Screenplays for You - free movie scripts and screenplays

Screenplays, movie scripts and transcripts organized alphabetically:

Starship Troopers (1997)

by Edward Neumeier.
Based on the novel by Robert Heinlein.

More info about this movie on IMDb.com


FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY


1	FROM THE FEDERAL NET -- NOTICE -- JOIN UP NOW !

Proud YOUNG PEOPLE in uniform, the bloom of human evolution.

		YOUNG PEOPLE
	I'm doing my part... Me, too...
	Are you ?

The mobile infantery logo:	LIGHTNING BOLTS ON A BLACK SHIELD.

		OFFICIAL VOICE
	Join the mobile infantery and save the world !
	Service guarantees citizen-ship.
	Would you like to know more ?

2	BUG METEOR:

Behold actual pictures of a METEOR, this one a mile across, as it hurtles
past an observation ship.

		OFFICIAL VOICE
	The Bugs send another meteor our way !

A BRIGHT EXPLOSION in space out beyond the moon.

		OFFICIAL VOICE
	But this time we are ready !
	Planetary defenses are better than ever !
	Would you like to know more ?

3	KLENDATHU --- WHY WE HAVE TO FIGHT !

Klendathu, a fierce orange planet ringed by an asteroid belt,
orbits a double star.

		OFFICIAL VOICE
	Klendathu, source of the bug meteor attacks,
	orbits a twin star system whose brutal gravitational
	forces produce an unlimited supply of meteorites...

A "You are here" map of the KNOWN GALAXY shows the Earth in
relationship to the BUG PLANETARY SYSTEM and Klendathu.

		OFFICIAL VOICE
	To ensure the safety of our solar system,
	Klendathu must be eliminated !
	Would you like to know more ?



4	LIVE BROADCAST -- FROM ORBIT - THE INVASION OF KLENDATHU !

For BATTLE GROUPS, sixty STARSHPS strong, orbit the orange planet.
Graphics:	KLENDATHU:	THE INVASION

		OFFICIAL VOICE
	We break net now and take you live to Klendathu
where the invasion has begun !

5	EXT	KLENDATHU -- NIGHT -- THE CAMERA

takes the Mobile Infantery CAP TROOPERS wearing fully armed Marauder
POWER SUITS as they move up the line, the pans to the
NET CORRESPONDENT

		NET CORRESPONDENT
	We 've just landes here on whar cap troopres are calling
	"Big K" with the 6th Mobile Infantery division...
	It 's an ugly planet, a bug planet, a planet hostile to
	life as we iGKKKKKK !

Blood hits the lens as the Correspondent is cut in half.
The CAMERA catches a glimpse of HUGE CLAWS as Cap Trooper
JOHNNY RICO , 18, blows away SOMETHING BIG big with his pulse cannon.

		JOHNNY
	Com'on, let's go !	ON THE BOUNCE

The cap troopers move out, among them DIZZY FLORES, 18, ACE
LEVY, 19, and KITTEN SMITH, 18. The CAMERA pauses, unsure.

		FED NET CENTRAL (O.S.)
	FOLLOW THEM...! GO ! GO !

The CAMERA follows. The PULSE of BUG BATTERIES is blinding.
Cap Troopers scream as they are torn apart right and left by an enemy
seen only in disorientating glimpses.

		JOHNNY
	THIS WAY !

The group splits into two, and the CAMERA follows Johnny.
Something slices Kitten Smith, and he goes down screaming.

		JOHNNY
	KITTEN !

Johnny stops to help his comrade. A CLAW slashes into him.


		JOHNNY
	AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA !

Now something grabs the CAMERA, spinning it around.
We glimpse the hideous jaws of an ARACHNID WARRIOR.

		CAMERAMAN (O.S.)
	AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA !

The CAMERA hits the ground. Johnny, badly wounded, bleeding
from the mouth, crawls into CAMERA, trying to get away from the
dark INSECT SHAPES that close in on him.

		JOHNNY
	Oh, God... Oh, God, help me...
	please help me...

His eyes glaze over as he remembers

					FLASHBACK:

6	INT	NEW UNI HIGH - CLASSROOM - DAY - CARMEN IBANEZ

is beautiful, just 18, and quite pleased with herself  because
Johnny Rico is clearly infatuated with her.

		RASCZAK (O.S.)
	The end of another school year, and for
	me no doubt another failure...
	Rico, pay attention !

The teacher JEAN RASCZAK, 38, a rugged veteran who proudly
displays his missing hand, scowls at Johnny, bemused.

		JOHNNY
	Sorry, Mr. Rasczak.

But as soon as Rasczak turns back to the class, Johnny begins to sketch
a cartoon on his desk's touch screen.

		RASCZAK
	Here in History and Moral Philosophy
	we've explored the decline of
	Democracy when social scientists brought
	the world to the brink of chaos, and how the
	veterans took control and imposed a stability
	that has lasted for generations since...
	You know these facts but have I taught you
	anything of value ? You.
	Why are only citizens allowed to vote ?

Rasczak points at LANNY, 17, with his stump
.
		LANNY
	It's a reward... what the Federation gives you
	for doing Federal Service.

Rasczak is crestfallen, makes a big show of patience.

		RASCZAK
	No. Something given has no value !
	Haven't I taught you dimwits anything ?
	I guess they ought to revoke my
	teaching credential...

Laughter. Johnny's cartoon, meanwhile, is taking shape:
Johnny and Carmen flying round planet Venus in a space ship.

		RASCZAK
	When you vote, you're exercising political
	authority. You're using force. And force, my
	friends, is violence, the supreme authority
	from which all other authority derives.

CARL JENKINS, 18, a superintelligent geek, jumps in.

		CARL
	Gee, we always thought you were the
	supreme authority, Mr. Rasczak.

Laughter. Rasczak grins.

		RASCZAK
	In my classroom, you bet. Whether it's
	exerted by ten or ten billion, political
	authority is violence by degree. The
	people we call citizens have earned
	the right to wield it.

DIZZY FLORES, 18, athletic, pretty, no nonsense, chimes in.

		DIZZY
	My mother always says that violence
	never solves anything.

		RASCZAK
	Really ? I wonder what the city fathers of
	Hiroshima would have to say about that.
	You.

Rasczak points at Carmen.

		CARMEN
	They probably wouldn't say anything.
	Hiroshima was destroyed.

Johnny presses ´"SEND" on his desk, and the cartoon appears
across the way on Carmen's screen.

		RASCZAK
	Correct. Naked force has settled more
	issues in history than any other factor.
	The contrary opinion 'violence never
	solves anything' is wishful thinking
	at its worst.

While Rasczak looks away, Carmen throws Johnny her wonderful
smile, and Johnny's gone, checked out, flying round Venus.

		RASCZAK
	People who forget that always pay...
	They pay with their lives and their
	freedom.

Dizzy notices the dreamy look on Johnny's face.
So does Rasczak. He points at him with his stump,
snaps Johnny to.

		RASCZAK
	You. Tell me the moral difference,
	if any, between the citizen and the civilian ?

		JOHNNY
	The difference lies in the field of civic
	virtue. A citizen accepts personal
	responsibility for the safety of the body politic,
	of which he is a member, defending it,
	if need be, with his life.
	The civilian does not.

		RASCZAK
	The exact words of the text. But do
	you understand it ?
	Do you believe it ?

		JOHNNY
	Uh, I don't know.

		RASCZAK
	Of course you don't. I doubt if any
	of you here would recognize 'civic virtue'
	if it bit you in the ass.

A bell rings. Rasczak shrugs, indifferent.

		RASCZAK
	Well, that's it. Have a nice life.

7	EXT	NEW UNI HIGH - HALLWAY - DAY - JOHNNY AND CARMEN

walk with their friends. Several COUPLES hold hands. Johnny
tries to take Carmen's hand, but she demurs. Johnny broods.

		CARMEN
	C'mon, let's see if they've posted the
	math final test yet.

		STUDENT
	Hey, Rico, we gonna take Tesla ?

		JOHNNY
	How should I know ?

		STUDENT
	You're captain of the team !

8	EXT	QUAD - DAY - JOHNNY AND CARMEN

join other students around a MULTI-SCREEN KIOSK.

		CARMEN
	First thing Fleet Academy looks at
	is your math scores.
	Wish me luck !

Carmen enters her name, receives her score:	97% !	She beams.

		JOHNNY
	Good for you.

		CARMEN
	Your turn...

Then she spots Carl across the way talking with MARCO, 17.

		CARMEN
	Hold on... I wanna talk to Marco.
	His sister's at Fleet !

Carmen rushes off. Johnny checks his score:	35% ! Crushed, he
makes sure no none else has seen. Carl walks up to him.

		CARL
	You still haven't kissed her yet ? Don't lie.

		JOHNNY
	What's the hurry ?

		CARL
	Others are waiting.

Carl points out Dizzy, talking with friends.

		JOHNNY
	Did you read her mind ?

		CARL
	Don't have to... Some mating semaphore
	is pretty hard to miss.

It's true. You can tell by the way she looks at Johnny.

		JOHNNY
	Yeah, but I want Carmen.

		CARL
	You got it bad.

Carmen returns to Johnny as Carls heads off.

		CARL
	Don't forget about this afternoon.
		(to Carmen)
	He's always late when he walks you home
	to fish for a kiss.

Carmen blushes, covers.

		CARMEN
	She's flying starships !

		JOHNNY
	Who ?

		CARMEN
	Marco's sister. Can you imagine
	maneuvering half a million tons through
	crwoded space lanes...
	You gotta have nerves of steel !
	Reflexes are critical

		JOHNNY
	I have good reflexes.

Carmen notices the way Dizzy's looking at Johnny, doesn't
like it one bit, takes Johnny's arm.

		CARMEN
	C'mon Johnny, we'll be late for Biology.

9	INT	BIOLOGY LAB  -- DAY - THE BIOLOGY TEACHER

is an older woman, very spry, also blind. Johnny, Carmen and
other students gather around covered lab tables.

		BIOLOGY TEACHER
	For our final today, please identify the mouthparts,
	the abdominal organs, and for extra credit, locate the
	nerve cord and count the ganglia.
	You may begin.

The students remove the cover to reveal large alien bugs, 60
centimeter ARKELLIAN SAND BEETLES laid out for dissection.

		CARMEN
	Eeuch !

		JOHNNY
	Aw, c'mon, it's just a bug.

		BIOLOGY TEACHER
	Just a bug, eh ? We humans like to think we are
	Nature's finest achievement. I'm afraid it isn't
	true. This Arkellian Sand Beetle is superior in many
	ways. It has fewer moving parts, can reproduce itself
	in vast numbers, and unboud by concerns of ego and
	mortality, makes the perfect selfless member of
	society.

		JOHNNY
	Better put your goggles on.

Johnny slices the abdomen open with asurgical laser. Green
fluid sprays from the slit. Carmen turns away looking ill.

		BIOLOGY TEACHER
	Our galaxy is teaming with insect life. We have
	identified over two billion species so far.
	Human, life, it would seem, is the anomaly.

		CARMEN
	But we 're intelligent. Human minds have invented
	art, mathematics and interstellar travel.

		BIOLOGY TEACHER
	True, we know of no insect society that has
	produced a Shakespeare, an Einstein or a
	Cherynkov, but before you let that go to your
	head, take the example of the Arachnids, a
	highly organized, highly evolved insect society.

She points to an insect evolution chart that starts with a
common ant and ends with a two meter tall ARACHNID WARRIOR.

		BIOLOGY TEACHER
	They are relatively stupid by human standards. Workers
	have an IQ of 12, warriors around 35 , and yet the
	Arachnids have colonized planets. Over a million years
	of evolution, Nature has provided the Arachnids with the
	biological means to hurl their spore into space.

Johnny applies a spreader and jacks the insects abdominal cavity
open with aresounding crack. Bug guts gush out.

		JOHNNY
	Well, if that's the crop, that must be the gastric
	caecal...

		CARMEN
	Excuse me...!

She heads for the door, hand over her mouth.

10	EXT	CIVIC PARK - DAY - JOHNNY AND CARMEN

walk home from school together.

		JOHNNY
	35% on the math final !  No one could be
	that dumb with numbers.

		CARMEN
	Well, at least you didn't lose your lunch
	over a bug. How embarassing.

		JOHNNY
	Who cares about bugs ? You can't go anywhere
	if you don't know math.

		CARMEN
	Don't be so sure. I like you even if you are
	dumb with numbers.

		JOHNNY
	Then how come you won't hold hands with me
	at school ?

		CARMEN
	I don't want everyone to see.

		JOHNNY
	Why won't you kiss me when we're all alone ?

		CARMEN
	How come that's all you talk about anymore ?

		JOHNNY
	It's all I think about anymore.

Indeed, they are all alone now. The look in Johnny's eye says how
about it. Carmen grins, reaches for Johnny's hand.

11	EXT	PUPLIC TRANSPORTATION - DAY - CARMEN

and Johnny stand together near a bank of TRANSPORTERS.

		CARMEN
	You can't walk me home.

		JOHNNY
	Why not ?

		CARMEN
	I thought you were going to help Carl.

		JOHNNY
	Carl can wait.

		CARMEN
	Johnny, my Dad's home today.

Johnny's face darkens with frustration.

		JOHNNY
	What's he got against me... I mean, I 'm
	a teenager. You can't be a citizen when
	you're only a teenager !

		CARMEN
	It's not you, Johnny. Your parents are rich
	they don't need to be citizens, and that stuff
	means a lot to my dad. He's a veteran.

		JOHNNY
	Well, if your dad doesn't like me, how come
	we're such good friends ?

		CARMEN
	Sometimes I do what I want, eh ?

Carmen steps into the flux.	ZAPPP!	She's gone.
Johnny grins, happy to be in love.

12	INT	CARL'S HOUSE - BASEMENT - DAY - JOHNNY

is hard-wired to the stacks of processing units that comprise Carl's
basement workshop. Carl concentrates on the image of a playing card,
the six of diamonds, displayed on a monitor.

		CARL
	Don't think about it... go on instinct.

		JOHNNY
	Ace of spades.

The ace of spades appears, and the computer indicates "no match".
Carl puts another card up, the jack of diamonds.

		CARL
	Statistically speaking you should've accidentally
guessed right by know.

		JOHNNY
	In addition to "psychic dolt" this test also proves
	I'm unlucky ? Two of hearts.

Wrong again.

		CARL
	Luck is not a factor. No one really knows why
	some people are sensitive and some aren't.
	Federal studies like this might provide a clue.

The next card up is the nine of clubs.

		JOHNNY
	I wouldn't want to know what everyone was
	thinking. Four of spades.

Suddenly, A GIANT YELLOW FROG jumps onto the keyboard, fritzing
the monitor. Johnny removes the blindfold.

