COMBAT DIRECTION CENTER -- DAY

         Gilbert looks up from the radar, bad news on the doorstep.

                               GILBERT
                   Thirteen miles and closing.  Twelve. 
                   Eleven...

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         The Camouflage jet zooms even closer to the Carrier Group.

         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

         Stone keeps one eye his fuel pressure and the other on his
         HUD screen air speed indicator and target closure rate.

                               BARTON
                   Three miles... Two... Stone?

         Stone seems like he's daydreaming.  Looking at the photo.

                               BARTON
                   Stone?  You see him yet?

         Snaps out of it and looks through the HUD display.

                               STONE
                   Still no joy.

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         The Cammy zooms past....  Followed by the F-14 a moment later.

         INT. COMBAT DIRECTION CENTER -- DAY

                               GILBERT
                   Seven... Six... Five...

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         The Camouflage jet zooms closer to the Carrier.

         EXT. FLIGHT DECK -- DAY

         Paul Prescott and his Cameraman stand on the deck looking
         out over the ocean, having a smoke.  Prescott hears something.

                               PRESCOTT
                   You hear that?
                                                                  
  47.


         Looks up in the sky, shading his eyes.

                               PRESCOTT
                   It's a plane coming in.

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         The Camouflage jet zooms past....                        
       
         Followed by the F-14 a moment later.                     
       
         The F-14 is gaining fast.

         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

         Stone sees the target closure rate decreasing rapidly, then
         spots the Cammy jet through the canopy.

                               STONE
                   Tally ho!  I'm engaged!

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         The F-14 zooms after the F-16, getting closer to the Carrier.

         INT. COMBAT DIRECTION CENTER -- DAY

                               GILBERT
                   Less than a mile away...  Fire SAMs?

         Ferguson moves from the radar to the WINDOW!

                               FERGUSON
                   Might hit our plane.  Elster?  Is
                   this air cowboy any good?

                               ELSTER
                   Used to be the best.

                               FERGUSON
                   If he can't splash that bandit in the
                   next two minutes, I'm filling the sky
                   with SAMs.  Both planes are gonna get
                   blown to hell.

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         The F-14 Tomcat and the Camouflage F-16 mix it up.       
   
         The Cammy using evasive moves to shake the F-14.

         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

         Stone zooms right, then left, trying to line up the Camouflage
         fighter plane on his targeting screen.

         Can't seem to get the plane lined up.  Getting frustrated.
                                                                  
  48.


                               STONE
                   Can't get tone.

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         The Cammy continues evading Stone's F-14 in an amazing display
         of Air Combat Maneuvering.

         EXT. FLIGHT DECK -- DAY

         Prescott watches the two planes.

                               PRESCOTT
                   They're fighting... getting closer. 
                   Look!  Too bad the camera's broken...
                   This is headline news!

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         The F-14 Tomcat chases the Cammy, unable to get any advantage.

         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

         Stone works the stick, trying to get the Camouflage F-16
         centered on his targeting screen.

                               STONE
                   Can't get him to line up.

                               BARTON
                   Come on, Stone.  You're better trained
                   than he is... You can do it.

         Stone suddenly calms, almost zen-like.  He glides the plane
         right, then a little left... Lining up the Camouflage F-16.

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         The Tomcat moves in right behind the F-16... holds position.

         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

         The target circle goes from green to red, and he gets tone.

                               STONE
                   Good tone.  Good bye.

         He squeezes the trigger, firing a missile.

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         The missile fires from Stone's F-14, zooming at the Cammy.
                                                                  
  49.


         INT. CAMOUFLAGE F-16 -- DAY

         The PILOT's radar warning lights and sirens are going off.

         He quickly fires a pair of missiles.  They go wild.

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         Stone's missile hits the Cammy F-16... BLASTING IT TO PIECES!

         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

                               STONE
                   Splash one straggler.

         INT. COMBAT DIRECTION CENTER -- DAY

         Ferguson looks down at his watch.

                               FERGUSON
                   Twelve seconds to spare.

                               GILBERT
                   Sir?  The Bandit had time to fire two
                   missiles.  Wild shots, but radar says
                   they're correcting course...

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         The two sidewinders change direction, turning over 90 degrees.

         EXT. FLIGHT DECK -- DAY

         Prescott sees the missiles zooming at the Carrier.

                               PRESCOTT
                   They're coming right at us.

         EXT. GUN TURRET -- DAY

         The GUN CREW uses laser targeting to aim the big 20mm Phalanx
         Gatling Guns at the incoming missiles.  With it's six barrel,
         the guns can fire more than 4,500 shells a minute.

                               GUN CREW
                   Target acquired.  Fire!

         The guns blast away at the first incoming missile.

         The stream of shells miss!                               
       
         The missile gets closer.                                

         Closer.                                                  
      
         Closer!
                                                                  
  50.


         The Gun Crew adjusts aim, fires again.

         Three thousand shells, three quarts of an inch thick, blast
         at the incoming sidewinder missile.

         Blasting it to pieces!                                   
       
         It explodes, raining debris over the side of the carrier.

         INT. COMBAT DIRECTION CENTER -- DAY

                               GILBERT
                   Missile number one trashed.

         EXT. GUN TURRET -- DAY

         The Gun Crew takes aim at the second sidewinder, opens fire.

         Shells spray out of the guns in a stream, splashing the
         missile and EXPLODING it into a million pieces.

         INT. COMBAT DIRECTION CENTER -- DAY

                               GILBERT
                   Missile number two trashed.

         Cheering from the CDC staff, but not Ferguson and Gilbert.

         EXT. FLIGHT DECK -- DAY

         The CREW prepares for Stone and Barton's landing.

                               LSO (V.O.)
                   Seven zero seven, your charley signal.
                   Call the ball.

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         The F-14 Tomcat approaches the Carrier.

         The LSO on the platform ready to guide him in.

         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

                               STONE
                   Seven Zero Seven.  Hook is down. 
                   Gear is down and locked.

         EXT. F-14 TOMCAT -- DAY

         Landing gear locks into place.
                                                                  
  51.


         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

                               STONE
                   Seven Zero Seven approach, lining up.

                               BARTON
                   I've got the ball.

                               LSO (V.O.)
                   Deck is clear.

                               STONE
                   Seven Zero Seven, ball, one point
                   three.

                               LSO (V.O.)
                   Roger ball.  Slightly right.

                               STONE
                   Copy that.

                               LSO (V.O.)
                   All indicators green.  Hold there. 
                   Slightly left.  You're in the groove.

         EXT. FLIGHT DECK -- DAY

         The F-14 Tomcat lands perfectly on the deck, hook grabbing
         the two wire and easing to a stop.

         INT. HANGER BAY -- DAY

         Stone and Barton take off their helmets.  Stone walks away,
         but Barton catches him, turning him to face her.

                               BARTON
                   Is that it?

                               STONE
                   Is that what?

                               BARTON
                   You're just going to walk away?

                               STONE
                   What do you want me to do?

                               BARTON
                   When we're in that plane, we're
                   supposed to be partners, not total
                   strangers...
                                                                  
  52.


                               STONE
                   Nothing against you, Barton, you do
                   good work.  But you aren't my partner. 
                   Hank was.

                               BARTON
                   Stone...

                               STONE
                   We knew each other since Miramar. 
                   Learned to fly together...  He trusted
                   me.  He depended on me...

                               BARTON
                   Up there, I depend on you.

                               STONE
                   Don't.

         Stone turn from her, starts walking away.

                               BARTON
                   You are the most stone cold person
                   I've ever met.

                               STONE
                   Stone cold.  I'll have it painted on
                   my helmet.

         She shakes her head.

                               BARTON
                   Hank wasn't the only one who died in
                   that plane.

         Stone waves her off and walks away.

                               STONE
                   I don't have time for this.

         Stone exits, leaving her alone and angry.

         INT. COMBAT DIRECTION CENTER -- DAY

         Gilbert hangs up the phone and turns to Admiral Ferguson.

                               GILBERT
                   Sir, the plane Stone shot down appears
                   to be an F-16...

                               FERGUSON
                   Ours?
                                                                  
  53.


                               GILBERT
                   No.  One of several sold to Iran fifteen
                   years ago... Before they began calling us
                   as the "American Satans".
                       (beat)
                   They'd painted on Egyptian markings.

                               FERGUSON
                   Why start a war between Egypt and Jordan?  Why
                   shoot down their own President's helicopter?

                               GILBERT
                   A coup?

                               FERGUSON
                   Get the Pentagon on the horn.  I want
                   everything Intel has on Iran.

                               GILBERT
                   Yes, sir.

                               FERGUSON
                   Have Intel patch the CIS Spy Satellite
                   through to the big screen.

                               GILBERT
                   Yes, sir.

                               FERGUSON
                   And I want the 24th MEU SOC up and
                   ready for an amphibious invasion.

         INT. PASSAGEWAY -- DAY

         A group of MARINES runs down the passageway.             
   
         Newton grabs Logan alone the way.

                               NEWTON
                   Come on.

                               LOGAN
                   Where we going?

                               NEWTON
                   Taking our ARG and hitting the beach. 
                   Briefing at fourteen hundred hours. 
                   Looks like we're going to war.

         Logan's expression changes as he runs.

         INT. PILOT'S LOCKER ROOM -- DAY

         Barton shoves her gear in the corner cubby, exits with the
         other PILOTS, leaving Stone alone.
                                                                  
  54.


         CAG Elster enters.

                               ELSTER
                   What's this about, Stone?  I'm supposed
                   to be up in the CDC.

                               STONE
                   I want to be grounded, sir.

                               ELSTER
                   Had a snafu with take off, but your
                   flying was top drawer.  Perfect two
                   wire landing.

                               STONE
                   I shouldn't be back in the saddle,
                   I'm just not ready.

                               ELSTER
                   Stone, I don't know anybody else on
                   this ship who could have shot down
                   that missile.

         Stone's emotions bubble just under the surface, threatening
         to explode.  He struggles to keep his cool.

                               STONE
                   Just take me out of the line up, sir.

                               ELSTER
                   What's the problem?

                               STONE
                   Confidence, sir.

                               ELSTER
                   You're cat shy.

                               STONE
                   More than that.  I'm just going through
                   the motions.  Flying used to be
                   instinct.  But now I keep blanking
                   out, forgetting what to do.  Fumbling
                   at the stick...

                               ELSTER
                   That's why you have a RIO.

                               STONE
                   I don't want her help.  I'm going to
                   screw up and get that girl killed.

                               ELSTER
                   Stone...
                                                                  
  55.


                               STONE
                       (loses control)
                   I'm riding the fucking edge.  I don't
                   know what I'm doing any more.  There's
                   no spark.  Like I'm dead inside.

                               ELSTER
                   See the Chaplin, get drunk, I don't
                   care how you deal with it, but DEAL
                   WITH IT.  If you're riding the edge
                   you can go either way.

                               STONE
                   I'm going to bottom out...

                               ELSTER
                   I'm not taking you out of the game.

                               STONE
                   If you're going to force me to fly,
                   put me in a Hornet.  I'll go solo.

                               ELSTER
                   We're all team players.

                               STONE
                   And I'm bringing the team down.

                               ELSTER
                   The only way to do that is to quit.
                   Everyone onboard is pulling for you.

                               STONE
                   Except Kovac.  He's driving me up the
                   wall with those stupid gags.

                               ELSTER
                   Since Hank's accident, you've been a
                   ball of stress.  You walk into a room:
                   instant tension.  Kovac's just trying
                   to help.

                               STONE
                   It's not working.

                               ELSTER
                   Is that Kovac's fault or yours?

         Puts a hand on Stone's shoulder.

                               ELSTER
                   We all hit lows, Stone.  We all fail. 
                   But you've got to keep going, even if
                   you're just going through the motions.
                                                                  
  56.


                               STONE
                   Even if I screw up again?

                               ELSTER
                   Make one mistake, two mistakes, ten
                   mistakes.  Eventually you get back on
                   track.  You get your confidence back. 
                   If you quit, you'll never get it back.

