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.