		CARL
	Cyrano, you big yellow turd !

Johnny knows this frog, scratches him on the neck.

		JOHNNY
	He just wants attention. You don't play with
	him like you used to.

Carl concentrates for a moment.

		CARL
	Go bug Mom, Cyrano.

Cyrano's eyes widen. He hops off the table and up the stairs two at
a time. Carl clears the screen.

		JOHNNY
	How do you make him do that ?

		CARL
	I gave him the impression that there was a fly crawling
	up my mom's leg. He is going to go eat it.

From upstairs, CARL'S MOM shrieks.

		MOM (O.S.)
	Get out ! Get out ! CARL...!

		JOHNNY
	Carl, promise me you won't ever do anything like that
	to me.

		CARL
	Don't be afraid. Can't do humans... yet.
	C'mon let's go.

Carl, puts up more cards, Johnny misses them all.

		JOHNNY
	Ten of clubs. You still gonna sign up for
	Starside R&D ?

		CARL
	Passport to the Universe.
	Who wouldn't want that ?

		JOHNNY
	I've been thinking about applying for
	Federal Service, too. Fleet, maybe.

		CARL
	Your father will never let you.

		JOHNNY
	I'm eighteen. It's my decision, I think I'd
	make a pretty good pilot. I've good great
	reflexes. You need that for maneuvering,
	you know.

		CARL
	Only 1 in 14 male applicants make it through
	stellar navigation.
	So what do you think your chances are ?

		JOHNNY
	Eight point... no, uh, seven...

		CARL
	If you can't do those numbers, you haven't
	got a chance.

		JOHNNY
	All I know is Carmen's going to be a citizen,
	and I don't think it'll work out for us if I'm not.

		CARL
	Love... how excruciatingly pathetic.
	Now try and pay attention.

Carl puts a card up.

		JOHNNY
	Queen of hearts.

The computer indicates a match. Johnny peers around at the monitor.
It is the Queen of hearts.

		CARL
	Well, what do you know about that !

13	EXT	ATHLETIC FIELD - STANDS - DAY - CARMEN

and other students wearing orange and black sing the "Uni High Song".
The SCOREBOARD says:	REGIONAL FINAL.
Across the field, fans wear red and gold and sing another song.

14	INT	LOCKER ROOM - DAY - JOHNNY

and other UNI HIGH TIGERS, all exceptionally robust young man and women,
suit up in their orange and black uniforms.

		DIZZY
	Tesla's tough. They tumble good and they
	hit HARD.

Dizzy bounces a JUMP SHOE to Johnny. The spring fires and vaults it high into
the air. Johnny catches it, puts it on, smiles cocky at the TESLA GIANTS who
suit up in red and gold.

		JOHNNY
	We tumble good, too.

15	EXT	ATHLETIC FIELD - DAY - WHAM ! -- TIGERS AND GIANTS

collide. Powered by jump shoes, the play is gymnastic. Johnny moves the ball ,
flips high in the air over the Giant defensive line, makes ten meters before he is
brought down.

16	EXT	STANDS - DAY - THE CROWD

cheers as Johnny runs back to join his team. He sees Carmen waving, glad that
Johnny has seen her among all the people.

17	EXT	HUDDLE - DAY - JOHNNY

and other Tigers listen as quarterback Dizzy calls the plays.

		DIZZY
	Kick three, fade left. On two.

They make fists, then breal for thevline of scrimmage.

18	EXT	SCRIMMAGE LINE - DAY - THE TIGERS

have the ball. The Giant's QUARTERBACKassigns ZANDER BARCALOW, 18,
handsome, super-confident, to guard Johnny.

		ZANDER
	Time's running out.

Zander points. The SCOREBOARD shows	TIGERS 19,	GIANTS 20,
three minutes and counting on the clock. Johnny grins.

		JOHNNY
	A lot can happen in three minutes.

		DIZZY
	Hut... hut !

Johnny takes the handoff, flips over a gauntlet of Giant guards. Zander
hurls himself at Johnny, misses. Johnny scores.
Zander tumbles into the crowd, loses a jump shoe.

19	EXT	SIDELINES - DAY-ZANDER

looks up and sees Carmen, smiling as she offers him a hand. She helps
him up. He holds her hand longer than necessary.

		CARMEN
	Are you alright ?

		ZANDER
	I'm getting better.

20	EXT	ATHLETIC FIELD - DAY - JOHNNY

runs back to join his team as the crowd cheers. The Tigers lead
21-20. Johnny frowns when he sees Carmen talking to Zander on
the sidelines, shaking his head, smiling.

21	EXT	SIDELINE - DAY - ZANDER

finds his shoe, straps it on.

		ZANDER
	So what are you doing later ?

		CARMEN
	Everyone is going to the dance. Aren't you ?

		ZANDER
	I don't know. It's my last night as acivilian.
	I ship out for Tereshkova tomorrow.

Zander heads for the field. Carmen follows, interested.

		CARMEN
	You're going to the Academy ?
	That's where I want to go. I'd love
	to talk to you abou that.

A REFEREE blows his whistle at Zander, signalling impatiently.

		ZANDER
	I'm all ears.

		CARMEN
	Don't you have to finish the game ?

22	EXT	SCRIMMAGE LINE - DAY-THE GIANTS

are in possession. Zander lands hard in front of Johnny.

		JOHNNY
	Don't get any ideas. She's my girl.

		ZANDER
	You can never be sure.

Johnny scowls at Zander, turns his head to look back at Carmen.
She waves, smiling. The Giants pull ablitz.

		DIZZY
	WATCH THE BLITZ...!

Zander knocks Johnny on his ass, and the Giants score. It's
TIGERS 21, GIANTS 22 and less than a minute to go.

23	EXT	HUDDLE -- DAY -- DIZZY

orders up the next play. Johnny keeps looking over his shoulder
because Zander's back talking to Carmen again.

		DIZZY
	Flip six, three hole. Rico ?
	Hey !

Dizzy slams Johnny upside his helmet with her forearm.

		JOHNNY
	What ?

		DIZZY
	You were drifting. Flip six, three hole.
	On one, got it ?

		JOHNNY
	Just throw me the ball, Diz.

They make fists and break.

24	EXT	SCRIMMAGE LINE -- DAY -- JOHNNY

takes position again across the line from Zander who now grins at
Johnny broadly. Johnny  doesn't grin back.

		DIZZY
	Hut !

At the snap, Johnny breaks for open field. Dizzy throws, Johnny catches
it, trips Zander up painfully, and hurls himself into the end zone as a
horn sounds the game's finish.

25	EXT	ATHLETIC FIELD - DAY - CHEERING UNI FANS

rush onto the field as the school band strikes up a victory march.
Tigers do flips in the air. Giants look dejected.
Zander picks himself up, watches Johnny leave with Carmen.

26	INT	JOHNNY'S HOUSE - NIGHT - JOHNNY

walks throuh rooms filled with elegant furniture. He's all spiffed up
for the big dance. His MOTHER catches him preening in front of a
mirror by the TRANSPORTER in the hall.

		MOTHER
	Who said you could grow up so fast ? Last time
	I checked you were only five years old. You had
	such a bright little face...

		JOHNNY
	Aw, don't get mushy.

Johnny's FATHER enters carrying a FEDERAL SERVICE CATALOGUE.

		FATHER
	This came for you today. I presume on your
	request.

		JOHNNY
	A lot of my friends are doing Federal Service...

		MOTHER
	You aren't thinking of applying...?

Johnny shrugs.

		FATHER
	Have you lost you lost your mind ? I'd rather
	take ten lashes in Public Square than see you
	ruin your life.

		JOHNNY
	It's aterm of service, not a career. I just want to
	get out on my own and see the Galaxy for a
	couple of years.

		MOTHER
	Johnny, people get hurt... people get killed in
	the Federal Service. If something happened
	to you I don't know what I would do...

		FATHER
	Who gave you this idea ? It's that teacher.
	What's his name ? You know the one I
	mean.

		JOHNNY
	Mr. Rasczak.

		FATHER
	Rasczak... Silly name. There ought to be
	a law against using a school as a
	recruiting station !

		JOHNNY
	No, Mr. Rasczak doesn't do that at all.
	He sorta discourages you really.

		FATHER
	Good, because you're going to Harvard,
	and that's the end of it.

		JOHNNY
	I'm eighteen. It's my decision.

		FATHER
Oh, is that how it is ?

		MOTHER
	Wait you two. Dad and I have a surprise
	for you that will settle this.
	Can you guess what it is ?

		JOHNNY
	Uh, no.

		FATHER
	A trip to the Outer Rings.
	Whad'ya think of that ?

		JOHNNY
	Wow ! Santori and Zegema Beach, I've
	always wanted to go there.

		MOTHER
	Good good, then it's all settled.

		FATHER
	A year at Harvard and you'll  see this
	"Federal Service" is just menial training
	for inferior people so they can call
	themselves "citizens" and take airs for
	the rest of their lives.

		JOHNNY
	Wait a minute ! Carl is doing his Federal
	and he isn't inferior. He's the smartest
	kid at school !

		FATHER
	Sorry. Carl's a fine boy...

Johnny puts on his jacket.

		JOHNNY
	I don't know what they teach at Harvard,
	but I think I'm pretty good enough the
	way I am !

		MOTHER
	Johnny, please. Calm yourself.

		JOHNNY
	Well, that's what you're saying ! You're
	saying that I'm not good enough the way
	I am now !

Johnny stomps out, the transporter goes ZAPPP !

		MOTHER
	Why did you go and do that ? He was all
	ready to go Zegema Beach !

		FATHER
	Teenagers !

27	INT	UNI HIGH GYMNASIUM - NIGHT - EVERYONE

at the "Farewell Dance" is dressed up. Rasczak and other TEACHERS
chaperon. A spotlight finds the BAND LEADER.

		BAND LEADER
	Alright, everybody, this is the last dance, so
	let's turn down the lights and make it a
	slow one.

The lights go down. Dizzy, dressed pretty, brightens when she sees Johnny
standing alone near the dance floor.

		DIZZY
	Hey, Rico, wanna dance ?

		JOHNNY
	Actually, Diz, I promised Carmen...

		DIZZY
	Too bad for her if she's not around.

Dizzy pulls him onto the floor, holds him close.

		DIZZY
	You know, it's sad... Most of us probably
	won't see each other again after tonight.

There is an invitation here. Johnny doesn't take it.

		JOHNNY
	You still gonna play for Brazil ?

		DIZZY
	Looks like, unless Tokyo lets me start.

		JOHNNY
	Well, anyone who gets you is lucky.

		DIZZY
	How come we never got together ?

Dizzy looks at Johnny meaningfully. He's distracted. Carmen crosses
the room, stunning in her formal.

		JOHNNY
	Can't we just be friends, Diz ?

		DIZZY
	Sure.

		JOHNNY
	Uh, look, Diz...

		DIZZY
	Guess you gotta go.

		JOHNNY
	You're the best.

Johnny heads for Carmen. Dizzy watches jealously as Carmen takes
his hand. She looks around for someone to dance with.
Carl, a nerd in a tux, waves shyly.

28	INT	GYMNASIUM - DANCE FLOOR - NIGHT - CARMEN AND JOHNNY

dance. Johnny wants to kiss her, Carmen playfully avoids.

		JOHNNY
	Isn't it great to be in love ?

		CARMEN
	How do I know if this is love ?

		JOHNNY
	It wouldn't be so romantic if we weren't...

		CARL
	Outa the way you two !

Carl and Dizzy dance by, Dizzy smiling bravely because Carl is a terrible dancer.
Johnny goes in for the kiss again.

		CARMEN
	Romance is just a vestigial biological
	response to procreation...

		JOHNNY
	Aw, you're in love with me...
	You just dont know it yet.

Johnny's confidence makes her smile. Johnny moves in to kiss her,
but the music ends. Everyone applauds. The lights come up and
people head for the doors. Johnny sees Rasczak.

		JOHNNY
	Wait, I want to talk to Mr. Rasczak.

		CARMEN
	I'll meet you outside.

Johnny heads over to Rasczak.

		JOHNNY
	Mister Rasczak ?

		RASCZAK
	What is it, Rico ?

		JOHNNY
	I just wanted to say thanks 'cause History
	and Moral Philosophy was the best class
	I had this year.

		RASCZAK
		(smiling)
	Well, it's not really my job to please.
	Hope you learned something.

		JOHNNY
	I wanna join up, Mr. Rasczak. I think I
	have what it take to be a citizen.

		RASCZAK
	Good for you. Go find out.

		JOHNNY
	Well, my parents are against it, and I
	know it's my choice, but I was
	wondering...
	What would you do if you were me ?

		RASCZAK
	Figuring things out for yourself is the
	only freedom anyone really has.
	Use that freedom.
	Make your own choice, Rico.

29	EXT	UNI HIGH GYMNASIUM - NIGHT - JOHNNY

walks out and finds Carmen talking with Zander. He wears the blue
uniform of a Fleet pilot trainee. Carmen examines his FLEET PIN,
a pair of silver wings.

		CARMEN
	Johnny, this is Zander.

		ZANDER
	Yeah, we know each other from the game.
	No hard feeling, eh, chum ?

		JOHNNY
	None at all... We won.

		CARMEN
	Good luck at the academy.

Zander takes back the wings and pins the to his tunic.

		ZANDER
	Always.

30	EXT	PROMENADE - NIGHT - JOHNNY AND CARMEN

walk together along the river holding hands.

		CARMEN
	He just got accepted to the Fleet Academy.
	Isn't that great ?

		JOHNNY
	Yeah, sure, I guess.

		CARMEN
	No, I mean if he can get in, maybe I have a
	chance.

		JOHNNY
	What are you talking about ? We both know
	you're gonna be a pilot.

		CARMEN
	Zander is going for pilot, too.

		JOHNNY
	You two have so much in common.

Carmen pulls Johnny to a stop, looks him in the eye.

		CARMEN
	Johnny Rico, you're jealous !

		JOHNNY
	I can't help it.

		CARMEN
	He's nothing like you.

		JOHNNY
	I don't even know if you're my girl.

Carmen smiles, leans in close to Johnny.

		CARMEN
	Are you the boy for me ?

		JOHNNY
	I'm gonna do it, Carmen. I'm gonna sign
	up for Federal Service.

They kiss, tentatively, but the passion grows and they break apart,
breathless.

		CARMEN
	Oh, Johnny...

31	EXT	PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION - NIGHT - JOHNNY AND CARMEN

making out as they wait their turn. There are a few other people around
including a POLICEMAN.

		CARMEN
	Everyone's looking... we shouldn't...

		JOHNNY
	Who cares ?