         Elster pats him on the shoulder.

                               ELSTER
                   We need you, Stone.  It's okay for
                   you to need us.

         INT. COMBAT DIRECTION CENTER -- DAY

         Gilbert enters with a box of flash documents from Intel.

                               GILBERT
                   Everything Intel has on Iran.

                               FERGUSON
                   Find it.

                               GILBERT
                   Find what?

                               FERGUSON
                   You'll know when it you see it.

         Gilbert begins reading through the huge stack of information.

         INT. WAR ROOM - IRAN -- DAY

         Zahedi wins his game of chess against the computer, as Uribe
         and COLONEL MAHED FARQUA approach.

                               URIBE
                   Sir?  They shot down our scout plane.

                               ZAHEDI
                   The President and heads of state are
                   still on the carrier?

                               FARQUA
                   Our Supreme Leader decided to leave... 
                   I shot him down myself.

         Farqua's eyes match his black flight suit.  A knife scar
         runs across the left side of his face.  Confident, aggressive, 
         he's the best pilot in the Iranian Air Force.
                                                                  
  57.


                               ZAHEDI
                   Excellent.  Let's begin phase four.

                               FARQUA
                   The Black Squadron awaits your command.

                               ZAHEDI
                   Sink the carrier.

         EXT. AIR FIELD - IRAN -- DAY

         Colonel Farqua puts on his black helmet as he crosses to his
         black MiG-27.  He climbs into the cockpit.  Before lowering
         the canopy, gives a thumbs up to the other PILOTS...

         The air field is FILLED with black MiG-27s and black F-16s! 
         Thirty planes piloted by the top men in Iran's Air Force.

         THE BLACK SQUADRON takes off.  Roaring into the sky.

         INT. COMBAT DIRECTION CENTER -- DAY

         Admiral Ferguson hangs up the phone and turns to Gilbert.

                               FERGUSON
                   The President has negotiated a truce.
                   Everyone is recalling their planes...

         AIR RAID SIRENS SOUND!

         Gilbert drops a file and moves to the radar console.

                               GILBERT
                   Sir, incoming aircraft on the horizon.
                   Looks like an entire squadron.

         Ferguson studies the spy satellite image on the big screen,
         grabs Elster.

                               FERGUSON
                   CAG...

                               ELSTER
                   Yes, sir.

                               FERGUSON
                   Time to circle the wagons.
                       (beat)
                   Brief your pilots and RIOs on Iran's
                   airforce.  Everything you know and
                   everything you think you know.

                               ELSTER
                   Yes, sir.
                                                                  
  58.


         Elster exits the CDC.

                               GILBERT
                   Sir... We have the President and a
                   dozen world leaders on board.

                               FERGUSON
                   We'd better make sure none of these
                   donkey lovers makes it through...

         INT. READY ROOM -- DAY

         Elster briefs the pilots and RIOs, including Krazy Kat, Stone,
         and Barton.  A chalkboard shows the carrier group.

                               ELSTER
                   ...the perimeter is here.  We can't
                   let any of their planes break through.
                       (draws on his pipe)
                   They'll be flying MiG 27s they bought
                   at a Soviet "Going Out Of Business"
                   sale or F-16s they bought from us...

                               KRAZY KAT
                   From us?

                               ELSTER
                   That's right, Kovac.  We'll probably
                   be flying against our own planes.  Up
                   until 1979 they were our allies.  We
                   sold them surplus equipment.

                               HOLLYWOOD
                   Equipment is useless without training.

                               ELSTER
                   We gave some of these guys Top Gun
                   training.  Twenty years ago I flew
                   with an Iranian named Farqua who could
                   run circles around the Instructors. 
                   So don't underestimate their abilities.

         Elster goes back to the chalk board.

                               ELSTER
                   This is an Alpha Strike.  An entire
                   squadron.  Most of their air force.
                       (puffs his pipe)
                   Not a single plane gets through the
                   perimeter to attack this ship.  We're
                   protecting the President, here.
                       (smiles)
                   Let's go get 'em.
                                                                  
  59.


         INT. PASSAGEWAY -- DAY

         Pilots and RIOs jog down the passage, ready for action.

         Krazy Kat Kovac catches up with Stone.

                               KRAZY KAT
                   Stone.

         Starts to touch his shoulder to turn around, but steps back
         when he sees Stone's expression.

                               KRAZY KAT
                   You want to punch me?  Go ahead.  One
                   free shot, no repercussions.

                               STONE
                   Kovac, just leave me alone.

                               KRAZY KAT
                   I'm your wingman.  We're supposed to
                   be a team up there.

         Stone turns to walk away, but Kovac grabs him.           
       
         Forces him to listen to what he has to say.

                               KRAZY KAT
                   Look, you're hurting.  We're all
                   hurting.  We all loved Hank.  You
                   don't have to be alone in this...

                               STONE
                   You weren't in that plane.  It was me
                   and Hank.  Now it's just me.

                               KRAZY KAT
                   I'm trying to help you, here.

                               STONE
                   I don't need your help.

                               KRAZY KAT
                   If you ever want it, I'm here.

         Krazy Kat holds out his fist.  Stone almost punches it. 
         Lowers his hand and walks away.

         INT.  FLIGHT DECK CONTROL -- DAY

         The model of Stone's F-14 is moved from the Hanger Bay to
         Elevator #2, and a color-coded metal nut is placed on the
         model to note that it is preparing to take off.
                                                                  
  60.


         INT. HANGER BAY -- DAY

         Barton and Stone give their F-14 Tomcat a pre-flight
         inspection, a brown shirted CREW CHIEF notes any problems. 
         Stone still paranoid about flying.

                               CHIEF
                   You want to kick the tires?

                               STONE
                   I'll sign.

         Stone signs off for the plane in the big 3 ring binder.

                               CHIEF
                   All yours, Stone.

         OTHER PILOTS AND RIOS punch fists together before entering
         their planes.  Stone doesn't punch Barton's fist.

                               BARTON
                   Stone...

                               STONE
                   Let's go.

         Barton nods and climbs the ladder.  Stone follows.

         EXT. USS STOWERS AIRCRAFT CARRIER -- DAY

         The elevator brings the F-14 up to the flight deck.

         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

                               FD CONTROL (V.O.)
                   Tomcat seven one seven you're up next. 
                   Cat number one.

                               STONE
                   Tomcat seven one seven, cat number
                   one, copy that.

         EXT.  FLIGHT DECK -- DAY

         The Shooter raises his left hand, palm out, five fingers up.

         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

                               STONE
                   Afterburners.

         EXT. FLIGHT DECK -- DAY

         Shooter touches two fingers to the deck... the launch signal.
                                                                  
  61.


         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

         Stone salutes, prepares for the launch...                
      
         Breathing hard.                                          
       
         Looking at the photo.                                    
       
         Thinking about Hank's death.

         EXT. FLIGHT DECK -- DAY

         The catapult BLASTS the F-14 down the flight deck...

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         The F-14 Tomcat spirals away from the Carrier.

         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

         Stone relaxes, still alive.

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         Thirty F-14 Tomcats and F-18 Hornets create a ring around
         the Carrier Group.  Like wagons circled against the Indians.

         EXT. FLIGHT DECK -- DAY

         Prescott watches the planes circling the carrier, does a
         remote with his flip phone.

                               PRESCOTT
                   An amazing sight, as thirty war birds
                   circle the carrier, protecting the
                   President from intruders....

         INT. COMBAT DIRECTION CENTER -- DAY

         RADAR OPS hunched over consoles give tactical information to
         pilots under the supervision of Admiral Ferguson & CAG Elster.

                               RADAR (V.O.)
                   Blue Leader, Blue Leader.

         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

                               STONE
                   Blue Leader, I copy.

                               RADAR (V.O.)
                   Blue Leader, you have two dozen bogies,
                   three O'clock, thirty miles out.

                               BARTON
                   Zero nine zero radar contact is thirty
                   miles doing six hundred knots.
                                                                  
  62.


         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         The F-14s continue circling the Carrier Group.

         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

                               STONE
                   No one breaks through the perimeter.

         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

         Krazy Kat and his RIO fly in formation.

                               KRAZY KAT
                   Blue Two copies that.

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         The Tomcats continue circling the Carrier Group.

         On the horizon: A swarm of angry MiGs blot the sun.

         INT. MIG COCKPIT -- DAY

         Colonel Farqua whispers orders to his pilots in Farsi.

         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

                               STONE
                   Tally ho, at least twenty MiGs. 
                   Contact eight four zero, angels thirty.

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         As the Black Squadron approaches, F-14s peel out to do battle.

         The remaining planes continue to fly in formation, circling
         the Carrier Group, protecting it against attack.

         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

         Krazy Kat and his Rio spot a pair of black MiG-27s.

                               KRAZY KAT
                   I'll take two, they're small.

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         Krazy Kat's F-14 Tomcat peels away to battle the MiGs.

         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

                               STONE
                   Wood, Panther, take the next four.
                                                                  
  63.


         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

                               HOLLYWOOD (V.O.)
                   Blue three engaging.

         An F-14 peels away to battle a pair of black F-16s.

         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

                               STONE
                   Hound Dog, Gremlin, the next four.

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

                               HOUND DOG (V.O.)
                   Blue seven copies that.

         Another F-14 peels away, diving after a pair of MiGs.

         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

         Stone and Barton target a MiG, and get ready to rumble.

                               STONE
                   Blue Leader.  I'm engaged.

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         The F-14 zooms after one of the Black MiGs.

         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

         Stone lines up his targeting circle on the MiG and it goes
         from green to red.  He gets a targeting tone.

                               STONE
                   I have tone. I have tone.

         Stone hits the firing trigger.

                               STONE
                   Fox one, cleared hot.

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         The missile fires from the F-14... BLASTS the MiG to pieces.

         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

                               STONE
                   Splash one MiG.  Whose next, Barton?
                                                                  
  64.


         INT. COMBAT DIRECTION CENTER -- DAY

         Ferguson stands over a Radar Ops shoulder, listening to the
         flash on the radio, ready to offer guidance.

                               KRAZY KAT (V.O.)
                   Blue Two engaged.

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         Krazy Kat's F-14 is surrounded by MiGs...

         Four of them!

         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

                               KRAZY KAT
                   Jeeze!  I said TWO!

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         Krazy Kat's F-14 battles the four black MiGs.

         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

                               BARTON
                   We've got one right on our tail!

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         A black MiG chases Stone and Barton's F-14.

         INT.  MIG COCKPIT -- DAY

         The MIG PILOT watches his HUD, positioning himself right
         behind Stone's F-14.  His target indicator gives tone.

         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

         Barton's RWR indicator lights up.

                               BARTON
                   He's got a lock on us!  Break right!
                   Break right!

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         The Black MiG fires a missile at the F-14.

         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

         Stone turns the stick, breaking right.
                                                                  
  65.


         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         Stone's F-14 breaks right, and the missile zips past.

         Close.

         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

                               BARTON
                   He's painting us!  He's gonna fire....

                               STONE
                   Hold on.  I'm hitting the brakes.

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         The F-14 lowers and slows abruptly.

         The MiG shoots past.

         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

         Stone's targeting display shows the MiG right in front of
         them.  He jockeys around until he lines up the MiG.

         The target circle goes from green to red, Stone gets tone.

                               STONE
                   I've got tone.  Fox two cleared hot.

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         A missile rockets from the F-14, blasting the MiG to pieces.

         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

                               STONE
                   Another one bites the dust.

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         On the perimeter of the circling F-14s, a dozen dog fights
         have sprung up.  Tomcats, MiG-27s, and F-16s trading missiles.
         Explosions as some planes (either side) are BLASTED TO BITS!

         Five black MiGs roar out of the clouds towards a gap in the
         circling F-14 Tomcats.

                               HOUND DOG (V.O.)
                   I've got five MiGs dead ahead, closure
                   at eight hundred miles an hour...

         Five MiGs zip BETWEEN two circling F-14s, almost hitting
         them.  The jet wash torches paint off the front of Blue Seven.
                                                                  
  66.