		CARMEN
	You're right. Let's never stop...

		POLICEMAN
	Hey, you, there's a place for that !

Without stopping, Johnny pulls Carmen into the flux.	ZAPPP !

32	INT	FEDERAL HOUSING - NIGHT - JOHNNY AND CARMEN

kissing at her front door. Johnny moves his hand tenatively to Carmen 's breast.
She takes his hand, smiling, puts it under her shirt.

		JOHNNY
	I love you, Carmen.

		CARMEN
	Shhh...

She puts her mouth on his and they melt together. The door flies open,
and CARMEN'S DAD stands there.

		CARMEN'S DAD
	Carmen, it's late. Get inside.

		CARMEN
	Sorry, Dad. See you, Johnny.

Carmen ducks inside. Her father looks Johnny over. He carries a terrible
battle scar oon his face.

		CARMEN'S DAD
	I don't want you around Carmen anymore. Get me ?

		JOHNNY
	Maybe Carmen's gonna make her own decisions from
	now on, Mr. Ibanez.

Carmen's Dad reddens. He'd like to punch Johnny out.

		CARMEN'S DAD
	Carmen's gonna be a citizen. She don't need you
	and your rich family. The Federation'll give her
	everything she needs.

		CARMEN (O.S.)
	Dad, leave him alone...

Carmen's Dad slams the door in Johnny's face.

33	EXT	FEDERAL BUILDING - DAY - JOHNNY AND CARMEN

meet Carl in front of the induction center where a staedy flow of prospective
citizens file through the main doors.

34	INT	LOBBY - DAY - THE RECRUITING SERGEANT

is missing one arm. He smiles broadly at the three teenagers.

		RECRUITING SERGEANT
	Fresh meat for the grinder, eh ?

		CARL
	That's us. Where do we sign ?

He turns in his chair to grab the forms. Johnny and his friends see that he is also
missing both legs. The Recruiting Sergeant catches them looking,
smiles even wider.

		RECRUITING SERGEANT
	Here and here and here.

As he signs, Johnny looks at the campaign ribbons on the Recruiting Sergeant's
chest. We hear MUSIC: 	"The Mobile Infantery Anthem" plays softly in honor
of distant battles.

		RECRUITING SERGEANT
	Welcome to the adventure of Federal Service.
	Follow the blue line.

35	INT	PROCESSING HALL - DAY - JOHNNY, CARMEN AND CARL

are routed into different lines, joining other hopeful civilians.
A COLONEL makes a speech over the loudspeaker.

		COLONEL
	There is no guarantee of service. We don't need
	all of you. It costs a great deal to train human beings
	for useful tasks. Many jobs are hazardous to your
	health. If you are chosen and do not wish to serve
	you may resign at anytime simply by completing
	form 1240/A. Thank you for exercising you
	constitutonal rights.

36	INT	CHANGING ROOM -- DAY -- JOHNNY

and others in the line strip down. The guy in front of Johnny is
DON, 18, athletic and cheerful.

		DON
	They took my sister, they'll take anybody.

37	INT	TESTING FACILITY -- DAY -- JOHNNY

grimaces as a TECHNICIAN installs an INTERFACE PLATE on
his side, drawing fluids.

		DON
	Oh, this is the part that hurts !

A PSYCH OFFICER sits down across from each candidate.

		PSYCH OFFICER
	No talking please. I'm going to ask you some
	questions. Please answer all questions truthfully.
	We'll know if you don't.
	Birthplace ?

		JOHNNY
	Here in Buenos Aires.

The Psych Officer checks Johnny's response on a meter.

38	INT	VARIOUS TESTING STATIONS - DAY - JOHNNY

is poked and prodded, subjected to aural, visual and pharmacological
stimuli, and scanned from head to toe.

		PSYCH OFFICER (V.O.)
	Are your parents currently citizens ?

		JOHNNY (V.O.)
	No, sir.

		PSYCH OFFICER (V.O.)
	Which do you think is more important,
	courage or confidence ?

		JOHNNY (V.O.)
	Courage, I guess.

		PSYCH OFFICER (V.O.)
	Please complete this sentence.
	I want to be citizen because...

		JOHNNY (V.O.)
	I want to be a citizen because...
	well, because of my girl, sir.

39	INT	DEBRIEF - DAY - JOHNNY

sits across from a MAJOR who views a list on a monitor Johnny can't see.

		MAJOR
	I'm happy to tell you that you've been
	accepted for Federal Service.

		JOHNNY
	Wow, that's great.

		MAJOR
	Looks like you're quite an athlete.
	Boy, look at those reaction stats.

The Major clucks his tongue as he highlights the last category on his list:
MOBILE INFANTERY.

		MAJOR
	My job is to dertermine what you're
	best suited for.

		JOHNNY
	I want to be a pilot, sir.

		MAJOR
	Sorry, son, no way. Your school records
	say you don't have the math skills.

Johnny swallows this. He knew it was coming. The Major deletes
"Pilot" from the list, then several other items.

		MAJOR
	That rules out the scientific and engineering
	applications, and I'm afraid we reserve
	non-military options for candidates who are
	frankly less able-bodied than you are, son...

He turns the monitor around and shows Johnny the list.
The only thing left is MOBILE INFANTERY.

		MAJOR
	It looks like the only thing you're good
	for is cannon fodder.
	I'm putting you down for the
	Mobile Infantery.

40	INT	AUDITORIUM - DAY - CARMEN

proudly takes the Federal Service oath with about twenty-five other people,
a gleaming silver FLEET PIN on her chest. She looks around for Johnny,
sees him grinning at her.

		JOHNNY ET AL
	...of my own free will, without promise, coercion,
	or inducement, after having been duly advised
	and warned of the meaning and consequence of
	this oath, do now enroll in the Federal Service
	of the Terran Federation for not less than two
	years and as much longer as may be required
	by the needs of the Service...

41	INT	FEDERAL BUILDING - LOBBY - DAY - JOHNNY AND CARMEN

walk out together happily, hand in hand.

		CARMEN
	I wonder where Carl is. You don't suppose...?

		JOHNNY
	Naw, I made it, Carl made it.

Just then, Don rushes past, shamefaced, crying.

		JOHNNY
	He was in the group with me.
	I guess he didn't...

		CARMEN
	Shhh ! Don't make him feel worse.

The Recruiting Sergeant is getting ready to go home. He's got legs now,
and he takes a prosthetic arm from its case and snaps it on.
He grins when he sees them staring.

		RECRUITING SERGEANT
	They put me out front to discourage the weak-hearted,
	but at the end of the day I go home.
	How'd you kids do ?

		CARMEN
	I'm gonna go for pilot.

		RECRUITING SERGEANT
	Good for you. We need every pilot we can get.

Johnny holds the door for Carmen and the Recruiting Sergeant.
Suddenly Carl appears looking a little paler than usual.

		CARMEN
	Hey, Carl, what's wrong ?

		JOHNNY
	Did you get Starside R&D ?

		CARL
	No.

42	EXT	FEDERAL BUILDING - DAY - JOHNNY AND CARMEN

are stunned.

		JOHNNY
	I don't believe it !

		CARL
	I got Games & Theory.

Well, everyone's a little impressed by this.

		CARMEN
	Games & Theory ? That's Military
	Intelligence... Oh, Carl !

		JOHNNY
	Whoa ! Way to go, boy-yo !

		RECRUITING SERGEANT
	Next time we meet, I'll probably have to salute
	you. What about you, son ?

		JOHNNY
	Infantery, sir.

The Recruiting Sergeant beams, offers a prosthetic hand.

		RECRUITING SERGEANT
	Well, good for you. The Mobile Infantery made me
	the man I am today.

Just what Johnny wanted to hear. They watch the old Sergeant walk
away.	MUSIC:	"The Mobile Infantery Theme".
Carmen takes Johnny and Carl by the arm as they walk.

		CARMEN
	Let's all make a vow. Let's swear we'll always
	be friends no matter what.

		JOHNNY
	I'll go for that.

		CARL
	Well, we're gonna be millions of light years away
	from each other, and chances are we'll never see
	each other again, but sure...

		CARMEN
	I can't wait to tell my Dad I'm in.
	He's gonna be so happy !

		JOHNNY
	My father's probably gonna kill me.

43	INT	JOHNNY'S HOUSE - STUDY - NIGHT - JOHNNY

stands sullenly as his Father rages at him.

		FATHER
	You'll resign, and that's all there is to it.
	It might look bad, but if that's the worst
	you suffer...

		JOHNNY
	I won't quit !

		FATHER
	I'm telling you, you will !
	You're not going back. You're going
	to go on vacation !

		JOHNNY
	I'm not going on vacation ! I want to
	be acitizen ! It's my decision.
	I made it.

Johnny turns for the door. His father throws his last shot.

		FATHER
	You walk out that door, you're cut off,
	young man... You understand me ?
	Alright, THAT'S IT, YOU'RE...

44	INT	JOHNNY'S HOUSE - HALLWAY - NIGHT--JOHNNY

walks out, grim, sees his mother, tears in her eyes.

		FATHER (O.S.)
	...CUT OFF !

		MOTHER
	Johnny, why won't you change your mind ?
	Does citizenship mean so much to you ?

		JOHNNY
	Well, yeah, sure...

		MOTHER
	I hope so. I hope you don't ruin your life
	over some silly little girl who wants to look
	handsome in a uniform.

Johnny's face reddens.

		JOHNNY
	Don't talk about my girl that way.

Johnny turns on his heel, heads for the transporter.		ZAPPP !

45	EXT	FEDERAL TRANSPORTATION HUB - DAY - JOHNNY

looks for Carmen among hundreds of young people bound for
Federal Service destinations. Recruits wear civilian clothes.
Everyone else is in uniform.

		P.A. (O.S.)
	Outbound group 1380, Ursa Minor
	and Tyko, now transporting at
	bank 17...

Now he sees her entering struggling with luggage. Johnny rushes to
help her and soon he is carrying all her bags.

		JOHNNY
	You're late.

		CARMEN
	My Dad had to help me pack. Suddenly
	he's afraid he's never gonna see me
	again or something. It was sweet, but it
	took forever. Anyway, I guess I'm ready
	to go.

At the freight station, Carmen enters her Federal I.D. card and gets
numbered tags for her bags.

		JOHNNY
	Me, too. I'm wearing everything I own.

Johnny loads them onto a conveyor belt.

		CARMEN
	Poor boy. I'm sorry your parents were so mad.

		JOHNNY
	Who cares ! The Federation'll give me everything
	I need for the next two years, right ?

Carmen's already moved to the next line. Johnny follows.

		CARMEN
	You talk to Carl ?

		JOHNNY
	He left this morning. He couldn't say where.

Carmen logs in, enters her destination:	LUNA - TERESHKOVA
FLEET ACADEMY.	The tickets station spits out a pass.

		CARMEN
	It's exciting, but it's scary, too isn't it.
	Going someplace new where you don't
know anyone.

Carmen heads toward a bank of transporters. Johnny stops her,
takes her by the arms.

		JOHNNY
	I'm gonna miss you.

		CARMEN
	I'll miss you, too, Johnny.

		JOHNNY
	I love you.

		P.A. (O.S.)
	Outbound group 948A, Tereshkova,
	all sections, transporting at bank 5.

		CARMEN
	Oh, that's me.

She scans her pass, but Johnny stops her again.

		JOHNNY
	Com'on, just say it. Try it on for size.

		CARMEN
	Alright, I love you.

Carmen kisses him, jumps into the transporter.

		JOHNNY
	Do you mean it ?

		CARMEN
	I said it. Isn't that enough ?
	Don't forget to write !

ZAPPP !	The last thing he sees are her beautiful eyes.

46	FROM THE FEDERAL NET - A WORLD THAT WORKS !

People are doing Federal Service jobs all over the known Galaxy.

		OFFICIAL VOICE
	From all over the known Galaxy, prospectice
	citizens work together to make a better
	tomorrow !
	Would you like to know more ?

47	CRIME & PUNISHMENT - TONIGHT !

A CRIMINAL stands before a FEDERAL COURT

		OFFICIAL VOICE
	A murderer was captured and tried today.
	Sentence:	DEATH.
	Tonight at six, all net, all channels.
	Would you like to know more ?

48	NOTICE - ARE YOU PSYCHIC ?

A Federal clinic specializing in psycic research.

		OFFICIAL VOICE
	If you think you are psychic, maybe you are.
	Harness your unique abilities and take
	advantage of the many Federal benefits
	available for psychic citizens.
	Would you like to know more ?

49	TRAVEL ADVISORY - INSECT TRAGEDY ON TANGO URILLA

A prefab township sits on the shores of a tranquil alien bay.
Then, a "You Are Here" map of the Known Universe.

		OFFICIAL VOICE
	Disregarding Federal warnings, Mormon
	extremists established Port Joe Smith,
	a settlement of 300 on Tango Urilla, a
	system just inside the Arachnid
	Quarantine Zone.

Archival pictures of a captive two meter ARACHNID WARRIOR,
multiple eyes, cutting mouthparts and claws. Wary SCIENTISTS
keep their distance as it eats a COW.

		OFFICIAL VOICE
	Too late they realized tha Tango Urilla had
	already been chosen by other colonists
	-- Arachnids !

Now body parts litter the ruined streets of Port Joe Smith.

		OFFICIAL VOICE
	The council asks future colonists to obey all
	official Federal warnings.
	Would you like to know more ?

50	EXT	CAMP CURRIE - PARADE GROUND - DAY - SERGEANT ZIM

is 40, astoundingly fit, and like all drill instructors, he carries a small baton.
He addresses sixty shorn RECRUITS.

		ZIM
	The problem with you is that none of you are
	good enough the way you are.

Johnny stands in formation with his squad, among them:

BRECKINRIDGE, 18, DJANA'D, 19, KATRINA McINTIRE, 18, ACE LEVY,
18, SHUJUMI, 18, and KITTEN SMITH, 18.

		ZIM
	I am your senior drill instructor,
	Career Sergeant Zim.
		(then)
	TO THINK THIS HAD TO HAPPEN TO
	ME ! What a bunch of apes. No, strike that.
	You don't rate that good...you sunken-chested,
	slack-bellied, drooling refugees from apron
	strings ! In my whole life I've never seen such
	a disgraceful huddle of momma's spoiled
	little darlings ! Suck in those guts !
	You there, EYES FRONT !

Zim gives Kitten Smith the hairy eyeball. Smith cracks up.

		ZIM
	Do you think I'm funny ? Do I make
	you laugh ? Do you think I'm a
	comedian ?

Kitten Smith shake his head  "no" , but he can't stifle himself.

		KITTEN SMITH
	Sorry...!

		ZIM
	The first and last words out of your
	stinking holes will be "sir".
	Do you get me ?

		KITTEN SMITH
	Sir, sorry...sir.

		ZIM
	See the armory ? Run around it !

Kitten Smith squints. Out in the distance, a tiny building.
Zim smacks him on the leg with his baton.

		KITTEN SMITH
	YEOW !

		ZIM
	RUN, I SAID. Bronski, keep pace !

Kitten Smith runs. Big CORPORAL BRONSKI, 28, takes out after
him, laying a baton across his backside every time he slows.

		ZIM
	You are now all brothers and sisters in
	the same family, my family, the Mobile
	Infantery. I will be your mother.
	I will be your father. If you do not
	please me I will throw you out of my
	family because I hate all slackers and
	negative hackers.
	Do you get me ?

		JOHNNY ET AL
	Sir, yes, sir !

Zim points at the little WHITE PICKET FENCE leading to a
transporter near the front gate.

		ZIM
	Anytime you think I'm being to tough,
	anytime you think I'm being unfair...
	QUIT ! Grab your gear and take a
	stroll down "Washout Lane".
	Get me ?

		JOHNNY ET AL
	Sir, yes, sir !

		ZIM
	I wonder if there's a handful of
	guts in the whole bunch. Who
	thinks they've got what it takes
	to knock me down ?

Breckinridge, a big guy from a farm planet, steps forward.

		BRECKINRIDGE
	Sir, I guess maybe I do, sir.

Zim crooks afinger at him. Breckinridge charges. Zim knocks
him flat. Breckinridge holds his arm, twisted now.

		ZIM
	You alright, Breckinridge ?

		BRECKINRIDGE
	Sir, yes, sir. It's my arm. I think it's
	broken, sir.

		ZIM
	MEDIC !

A MEDIC charges up, checks Breckinridge's arm, grins.

		MEDIC
	Clean break... Doc'll have him back on
	active duty by tomorrow.

		ZIM
	Good. Who's next ?

Shujumi steps up, assumes a fighting stance. Zim looks him over.
There's not not much to him. Shujumi attacks Zim, counters his
counter, dances out of range.

		DJANA'D
	Lookit the little guy go !

Now Zim attacks. Shujumi flip kicks Zim in the head.

		JOHNNY
	He's good alright.

		KATRINA
	I'll bet he makes squad leader.

		ACE
	He'll have to get past me.

The recruits check Ace out. Zim sweeps Shujumi's legs, puts a
knee in the little man's throat. Shujumi passes out.

		ZIM
	MEDIC !

51	EXT	OBSTACLE COURSE - DAY - THE RECRUITES

tumble a brutal obstacle course using JUMP BOOTS.

		ZIM (V.O.)
	Some of you may not ´make it.

Djana'd hits a tower and falls to the deck hard, dropping her rifle.
She holds her knee, hurt. Zim races over to her.

		ZIM
	WHY IS THAT WEAPON ON THE GROUND ?
	YOUR WEAPON IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN
	YOU ARE ! PICK IT UP ! PICK IT UP !

Zim begins to kick her because she doesn't move fast enough.

		ZIM (V.O.)
	You might think I am unfair.

52	EXT	ZERO GRAVITY COMBAT - DAY - THE RECRUITES

watch poor Kitten Smith spar with Zim. Kitten Smith whacks Zim across the jaw.
Zim doesn't even flinch.

		ZIM
	Is that all you got ? You hit like kitten, Smith !
	This is a punch.

WHAM !	Zim knocks Kitten Smith for a loop.

		ZIM (V.O.)
	You will not like me.

53	INT	HYPERPHYSICAL TRAINING ENVIRONMENTS - DAY - ZIM

watches the recruits face simulated 3-D OFF-WORLD FOES. In one room,
CYCLOPS SOLDIERS of Antilles, in another, red DEATH WALKERS,
and in a third, screeching ARACHNID WARRIORS.

		ZIM (V.O.)
	But if you survive you will thank me
	because you will be born again hard.
	You will be a new person.
	You will be a Cap Trooper. And then,
	MAYBE, you'll  be good enough...

54	EXT	COMBAT KNIFE PRACTICE - DAY - ZIM

throws a knife, buries the point in a narrow post.

		ZIM (V.O.)
	...to serve in my family.

		ACE
	Sir, I don't understands who needs a
	knife in a nuke fight anyway...
	All you gotta do is push a button, sir !

Zim yanks the knife out of the post.

		ZIM
	Put your hand on the post, private.

Ace obeys. Zim throws, sticks his hand to the post.

		ACE
	AWK !

		ZIM
	The enemy cannot push a button if you
	disable his hand. MEDIC !

Zim pays no attention to Ace who remains stuck to the post. A
recruit trots up. Johnny stares, surprised. It's Dizzy.

		DIZZY
	Sir, recruit Flores, reporting for duty , sir.

She snaps Zim a salute and hands him her orders.

		ZIM
	I see you specifically requested transfer
	from Fort Cronkite to this training group...

Dizzy grins self-consciously at Johnny.

		DIZZY
	Sir, I heard it was the best, sir !

		ZIM
	It is the best... BUT WHAT MAKES YOU
THINK YOU'RE GOOD ENOUGH ?
ON YOUR BELLY AND GIVE ME
FIFTY, RECRUIT !

Dizzy hits the deck and starts doing push-ups, counting off as
MEDICS arrive and go to work on Ace's hand.

55	INT	MESS HALL - DAY - THE RECRUITES

line up for mess piled four-square together on a single plate,
meat on the bottom, ice cream on top.

		ACE
	I'd like to disable Zim...!

		KATRINA
	Improper Attitude ! They'll kick you out
	for talking like that...

		DJANA'D
	They can kick you out for anything.
	Improper Conduct, Unsatisfactory
	Performance...

		KITTEN SMITH
	Off you go down Washout Lane, bye-bye !

Ace cuts into the front off the mess line.

		ACE
	Aw, you either got what it takes
	or you don't.

		DJANA'D
	C'mon Ace, wait your turn !

		ACE
	At ease, soldier. It's all the same muck.

		JOHNNY
	Better get in line like everyone else, Ace.

Silence. There could be a fight. Zim, standing nearby, watches
with interest. Ace opens his hand.

		ACE
	You got some guts for a rich kid.
	I guess you and me could be buddies.

		JOHNNY
	What an honor...

		ACE
	Hey, don't laugh. Everyone oughta have
	a friend like me !

Ace makes a big friendly show of trading places with Johnny.

		BRECKINRIDGE
	Come on, Ace, back off the line !
	Bacl off the line !

Now everyone's laughing, pushing Ace to the back of the line.
Johnny has his grub. Dizzy comes up with her tray.

		DIZZY
	Hey, amigo, come chow with me.

		JOHNNY
	No thanks, Diz.

		DIZZY
	What's your malfunction, Rico ?

		JOHNNY
	You are. I joined up to get out on my
	own. And you had to tag along.

		DIZZY
	What ? You think I joined the Mobile
	Infantery because of you ?

		JOHNNY
	You saying you didn't ?

Johnny turns away. Dizzy watches him go, hurt.

56	EXT	OBSTACLE COURSE - DAY - THE RECRUITS

tumble down the difficult course in their power suits. At the head of
the pack , breathing hard, Johnny and Ace race.

		ACE
	What makes you think... you'll make...
	squad leader, Rico ?

		JOHNNY
	Something... I've got...you don't.

		ACE
	You rich kids... are all the same !

		JOHNNY
	It isn't about rich... It's about
	who's best...!

They come to a trap, prepare to leap.

		DIZZY
	Coming through !

Dizzy jumps over them from behind. Johnny and Ace tumble into the mud.
They watch, chagrined, as Dizzy reaches the end of the course effortlessly.

		ZIM
	C'mon, move it, you apes !

57	INT	SHOWERS - NIGHT - DIZZY

enters as the recruits scrub down.

		KITTEN SMITH
	We all have one thing in common. We were
	all stupid enough to sign up for Mobile
	Infanterie. What's your excuse,
	Breckinridge ?

		BRECKINRIDGE
	Well, my family is all farmers. I hate farming.
	Mobile Infantery's pure picnic by comparison.

		KITTEN SMITH
	So the grow 'em big and dumb on the farm
	planet, eh ?	Djana'd ?

		DJANA'D
	I'm going in for politics. You gotta be a
	citizen for that. So here I am.

		KITTEN SMITH
	C'mon, keep it going... Katrina !

		KATRINA
	I wanna be a mom. It's easier to get
	a licence if you've served.

		ACE
	I'm going career... officer's training.
	That's why I wanna be squad leader.
	They look for that.

		JOHNNY
	Wanting it doesn't make you the best
	one for the job.

		ACE
	Oh, yeah ? I don't see anyone else here
	with the chops to lead.

		JOHNNY
	Well, maybe you better look again.

		SHUJUMI
	Federation's gonna give me a scholarship
	when my hitch is up. I wanna be a
	neurologist, study brain chemisty and
	associated stimulus...

Dizzy dresses down. Johnny and all the other guys check her out.
She has a fabulous body. Dizzy cathes Johnny looking. He turns
his back as she steps into the shower next to him.

		KITTEN SMITH
	Your turn, Rico !

		JOHNNY
	Aw, who asked you to be so nosey ?

		KITTEN SMITH
	Me, I got plans to be writer, and a writer's
	got a right to be nosey. Flores, you know
	Rico from Buenos Aires... What's his story ?

Dizzy uses her hand to divert the shower spray towards Johnny's crotch.

		DIZZY
	Well, some say he turned his back on the family
	fortune to be a citizen, others say he did it for
	a girl... missed a spot there, bucko... which is
	funny because Johnny says I joined up to be
	with him, but why would I do that ?
	He doesn't even like me.

		BRECKINRIDGE
	Don't look that way to me.

Everyone look down at Johnny's crotch, laughing. Johnny
blushes, grabs a towel and exits the shower.

58	INT BARRACKS - NIGHT - INTO CAMERA - JOHNNY

pans the barracks with a little handcam, neat bunks in a row, other recruits
lounging around in their skivvies.

		JOHNNY
	I know it's not much, but it's home. Over
	there's my bunk where I dream about you
	every night...

Ace, Kitten Smith, Shujumi and Breckinridge dance around and moon the
camera.

		JOHNNY
	Hey, do you mind ?

Johnny moves the camera away from the guys. Katrina walks by from the
shower with Dizzy, mugs into frame.

		KATRINA
	Hey, what's going on ?

		DIZZY
	I bet it's that girl I was talking about...
	Her name's Carmen, I think.

		ACE AND THE OTHERS
	Carmen ! Ooh la la, Carmencita !

		KATRINA
	Hi, Carmen !

Johnny heads for the door.

		ACE AND THE OTHERS
	Hey, where you going ? Come back...! He's
	getting awy... Grab him...!

The picture goes all screwy, comes up again on:

59	EXT	BARRACKS - NIGHT - INTO CAMERA - JOHNNY

talk quietly now outside the barracks door.

		JOHNNY
	Boot's pretty tough, and sometimes
	I think I won't make it, but then I
	imagine you're watching me, and that
	gives me someting... I try harder.
	Thanks to you, I think I might have
	a shot at squad leader.

The barracks lights go out. Taps plays over the public address.
Johnny lowers his voice.

		JOHNNY
	Uh-oh, I gotta pack it in. I hope you're
	having fun, hope you're careful.
	No training accidents for you, eh ?
		(leaning into camera)
	I want to kiss you so badly. I want
	to feel you next to me, I-

Behind him , someone begins to sing , badly.

		ACE
	I love you truly, so truly, dear...!

Ace, the singer, and the other guys peer down from the transom
over the door, giggling, delighted with themselves.

				PULLBACK TO REVEAL:

60	INT	TERESHKOVA FLIGHT ACADEMY - DAY - CARMEN

watches the end of Johnny's letter. Ace continues to sing.

		ACE
	Our love will grow, dear, year by year...

		JOHNNY
	Bye ! Write me ! I'm gonna kill you guys !

The letter ends. Carmen smiles. A BALD CADET PILOT smacks her on the
arm as she runs by in a sleek blue pressure suit.

		BALD CADET
	Orbit in five, Ibanez ! First one there gets
	to fly !

Grinning, Carmen grabs her duffel, takes off after her.

61	INT	BOARDING CORRIDOR - DAY - CARMEN

and the bald cadet race for the hatch past other recruits.

62	INT	BOAT - DAY CYCLE-CARMEN

gets there first, jumps into the pilot seat. The Bald Pilot takes
second seat.

		CARMEN
	Looking it down !

Two LATE CADETS duck in through the closing hatch door.

		LATE CADET
	Oh no, not Ibanez again, she's crazy !

		CARMEN
	On my mark, in three, two, one...

63	EXT	LUNAR ORBIT - THE BOAT

straeks upward from the lunar floor past orbitting training platforms where
CADETS in brightly colored pressure suits float against the Earth which
hangs beyond the horizon.

		CARMEN (O.S.)
	...GO !

64	INT	BOAT - LUNAR ORBIT - CARMEN

blasts past a DESTROYER orbiting in dock, zips between CORVETTES
and other slower fleet traffic in the crowded space lanes of Luna.
The two late cadets are terrified.

		BALD CADET
	Geez, I thought I liked to fly fast !

		CARMEN
	This is nothing. Today, I get to fly that !

She points. Now visible from behind a host of smaller ships,
STARSHIP ATHENA, of older design, but impressive.

65	INT	ATHENA - COMMAND AND CONTROL - DAY CYCLE - CARMEN

arrives on the bridge, dark, cramped, all-business. She salutes the instructor,
CAPTAIN DELADIER, 40s.

		CARMEN
	Pilot Trainee Ibanez reporting for duty, ma'am.

		DELADIER
	Take the number one chair, Ibanez.
	Follow all instructions of you supervisor.

		CARMEN
	Yes, ma'am !

Carmen turns for her station, but stops in her tracks. Her supervisor is
Zander Barcalow, now a 2nd Lieutenant.

		CARMEN
	Hey ! What are you doing here ?

		ZANDER
	I'm the guy who's gonna teach you to
	fly this crate.

Carmen logs on. The ship recognizes her as a pilot trainee.

		CARMEN
	Assistant insructor... You must be some
	kind of a hot stick.
	Should I call you "sir" ?

		ZANDER
	Only when I give you an order.

		DELADIER
	Prepare for departure.

Carmen and Zander go to work.

		CARMEN
	It's amazing, us running into each other
	like this. Maybe it's fate.

		ZANDER
	Maybe not. I heard about this crazy girl
	coming through the academy, solid math,
	a little wild on the stick, but a natural.
	When it turned out it was you, I made
	sure we'd run into each other...

		DELADIER
	Alright, take her out, Ibanez.