                               HOUND DOG (V.O.)
                   They're headed towards the Carrier
                   Group... Blue seven is giving chase!

         INT. MIG COCKPIT -- DAY

         Colonel Farqua leads the four black MiG-27s to the carrier.

         INT. COMBAT DIRECTION CENTER -- DAY

         Elster turns from a radar console.

                               ELSTER
                   Five MiGs have broken the perimeter.

                               FERGUSON
                   Range?

                               ELSTER
                   Four miles at six hundred knots.

         Ferguson watches the planes approach on the big screen: real
         time images from the CIS Eye In The Sky satellite.

                               FERGUSON
                   We've got the Fast Frigates as our
                   second line of defense...

         Four Fast Frigates defend four corners of the battle group,
         forming a second ring around the carrier.

                               FERGUSON
                   ...then a pair of cruisers.

         A big CG-47 class cruiser on either side of the carrier.

                               FERGUSON
                   Impossible for five planes to make it
                   past all that firepower.

         On the big screen: Two F-14s are chasing the five MiG-27s.

         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

                               STONE
                   Blue Leader riding shotgun, Blue Seven.
                       (to Barton)
                   Got a fix on them?

                               BARTON
                   Zero five zero, angels thirty.  Heading
                   right at the carrier.
                                                                  
  67.


         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         Stone & Barton's F-14 roars behind Blue Seven, chasing the
         five black MiG-27 fighter planes... Another F-14 joins them.

                               GREMLIN (V.O.)
                   Blue Six joining formation.

         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

                               KRAZY KAT
                   Hell, let's make it a foursome.

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         Krazy Kat BLASTS two of the MiGs, roars away from the other
         two.  Joins Stone, Blue Six and Seven in fluid four formation.

         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

                               STONE
                   Blue two, where are your Bandits?

                               KRAZY KAT (V.O.)
                   Splashed two of them, and I think the
                   other two are right behind me.

                               BARTON
                   They're back there.  Closing fast.

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         Five black MiG-27s roar past.                            
     
         Followed by four F-14 Tomcats.                           
      
         Followed by two more black MiG-27s.

         All racing to the Carrier Group... and the President of the
         United States and the leaders of a dozen other countries.

         INT. COMBAT DIRECTION CENTER -- DAY

         Gilbert stops reading through the stack of intelligence
         reports to watch the drama on the big screen.

         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

         Kovac zig-zags to avoid being spiked by the trailing MiGs.

                               KRAZY KAT
                   Stone?  What do I do with these guys?

                               STONE (V.O.)
                   You invited them.
                                                                  
  68.


         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         The five Black Squadron planes reach the Fast Frigates.

         EXT. OLIVER PERRY CLASS FRIGATE -- DAY

         Four hundred fifty three feet long, over four thousand tons,
         the FFG-7 Fast Frigate is the best escort ship on the sea.

         The frigate fires a pair of SM-1MR Surface to Air Missiles
         (SAMS) at the approaching MiG-27s.

         INT. MIG COCKPIT -- DAY

         Farqua gets a warning light, pops chaff, and spins out of
         the missile's path using amazing aerial manuevers.

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         The MiG rolls away from the SAM, which explodes in the sky.

         INT. SICKBAY -- DAY

         The President and Dignitaries hear the EXPLOSIONS.       
       
         A sudden hush in the room.                               
       
         The President grabs the red phone.

                               PRESIDENT
                   Ferguson.  What's going on up there?

         INT. COMBAT DIRECTION CENTER -- DAY

                               FERGUSON
                   We're under attack, sir.

                               PRESIDENT (V.O.)
                   I'll be up there in a minute.

                               FERGUSON
                   Sir, safest place for you is where
                   you're at...

         INT. SICKBAY -- DAY

                               PRESIDENT
                   I am the Commander and Chief of this
                   country.  We're at war.  I'm in charge.

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         The last black MiG-27s has trouble evading a SAM.        
 
         It hooks left, spins right.                              
       
         The SAM closing in.                                      
       
         No escape!  The SAM hits the MiG and BLOWS IT TO PIECES!
                                                                  
  69.


         INT. MIG COCKPIT -- DAY

         Colonel Farqua turns from the explosion, frowning, zooms at
         the frigate.  Vengeance will be his.

         EXT. OLIVER PERRY CLASS FRIGATE -- DAY

         The Frigate begins firing its big 76mm gun at the MiGs.

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         BLAM!  BLAM!  BLAM!  BLAM!  BLAM!  BLAM!

         Ack-Ack puffs fill the sky, but the four MiG-27s fly
         gracefully through the cannon fire.  These guys are good!

         INT. MIG COCKPIT -- DAY

         Colonel Farqua gracefully guides his plane around the cannon
         fire, shells passing right and left.

         HIS TARGETING SCREEN shows the Frigate directly beneath him.

         He releases a pair of AS-30 laser guided bombs.

         EXT. OLIVER PERRY CLASS FRIGATE -- DAY

         The frigate continues firing at the black MiG-27...

         Until the bombs hit it and BLOW IT TO PIECES!

         INT. COMBAT DIRECTION CENTER -- DAY

         The frigate explodes on the big screen satellite image.

                               FERGUSON
                   They've sunk one of the frigates.

         BLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAM!                                  
       
         Another frigate explodes on the big screen.

                               ELSTER
                   Only six planes have broken the
                   perimeter.  We've held the rest out.

         One of the MiGs peels out of formation and BLASTS the Oiler.

                               FERGUSON
                   Six planes can do a shit load of
                   damage.
                                                                  
  70.


         EXT. USS STOWERS AIRCRAFT CARRIER -- DAY

         Two frigates sinking, on fire.                          

         The oiler spews a blanket of smoke over the carrier group.

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         The four F-14s continue to chase the black MiG-27s.

         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

         Stone and Barton race after the enemy aircraft.

                               BARTON
                   Radar contact: bogies at zero two
                   zero, nine thousand feet.

                               STONE
                   Tally ho. Four Bandits, twelve o'clock.

         Stone looks at the target closure reading on his HUD.

                               BARTON
                   They're going to be on top of the
                   Cruisers before we can catch them.

         INT. COMBAT DIRECTION CENTER -- DAY

                               FERGUSON
                   The cruisers will stop them.

         EXT. TICONDEROGA CLASS CRUISER -- DAY

         The most effect air defense ships in the US Navy, outfitted
         with the Aegis System which can track hundreds of targets
         simultaneously and blast them from the sky with SAMs.

         As the MiG-27s approach, the Cruiser locks on and fires eight
         SM-2 missiles.  A pair at each incoming plane.

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         The black MiG-27s scramble, popping chaff and firing wing
         guns at the missiles.  Amazing aerial manuevers.

         INT. MIG COCKPIT -- DAY

         Colonel Farqua throws his plane into a spin.  Missiles
         shooting past him on either side.  When the missiles correct
         course, he fires his wing guns, BLASTING them from the sky.

         EXT. TICONDEROGA CLASS CRUISER -- DAY

         The cruiser fires another dozen SM-2 missiles at the planes.
                                                                  
  71.


         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         Two of the MiGs are unable to evade the missiles.       

         BLAAAAM!                                                 
       
         BLAAAAM!                                                 
       
         They are blasted out of the sky.

         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

                               STONE
                   Splash two more MiGs.

                               BARTON
                   Save some fun for us.

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         The four F-14s roar after the last two MiGs, avoiding the
         flying debris from the splashed planes.

         INT. MIG COCKPIT -- DAY

         Colonel Farqua whispers orders to his last pilot in Farsi.     
 
         Then dives at the Cruiser... making a bombing run.

         EXT. TICONDEROGA CLASS CRUISER -- DAY

         The big Mk 45 radar guided deck gun spins around: targeting
         Farqua's MiG.  Firing a stream of 54 caliber shells.

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         Farqua barrel rolls the plane, flying BETWEEN the shells.

         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

                               STONE
                   Impossible.

         EXT. TICONDEROGA CLASS CRUISER -- DAY

         As the big gun turret follows Farqua's black MiG, spraying a
         stream of shells after it, the second black MiG-27 rolls in
         behind it... dropping a pair of AS-30 laser guided bombs.

         On the deck of the Cruiser, the CREW sees the bombs coming,
         but have nowhere to run.  The bombs float down to the ship.

         BLOWING IT TO PIECES!

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         The two black MiGs roar away from the burning cruiser...
         heading towards the Carrier and the President!
                                                                  
  72.


         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

         Stone catches up with the two black MiG-27s.

                               STONE
                   Blue Leader, engaged.

                               BARTON
                   He's breaking!  He's breaking!

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         Colonel Farqua's black MiG-27 slices right, spinning the
         plane around to face Stone and Barton's Tomcat.

         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

         Stone lines up the MiG on his targeting screen.

                               STONE
                   Good tone.  Fox one cleared hot.

         Stone fires a missile at the MiG.

         INT. MIG COCKPIT -- DAY

         Colonel Farqua pops chaff, and fires a pair of missiles at
         Stone's F-14 Tomcat!

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         Farqua's MiG spins around the sidewinder missile.

         Farqua's two missiles head RIGHT AT Stone's F-14!

         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

                               STONE
                   Hang on!

         Stone pops chaff and spins between the missiles.

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         The missiles rocket past the F-14....                    
                              ...Change course...          
                                 ...Roar down at the aircraft carrier!

         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

                               STONE
                   Did you see that?

         Barton looks at her monitors.
                                                                  
  73.


                               BARTON
                   Targeting the carrier.

                               STONE
                   Hang on.  We've giving chase.

         Stone slices right and chases after the missiles.

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         Stone's F-14 chases the missiles to the Carrier.

         INT. COMBAT DIRECTION CENTER -- DAY

                               ELSTER
                   Incoming.  Two missiles at zero nine
                   seven.  Impact in 97 seconds.

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         The missiles get closer to the Carrier.

         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

         Stone chases the two missiles.

                               BARTON
                   Too close for missiles.  We miss, we
                   hit the ship.

                               STONE
                   Wing guns hot.

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         The two missiles closing fast on the carrier.

         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

                               BARTON
                   Bearing zero zero zero. Target's yours.

         Stone lines up one of the missiles and opens fire.

         EXT. F-14 TOMCAT -- DAY

         Vulcan 20mm wing guns blast a stream of hot lead.

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         The missile is hit and EXPLODES!

         But the second missile is still roaring at the carrier.
         Closer.  Closer.  Closer!
                                                                  
  74.


         The stream of fire changes to intercept the missile.     
      
         BLAAAAAAAM!

         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

         Stone smiles, then pulls up to avoid hitting the carrier.

                               STONE
                   Trash two missiles.

         ROAR!                                                    
      
         A pair of black MiGs zooms past them, making a run at the
         aircraft carrier.

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         Each of the MiGs fires a pair of missiles.               
      
         The missiles seem to home in on the center of the carrier.

         INT. COMBAT DIRECTION CENTER -- DAY

                               ELSTER
                   Incoming.  Four missiles...

         Gilbert glances at the big screen, then returns to the stack
         of intelligence reports.  Reading as war rages outside.

         EXT. GUN TURRET -- DAY

         The GUN CREW aims at the incoming missiles.              
       
         The missile gets closer.                                

         Closer.  Closer!

                               GUN CREW
                   Target acquired.  Fire!

         The guns blast away at the first incoming missile.    
         Blasting it to pieces!

         They shift aim to the second missile and fire.           
    
         Blasting it out of the sky.

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         The black MiGs fire more missiles.                       
       
         No matter where they're aimed, they home in on the carrier.

         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

                               STONE
                   Like they know where the ship is.

                               BARTON
                   Frequency guided.
                                                                  
  75.


                               STONE
                   Keep that thought.

         Stone roars after one of the MiGs, chasing him.

                               STONE
                   Blue Leader, engaged with MiG two.

                               KRAZY KAT (V.O.)
                   Congratulations.  You make a nice
                   couple.  I'll take the party crashers.

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         The F-14s split up, chasing after the MiGs.