		CARMEN
	Yes, ma'am.

All eyes are on carmen as she grabs the stick. The ship shudders under
her hand. She winks at Zander.

		CARMEN
	In simulation, my supervisors could never
	keep up.

		ZANDER
	This isn't simulation anymore.
	Take'er out easy, cadet.

		CARMEN
	Oh, yes, sir. Vector ?

		ZANDER
	Twenty-five by five, roll seven.
	And don't exceed port speed.

Carmen rocks the stick, and the view from the bridge spins smoothly
away from the dense orbiting yards os Luna toward the outer system.

		CARMEN
	Or...?

		ZANDER
	They revoke our flight status.

		CARMEN
	Oh, I see... teamwork.

Carmen jogs past lumbering freighters. Zander's impressed.

		DELADIER
	Steady as she goes, number one.
	Prepare for warp. Number two,
	design for Jupiter orbit.

		ZANDER
	Yes, ma'am. Star drive in three...
	two... one...

Space appears to bend. Zander and Carmen share a smile. They
blur together, becoming one, then:	WHAM !

66	EXT	LUNA - STARSHIP ATHENA

disappears in a flash of blinding light.

67	EXT	WAR GAMES COURSE - DAY - THE RECRUITS

have been divided into two teams. RED TEAM includes Ace, Katrina,
Breckinridge, and Djana'd. Johnny, Shujumi, Kitten Smith, and Dizzy
are part of BLUE TEAM.

		ZIM
	The object of this exercise is to capture
	your enemy's flag before your enemy
	captures yours.

Bronski passes out Morita SmartRifles.

		ZIM
	These weapons have been modified for
	this exercise. If your enemy hits you,
	your suit will fail. You will be unable
	to move. You will be as good as dead.

68	EXT	WAR GAMES COURSE - LATER - DJANA'D

bumps the magnification of her heads up display to survey Blue Team's
flag guarded by two recruits. She jumps down to joining other Red
Team members on the move.

		DJANA'D
	It's right over the next ridge...
	Only two guards.

Johnny, Kitten Smith, and Dizzy open fire from athicket as they pass.
Djana'd and the others collapse as their suits fail, Djana'd laughing
because playing at war seems funny.

		KITTEN SMITH
	You are now prisoners of the Blue Team.
	Tell us your plans or die !

		DJANA'D
	Oh no ! Name, rank, and mind your own
	business is all you get from me !

69	EXT	RED TEAM FLAG - DAY - RED TEAM

opens fire as the Blue Team appears. Shujumi and other Blue Team members
go down in an ambush led by Breckinridge. Johnny dives for cover, and finds
himself sharing it with Dizzy.

		KITTEN SMITH
	I'm going in ! Let's go !

Kitten Smith makes arun for the flag with a rifle team. Ace and Katrina open
fire from two new hidden Red Team positions, taking Kitten and his team
down with a cross fire.

		JOHNNY
	Man, they're defended... no way in.

		DIZZY
	Flip six, three hole.

		JOHNNY
	What ?

		DIZZY
	High school... remember ? Run a flip
	six, three hole play, and you might
	score...

Johnny looks at the course in a new way, nods.

		JOHNNY
	Cover me.

		DIZZY
	You got it.

Johnny tumbles open ground, vaults into the air. Dizzy takes out Breckinridge
as he rises to fire. Johnny lands, knocks out Katrina, then Ace. He picks up
Ace's fallen Morita.

		JOHNNY
	Thanks, pal.

70	EXT	OBSERVATION TOWER - DAY - ZIM AND CORPORAL BRONSKI

watch Johnny firing both Moritas simultanously and taking out the remaining
Red Team defenders. He grabs the Red Team flag and hurls it into the air like spear.

		ZIM
	Kid's got some moves...

71	INT	AIRBORNE SKIMMER - DAY - THE RECRUITS

line up in the door of a SKIMMER, the military's standard utility aircraft,
to practice drops from altitude.

		ZIM
	Smith, GO ! McIntire, GO ! Flores, GO !
	Rico, I'm making you sqaud leader !

		JOHNNY
	Sir, thank you, sir !

		ZIM
	Don't stand there dumb... GO !

Johnny jumps, plummeting toward the earth.

		JOHNNY
	YEEEE-Haaaaaaaaaaaaa...!

Next in line, Ace scowls.

72	INT	BARRACKS - NIGHT - THE RECRUITS

have some free time. Johnny makes a big show of polishing the chevrons
that designate him as Squad Leader.

		KITTEN SMITH
	Look at him. Do you think anyone has
	ever been so pleased with himself ?

		ACE
	Zim hadda choose someone to be
	his brown nose, I guess.

		JOHNNY
	I just want you guys to know that I'll
	never do anything that I haven't asked
	you to do first.

Johnny approaches Dizzy.

		JOHNNY
	Couldn't've done it without you, Diz.
	Friends ?

Dizzy smiles, shakes.

		DIZZY
	Yeah, sure... friends.

Bronski walks through with the mail.

		BRONSKI
	Levy... Shujumi... Rico.

Johnny grabs the E-disk, pops it into his handcam. The Fleet Mail logo appears:
APPROVED MESSAGE

		JOHNNY
	Bet it's from my girl.

Johnny's pals gather for a look. Carmen appears, dressed down to skivvies,
in her quarters aboard starship Athena.

		CARMEN
	Hi, Johnny, I would've written sooner,
	but they've really got us going every
	moment here.

		ACE
	Yeow, Rico, you don't deserve that !

		JOHNNY
	Shhhh...!

		CARMEN
	I'm glad you're doing so well. If they
	haven't made you squad leader by now,
	I'm sure you will.

Johnny holds up his squad leader chevrons victoriously.

		JOHNNY
	All it takes is the love of a good woman...

The image changes abrupltly. Now Carmen's wearing a trim blue flight suit.
She stands the camera on Athena's gunnery deck. Outside , the rings of
Saturn sparkle in bright solar light.

		CARMEN
	Look at that. Isn't it beautiful ? I had
	to show you. It's great to be out here on
	my own. I'm just not some little girl from
	Buenos Aires anymore. I'm gonna be a
	starship pilot, and I'm gonna see the
	universe...
		(she sighs)
	And that's also the problem because I
	don't really want to get married,
	Johnny. I don't want to have kids.
	I want a command, a ship of my own,
	and you know, I don't think that's
	gonna leave a lot of room for you and
	me.

Johnny is stunned. All the other recruits suddenly seem to have
something else to do.

		CARMEN
	I know that's not what you wanted to hear...
	but I have to follow my heart. I'm sorry.
	I'm afraid you'll hate me, and I couldn't
	stand that. Write me, alright ? Write me,
	so I'll know that we'll always be friends.

The Fleet Mail logo appears again:	END OF MESSAGE. Johnny
shuts the handcam off. Ace puts a hand on his shoulder.

		ACE
	Funny how they always want to be your friends
	after they kick your guts out.

		JOHNNY
	It's what I deserve.

		ACE
	Whad'ya talkin  about ?

		JOHNNY
	I joined up for her. I wouldn't even
	be here if it wasn't for her.
	I'm a fool.

		ACE
	You made squad leader on your own,
	and, hey, you still got me to kick
	around.

Johnny smiles in spite of himself.

		JOHNNY
	Thanks, Ace.

Johnny turns for the door, flipping the chevrons like a coin.
Dizzy watches him leave. She'd so like to comfort him.

73	EXT	LIVE FIRE COMBAT RANGE - DAY - THE RECRUITS

arm their Marauder power suits. Zim and Bronski wear Command model suits
with rank designations. Johnny checks weapons, scans the electronics on
each squad member's power suit.

		ZIM
	With the Marauder's visual capabilities,
	all you have to do is look at something
	to hit it, so you will exercise EXTREME
	CARE on my firing line.
	Do you get me ?

		RECRUITS
	Sir, yes, sir !

		ZIM
	The live firing combat range is the
	closest simulation of actual combat
	we can provide. If you do not hit
	your target, it will shoot you...

Fifty blackened AUTOMATED TARGET DRONES fitted with pulse guns
are presently visible along a gauntlet of low walls, gullies, and three-story
building facades.

		ZIM
	The Marauder power suit will prevent
	serious injury, but if you are hit, you
	will be non-operational and your team
	score will suffer accordingly. Rico,
	has each member of your squad completed
	a weapons safety check ?

		JOHNNY
	Sir, yes, sir !

On a signal from Zim, the Live Fire Combat Range comes to life
as the target drones take cover and disappear from view.

		ZIM
	Perfect score for this exercise is 300.
	B company came through last week
	with 285. I expect you to do better.

74	EXT	LIVE FIRE COMBAT RANGE - DAY - THE RECRUITS

take out the target drones as they appear. Halfway through the course,
a recruit takes a hit and goes down, immobilized. Djana'd has a clear
shot, but Breckinridge gets in her way.

		DJANA'D
	You're in my line of fire, Breckinridge

Before the others can react, a second drone appears.

		JOHNNY
	CROSSFIRE ! EVERYBODY DOWN !

Everyone kisses dirt. Pulses from the two drones fly thick overhead.
Shujumi rises to fire, a round slams him back to the ground.
Johnny and Djana'd knock out the two drones.

		JOHNNY
	Alright, no more screw ups. Ace takes
	point. Diz, you and Kitten Smith cover
	the flanks. Djana'd, you're rear guard.
	Move out.

The squad resumes ist advance. Breckinridge bangs on his helmet.
There is something wrong with his "head up" display.

		JOHNNY
	What's the problem ?

		BRECKINRIDGE
	Dunno. Display's fritzed.

		DJANA'D
	Lose another rifle, we're gonna mess up
	our score...

		JOHNNY
	Let me see.

Breckinridge takes off helmet, hands it to Johnny. Djana'd turns on
Breckinridge. Her "head up" zeroes him.

		DJANA'D
	How come when something goes wrong,
	it's always you, Breckinridge ?

That's when Djana'd trips on a loose stone. She fumbles her rifle and
it discharges. The round tears the top of Breckinridge's head off.
The recruits stare in horror.

		JOHNNY
	Oh, God... uh... MEDIC !

Zim arrives with Bronski on the bounce.

		ZIM
	Rico, you are relieved of squad command.
	Levy, McIntire you will escort private Rico
	to the C.O.'s Office.

The recruits watch Johnny leave, stare aghast at their dead comrade.
No one looks at Djana'd, who stands alone sobbing.

75	INT	C.O.'S OFFICE - DAY - JOHNNY

stands before the C.O. braced by Katrina and Ace. Zim and the C.O.  are
both saddened by the proceedings.

		C.O.
	Rico, did you give the recruit permission
	to remove his helmet ?

		JOHNNY
	Sir, yes, sir. Breckinridge reported a
	helmet malfunction, and I asked him
	to show it to me, sir.

		C.O.
	Are you rated to repair a Marauder
	power suit, Rico ?

		JOHNNY
	Sir, no, sir.

		C.O.
	Then why did you order your man to
	remove his helmet during a live fire
	exercise ?

		JOHNNY
	Sir, I needed everyone in my squad
	operational, sir... I... I wanted to win,
	sir.

		C.O:
		(sigh)
	You disobeyed safety regulation 21-404.
	You may, of course, demand trial by
	court martial.

		JOHNNY
	Sir, no, sir !

		C.O.
	Do you freely admit to the charges
	made against you ?

		JOHNNY
	Sir... I guess I do, sir.

Zim looks out the window. Djana'd, dressed for travel, in civilian clothes,
crying as she heads off down Washout Lane.

		C.O.
	Sergeant, we've lost two recruits
	over this incident already...
	is there any possibility of salvaging
	this man ?

		Zim
	I believe so, sir.

		C.O.
	Alright. We'll try administrative
	punishment. Until then you are
	confined to your quarters, Rico.

76	INT	BARRACKS - SUNSET - JOHNNY

looks out the window to the parade ground where a POST has been
erected. The recruits look up as Zim enters.

		ZIM
	Alright, let's go, Rico.

Johnny takes off his shirt. Ace who now holds the chevrons of squad
leader, watches, feels bad for his pal.

77	EXT	PARADE GROUND - SUNSET - THE RECRUITS

stand with recruits from other platoons. Johnny is led to the post and
strung up as the C.O. reads the charge.

		C.O.
	For incompetence of command, for
	failure to abide by safety regulations
	in a live fire exercise, for negligence
	which contributed to the death of a
	teammate...

Zim steps up to Johnny, offers him a red rubber mouthpiece.

		ZIM
	Bite on this. It helps. I know.

		C.O.
	... recruit trainee John Rico is sentenced
	to administrative punishment. Ten lashes.

Johnny takes it in his mouth. His tear away shirt is torn away. Johnny
stands at the post alone. Corporal Bronski, a big man with an unhappy
task, unrolls his whip.

		C.O.
	You may carry out the sentence.

		BRONSKI
	One.

CRACK !	Johnny's face wrenched by pain, spontanous tears, a terrible
sound stifled by the bright red mouthpiece.

		BRONSKI
	Two.

CRACK !	Again. Dizzy flinches for Johnny.

		BRONSKI
	Three.

CRACK !	Ace looks away.

		BRONSKI
	Four.

CRACK !	Zim watches without any apparent emotion.

		BRONSKI
	Five.

CRACK !	Johnny faints, sagging against his tether.

					FADE OUT

78	EXT	OUTER SYSTEM - STARSHIP ATHENA

cruises past, 600,000 metric tons of star class destroyer, FIGHTERS
and LANDING BOATS lining her open hangar deck.

79	INT	ATHENA - COMMAND AND CONTROL - NIGHT CYCLE - CARMEN

works alone on the empty bridge. She yawns. Zander brings coffee for himself
and Carmen.

		CARMEN
	Thanks. You read my mind. Third watch
	always seems to last forever.

		ZANDER
	Oh, I don't know... Depends on who you
	are spending it with.

He caresses her hair. She kisses his hand. Zander notices the plot map.

		ZANDER
	Profile's wrong... there.

		CARMEN
	No, I replotted the course. It's more
	efficient this way.

		ZANDER
	Three weeks aboard a starship and you
	know it all, huh ?

		CARMEN
	Hey, check it.

Zander slides into his chair, runs a check.

		ZANDER
	You know I was talking to Captain,
	Deladier, and she said...

		CARMEN
	Don't change the subject. Am I right ?

		ZANDER
	Well, whad'ya know...

		CARMEN
	Don't mess with the boss. So what'd
	the captain say ?

		ZANDER
	She got a command... and she thinks we
	oughta team up officially and crew for her.
	She thinks we're good together.

		CARMEN
	You and me, huh ?

Zander turns his chair so they are very close, moves a finger along
her hand, up her arm and playfully around her breasts.

		ZANDER
	I have a feeling about us. We're good
	together, way ahead of the curve in
	every department. I seem to be able to
	anticipate your needs.
	You know what I want...

Carmen grabs him between his legs.

		CARMEN
	No, what do you want ?

Zander pulls her to him and they kiss passionately. She brteaks it off,
gets serious for amoment.

		CARMEN
	I want to be part of the best flight team
	in the Fleet...

		ZANDER
	Me, too... Day and Night-Cycle.

They start to caress again when suddenly ALARMS sound. Captain
Deladier appears on the hot screen, still waking up.

		DELADIER
	Report.

		ZANDER
	Captain, we are in the path of an unidentified
	object moving at near light speed...

Carmen and Zander frantically check their displays.

		CARMEN
	WHERE IS IT ?

		ZANDER
	THERE !	GRAVITY FIELD... IT'S BIG !

		CARMEN
	It looks like an... asteroid.

		DELADIER
	In this part of the system ?

Carmen and Zander see it through the front screens:		A huge
ASTEROID tumbles directly towards them at terrific speed.

		ZANDER
	Sweet Jesus...!

Carmen breaks glass that reads EMERGENCY RETROS, arms the switch
within and fires the rockets.

80	EXT	OUTER SYSTEM - STARSHIP ATHENA

torques to one side. The asteroid grazes the ship, cutting ahuge gash
in Athena's hull. Ice and rock travelling in ist wake shreds
COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT.

81	INT	COMMAND AND CONTROL - NIGHT CYCLE - CARMEN AND

Zander brace themseves as diamond hard particles pound the front screens.
The ship continues to tumble.

82	EXT	ATHENA - FLIGHT DECK - A FIGHTER

loses it's mooring, tumbling into other craft, explosions ripping the deck.

83	INT	ATHENA -VARIOUS - NIGHT CYCLE - CREWMEN

are sucked into space. Others hang on frantically as automatic doors
seal Athena's wound and their fates.

84	INT	COMMAND AND CONTROL - NIGHT CYCLE - CAPTAIN

Deladier arrives on the bridge, now crowded as other FLIGHT OFFICERS
rush to their stations. Zander's going through star charts.

		DELADIER
	Where'd it come from ?

		ZANDER
	Trajectory indicates it came out of
	the Arachnid Quarantine Zone.

		DELADIER
	Number 4, contact Fleet and tell 'em
	there's a loose asteroid headed their way.

		COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER
	Communications are down, ma'am.

		DELADIER
	Engineering. Damage assessment.

		ENGINEERING OFFICER
	Hull's compromised.
	We're lucky to be alive, ma'am.

Deladier notices Carmen staring at a monitor, stunned. A DEAD
CAP TROOPER trails in the wreckage of the flight deck.

		DELADIER
	Good work, Number 1. You'll do.

		CARMEN
	Thank you, ma'am.

85	INT	BARRACK'S - DAY - JOHNNY

wears his civilian clothes, pcks as the other recruits get ready for the
day's training. No one says anything. He moves stiffly, careful of his
back.

		DIZZY
	It stinks, you goin.

		JOHNNY
	I don't stay where I'm not wanted.

		DIZZY
	If they didn't want you, they woulda
	kicked you out, amigo.

		JOHNNY
	Hey, they humiliated me in front of
	everyone ! I'm just supposed to take
	it, huh ? Well, I'm not gonna, and I
	guess that proves I just can't cut it.

Corporal Bronski leans in, impassive.

		BRONSKI
	Your call's going through, Rico.
	Take it there.

A nearby VU-PHONE lights up. The screen flashes:		RINGING
His mother appears when she picks up the other end.

		MOTHER
	Hello... Oh, Johnny...!

		JOHNNY
	Hi, mom.

		MOTHER
	Bill... pick up... it's Johnny ! You
	little rat. You haven't called, you
	haven't written. It's been so lonely
	here without you...

The screen splits as Johnny's father activates an extension.

		FATHER
	Johnny ! Where's your uniform...?

Johnny's mother makes a face to shut him up.

		FATHER
	Well, it's just good to hear from you.
	What's up, son ?

		JOHNNY
	It's not really working out for me here,
	dad. I was thinking... I was hoping it
	would be alright if I came home.

		MOTHER
	Well, of course you should come home
	immedietly !

		JOHNNY
	I've made a mess of things. I've been
	so stupid...

		FATHER
	Don't talk like that. Get yourself home
	as fast as you can.

		MOTHER
	We'll all have dinner. I'll fix your favorite.

		FATHER
	Yeah ! We'll talk it out and have a good
	glass of wine ... and... well, we love you,
	son.

The sky in Buenos Aires seems to darken perceptively. Johnny's
mother looks out the window.

		MOTHER
	Oh, my, what's that ?

		FATHER
	Looks like rain.

		MOTHER
	This time of the year...?

The transmission ends abruptly. A phone company logo appears:
TRANSMISSION TERMINATED.

		VU-PHONE VOICE
	Your transmission has been terminated due
	to atmospheric interference. Please try your
	call again later.

Johnny zips his duffel, hefts it gingerly over his shoulder.

		JOHNNY
	Well, see ya.

		DIZZY
	You take the stroll down Washout Lane,
	you're only proving one thing, Johnny.

		JOHNNY
	What's that, Diz ?

		DIZZY
	That you don't have what it takes
	to be acitizen !

Dizzy turns on her heel and marches away.

86	INT	THE C.O.'S OFFICE - DAY - JOHNNY

signs form 1240/A. Zim stands as witness.

		C.O.
	Now you, Sergeant.

Zim signs bitterly. The C.O. sighs.

		C.O.
	That's it, son. You can go.

The C.O. and Zim turn to other things. Johnny picks up his duffel and heads
out the door.

87	EXT	PARADE GROUND - DAY - JOHNNY

walks alone, sad. A skimmer hums by overhead and he looks after it.
Out across the parade ground he sees the glint of Marauder power
suits as recruits tumble the obstacle course.

88	EXT	WASHOUT LANE -- DAY - JOHNNY

reaches the little white fence that leads to the transporter. He turns
back for one last look and notices people running to the
Comminications shack. Kitten Smith runs by.

		JOHNNY
	Hey, Kitten, what's going on ?

		KITTEN
	It's war !

89	EXT	COMMUNICATION - DAY - JOHNNY

joins others to see what's on the Federal Net. Recruits, non-coms, and officers gather
without any sense of military decorum. People cry openly, among them Corporal
Bronski.

		OFFICIAL VOICE
	... early estimates. Millions dead, a city in
	ruins...

On screen, the smoldering ruins of what was once a huge city.

		JOHNNY
	Oh, jeez, is that Geneva ?

		KATRINA
	Goddam bugs whacked us, Johnny.

		OFFICIAL VOICE
	... Buenos Aires has been wiped of the Earth.
	Nothing lives in what was once called the
	Latin Paradise...

Johnny is horrified. Dizzy is suddenly standing next to him.

		DIZZY
	Aw, Johnny, geez... It's home.

		OFFICIAL VOICE
	The Federal Court met moments ago and
	voted unanimously for mobilization to
	destroy the Arachnid threat.

Johnny sets his jaw, turns and runs for the C.O.'s office.

90	INT	C.O.'S OFFICE -DAY - THE C.O: AND ZIM

and other staffers watch the grim news unfold. Animation
illustrates the insect treachery.

		OFFICIAL VOICE
	The meteor derived from here, near Klendathu,
	in the Arachnid's home system...

		ZIM
	I'm serious, sir. I'll go anywhere.
	I want combat.

		C.O.
	Forget it, Zim. We're gonna need you
	here. The only way you'll get a combat
	assignment is if you bust yourself to
	private. You get me ?

		ZIM
	Yes, sir, I get you.

		C.O.
	What can I do for you, Rico ?

		JOHNNY
	Sir, I wish to reconsider my request
	to drop out, sir.

		C.O.
	Sorry, son. I can't do it. You signed
	the 1240/A. It would be illegal.

		JOHNNY
	Sir, i know it was wrong. I didn't
	learn from one mistake and I made
	another, sir.
		(then)
	Sir, my family... my whole family was
	in Buenos Aires, sir.

Zim picks up Johnny's 1240/A off the C.O.'s desk.

		ZIM
	Is that your signature, Rico ?

		JOHNNY
	Sir, yes it is, sir.

		ZIM
	Doesn't look like it to me.

Zim gives the C.O. a look. The C.O. shrugs, turns away, watching the news
of the coming war. Zim tears up the 1240/A.

		ZIM
	Get outa here, private.

91	FROM THE FEDERAL NET - HUMANKIND GOES TO WAR !

Actual pictures of Buenos Aires:	SURVIVORS pick through rubble,
people wail, kids play tag in the ruins.

		OFFICIAL VOICE
	Out of the ashes of Buenos Aires comes first
	sorrow, then ANGER !

		ANGRY PERSON
	The only good bug is a dead bug !

		OFFICIAL VOICE
	Would you like to know more ?

92	COMBAT - VICTORY ON DANTANA !

A wounded CAP TROOPER, grim smile, flashes "V" for victory as his
weary comrades carry him off the field.

		OFFICIAL VOICE
	Cap Troopers establish a foothold on Dantana,
	a planet system at the outer edge of the
	Arachnid Quarantine Zone. Casualties are high,
	but casualties won't stop the Mobile Infantery !
	Would you like to know more ?

93	HOME FRONT - KIDS KILL BUGS AND MOM IS GLAD !

MOM smiles as her CUTE KIDS stomp insects in the garden.
FACTORY WORKERS turn out ordnance. PEOPLE line up
to enlist.

		OFFICIAL VOICE
	Everyone's doing their share. Are you ?
	The war effort needs your effort at work,
	at home, in your community.
	Would you like to know more ?

94	LEADERSHIP - SKY MARSHALL ANNOUNCES OFFENSIVE !

SKY MARSHALL DIENES, 72, addresses the FEDERAL COUNCIL.

		SKY MARSHALL DIENES
	We are a generation commanded by fate to defend
	humankind ! We must meet the threat with our valor,
	our blood, with our very lives, to insure that human
	civilization, not insect, dominates this galaxy now
	and always.

The council rises to its feet for a standing ovation.

		OFFICIAL VOICE
	Sky Marshall Dienes announces plans for an
	offensive against Klendathu, source of the
	bug meteor that destroyed Buenos Aires.

95	LIVE BROADCAST - AQZ - FLEET BATTLE STATION TICONDEROGA

is a sprawling pre-fab structure covering several square kilometers of space
where STARSHIPS are stacked in berths.
Super title:	COUNTDOWN TO VICTORY.

		OFFICIAL VOICE
	We now break net and take you live to
	Fleet Battle Station Ticonderoga deep
	inside the Arachnid Quarantine Zone.

96	INT	BATTLE STATION - NIGHT CYCLE - THE CAMERA

follows the Net Correspondentas he works a corridor crowded with
MOBILE INFANTERY and FLEET PERSONNEL.

		NET CORRESPONDENT
	No one here in the AQZ knows when the
	invasion of Kendathu will occur, but
	everyone's talking about it, and the talk says
	tomorrow !

Newly minted cap troopres Johnny, Dizzy, Ace, and Kitten Smith happen along.

		NET CORRESPONDENT
	Here's a bunch of M.I. kids who look like they
	eat bugs for lunch !

		DIZZY
	Yum, yum yum ...!

		NET CORRESPONDENT
	So you're not to worried about fighting the
	Arachnids...?

		ACE
	Hey, shoot a nuke down a bug hole,
	lotta dead bugs, am I right ?

		KITTEN SMITH
	I just hope it's not over before we get in it !

		NET CORRESPONDENT
	Some say the bugs were provoked by human
	attempts to colonize within the AQZ, that a
	"live and let live" policy is preferable to
	war with the bugs...

		JOHNNY
	Yeah, well, I'm from Buenos Aires, and
	I say kill'em all !

97	INT	RECREATION DECK - NIGHT CYCLE - JOHNNY

and his friends drink at a crowded bar. Around the room there's
singing and dancing, a mad sort of revelry bred of fear and
excitement, but nearby a VETERAN drinks alone.

		KITTEN SMITH
	That guy's been in it.

		JOHNNY
	How can you tell ?

		KITTEN SMITH
	The eyes. He's got the 1000 meters stare.

He's hard and humorless, all wised up. Ace admires his LASER CUT TATTOOS.
Dizzy eyes his skull and crossbone earring.

		ACE
	Great scars.

		DIZZY
	I like the jewelry. Hey, amigo, where can
	I get an earring like yours ?

		VETERAN
	Port Joe Smith, Outer Rings, Dantana...
	Every time I come back from a drop, my
	gunny gives me a bone. I got three now.
	You don't see a lot of guys with three.

		JOHNNY
	Waht's it like... combat ?

		VETERAN
	I guess it's not so bad. I mean as
	long as you don't get any on you.

		KITTEN SMITH
	Get any what on you ?

		VETERAN
	Oh, you'll know when it happens.
	See you on the bounce.

The veteran pays his tab and heads out.

		ACE
	I say we all go to the laser parlor
	and get cut together.

		JOHNNY
	What do I want with a scar ?

		DIZZY
	What, your skin's too pretty ?
	C'mon, everyone's doing it !

		CARMEN (V.O.)
	Hey	Johnny !	Johnny Rico !

Johnny looks up and sees Carmen. She lloks graet in uniform with
the hat and the lieutenant's bars on her shoulders.

		JOHNNY
	Carmen... ?

Johnny remembers himself, snaps to attention, salutes. Dizzy and the others
follow suit. Carmen salutes back, sheepish.

		CARMEN
	Oh... at ease. Guess I oughta lose the hat
	when I'm off duty, eh ?

Dizzy, disgusted, turns back to Ace and Kitten Smith. Carmen tucks her hat
under her arm. Her hair is very short.

		JOHNNY
	What happened to your hair ?

		CARMEN
	What do you think ? Everyone did it when
	we got our wings. You don't like it, do you ?

		JOHNNY
	It's alright, I guess. You hear from anyone
	made it out of B.A. alive ?

Carmen shakes her head, sadly.

		CARMEN
	It's funny. Sometimes I forget. Then it
	hits me, and I can't stop crying.

		JOHNNY
	I try just to be happy I'm still alive.

		CARMEN
	You don't look very happy to see me.

		JOHNNY
	Should I be ?

		CARMEN
	Johnny... Life is so different from the
	way it was. One day you'll see what
	I did was best for both of us.

Zander leaves a group of FLEET OFFICERS to join them.

		ZANDER
	Everything coposetic, Lieutenant ?

		CARMEN
	Zander, you remember Johnny ?
	Zander and I are a flight team now.

Zander puts his arm around Carmen, gives her a squeeze.