         EXT. GUN TURRET -- DAY

         The GUN CREW blasts away at the incoming missiles.       
    
         A half dozen of them!                                    
       
         Then they run out of shells!

                               GUN CREW
                   Reload!

         The Crew quickly reloads.                                
       
         Missiles get closer.                                     
       
         Closer.

         The get the guns up an running and BLAST a missile out of
         the sky only SECONDS before it would have hit the ship.

         Shrapnel and flames pepper the gun turret.

         INT. COMBAT DIRECTION CENTER -- DAY

         Ferguson and Elster watch the big screen.

         Gilbert reads reports, watching the screen simultaneously.

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         Stone and Barton's F-14 chases the black MiG-27.

         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

         Stone lines up his targeting circle on the MiG and it goes
         from green to red.  He gets a targeting tone.

                               STONE
                   I have tone.  I have tone.

         Stone hits the trigger.
                                                                  
  76.


                               STONE
                   Fox one, cleared hot.

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         The missile hits the black MiG.                          
      
         EXPLODING IT!

         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

                               BARTON
                   One down, three to go.

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         Krazy Kat chases after the two party crashing MiG-27s.

         Blue Seven's F-14 joins him.

                               HOUND DOG (V.O.)
                   Blue Two, need a hand?

         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

                               KRAZY KAT
                   Sure, Seven.  You eyeball, I'll shoot.

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         Krazy Kat and Hound Dog's planes mix it up with the MiGs.

         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

         Krazy Kat's HUD targeting display locks onto the MiG.

                               KRAZY KAT
                   Good tone.  Firing.

         The missile zooms through the sky, hitting the MiG.

                               KRAZY KAT
                   Splash MiG number two.

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         Blue Six's F-14 is being chased by a MiG.

                               GREMLIN (V.O.)
                   This is Blue Six, we've been spiked!

         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

                               GREMLIN (V.O.)
                   He's firing!  He's fi....
                                                                  
  77.


         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         A MiG fires at Blue Six.  The F-14 tries to evade, but the
         missile hits dead on and EXPLODES the F-14 to pieces.

         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

                               STONE
                   Blue Two, Blue six has been hit. 
                   Tell me they punched out in time.

                               KRAZY KAT (V.O.)
                   No chutes Blue Leader.

         Stone and Barton give it a moment, then Farqua's MiG zooms
         by on its way to the carrier!

                               BARTON
                   Last bandit going in!

         Stone takes off after him.

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         Stone's F-14 Tomcat chases Farqua's MiG.

         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

         Stone tries to line up the MiG on his targeting screen.

                               STONE
                   Can't get him to line up.

         INT. MIG COCKPIT -- DAY

         Colonel Farqua zooms down to the aircraft carrier.       
   
         Gets a warning light.  Smiles.  Pulls back on the stick.

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         The black MiG does an amazing loop the loop ending up BEHIND
         Stone's Tomcat.  He fires his wing guns at the F-14.

         EXT. F-14 TOMCAT -- DAY

         Bullets splatter the side of Stone's plane.

         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

                               STONE
                   You okay back there?

                               BARTON
                   Just having my lunch again.
                                                                  
  78.


                               STONE
                   Hang on.

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         Stone spins the plane around, evading the gun fire by flying
         SIDEWAYS between the two streams of gunfire.

         INT. MIG COCKPIT -- DAY

                               FARQUA
                   He's good.  But not good enough.

         Farqua fires a pair of missiles at the F-14.

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         The missiles rocket at Stone's plane.                    
       
         No escape!

         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

                               STONE
                   Punching out!  Punching out!

                               BARTON
                   We're still naked, Stone!  He doesn't
                   have a lock on us!

         Stone DOESN'T hit the eject button.                      
       
         Keeps the plane perfectly sideways.                      
       
         The missiles roar RIGHT AT THEM!

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         The missiles fly RIGHT PAST the F-14, missing by inches.

         Heading towards the carrier!

         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

                               STONE
                   Kovac!  Two missiles.  Coming your
                   way.  Two seven zero.

                               KRAZY KAT (V.O.)
                   I've gone winchester.  Used up my
                   ordnance splashing MiGs.

         INT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         The two missiles home in on the carrier.  Gaining speed.
                                                                  
  79.


         EXT. GUN TURRET -- DAY

         The Gun Crew tries blasting the incoming missiles.       

         But the guns run dry.

                               GUN CREW
                   Dry guns!  Reloading!

         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

         Krazy Kat watches the missiles approach.                 
       
         They're going to hit the carrier.

                               KRAZY KAT
                   Son of a bitch.

         Krazy roars the F-14 on an intercept course with the missiles.

         INT. COMBAT DIRECTION CENTER -- DAY

                               FERGUSON
                   Impact in five seconds.  Four.  Three.

         Gilbert stands straight up: A report in his hands.

                               GILBERT
                   Bingo!

         EXT. USS STOWERS AIRCRAFT CARRIER -- DAY

         The two missiles zoom at the carrier.                   

         Krazy Kat's F-14 slices in front of the missiles.        

         Shielding the ship.                                      
       
         One of the missiles hits Krazy Kat's F-14 Tomcat.        
       
         BLAAAAAAAAAAAAAM!

         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

                               STONE
                   Kovac!

         EXT. USS STOWERS AIRCRAFT CARRIER -- DAY

         The other missile hits the carrier.                   
         BLAAAAAAAAAAAAM!

         The explosion rips a hole in the side of the carrier.

         INT. SICKBAY -- DAY

         The President, preparing to leave, is KNOCKED TO THE FLOOR!    

         Fires break out.
                                                                  
  80.


                               PRESIDENT
                   We've been hit!  Get these fires out!

         Dignitaries grab fire extinguishers to quench the flames.

         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

         Stone and Barton fly over the carrier, amazed at the damage.

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         Farqua's black MiG spins away from some scattered cannon
         fire, goes supersonic, disappears into the clouds.

         INT. PASSAGEWAY -- DAY

         A FIRE CREW sprays foam over the flames erupting from the
         damaged portion of the carrier... controlling it.

         INT. COMBAT DIRECTION CENTER -- DAY

         Admiral Ferguson moves to his feet, grabs the intercom.

                               FERGUSON
                   Damage report.

                               VOICE (V.O.)
                   We've taken a hit to mid-port side. 
                   Fires under control.  No damage to
                   the steam turbines.  One cat and one
                   elevator down...

                               FERGUSON
                   Casualties?

                               VOICE (V.O.)
                   At least a dozen dead, sir.  Fifteen
                   injured men taken to sick bay...

                               FERGUSON
                   The President?

                               VOICE (V.O.)
                   On his way up, sir.

                               GILBERT
                   Admiral?  It's worse than we thought.

         Gilbert holds up an Intelligence report.

                               GILBERT
                   Two years ago Iran bought a truckload
                   of Chinese anti-ship missiles...
                                                                  
  81.


                               FERGUSON
                   Silkworms?

                               GILBERT
                   No.  The new C-805 Shipkillers.  Cruise
                   missiles with a 340 mile range and a
                   1,000 kiloton warhead.  Three times
                   more powerful than the Silkworm.
                       (beat)
                   A direct hit could sink a carrier.

                               FERGUSON
                   I want every reckon photo and TARP we
                   have on that screen.  The 24th MEU
                   SOC is in route.  Let's see if we can
                   find them a target.

         Gilbert nods and gets to work.

         INT. PILOT'S LOCKER ROOM -- DAY

         Stone stops at Krazy Kat's locker.  Touches it.

                               STONE
                   Forgive me, man.  I screwed up.

         Looses control and starts pounding his fist into the locker.
         Tears streaming, he beats on it until his fists are red.

         His legs turn to jello and he slides to the floor.

                               STONE
                   You were only trying to help.  I didn't
                   appreciate it.  I'm sorry.

         He looks at the photo of Hank.

                               STONE
                   I'm sorry.

         Barton enters, sees Stone on the floor.                  
    
         Hesitates.                                               
     
         Then goes to him.

         Stone reaches out for her, allowing himself to be comforted.
         Barton lets him cry, lets him lose control.

                               BARTON
                   It's okay.

         Stone works through it, gets his composure back.         
      
         Pulls away from Barton and sits up against the wall.

                               STONE
                   Sorry.  That was unprofessional.
                                                                  
  82.


                               BARTON
                   We all need to reach out sometimes.

         Stone reaches his fist out to Barton.                    
       
         She punches it.                                          
       
         They smile at each other.                                
       
         A moment.

                               STONE
                   You did good up there, Barton.

                               BARTON
                   So did you, boss.

         Barton pulls him to his feet, and Stone goes to his locker.

         Hank's name still on the empty locker next to his.  Stone
         scrapes off the label and uses it to stick the photo inside
         his locker, turns to Barton.

                               STONE
                   Here.  You might as well use it.

                               BARTON
                   Thanks.

         Barton smiles at Stone.                                  
       
         Completely accepted.                                     
       
         A team.

                               STONE
                   Let's see what Elster says about your
                   frequency guided missile theory.

         EXT. AIR FIELD - IRAN -- DAY

         Colonel Farqua takes off his helmet, heads to the bunker.

         INT. WAR ROOM - IRAN -- DAY

         Zahedi wins another chess game against his computer when
         Colonel Farqua enters.

                               ZAHEDI
                   Report?

                               FARQUA
                   Twenty nine casualties... One direct
                   hit on the carrier.

                               ZAHEDI
                   So the slaver is active?  Excellent.
                       (to Uribe)
                   Time to begin phase five...
                                                                  
  83.


         INT. COMBAT DIRECTION CENTER -- DAY

         The President, arm in a sling, listens to Ferguson's report.

                               FERGUSON
                   Missiles.  Chinese C-805 Shipkillers. 
                   Modeled after Soviet SS-N-22s.

                               PRESIDENT
                   Ship killers?

                               GILBERT
                   A direct hit will sink us.

                               FERGUSON
                   Intel figured they bought 'em to blow
                   up oil tankers...

                               GILBERT
                   Satellite Reckon shows lots of activity
                   in this area of the Zagros Mountains.

         Ferguson points to the Satellite photo on the big screen.

                               FERGUSON
                   We believe the missiles are in a bunker
                   cut into the top of the mountain.

                               PRESIDENT
                   How many missiles?

                               GILBERT
                   Eight to ten.  Intel isn't sure.

                               PRESIDENT
                   And it only takes one to sink us.

                               FERGUSON
                   It's a big ocean, sir.  Even if that
                   MiG pilot returned with exact co-ords,
                   all we have to do is move the carrier
                   five miles in any direction and they
                   have little chance of hitting us.

                               PRESIDENT
                   Little chance?

                               GILBERT
                   They can pepper the area with missiles,
                   but odds are against a direct hit.

                               PRESIDENT
                   Odds?
                                                                  
  84.


                               FERGUSON
                   Mr. President, we are at war. 
                   Unexpected things are to be expected.

                               PRESIDENT
                   So what's our plan of action?  Move
                   the ships and air strike the silo?

                               GILBERT
                   The 24th MEU SOC is in transit...

         Stone and Barton enter, and flag Elster over.            
       
         They whisper as Ferguson continues briefing the President.

                               FERGUSON
                   We're better off using our planes to
                   patrol the perimeter, Mr. President.

                               GILBERT
                   The C-805s may be laser guided.

                               FERGUSON
                   If a scout plane gets close enough to
                   sparkle the ship, we're back in the
                   bulls eye.

                               GILBERT
                   Using the carrier group as a floating
                   fortress is the best way to protect
                   you, Mr. President.

                               PRESIDENT
                   What if they send another squadron?

                               FERGUSON
                   They don't have another squadron.

                               GILBERT
                   They lost thirty planes and scored
                   one hit on the carrier.  Intel reports
                   they have no more than a half dozen
                   operational planes left.

                               FERGUSON
                   Most of their air force is waiting
                   for parts or pilots.

                               GILBERT
                   That Alpha Strike took out their best
                   pilots.  We only lost a dozen men.