		ZANDER
	Best in the Fleet !

		JOHNNY
	I get it. This is the part that's best
	for both of us.
	Don't do me anymore favors, eh ?

Johnny turns to leave.

		CARMEN
	Johnny, wait...

		ZANDER
	Forget it, Carmen. The Mobile Infantery
	does a thankless, dirty job, so they
	naturally tend to be short-tempered,
	thoughtless and rude.

Johnny turns back to face Zander.

		JOHNNY
	You got something to say about the
	Mobile Infantery ?

		ZANDER
	You heard me. Wanna make something
	out of it, private ?

		JOHNNY
	Not with an officer, no, sir.
	The M.I. doesn't mint stupid cap
	troopers.

Everyone can see what's about to happen. A circle is forming,
Fleet on one side, Mobile Infantery on the other.

		ZANDER
	Let's disregaed rank... Everybody hear
	that ? Rank is not an issue here.

		CARMEN
	Zander, please... Let's go !

Zander takes off his hat.

		ZANDER
	It's alright. What's he gonna do ?

WHAM !	Johnny punches him right in the nose. Zander goes down,
bleeding. Ace and Kitten Smith grab Johnny.

		ACE
	Whoa, easy there, buddy... Nice punch.

Zander staggers to his feet, ready to fight, but Fleet Officers pull him
back. Carmen looks at Johnny, the hate in his eye, the blood on his fist.

		CARMEN
	What's wrong with you ?

		JOHNNY
	Hey, it's just a vestigal response to
	procreation... bitch.

Carmen turns away, stung. Johnny immediately regrets. Dizzy,
for her part, couldn't be happier.

		DIZZY
	Forget it, Johnny. Cap Troopers and
	Fleet weren't meant to mix !

98	INT	LASER PARLOR - NIGHT CYCLE - JOHNNY

grinds his teeth as a laser mounted on a robot arm finishes slicing an
intricate pattern into his arm.

		JOHNNY
	It hurts...!

Dizzy, Ace, and Kitten Smith awtch, grinning, passing a bottle.
Ace pours booze directly into the fresh wound.

		ACE
	No, this hurts.

		JOHNNY
	YAAAAAAAA !

		KITTEN SMITH
	Well, here's to it ! We're gonna fightn, and
	we're gonna win !

They put their arms side by side. Each has a similiar scar:
Lightning bolts on a shield and the words:	DEATH FROM ABOVE.

		ACE
	Mobile Infantery rules !

		JOHNNY
	Death to all bugs !

		DIZZY
	Don't get any on you !

99	EXT	KLENDATHU - FROM SPACE - FLEET STARSHIPS

of every class maneuver in tight orbit around the orange planet.
The "Mobile Infantery Anthem" plays loke Holst, pounding and
relentless. The invasion has begun !

100	INT	BULL RUN - DROP ROOM - JOHNNY

and his platoon, wearing fully armed MARAUDER POWER SUITS,
wait to drop with other cap troopers. Their mood is grim.
LIEUTENANT WILLY, 35, easy-going and confident, enters.

		ACE
	Officer on deck !

Everyone snaps to attention.

		LT. WILLY
	At ease. Alright... we got hot poop straight
	from the top:
	Willy's Wildcats is in with the first wave.
	Means more bugs for us to kill...

This does nothing to break the tension. Lt. Willy reassures.

		LT. WILLY
	Now if you follow orders and remember
	your training, I guarantee you'll make it
	back alive. Any questions ?

There are none.

		LT. WILLY
	Alright... next we got a little last minute
	briefing from Military Intelli-gence I
	think you're gonna like...

The briefingplays on "head up" displays and the ready room screens. A
captive BUG WARRIOR clicks and shrieks as FEDERAL SCIENTISTS
torture it. The troopers cheer.

		OFFICIAL VOICE
	Everyday Federal scientists are looking for
	new ways to kill bugs and you can help...

The head scientists turns and speaks to camera. It's Carl.
Johnny and Dizzy share an amazed grin, noticing a difference in
their old friend, something that speaks of... authority.

		CARL
	To defeat the enemy, we must know the
	enemy. Take for instance your basic
	Arachnid warrior. Minimal IQ, armored,
	completely lethal. You can blow a limb off...

Carl picks up apulse gun and blows one of the bugs legs off.
The insect screams.

		CARL
	... and it's still 86% combat effec-tive.
	But here's a tip: Aim for the nerve stem
	and put it down for good.

Carl fires again. The bug kicks and squeals as it dies.
Carl tosses the pulse gun aside.

		CARL
	Now while you are out killing bugs,
	we want you to be our eyes and ears.
	The bugs use some kind of plasma burst
	to divert meteors and aim them toward Earth.
	We need to know how they do this. If you
	encounter any plasma, report it immediately
	to your superior. Good luck and good hunting !

The briefing ends as klaxons sound.

		P.A. (O.S.)
	This is the Captain speaking.
	All personnel prepare for drop.We
	are at D minus three and counting.

		LT. WILLY
	Move out !

Johnny and the other troopers climb into capsules on the port track.
Dizzy gives him "thumbs up". The capsule seals as it moves with
the others down the firing tube.

101	INT	CAPSULE - JOHNNY

gets the shakes as the capsule bumps and booms toward the firing
tube. Lt. Willy appears on the "head up" display.

		LT. WILLY
	Smash the entire area, kill anything that
	has more'n a couple legs , and don't any
	of you loafers come back aboard with
	unexpended bombs. Get me ?

		JOHNNY ET AL
	Yes, sir !

		FIRE CONTROL (O.S.)
	Five seconds...

Sweat rolls down his face, hyperventilation... WHAM !

102	EXT	SPACE - KLENDATHU ORBIT - SILVER CAPSULES

stream toward Klendathu from the rear tubes starships of Bull Run.
We move down the line past Mannerheim, Dauntless, George Marshall,
and Yamamoto to the Rodger Young.

103	INT	RODGER YOUNG - COMMAND AND CONTROL - CARMEN

holds Rodger Young in tight maneuver. Suddenly, a burst of BLUE BUG PLASMA
rips past the starboard bow.

		CARMEN
	Plasma, ma'am... from the planet.

		DELADIER
	Bug Batteries... According to Military
	Intelligence, it'll be random and light.
	Drop status ?

		ZANDER
	Drop is 35% complete, ma'am.

Two more bursts of bug plasma streak past.

		DELADIER
	Steady as she goes, Number 1.

104	EXT	KLENDATHU - HIGH ATMOSPERE - NIGHT - THE CAPSULES

burn when they hit atmosphere, outer skin tearing away in big silver sheets.

105	INT	CAPSULE - NIGHT - JOHNNY

takes in ENTRY DATA from the heads up display.

		GUIDANCE COMPUTER (V.O.)
	...surface in twenty-fivr seconds
	...LZ has been identified
	...beacon is in place...

106	INT	RODGER YOUNG - COMMAND AND CONTROL - CARMEN

watches nervously as deadly bursts of bug plasma fill the heavens around the
battle group. Below, the surface of Klendathu fairly bistles with outgoing
defensive fire.

		DELADIER
	This isn't random or light.
	Someone made amistake...!

		ZANDER
	That's it, we're empty ma'am !

Out the front screens, a blast from below hits George Marshall amidships
and it reels into Yamamoto. Both starships begin to burn.

		DELADIER
	Someone made a big goddam mistake !
	Get us out of here, Number 1 !

Carmen dodges past burning ships, avoids collision with Dauntless,
and then KA-WHAM !	they're hit. Carmen flies out of her
station and into CAMERA hard.

107	EXT	KLENDATHU - CLOUD LAYER - NIGHT - THE SECOND SKIN

tears away. Johnny is sitting on air.

		GUIDANCE COMPUTER (V.O.)
	...surface in fifteen seconds...
	deploying chute now...

The chute pops. Across the sky, lit by outgoing bug plasma, he can see hundreds
of cap troopers in ordered rows drifting down into the cloud layer.
It's quiet in the clouds, then:

108	EXT	KLENDATHU - NIGHT - FROM THE AIR - JOHNNY

looks down as he passes out of the clouds and sees the battlefield.
Plasma blasts exploode into the sky. THOUSANDS OF BUGS boil
out of the ground to defend against the invader.

		GUIDANCE COMPUTER (V.O.)
	...surface in five... four ... three...

Johnny burns his chute off, drops the last hundred feet and lands
on the bounce.

109	EXT	KLENDATHU - NIGHT - JOHNNY'S POV - THE FLASH PULSE

of bug batteries, screaming voices on the com, concussions shaking the ground.
None of it compares to the sound of his own racing HEARTBEAT.
Lieutenant Willy shouts.

		LIEUTENANT WILLY
	Up there on the ridge ! We'll nuke those bug positions
	from theAAAAAAAA !

A HOPPER (an airborne Arachnid warrior with powerful rear legs and "pop out"
wings for gliding) lands on Lieutenant Willy and cracks his head like a nut.

		ACE
	KILL IT !

Johnny and Ace open fire, backing away. Pulse rounds tear it apart, bug guts
gushing.

		JOHNNY
	Lieutenant's bought the farm.
	Where's the Sarge...?

		ACE
	I didn't see him !

Now comes a flood of WORKERS building ever advancing fortifications,
and with them, hundreds of deadly ARACHNID WARRIORS.

		KITTEN SMITH
	Here they come...!

		DIZZY
	Ace, what're we doing ?

		ACE
	I uh... uh...

Dizzy and the others open fire simultanously. The whole area goes white hot
in the magnesium flash of so many pulse cannons. Shujumi fires wildly at
advancing insects.

		SHUJUMI
	You want some ? Here's some !
	C'MON !

		JOHNNY
	Don't waste your ammon on the
	workers !

Shujumi can't hear. A warrior finds him, rips his leg off, hurls him back
into the waiting jaws of the oncoming bugs.

		SHUJUMI
	AAAAAAAAAAAA !

He fights, screaming. A claw reaches for his face, ripping the top of his head off.

		KATRINA
	Let's get out of here !

Now the ground opens behind her and a huge (6 meters) TANKER BUG
lumbers out of the ground, it's funnel-shaped snout extruding above
multiple eyes.

		DIZZY
	Look out !

The tanker bug sprays and hits Katrina. She screams, as her legs melt out
from under her.

		KATRINA
	AAAAAAAAAAAAA !

Warriors converge to feed on her. Ace wants to help her, but Johnny blocks him.

		JOHNNY
	C'mon, Katrina was right. We
	gotta get out of here !

110	EXT	KLENDATHU - NIGHT - JOHNNY

and the other survivors on the bounce. The entire surface of Klendathu seems
to be churning with insects as more and more bugs come to the surface to
repel the invasion.

		JOHNNY
	It's a general retreat ! The boats are
	coming down.

They come to the rear lines where the Net Correspondent and his
CAMERAMAN are doing live coverage of the invasion.

		NET CORRESPONDENT
	We've just landed here on what cap troopers
	are calling the "Big K" with the 6th Mobile
	Infantery Division. It's an ugly planet, a bug
	planet, a planet hostile to life as we kow iGKKKKK !

The Correspondent is cut in half by a warrior. Johnny blows it away.

		JOHNNY
	C'mon, let's go ! ON THE BOUNCE !

The cap troopers move out. Kitten Smith looks up as a purple beacon
 streaks acroos thr sky.

		KITTEN SMITH
	I can see the beacon...!

		ACE
	Retrieval !

A hopper pounces on Kitten Smithm, and he goes down screaming.

		JOHNNY
	KITTEN !

Johnny touches down, stares in horror as Kitten Smith's head rolls past his
fee. Johnny opens up with his pulse cannon. The hopper attacks, puts a claw
right through Johnny's thigh.

		JOHNNY
	AAAAAAAAAAAAA !

Crushing jaws close around him, crushing, cutting his flesh. Johnny brings the muzzle
of the pulse gun under the hopper's nerve stem and SPLAT !	blows its head apart.

		DIZZY
	Johnny !	JOHNNY !	WHERE ARE YOU ?
	JOHNNY !	Johnny...!

But Dizzy can't find Johnny, and soon she's lost in the smoke. Johnny looks
down at the terrible hole in his leg where bright arterial blood gushes.

		JOHNNY
	Medic... MEDIC...!

Now two more Arachnid warriors close in on him through the enveloping
smoke. He fires his pulse rifle empty, and dropping it, crawls desperately,
dragging his useless leg.

		JOHNNY
	Oh, God... Oh, God, help me...
	please help me...!

A third Arachnid warrior rears up in front of him, deadly jaws slashing down
toward him, when suddenly it is blown to pieces in the blinding blast of a
point-blank pulse cannon.

		VOICE (O.S.)
	Take my hand !

Johnny reaches out. A STEEL HAND takes his, dragging him back as bugs
attack. His rescuers's pulse cannon thunders overhead. Bug parts fly as
insects swarm in for the kill.

					FADE OUT

111	FROM THE FEDERAL NET - 100, 000 DEAD IN ONE HOUR !

Actual pictures of the battlefield, man and insect lying dead together on the blood
drenched plains of Klendathu.

		OFFICIAL VOICE
	Crsisis for Humankind ! Fleet official
	admit they underestimated the
	Arachnid's defensive capability.
	Would you like to know more ?

112	SKY MARSHALL RESIGNS !

Retiring Sky Marshall Dienes salutes incoming SKY MARSHALL TEHAT MERU, 75,
bfore a gathering of the Federal Council.

		OFFICIAL VOICE
	Accepting responsibility for Klendathu,
	Sky Marshall Dienes resigns. His successor,
	Sky Marshall Tahat Meru, outlines her new
	strategy.

		SKY MARSHALL MERU
	Until we understand the bug better, we
	must proceed with caution...
	We can ill afford another Klendathu.

113	SCIENTISTS SUSPECT MYSTERIOUS BRAIN BUGS !

FEDERAL SCIENTISTS display an organizational chart of the
Arachnid species topped by a QUESTION MARK.

		OFFICIAL VOICE
	To explain the intelligent military actions
	of the Arachnids, Federal Scientists postulate
	the existence of a leadership caste...BRAIN BUGS !

114	SOMETIMES LOVED ONES DIE FOR A GOOD REASON !

Names scroll by designated KIA, WIA, and MIA accordingly.

		OFFICIAL VOICE
	Families oof those who have died or become
	incapacitated by Federal Service are entitled
	to benefits ! If you see the name of a loved one,
	please do not call. A Federation official will call
	you. Would you like to know more ?

115	EXT	FLEET BATTLE STATION TICONDEROGA - THE RODGER YOUNG

limps to port, a huge chunk ripped out of its mid-section. Although stable,
she flies inverted.

		CARMEN (O.S.)
	Ticonderoga, this is Rodger Young requesting
	approach vector...