                               PRESIDENT
                   So we defend the fortress?
                                                                  
  85.


         Elster breaks in, Stone and Barton tagging along.

                               ELSTER
                   Excuse me, sir, that may not be the
                   best solution.

                               PRESIDENT
                   And why is that?

                               BARTON
                   Radio Intercept Officer Barton, sir. 
                   I believe the missiles which hit us
                   today were frequency guided.

                               STONE
                   Every missile they fired made a bee
                   line for the carrier.  The only
                   explanation for that sort of accuracy
                   is a homing device on the ship, sir.

                               PRESIDENT
                   How would they get it onboard?

                               STONE
                   That assassin was loose for twenty
                   minutes.  Running around restricted
                   sections of the ship.  Lots of time
                   to plant a slaver.

                               ELSTER
                       (translating)
                   Homing device.

         Gilbert's face goes white.

                               GILBERT
                   Oh, fucking shit.

                               FERGUSON
                   Yes, Gilbert?

                               GILBERT
                   What if this is part of their plan?

                               FERGUSON
                   Explain.

                               GILBERT
                   The assassination is just a way to
                   cover planting the homing device...

                               STONE
                   It also starts an air war, which keeps
                   the President and the others onboard.
                                                                  
  86.


                               GILBERT
                   The air strike forces us to keep our
                   planes here to defend the carrier...

                               STONE
                   Keeping us in place while they fire
                   their missiles...

         INT. WAR ROOM - IRAN -- DAY

                               ZAHEDI
                   All of our enemies on one ship.

         Uribe follows Zahedi to the wall sized window over looking
         the missile silo... And the ten C-805 Ship Killers.

         Forty feet tall, weighing four tons each.  Massive.  Powerful.

                               ZAHEDI
                   Now all we have to do is sink it.
                       (beat)
                   Uribe, prepare to launch the missiles.

         INT. COMBAT DIRECTION CENTER -- DAY

         The President studies the satellite image of the carrier.

                               PRESIDENT
                   Don't we have a radar jammer?

                               FERGUSON
                   ECM, sir.  But if the slaver is on
                   some wild ass frequency...

                               ELSTER
                   What's our plan of action?

                               PRESIDENT
                   Let's get offensive.  The Marines
                   take out the missile silo, with air
                   support from the air wing.
                       (beat)
                   Meanwhile, the rest of us turn this
                   ship upside down trying to find this
                   homing device.

         EXT. TAWARA CLASS AMPHIBIOUS ASSAULT SHIP -- DAY

         820 feet long, carrying helicopters, armored vehicles, a
         Harrier jet, landing crafts and 1,900 Marines.

         Trailed by two other Marine ARG ships, it's a war-to-go.
                                                                  
  87.


         INT. BRIEFING ROOM -- DAY

         CO Rupert Cadell briefs the Marines, including Logan and
         Newton.  Closed circuit TV beams it to the other ships.

                               CADELL
                   We believe the missiles are cut into
                   a bunker here in the Zagros Mountains.

         Cadell points to a detailed topographic map.

                               CADELL
                   As you can see, there's heavy SAM
                   build up in this region, and an
                   airfield just over the hill.
                       (points)
                   Making it impossible to take out the
                   missile bunker with an air strike.

                               NEWTON
                       (sotto)
                   So they called the Marines.

                               CADELL
                   We will be making an amphibious assault
                   in LCACs and LAV 25 armored vehicles...
                       (points to map)
                   Here.  Most of their tanks and troops
                   are at their borders: here, here and
                   here.  So it should be smooth sailing. 
                   We'll have air support from the Carrier
                   Group, but only if we can take out
                   the SAMs along the way.
                       (turns to the Marines)
                   Once we get to the bunker, we'll take
                   it out with explosives, SMAWs, or
                   Javelin Fire & Forget anti-tank guns.
                       (beat)
                   We're hitting the beach at 1700 hours.

         As the Marines get moving, Logan turns to Newton.

                               LOGAN
                   Now you get to find out.

                               NEWTON
                   Got any suntan lotion?  We're hitting
                   the beach, and I burn easy.

         Logan shakes his head and grabs his M249 SAW 5.56 machinegun.

         INT. FLIGHT DECK -- DAY

         Stone punches fists with Barton, then ALL of the other pilots.
                                                                  
  88.


         INT. COMBAT DIRECTION CENTER -- DAY

                               ELSTER
                       (hangs up radio)
                   Blue Squadron is refueled and ready
                   to provide air support.

                               FERGUSON
                       (to Gilbert)
                   Tell Cadell it's a go.

         Admiral Ferguson moves to the monitor displaying the CIS
         satellite footage of the amphibious assault.

         EXT.  PERSIAN GULF -- DAY

         The three Marine ships move close to shore.

         EXT. TAWARA CLASS AMPHIBIOUS ASSAULT SHIP -- DAY

         The docking well begins to fill with water, floating the
         eight L-CAC jet powered hovercrafts.  Each L-CAC carries two
         dozen men and sixty tons of armored vehicles.

         Once the well is flooded, L-CACs zoom away at 50 mph.

         EXT.  BEACH ASSAULT -- DAY

         The L-CACs hit the beach at 50 mph, and keep going.

         An Iranian FOUR MAN PATROL in a pair of ancient Jeeps block
         the L-CACs. One aims a rocket launcher, the others aim rifles.

         Ready to capture the L-CAC....

         The L-CACs zoom right over them!

         INT. ARMORED VEHICLE -- DAY

         Logan, in a LAV-25 onboard the L-CAC, rotates the turret of
         the 25mm Bushmaster cannon to aim at the Jeeps behind them.

         EXT. BEACH ASSAULT -- DAY

         The confused Four Man Patrol scrambles out of the Jeeps.

         One raises his rocket launcher at the speeding L-CAC...

         BLAAAM!                                                  
       
         Logan scores a direct hit between the Jeeps.

                               LOGAN
                   Bye bye.

         The L-CACs continue zooming inland at 50 mph.
                                                                  
  89.


         EXT. PERSIAN GULF -- DAY

         The Widbey Island class and Austin class ships disperse
         amphibious vehicles, tanks, troops, and Humvees.

         EXT.  IRANIAN DESERT -- DAY

         The L-CACs stop to offload the Marines and machines.

         LAV-25s, Humvees, M1A1 Abrams tanks zoom across the barren
         landscape.

         INT. ARMORED VEHICLE -- DAY

         Logan and Newton ride with OTHER MARINES, ready for action.

                               NEWTON
                   Man, I expected a welcoming committee.

                               LOGAN
                   They'll find us.

                               NEWTON
                   Wake me when they do.

                               LOGAN
                   Stay alert and stay alive.

         Logan keeps his gun ready.

         EXT. IRANIAN DESERT -- DAY

         The column of vehicles continues cutting across the desert.

         INT. COMBAT DIRECTION CENTER -- DAY

         The satellite infra-red shows the column of vehicles on one
         edge of the screen... and blips on the other.

                               FERGUSON
                   Gilbert, magnify that.

         Gilbert hits some buttons, the infra-red image on the screen
         is blown up to show:

         A DOZEN TANKS and other VEHICLES zooming towards the column.

         Ferguson gets on the radio.

                               FERGUSON
                   Marine Team, do you copy?
                                                                  
  90.


         INT. ARMORED VEHICLE -- DAY

         Rupert Cadell grabs the microphone.

                               CADELL
                   Team Leader copies.

                               FERGUSON (V.O.)
                   CIS Satellite recon photos show an
                   armored column two miles east of you.

                               CADELL
                   Copy that.  Is our CAS on tap?

         INT. COMBAT DIRECTION CENTER -- DAY

                               FERGUSON
                   Blue Squadron ETA is three minutes.

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         Stone's squadron of F-14 Tomcats zooms through the clouds.

         INT. ARMORED VEHICLE -- DAY

                               CADELL
                   Those tanks are only two minutes away.

                               FERGUSON (V.O.)
                   You can hold them for two minutes.

                               CADELL
                   Just worried your planes won't have
                   squat to do when they get here, sir.

         Ferguson's laugh comes over the mike, and Cadell hangs up.

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         Stone's F-14 squadron zooms over the Marine ships.

         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

                               STONE
                   Keep your eyes open for Bogeys.

                               BARTON
                   Checking the FLIR, the E/O and playing
                   with my dolly.  If they're out there,
                   I'll see them before they see us.

                               STONE
                   I'm depending on you.
                                                                  
  91.


         Barton smiles and nods.  They are working as a team, now. 
         Completely in sync with each other.  Stone has thawed.

         EXT. IRANIAN DESERT -- DAY

         The IRANIAN ARMORED COLUMN advances on the Marines.  Old
         Soviet T-54 and Chinese 69-II tanks, ancient Jeeps.

         The tanks fire and advance, BLASTING a Humvee to pieces.

         INT. ARMORED VEHICLE -- DAY

         Debris from an explosion sprays the Marines.

                               NEWTON
                    Shit!  That was close!

         Logan spins the turret to aim at a T-54 tank and blasts them.

         EXT. IRANIAN DESERT -- DAY

         Tanks explode on either side.                            
       
         The Iranian tanks try to circle the Marines, trapping them.

         Explosions rock the landscape as tanks and LAVs are blown to
         pieces.  A savage land battle.

         INT. ARMORED VEHICLE -- DAY

                               CADELL
                   Where's our air support?

         Cadell looks through the smoke and sees...

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         Six plane cresting the hills, coming towards them.       
       
         Flying majestically over the barren landscape.           
       
         The cavalry!

         INT. COMBAT DIRECTION CENTER -- DAY

         Elster points at the six plane-blips on the infra-red image.

                               ELSTER
                   Sir, those planes are coming from the
                   west.  They're not ours.

                               FERGUSON
                   Cadell:  Those are enemy aircraft!

         INT. ARMORED VEHICLE -- DAY

         Cadell's expression changes, and he lowers the mike.
                                                                  
  92.


         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         Five Camoflauge F-16s and one black MiG zoom over the battle
         field.  Then circle, and come back on a bombing run!

         INT. ARMORED VEHICLE -- DAY

                               CADELL
                       (on radio)
                   We need that air support NOW.

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         The F-14s Tomcats zoom over the desert.

         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

                               STONE
                   Sorry to keep you waiting, Colonel.
                   Had to wait in line for gas.

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         The F-14s swoop down to engage the Cammy F-16s.

         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

         Stone targets a Camouflage F-16 on his HUD, locks on, and
         presses the red launch button.

                               STONE
                   I've got tone.  Fox one cleared hot.

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         The Sidewinder missile zooms across the sky, BLASTING the
         Camouflage F-16 into a million pieces.

         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

                               STONE
                   Splash one Bandit.

         Barton's RWR indicates they're in a bandit's gun sights.

                               BARTON
                   They've spiked us.  Break!

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         The F-16 fires a missile through the sky at Stone's F-14.
                                                                  
  93.


         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

         Stone punches the chaff button.

                               STONE
                   Popping chaff.  Breaking left.

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         The F-14 Tomcat makes a tight roll and zooms away.

         Missile hits chaff, EXPLODES a hundred feet from the F-14.

         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

                               STONE
                   Let's see if we can take out some of
                   these tanks.

                               BARTON
                   Still five Bandits out there.

                               STONE
                   Keep an eye on them for me.

         Barton nods.  Stone throws the Tomcat into a dive.

         EXT. IRANIAN DESERT -- DAY

         Stone's F-14 and two other Tomcats swoop down over the Iranian
         column, dropping AGM-65 Maverick laser guided bombs.

         BLAAAAM!  BLAAAAAM!

         A third of the enemy armored division is blown to bits!

         INT. ARMORED VEHICLE -- DAY

                               LOGAN
                   Yes!

         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

                               STONE
                   One more run should do it...

                               BARTON
                   We've been spiked!  Bandit at nine
                   o'Clock.  Coming out of the clouds.

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         Colonel Farqua's black MiG-27 zooms down at Stone's F-14.
                                                                  
  94.


         INT. WAR ROOM - IRAN -- DAY

         Zahedi admires the Ship Killers through the tempered glass.

                               ZAHEDI
                   Prepare to fire missile number one.

                               URIBE
                   Yes, sir.

         INT. COMBAT DIRECTION CENTER -- DAY

         Admiral Ferguson and Gilbert watch the CIS monitor, while
         Elster grabs a seat at a radar console, providing assistance.

         On the CIS monitor, the air battle moves North, leaving the
         Marines to battle the Iranian armored column.

                               FERGUSON
                       (on radio)
                   You're on your own from here, Colonel.

         Next door in the...

         INT. GALLERY -- DAY

         The President organizes the search for the homing device.
         Maps of every floor of the carrier cover the walls.

                               PRESIDENT
                   O-2-176 is clear?

         The President draws a big red X through the room on the map.
         Only a tenth of the rooms have Xs.

                               PRESIDENT
                   Like finding a be-be in a boxcar.

         INT. PASSAGEWAY -- DAY

         A SEARCH TEAM of sailors moves on to room 02-178.        

         One of the sailors carries a Sentry V radio wave detector.

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         Stone's Tomcat roars by, followed by the black MiG-27.

         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

                               BARTON
                   He's right on our six.  Looks like
                   our buddy from the carrier.
                                                                  
  95.


         INT. MIG COCKPIT -- DAY

         Colonel Farqua lines up the F-14 on his targeting display
         and fires his wing guns.

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         20 mm shells from the MiGs gunpods spray at the F-14.

         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

         Stone pulls the stick, twisting the plane sideways.

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         Shells from the MiG's wing guns spray on either side of the
         perpendicular Tomcat... Coming within inches, but missing.

         INT. MIG COCKPIT -- DAY

         Colonel Farqua whispers into the radio:

                               FARQUA
                   My little American friend.

         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

                               FARQUA (V.O.)
                   We meet again.  This time my missiles
                   will not turn away from you.

                               STONE
                   I'll have to turn away from them.

         The ultimate dog fight.  Does Stone have his confidence back?

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         The black MiG-27 fires a pair of missiles at Stone's F-14.

         Stone pops chaff, and hooks left... but one missile follows!

         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

                               BARTON
                   Still on us!  Gotta shake it, Stone!

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         A Cammy F-16 comes after Gremlin's F-14, firing wing guns.

         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

         Gremlin tries to evade, jockeying the stick right and left.
                                                                  
  96.


                               GREMLIN
                   He's right on my tail!  Need some
                   help over here!

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         Gremlin's F-14 and the F-16 engage in air combat maneuvers,
         the F-14 evading the F-16's gunfire.

         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

         Hollywood glides into position, eyes on the targeting circle.

                               HOLLYWOOD (V.O.)
                   I've got him.

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         Hollywood zooms behind the F-16 following Gremlin's Tomcat.

         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

         Hollywood centers the F-16 in his target circle and fires.

                               HOLLYWOOD (V.O.)
                   Good tone.  Fox one cleared hot.

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         The missile hits the second F-16 and explodes.

         Three Cammy F-16s left.

         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

         Stone tries to out manuever the missile.                 
       
         Left.                                                    
       
         Right.                                                   
 
         It follows.

                               BARTON
                   It's a heat seeker!

                               STONE
                   So let's find some fire.

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         Panther's F-14 has a Cammy F-16 right on his tail!

         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

         Panther's HUD screen flashes a warning...
                                                                  
  97.


                               PANTHER
                   Bandit on my tail!  Got a lock on me!

                               STONE (V.O.)
                   Panther: Slice right on my signal.

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         Stone's F-14, chased by the missile, zooms behind the Cammy
         F-16 which is chasing Panther.

                               STONE (V.O.)
                   Now!

         Stone rips past the F-16, breaking left 180 degrees.

         Panther's Tomcat slices right, turning 180 degrees.

         The Cammy F-16 is left to deal with the missile.

         BLAAAAM!

         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

                               STONE
                   Three down, two to go.

                               BARTON
                   Bandit coming out of the clouds at
                   three O'clock!

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         Farqua's black MiG-27 zooms down at Stone's Tomcat, wing
         guns spewing hot lead.

         Before Stone can post hole out of there, he takes a hit.

         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

                               STONE
                   Thrasher?

                               BARTON
                   Still alive.  Let's waste this sucker.

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         Gremlin's F-14 has a Cammy F-16 right on his tail.       
 
         The F-16 fires a missile, but the F-14 pops chaff and evades.
                                                                  
  98.


         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

                               GREMLIN
                   Good try.  But check this out.

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         Gremlin's Tomcat zooms in a loop-the-loop, behind the F-16.

         INT. CAMOUFLAGE F-16 COCKPIT -- DAY

         The F-16 pilot looks all over for the F-14...

         Then his RWR screen blasts a warning: He's targeted.

         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

                               GREMLIN
                   Hasta la vista.

         Gremlin gets tone and launches missiles.

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         The missiles hit the Cammy F-16 and blow it to pieces.

         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

                               GREMLIN
                   Last Cammy splashed, Blue Leader.

                               STONE (V.O.)
                   Copy that, Gremlin.  Return to air
                   support for the Marine Team.

         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

                               GREMLIN (V.O.)
                   Need any help, Blue Leader?

                               STONE
                   No. I can handle this.

         Confidence in his voice.  He's going to need it...

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         Farqua's Black MiG-27 is right on Stone's tail.

         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

         Stone keeps bobbing and weaving.
                                                                  
  99.


                               STONE
                   I can't shake this guy.  I'm going to
                   try to lose him in the canyons.

                               BARTON
                   Stone...

                               STONE
                   Going to need you on the TFR, Thrasher. 
                   Keep me from slamming into the walls.

                               BARTON
                   I'm with you.

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         Stone's Tomcat zooms into the narrow canyons below, Farqua's
         black MiG right on it's tail...  And GAINING!

         EXT. IRANIAN DESERT -- DAY

         The Iranian armored column continues advancing on the Marines.

         A Chinese 69-II tank fires at three LAV-25s, EXPLODING them.

         INT. ARMORED VEHICLE -- DAY

         Debris rains over Logan and Newton.  Newton isn't happy.

                               NEWTON
                   Too damned close.

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         Gremlin and the rest of Blue Squadron roar out of the sky,
         dropping AGM-65 Maverick laser guided bombs on the tanks.

         EXT. IRANIAN DESERT -- DAY

         More than half of the Iranian tanks are blown to pieces!

         INT. ARMORED VEHICLE -- DAY

         Cheers from the Marines.                                 
      
         Some wave at the Tomcats as they fly back to the Carrier.

                               CADELL
                       (on the radio)
                   Base, Marine Team.

         EXT. IRANIAN DESERT -- DAY

         The remaining Iranian tanks retreat from the Marine Team.
                                                                  
 100.


         One of the old Soviet T-54 tanks spins its turret, firing
         back at the Marine column as it retreats.

         INT. ARMORED VEHICLE -- DAY

                               CADELL
                   We have them on the run.  Time to
                   target: ten minutes.

         BLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAM!  Cadell's LAV-25 is hit!

         INT. ARMORED VEHICLE -- DAY

                               LOGAN
                       (on the radio)
                   Colonel?  Colonel?

         Logan climbs out of his LAV-25 to help Cadell.

         EXT. IRANIAN DESERT -- DAY

         Logan runs to Cadell's LAV-25.                           
       
         No survivors.

         Their commanding officer is dead, and they are DEEP behind
         enemy lines.  Logan stands amidst the smoke and wreckage.

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         Stone's F-14 roars through the narrow canyons, with Farqua's
         black MiG stuck on his tail.

         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

         Barton's RWR shows they're constantly being targeted, but
         the black MiG can't get a lock because of the sharp corners.

                               STONE
                   I can't get rid of this guy.

                               BARTON
                   Hard left coming up.

         Stone gets ready to zoom the plane around the corner.

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         Stone and Barton's F-14 continues zipping through the canyons.
                                                                  
 101.


         INT. WAR ROOM - IRAN -- DAY

                               ZAHEDI
                   In ten minutes our enemies will be
                   dead, and the Persian Empire of Cyrus
                   The Great will be reunited under our
                   military regime.   Check and mate.

                               URIBE
                   Opening missile silo doors.

         EXT. MISSILE BUNKER -- DAY

         The silo doors open, exposing the Ship Killers...        
      
         Ready to launch!

         EXT. USS STOWERS AIRCRAFT CARRIER -- DAY

         The target awaits the Ship Killers.

         INT. COMBAT DIRECTION CENTER -- DAY

                               FERGUSON
                   Cadell?  Cadell?

                               GILBERT
                   We've lost him, sir.

         Next door in the...

         INT. GALLERY -- DAY

         The President draws another X on the maps.               
       
         Only a quarter of the rooms have been searched.

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         Farqua's black MiG is right on the tail of Stone's F-14 as
         they zoom through the canyon.

         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

                               STONE
                   Can't shake this guy.

                               BARTON
                   Hard right coming up.

         Stone works the stick, roaring through the narrow canyons.

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         The two planes chase through the narrow canyon at 645 mph.
                                                                  
 102.


         INT. MIG COCKPIT -- DAY

         Colonel Farqua makes the hard right turn with ease.

                               FARQUA
                       (on the radio)
                   Let us put an end to this nonsense,
                   my American friend.  Get back in the
                   sky and fight like men.

         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

                               BARTON
                   Men?
                       (looks at her scope)
                   Hard right followed by a hard left.

         Stone twists the stick right, turning the plane on its side...

         Heading right into the wall of the canyon!

         Stone turns the stick left seconds before impact.

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         Stone's F-14 takes the REALLY hairy corner in the canyon...
         The tip of his wing sparks off the canyon wall.

         Farqua's black MiG-27 twists and turns effortlessly.

         INT. MIG COCKPIT -- DAY

         Colonel Farqua calmly manuevers the plane.

                               FARQUA
                   These games are beginning to bore me.

         Farqua gets a lock on Stone's F-14 and fires two missiles.

         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

                               BARTON
                   We've been spiked!

                               STONE
                   Hold on!

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         The missiles chase Stone's Tomcat through the canyon.

         The F-14 takes a tight corner, wing brushing the wall.

         The missiles miss the turn: hitting the wall and EXPLODING!
                                                                  
 103.


         Right in front of Farqua's black MiG-27!

         INT. MIG COCKPIT -- DAY

         Colonel Farqua pulls up as debris from the explosion sprays
         beneath him.  He banks and takes to the sky...

         Gets an alarm.                                           
       
         He's been targeted!

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         Stone's F-14 zooms at Farqua's black MiG.

         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

                               STONE
                   No more games.  Time to go to hell.

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         Farqua's black MiG evades Stone's Tomcat in an amazing display
         of air combat maneuvering.  Like an intricate dance, the two
         planes spin, slice, turn and jockey for position.

         Ending up flying head to head at each other.

         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

                               BARTON
                   Stone.  We're gonna hit him.

                               STONE
                   Hold on.

         Stone gets a targeting lock on the black MiG and fires.

                               STONE
                   Fox two cleared hot.

         INT. MIG COCKPIT -- DAY

         Farqua ignores the warning light and targets Stone's plane.
         Firing a pair of missiles.

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         Two planes roar at each other.                           
       
         Four missiles zoom at each other.

         INT. F-14 TOMCAT COCKPIT -- DAY

                               STONE
                   Punching out!
                                                                  
 104.


         Stone pulls the ejection control lever.                  
       
         The canopy blows, rockets under the seats send Stone and
         Barton BLASTING out of the F-14 into the sky.

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- DAY

         The two planes and four missiles hit each other.         
       
         Sky turns to fire for a minute.

         Pop!  Pop!  Pop!  Three parachutes blossom in the clouds.

         EXT. AERIAL FOOTAGE -- EVENING

         Stone floats through the sky.                            
       
         The parasail has a glide slope ratio of 40:1.           

         Stone notes Barton's good chute gliding to the North of him.

         Then sees Farqua's black parachute gliding right at him!

         Closer.                                                  
       
         Closer.

         Pulling an ugly ASKU-74 assault rifle from a side holster.
         Only 16 inches, a 30 round magazine, one deadly machine gun.

         Stone fumbles with his snap pockets, pulls out his matching
         chrome 45 automatics.  7 rounds in each: 14 total.

         The two parachutes sail closer... only 500 feet away.

         The two men face each other like cowboys at high noon.

         They aim at each other.                                  
       
         Stare each other down.                                   
       
         Tension.

         Farqua opens fire.                                       

         Stone returns fire with both guns.                       
       
         It's a para-shoot out!

         They trade shots, sailing around each other.

         Stone punches a couple of small holes in Farqua's parachute.
         Farqua hits one of Stone's chute straps, fraying it.

         Stone blasts with both guns, but can't seem to hit Farqua.

         They drift closer.                                       
      
         Closer.

         Farqua aims his assault rifle at Stone's chest.

         Stone aims both 45s at Farqua's head.  Pulls the triggers. 
         Click.  Click.  Click.  Click.  Out of shells!
                                                                  
 105.


         Farqua laughs.  Pulls the trigger on his ASKU-74.       
         Bang!  Click!  Click!  Click!  Click!  Click!

         The bullet slices into Stone's jacket, missing flesh.

         Farqua ejects his spent clip, reaches into a snap pocket and
         pulls out another.  Shoves it into the assault rifle.

         Stone's two 45s are empty.  He is completely defenseless!

         Farqua laughs, prepares to kill Stone.

         Stone drops his chrome 45s, grabs the Very signal flare gun
         from a snap pocket and aims it at Farqua's parachute.

         BLAM!  The flare hits Farqua's chute, setting it on fire.
         When the parachute burns through, Farqua DROPS to the ground.

         SPLAT!

         EXT. IRANIAN DESERT -- EVENING

         Stone lands perfectly, unhooks his parachute, and goes to
         find his fallen chrome 45s... Empty, but his only defense.

         Pocketing the guns, Stone stops to check on Colonel Farqua.

         Farqua is dead.  A big black splat in the dirt.  Yech.

                               STONE
                   A good pilot, but you couldn't fly
                   worth shit.

         Stone sees Barton's chute fluttering in the distance and
         goes to check on her.

         Barton unhooks her parachute, hears someone coming, draws
         her Baretta 92-F automatic.

                               STONE
                   You okay?

         Barton nods, holsters the gun.                           
       
         Then they hear the tank motors!  The retreating Iranians!

         Stone and Barton hide in a rock formation.               
       
         Barton sees her parachute billowing.                     
       
         Giving away their location.

         The sounds of the tanks get closer.                      
       
         Closer.

         Stone tries to look without being seen.  Can only see that
         they are about to be captured.
                                                                  
 106.


         The tanks stop at the parachute.  A SOLDIER in Iranian uniform
         runs to the parachute, studying it.  Then he sees footprints.
         Leading RIGHT to the rocks where Stone and Barton hide.

         Stone and Barton pull out their guns, ready for action.  
 
         Two against an army, not much chance of survival.

         Snick!  Snick!                                           

         Guns are aimed at Stone and Barton's heads from behind.

         Stone lowers his weapons carefully.

                               LOGAN
                   Hey!  You're going to need those.

         It's NOT an enemy patrol!  It's Logan and the Marine Team.

                               STONE
                   They're empty.  Got any 45 rounds?

                               LOGAN
                   I think we can dig some up.  Newton?

         The Iranian Soldier comes over: it's Newton in enemy uniform.

                               LOGAN
                   Get this flyboy some 45 ammo.
                       (to Stone)
                   Hop on, we'll give you a ride.

                               BARTON
                   There's something you don't see
                   everyday.  Marines offering the Navy
                   a ride.

         EXT. ARMORED VEHICLE -- EVENING

         Stone and Barton hop aboard one of the LAV-25s, and the column
         continues through the rugged terrain.

                               STONE
                   Where we going?

                               LOGAN
                   Up that mountain, and into the bunker.

         Barton and Stone look up at the bunker.                  
       
         Logan on the radio.

                               LOGAN
                   This is Marine Team, I've got a couple
                   of downed flyboys.  Stone and Barton...
                   Hey, you're a girl.
                                                                  
 107.


                               BARTON
                   That's as far as Marines get in sex
                   education.  Identifying the sexes.

                               LOGAN
                   Can't leave them behind so I'm taking
                   them along.

                               FERGUSON (V.O.)
                   Copy that.  Take good care of them.

                               LOGAN
                   We brought along some spare SAWs, I'm
                   sure they can take care of themselves.

                               FERGUSON (V.O.)
                   If you get into any trouble, we have
                   an ACE Team on standby.  Four AH-1W
                   Cobra helos...

                               LOGAN
                   We don't get into trouble, we just
                   make it.  Marine Team out.

         Logan hooks the radio.  The Marine Team races to the mountain.

         INT. WAR ROOM - IRAN -- EVENING

                               VOICE (V.O.)
                   Five minutes to launch.  Five minutes
                   to launch.

         Zahedi takes a final look at the ten Ship Killers before
         closing the blast shutters on the window.

                               ZAHEDI
                   Today we are history.  The land taken
                   from us generations ago will once
                   again be ours.

                               VOICE (V.O.)
                   T minutes two eighty five.  T minus
                   two eighty.  T minus two seventy...

         EXT. USS STOWERS AIRCRAFT CARRIER -- EVENING

         The target.  The President of the United States and a dozen
         Heads Of State await their death.

         INT. GALLERY -- EVENING

         The President draws another red X through a room.  But over
         half the ship has yet to be searched.  They are doomed.
                                                                  
 108.


         EXT. IRANIAN DESERT -- EVENING

         The tanks and LAVs stop at the base of the mountains.    
       
         A sheer cliff rises two hundred feet to the bunker.

                               NEWTON
                   No way to waste it from here.

                               LOGAN
                   We're gonna have to climb.
                       (to the team)
                   Gentlemen, and lady, here's the plan:
                   Fox and Echo Companies stay behind
                   the guard the position.  Bravo Squad
                   gets to play mission impossible. 
                   Climb this mountain, sneak into the
                   missile bunker dressed as enemy
                   soldiers, and plant the charges...

                               BARTON
                   Sir?  I have climbing experience.

                               LOGAN
                   Grab an enemy uniform and come along.

         EXT. THE CLIFF -- EVENING

         Logan, Newton, the Marine Team, Stone and Barton climb, using
         ropes, pitons, snap rings, and relays.  All wear backpacks.

         Logan leads the Team, using expansion bolts over pitons:
         hammering might alert the patrols at the top of the mountain. 
         He pops a ring into an expansion bolt, secures the rope.

         Newton climbs behind him, then Barton, then Stone, then eight
         more Marines dressed in enemy army uniforms.  All climb
         barefoot with their shoes hooked to D-rings on their vests.

         True team work.  Each climber is dependent upon every other
         climber on the rope.  If one man falls, the others must hold
         his weight until they can rescue him.

         Logan finds good hand and foot holds: small crevices to wedge
         his fingers and toes into.

         Halfway up the cliff, Stone looses his footing and falls.

         Hanging by his rope, dangling 100 feet in the air.  He would
         love to scream.... but that would alert the guards.

         Logan digs in, holding up the team as Barton scrambles down
         to help Stone.  The expansion bolt strains under the weight.
                                                                  
 109.


         Barton hooks herself to an expansion bolt and reaches down
         to Stone.  She tries to grab his wrist.

         Misses.

         Tries again.

         The expansion bolt begins to pull from the crevice.

         Stone reaches out for her.  Needs her help.

         Barton strains, grabs his wrist.

         Stone grabs her wrist.

         She pulls him back to his footing.

         The expansion bolt pulls from the cliff, but Barton has her
         grip back.  She inserts a new bolt, reclips the rope.

         Stone mouths the word "thanks".  She smiles.  A team.

         They continue climbing the side of the cliff to the Bunker.

         At the top of the mountain, Logan takes a quick look over
         the rock outcroppings at the Bunker Entrance.

         Logan uses hand signals to tell Newton and the team that
         there are two guards at the entrance.

         Newton nods... vaults over the ledge to the bunker entrance!

         EXT. BUNKER ENTRANCE -- EVENING

         Newton looks over the cliff, speaks loudly in Farsi.

         The TWO GUARDS notice him, confused.  Where'd he come from?

         Newton points down the cliff, yells something in Farsi.

         The Two Guards keep their rifles aimed at Newton as they
         approach the edge of the cliff to see what he's yelling about.

         When they look over the edge of the cliff, Stone and Logan
         reach up and grab them, pulling them over the edge.

                               GUARDS
                   AHHHHHHHHHH!

         They yell as they fall 200 feet to the ground.

         SPLAT!  SPLAT!

         The entire Marine Team comes over the ledge to the bunker.
                                                                  
 110.


                               LOGAN
                       (to a pair of Marines)
                   McGruder and Rutland stay here to set
                   up the fast rappel ropes.

                               STONE
                   How long to plant the charges?

                               LOGAN
                   Have to get deep enough to do damage...

                               NEWTON
                   The trick is getting out.

                               LOGAN
                   When I start the timer, I'll yell.

                               STONE
                   Liable to be a lot of yelling going
                   on in there.  We need a code word.

                               LOGAN
                   Like what?

                               STONE
                   Grand Slam.

                               LOGAN
                   Got that everybody?  When you hear
                   "Grand Slam" it means we've got three
                   minutes to clear out before the whole
                   mountain top blows.

         The Marine Team nods.  They open the metal blast doors.

         INT. MISSILE CONTROL ROOM - IRAN -- EVENING

         The Ship Killer missiles ready for launch.           
         TECHNICIANS check their consoles, as the countdown continues.

                               VOICE (V.O.)
                   T minus three minutes.  T minus one
                   seventy five.  T minus one seventy...

         INT. MISSILE BUNKER -- EVENING

         The blast doors spring open and Marine Team sneaks inside.

         The Missile Bunker is a maze of metal stairs and hallways. 
         Guards and Patrols scattered through out.

         The Marine Team moves in standard two by two cover formation,
         with Newton acting as scout: Strolling through the bunker
         like an Iranian Guard on a cigarette break.
                                                                  
 111.


         Logan carries an M-70 electronic bomb sniffer, capable of
         locating large caches of explosives and missiles.  He checks
         the readings every so often.

         INT. BUNKER HALLWAY -- EVENING

         Newton turns a corner to a long hallway.  Halfway down the
         hall, a GUARD exits a doorway, heading toward Newton.

         Newton whistles: signaling the others to hang back.

         INT. MISSILE BUNKER -- EVENING

         The Marine Team, Stone and Barton, hug the walls.

         INT. BUNKER HALLWAY -- EVENING

         The Guard gets closer.                                   
       
         Newton smiles and offers him a cigarette.

         The Guard goes ballistic and points to a sign, yelling in
         Farsi.  Agitated.  He pulls the cigarette from Newton's mouth.

         Newton slams his palm into the Guard's nose: killing him.

         When the Marine Team comes around the corner, Newton
         translates the sign (written in Farsi).

                               NEWTON
                       (whispers)
                   No smoking.

         They move deeper into the bunker.

         INT. BUNKER HALLWAY -- EVENING

         Another hallway.                                         
    
         Lots of doors.                                           
       
         Lots of chances to be caught by Guards or Patrols.      

         They move cautiously.

         Logan checks his bomb sniffer, shakes his head.

         A PAIR OF GUARDS exit a doorway.

         No place for the Team to hide, they have to bluff it out. 
         Most of them don't look a bit Middle Eastern.

         Newton turns to the Team, barking orders in Farsi.  Taking
         the focus from the group to himself.

         The Guards pass by the entire Team and keep going.

         Close Call!  Newton and the Team relax...
                                                                  
 112.


         Then one of the Guards stops, sniffs the air.  Perfume? 
         Turns to look at the Marine Team, notices Barton's shape.
         Not a man's shape at all.                                
       
         The Guard nudges his partner.

         The Two Guards aim their rifles at the team!

         BLAM!  BLAM!                                            

         Stone fires his chromed 45s at the Guards, blasting them
         against the wall... shots echoing through the bunker.

         INT. WAR ROOM - IRAN -- EVENING

                               ZAHEDI
                   Sound the alarm.

         INT. MISSILE BUNKER -- EVENING

         The alarm goes off, and Logan and Stone look at each other.

                               STONE
                   Sorry about that.

                               LOGAN
                   Let's set charges and blow this joint.

         Stone and Barton cover one side, Newton and a pair of Marines
         leads,  Two Marines cover the other side, and the rest of
         the Marine Team brings up the rear.

         A HALF DOZEN GUARDS rounds the corner ahead of them!

         Newton and the TWO MARINES engage them in a firefight, while
         the rest of the Team runs down metal stairs to a lower level.

         INT. MISSILE CONTROL ROOM - IRAN -- EVENING

                               VOICE (V.O.)
                   T minus one hundred.  Ninety nine. 
                   Ninety eight.  Ninety seven.....

         EXT. MISSILE BUNKER -- EVENING

         The Ship Killer missiles inside the missile bay.

         INT. MISSILE BUNKER -- EVENING

         At the bottom of the stairs, another group of GUARDS.

         Stone and Barton exchange gunfire with them, as Logan and
         the rest of the Marine Team continues down the hallway.

         A GUARD on an upper staircase fires down at them.
                                                                  
 113.


                               BARTON
                   Eleven o'clock, high.

         Stone turns, fires at the GUARD, who falls from the platform.

                               STONE
                   Thanks.

                               BARTON
                   De nada.

         They continue firing at the group of GUARDS.

         INT. BUNKER HALLWAY -- EVENING

         The Marine Team comes to a cool hallway.  Logan's bomb sniffer
         goes right off the boards.  He touches the wall... Cold.

                               LOGAN
                   Refrigerated.  The missiles are close.

         Each Marine passes their backpack down to Logan.         
    
         Logan pulls the explosives out of the backpacks and assembles
         them up near the cool wall.  The timer set at three minutes.

         Logan starts the timer and his watch, both ticking away.

         He lifts his walkie talkie and yells.

                               LOGAN
                   GRAND SLAM!  I repeat GRAND SLAM!

         Logan and the Marine Team fire at the Guards as they run.
         Speeding towards the Bunker Entrance.

         The bomb begins counting down... 2:59, 2:58, 2:57, 2:56.

         INT. MISSILE CONTROL ROOM - IRAN -- EVENING

                               VOICE (V.O.)
                   Eighty five, eighty four, eighty three.

         The bomb and the missiles, in a race to activate!        

         The missiles are winning!                                

         The first missile WILL fire at the aircraft carrier!

         INT. MISSILE BUNKER -- EVENING

         As Logan and the Marine Team run past Stone and Barton, they
         fall into place with them, taking metal stairs two at a time.
                                                                  
 114.


         INT. BUNKER HALLWAY -- EVENING

         In the long hallway, Newton, Barton and the Marine Team race
         to the end of the hallway.  Logan and Stone trailing.

         A GUARD pops out of a doorway in front of Barton.       

         BANG!  BANG!  She wastes him.

         Another door pops open in front of them.

                               NEWTON
                   Mine.

         BANG!  BANG!  Newton wastes the Guard.

         WHAM!  A door opens RIGHT IN FRONT of Stone and Logan!  Five
         GUARDS step out, cutting them off from the rest of the Team.

         The FIVE GUARDS aim their rifles at Stone and Logan.

                               GUARD #1
                   Drop your weapons!

         Stone and Logan look at each other... drop their guns.

         Barton turns, sees Logan and Stone captured, signals Newton.

                               BARTON
                   Stone, Logan.

         She turns to rescue them, Newton holds her back.

                               NEWTON
                   Not enough time.

         INSERT SHOT: THE BOMB

         Counting down to total destruction: 2:27, 2:26, 2:25, 2:24.

         INT. MISSILE BUNKER -- EVENING

         Barton takes a final look as the Guards lead Stone and Logan
         away, nods slowly.  Then they run like hell to escape.

         INT. BUNKER HALLWAY -- EVENING

         The Guards lead Stone and Logan back to the cool hallway...
         Right back to the huge mega bomb, counting down. 2:00, 1:59.

         But stop a dozen feet from the bomb and open a door.

         INT. WAR ROOM - IRAN -- EVENING

         Zahedi looks up as the Guards lead Stone and Logan in.
                                                                  
 115.


                               ZAHEDI
                   Our guests of honor.  So glad you
                   could attend this little going away
                   party.  In less than a minute your
                   President and the leaders of all our
                   neighboring countries will be dead.

         Logan sneaks a peek at his countdown watch: 1:42, 1:41, 1:40

                               VOICE (V.O.)
                   Thirty nine. Thirty eight...

         A minute behind the missile launch!

                               ZAHEDI
                   You shall be my witnesses.

         INT. BUNKER HALLWAY -- EVENING

         At the top of the stairs, the Marine Team becomes pinned in
         place by TWENTY GUARDS firing rifles.

                               BARTON
                   Running out of time.

         Newton shrugs, pulls a SMAW anti-tank gun from his pack.

                               NEWTON
                   This'll speed things up.

         Shoulders the weapon, aims at the Guards blocking their exit.
         Pulls the trigger.

         Bang!

         The Guards laugh when a single 9mm paint shell hits the wall
         next to them, spattering them.  Two of them raise combat
         shotguns, ready to blast the Marines to pieces.

         BLAAAAM!                                                 
       
         Newton pulls the second trigger, launching a high explosive
         anti-tank shell at the Twenty Guards.  It hits the same spot
         as the paint shell, and EXPLODES!   Killing all the Guards.

                               NEWTON
                   Let's go.

         The Marine Team runs to the Bunker Entrance, escaping.

         EXT. BUNKER ENTRANCE -- EVENING

         Newton and the Marine Team grab the fast rappel ropes and
         prepare to zip down the face of the cliff.
                                                                  
 116.


         Barton grabs Newton.

                               BARTON
                   What about Logan and Stone?

                               NEWTON
                   They're on their own.

         ZIIIIP!  Newton fast rappels down the cliff with the Marine
         Team.   Barton looks at the entrance, grabs her rope. Waits.

         INT. WAR ROOM - IRAN -- EVENING

         Stone sees Logan ready to make a move to the missile console.

                               STONE
                   I owe you one.

         Stone spins and hits the Guard behind him, then races across
         the room to the missile control console where Uribe sits.

         He SLAMS Uribe out of his chair, scans the buttons until he
         finds one marked "Countdown Abort" and punches it.

         THE LCD COUNTDOWN freezes at 00:27.

         The Guards scramble to aim their guns at Stone.  Jabbing him
         with the gun barrels.  Look to Zahedi for the kill order.

                               ZAHEDI
                       (laughs)
                   You Americans never know when to quit.

                               LOGAN
                   That's right.

         Stone is prodded back to Logan with the Guard's gun barrels.

                               ZAHEDI
                   Are you alright Mr. Uribe?

                               URIBE
                   Yes, sir.

         Uribe dusts himself off, sits back on his chair in front of
         the console.  Zahedi looks right at Stone, presses a button.

         THE LCD COUNTDOWN continues, starting at....  00:27!

                               LOGAN
                   Shit.

         Logan spins and hits a Guard.  Stone grabs his Guard's gun
         barrel and uses it to flip him over his shoulder.
                                                                  
 117.


         A ragged, ugly fight.  They slam both Guards to the floor,
         notice Zahedi aiming a 9mm at them.

                               ZAHEDI
                   Drop the weapons.

                               STONE
                   Go to hell.

         Stone throws the Guard's rifle at Zahedi, knocking him to
         the floor.  Logan and Stone take off running.

         LCD COUNTDOWN reads 00:24, 00:23, 00:22....

         INT. BUNKER HALLWAY -- EVENING

         Stone and Logan run like madmen for the Bunker Entrance.

         Pushing Guards out of their way (neither is armed).

                               VOICE (V.O.)
                   Twelve.  Eleven.  Ten...

         Racing up the stairs.

         Logan would love to look at his countdown watch, but there
         isn't enough time.  They RUN!

         INT. WAR ROOM - IRAN -- EVENING

         Zahedi pulls himself to his feet, notices the LCD Countdown
         which reads, 00:06, 00:05...

                               ZAHEDI
                   Finally, our people will reign!

         INT. BUNKER ENTRANCE -- EVENING

         A MASSIVE Guard blocks the exit.  When he sees Stone and
         Logan, he shows his lack of familiarity with dental hygiene.

         Stone and Logan don't slow down.                         
       
         They run right up to the Guard and double punch him.

                               STONE
                   I'd like to stick around and fight,
                   but it's time to skeedadle!

         INT. BUNKER HALLWAY -- EVENING

         The timing clock on the mega-bomb counts down... 2. 1. 0.

        
BLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAM!
                                                                  
 118.


         INT. WAR ROOM - IRAN -- EVENING

         The explosion incinerates Zahedi and Uribe.

         The Ship Killer missile, about to launch, EXPLODES!      
      
         Setting off a chain reaction of missile EXPLOSIONS!

         INT. MISSILE BUNKER -- EVENING

         Flames and explosions race through the bunker, destroying
         everything in their path.  Scientists and Guards run, the
         explosions catch up with them.  You can't outrun an explosion.

         EXT. BUNKER ENTRANCE -- EVENING

         Stone and Logan race out of the bunker, grab their ropes. 
         Barton would like to say something, but can feel the mountain
         shaking under her feet.

         The MASSIVE GUARD runs out of the bunker, aiming his rifle
         at the three, ready to kill them.

         Stone smiles at the Guard the three jump off the cliff!

         The Guard looks over the side of the cliff, shocked.     
    
         It's the last thing he ever does.

         EXT. THE CLIFF -- EVENING

         Stone, Barton, and Logan fast rappel down the cliff as a
         massive fiery explosion rips the top of the mountain off
         above them.  Flames SHOOT overhead, the sky turning to fire.

         EXT. IRANIAN DESERT -- EVENING

         The Marine Team looks up at the flying flames.           
       
         Amazed.

         EXT. THE CLIFF -- EVENING

         Three quarters of the way down, the ropes catch fire.

         But the trio makes it to the ground SECONDS before the ropes
         burn through.... Safe!

         INT. COMBAT DIRECTION CENTER -- EVENING

         The CIS photo shows the explosion, and everyone CHEERS!

         EXT. USS STOWERS AIRCRAFT CARRIER -- NIGHT

         Safe.                                               
         Helicopters with dignitaries begin taking off, sending the
         World Leaders back to their homes and families.
                                                                  
 119.


         INT. PASSAGEWAY -- NIGHT

         Admiral Ferguson leads Stone, Barton, and Logan.

                               FERGUSON
                   The President decided to stay for
                   dinner.  Get some of that military
                   chow he missed as a kid.  We saved a
                   couple of places at the table for you
                   guys.  Figures he owes you some thanks.

         INT. OFFICER'S MESS -- NIGHT

         A banquet.                                              

         The President sits at the head of the table, flanked by
         Admiral Ferguson and CAG Elster.

         Pilots sit on one side, Marines sit on the other.

         Stone takes a sip of wine, looks at Barton.

                               STONE
                   So why do they call you "Thrasher"? 
                   You some kind of skateboard whiz?

                               BARTON
                   I'm from Georgia.

         Stone gives a blank look.

                               BARTON
                   It's the state bird.  Brown Thrasher.

                               STONE
                   Oh.

         The President lifts his glass in a toast.

                               PRESIDENT
                   To the brave Marines, and the brave
                   pilots, who helped bring peace back
                   to the Middle East.

                               EVERYONE
                   Here!  Here!

         Glasses raised in toast.  Stone moves to his feet.

                               STONE
                   And to Kovac, MacKenna, Gremlin...
                   The real heroes, who gave their lives. 
                   Our absent friends.

                               THE END.


Return To Index