		TICONDEROGA C&C (O.S.)
	Affirmative, Rodger Young...one zero zero
	niner five two... welcome back.

116	INT	RODGER YOUNG - COMMAND AND CONTROL - ZANDER AND
CARMEN

stare at the BATTLE-SCARED STARSHIPS and BURNT-OUT HULKS that line the
docks of Ticonderoga.

		CARMEN
	You know, we're lucky to be alive.

A bloody bandage wraps Carmen's head. Zander nods grimly.

117	INT	RODGER YOUNG - GANGWAY - THE DEAD BODIES

of CREWMEN and CAP TROOPERS are being off-loaded via conveyer belt.
Zander and Carmen make their way up the steep companionway beside the
ghastly conveyer belt.

		ZANDER
	Give me hand, willya ?

Carmen takes his hand. Zander kisses her.

		ZANDER
	I was thinking. Maybe we should get
	married, Carmen.

		CARMEN
	You weren't thinking...you were dreaming !

		ZANDER
	If we're gonna be a team, why not be a
	real team ?

		CARMEN
	There's a war on. I want a command,
	I want my own ship, you do, too...

		ZANDER
	So ?

		CARMEN
	So who's got time to get married ?

Carmen lets his hand go and leaps through the hatch. Zander falls back
onto the conveyer belt, finds himself eyeball-to-eyeball with a horribly
maimed trooper, scrambles to get off.

118	INT	BATTLE STATION TICONDEROGA - COMMON AREA - ZANDER

joins Carmen in the crowded common area where dead bodies compete for space
with wounded awaiting triage. Survivors watch casualty lists scroll ba on a
Federal Net terminal.

		ZANDER
	Fleet encourages marriages among flight
	officers. You'd probably get a promotion
	out of it.

		CARMEN
	Funny...

		ZANDER
	I'm not kidding. Marriage is -

		CARMEN
	No, funny there's almost no wounded at all.

		ZANDER
	Hey, bugs don't take prisoners.

Carmen looks at the words at the Net terminal: WOULD YOU LIKE TO KNOW
MORE ? She bites her lip, enters Johnny's name. In an instant, she has the news:
RICO, JOHN D. - KIA

		CARMEN
	Oh no.

Tears fill her eyes.

		ZANDER
	Carmen...?

		CARMEN
	Excuse me...!

She rushes away. Zander looks at Johnny's name on the screen, shrugs, presses
the ERASE button.

119	INT	TICONDEROGA - CORRIDOR - ZANDER

finds Carmen, sagging against a wall, weepimg.

		ZANDER
	I'm sorry, Carmen.

		CARMEN
	Please, I... Everybody's lost someone
	by now. This shouldn't be any
	different...

Zander puts an arm around her. She holds on tight.

		CARMEN
	No, I... Oh, Zander, I'm a fool.

		ZANDER
	You're upset, that's alright.

Zander kisses her hair. Tears roll down her face.

		CARMEN
	No, don't you see ? No one can wait for
	anything anymore... You're right...
	We should get married...

Zander holds Carmen as she sobs, feeling lucky.

				DISSOLVE TO:

120	INT	STASIS TANK - DAY CYCLE - JOHNNY'S BODY

floats, suspended in fluid, mouth hanging open, his skin white as death.
A low underwater KNOCKING wakes him. He opens his eyes and sees
Ace and Dizzy outside the tank.

Ace holds up a KIA list, pointing at Johnny's name, laughing: Rico, John V - KIA.
Their voices are distant and garbled. Dizzy cups her hands against the side of the
tank.

		DIZZY
	Two more days.

Johnny's wounds are now mostly scars except for his leg where delicate robotic
arms culture layers of new tissue. Johnny gives a weak thumbs up. The knocking
sound continues.

Johnny turns. A STEEL HAND taps the side of the tank. Johnny grins, astonished.
The man wearing it is his former high school teacher, now a Lieutenant, Jean Rasczak.

121	EXT	SPACE - AQZ - A BATTLE GROUP

consisting of STARSHIPS, their tender, FREIGHTERS and other SUPPLY CRAFT.

122	INT	TROOP TRANSPORT - M.I. QUARTERS - JOHNNY

stows his gear along with Ace and Dizzy. Acroos the room, a collection of
battle-hardened vets check out the newcomers.

		ACE
	Dizzy says you two knew this Rasczak
	character in Buenos Aires...

		JOHNNY
	He was our teacher...
	He was great.

		ACE
	Yeah, well, I hear he's a real
	nutbuster.

		DIZZY
	The Roughnecks killed more bugs than
	any other outfit in 2nd Brigade...
	Only took 15% casualties on Big K.

They size up the Roughnecks. There are scars, power prosthetics, and one,
big SUGAR WATKINS, 26, wears a bug claw on a chain around his neck.

		JOHNNY
	Seeing as how we're about all that's
	left of  1st Brigade, you'd have to call
	that an improvement.
		(to Sugar Watkins)
	You top kick ?

		SUGAR WATKINS
	Are you kidding ? They always get killed.
	You want the job ?

		JOHNNY
	I wouldn't mind.

CORPORAL BIRDIE, 24, turns, gives Johnny the once over.

		BIRDIE
	I would. Nice earring.

Dizzy looks her over. Not too big, but she's tough.

		DIZZY
	Where you been besides Big K ?

		BIRDIE
	Outer rings. Zegema Beach.

		JOHNNY
	I always wanted to go to Zegema Beach.

		SUGAR WATKINS
	Good luck. It's not there anymore.

		ACE
	Is your Lieutenant as bad as they say ?

Birdie belts him, and Ace goes down.

		BIRDIE
	No one talks about the Lieutenant that way.
	He saved my life !

Ace jumps up, ready to fight, but other Roughnecks block him.

		SUGAR WATKINS
	Mine, too.

		OTHER ROUGHNECKS
	Same for me... me, too...

Johnny and Dizzy shrug. Ace's on his own.

		ACE
	Sounds like he is quite a guy.

SERGEANT GILLESPIE, 28, steps into the room.

		GILLESPIE
	Attention !

Everyone snaps to. Rasczak enters.

		RASCZAK
	This is for you new people. I only
	have two rules. Rule one, everyone
	fights. Rule two, no one quits.
	If you don't do your job, I'll kill you
	myself. Do you get me ?

		JOHNNY, DIZZY AND ACE
	We get you, sir !

He points at Johnny's earring with his steel hand.

		RASCZAK
	Get rid of the jewelry. I hate it.
	Welcome to the Roughnecks.

		BIRDIE
	Rasczak's Roughnecks !

The Roughnecks cheer. Rasczak smiles vaguely.

		RASCZAK
	Alright. There's a new Sky Marshall and
	a new plan. We're gonna clean out the
	systems outlying Klendathu one planet
	at a time. Tomorrow we hit Tango Urilla.
	After Fleet glasses the planet, M.I. mops up.

123	EXT	TANGO URILLA - DAY - BUG WARRIORS

stand sentry on earthworks that tower the entrance to their colony where an
endless line of WORKERS enter bearing foodstuff appropriate to this exotic
jungle planet.

A distant sound. A warrior looks up, curious. Suddenly a FORMATION OF TAC
FIGHTERS screams down from high orbit and a white hot nuclear firestorm burns
consumes the landscape.

Bugs scream as they twist and kick in the wall of flame. Heat melts the dirt into
dark glass. Ash turns the sky red. The out of the smoke come Rasczak and his
Roughnecks.

		RASCZAK
	Spread out, teams of three. When you
	locate a bug hole, secure it, gas it,
	and close it.

124	EXT	TANGO URILLA - FLATS - DAY - TAC FIGHTERS

streak by overhead. On the ground, Johnny, Dizzy and Ace are on the bounce.
Ace spots a bug hole where workers and warrors have broken through the
glassed surface.

		ACE
	There.

Rockets take out warriors. Bug guts go flying. Dizzy sets workers on fire.
Johnnx and Ace step over burning bug carcasses to the rim of the hole and
fire their gas rounds.

		JOHNNY
	Fire in the hole !

Johnny drops an H.E. round, and they're in the air when the explosion collapses
the entrance to the bug city.

		BIRDIE (O.S.)
	You new guys over there...
	WE could use some help...

125	EXT	TANGO URILLA - MOUNTAINS - BUGS

boil out of the ground. Birdie, Sugar Watkins and other Roughnecks are about to be
overrun when Johnny touches down wuth Ace and Dizzy.

		JOHNNY
	Looks like you've got a little bug
	problem, ma'am...

		BIRDIE
	Stow it, trooper. Give it verything
	you've got !

The cao troopers let the bugs have it, but the insects keep coming, the living
crawling over the dead, and now, trudging up out of the ground, comes a
TANKER BUG.

		JOHNNY
	WATCH OUT !

The tanker bug starts to spray, creating a toxic perimeter around the hole.
Rasczak arrives just as Birdie takes a chemical hit, falling to ground minus
an arm, screaming.

		BIRDIE
	AAAAAAAAAAAAA !

Johnny jumps, landing behind the tanker bug in the mouth of the hole. It turns
with surprising speed. Johnny flips up onto its back, cracks its armor with his
pulse cannon.

		RASCZAK
	Sugar, in for pick up !

Rasczak and Sugar Watkins pull Birdie to safety. Johnny fires a rocket into
the hole he's made in the tanker bug's back, and jumps clear. KA-WHAP !
The big bug explodes.

		RASCZAK
	Gas that hole and close it !

The Roughnecks fire gas rockets into the bug hole. Johnny touches down
beside Rasczak.

		RASCZAK
	Where'd you learn to do that, soldier ?

		JOHNNY
	Uni High Tigers, sir. Don't you
	remember ? I was captain of the
	team.

		RASCZAK
	I'm not interested in nostalgia, Rico,
	I need a corporal. You're it until you're
	dead or I find someone better.

Rasczak turns away, gives Birdie prosthetic thumps up as she is carried past
to meet an arriving skimmer.

		RASCZAK
	Don't worry, Birdie, your next arm comes
	with a factory guarantee !

Dizzy and Ace gather around Johnny, clap him on the back.

		DIZZY
	Way to go, amigo !

		JOHNNY
	I'm gonna need a squad leader.

		ACE
	No way. Big K taught me I ain't executive
	material.

		JOHNNY
	What about it, Diz ?

		DIZZY
		(a snappy salute)
	Looks like I'm your girl, sir.

Tac Fighters reel by over head. WOMP ! Suddenly, BUG PLASMA shoots skyward
from the flatlands below. Several Tac Fighters are blown out of the air.
Flaming debris rains down.

		RASCZAK
	Saddle up, Roughnecks. That's
	our trash !

Roughnecks head out on the bounce.

126	EXT	TANGO URILLA - RIDGE - DAY - JOHNNY

and the others look down a sheer cliff on the bug battery, a charred circular
pit some ten meters across. Inside, something is moving.

		JOHNNY
	What kind of stinkin' bug is that ?

Johnny jumps the magnification on his "head up". Down in the pit, a giant
translucent PLASMA BUG rears out of one of the subterranean tunnels
that ring the battery.

		SUGAR WATKINS
	You never seen how they do it before ?

Johnny shakes his head. Swollen BREEDER BUGS gather around the
plasma bug to inject it with their catalytic jelly.

		ACE
	Agghh ! It's making me sick...!

The plasma bug writhes in pain and begins to swell, color changing from
yellow to blue in accordance with some violent internal chemical reaction.

		SUGAR WATKINS
	It's gonna pop !

WOMP ! The plasma bug explodes in its cauldron. A blast of bug plasma
streaks past them towards the heavens. Now a new plasma bug crawls into
the pit to begin the cycle anew.

		GILLESPIE
	Sir, look !

Sergeant Gillespie points. A hole opens near the battery and dozens of warriors
rampage out of the ground and up the cliff face toward the Roughneck position.

		RASCZAK
	We must be right over the colony.
	Let's get some air support, eh ?

		GILLESPIE
	Yes, sir ! Fleet, this is Roughneck
	patrol, over ...?

Rasczak moves off down the line giving orders.

		RASCZAK
	Corporal, I want pulse cannons there
	and there ! Rifle teams, spread out
	along the ridge ! Sugar, bring up that
	flame thrower !

		GILLESPIE
	Fleet's pulling the battle group back
	to safe distance... They'd like us to
	knock out those batteries, sir.

		RASCZAK
	They'd rather spend our lives than
	risk their ships. Who's got the nuke ?

		DIZZY
	That'd be me, sir.

		RASCZAK
	Heat it up.

Dizzy activates a tactical nuke. It makes a distinctive HIGHPITCHED SQUEAL.

		RASCZAK
	Roughnecks, you may fire at will.

The Roughnecks open fire. Bugs are blown to pieces but they keep climbing. A
warrior breeches their line. Sugar Watkins torches it. The nuke's ready light flashes.

		DIZZY
	I'm hot, sir !

		RASCZAK
	FIRE ! BLAST SHIELDS DOWN !

Johnny blows a warrior away from the edge. Dizzy leans over and fires. The rocket
streaks down toward the battery.

		RASCZAK
	HIT THE DIRT !

An explosion in the two kiloton range turns the world black and white. When color
returns Johnny and the others look down on the smoldering crater which was once the
bug battery.

		GILLESPIE
	Now comes the part I hate the most.

		JOHNNY
	What's that ?

		GILLESPIE
	We go down into the colony and make
	sure all the queens are dead.

127	INT	TUNNELS - DAY - THE ROUGHNECKS

fight their way down gassed-out tunnels into bug city. They meet warrors at
every turn and kill them. Helmet lamps make weird shadows of dead bugs
piled everywhere along the way.

		SUGAR WATKINS
	You knew the Lieutenant before the war...
	What was he like ?

		JOHNNY
	He was a teacher , kind of a know it all...
	Always had this little smile.

		SUGAR WATKINS
	Geez, I don't think I've ever seen him
	smile.

		JOHNNY
	Must fill your bottle up real quick
	when your wife and kids get smeared.

Johnny joins Rasczak, Ace and Dizzy and they blow away several warriors
guarding the entrance of a large chamber.

128	INT	BUG NURSERY - DAY - THE QUEENS

are eight meters long with corpulent bodies and tiny heads. Only one survives,
and though she is herself dying, her abdomen, rippled by life within, continues to
undulate.

		JOHNNY
	All dead except one, sir.

		RASCZAK
	Kill the bitch.

		JOHNNY
	Yes, sir.

Johnny signals. Dizzy's pulse cannon rips open the dying queen. Thousands of
wriggling premature bugs come spilling out. Horrified, knee-deep Roughnecks
set them afire.

129	EXT	TANGO URILLA - BASE CAMP - DAY - FLEET ENGINEERS

unload PRE-FAB BARRACKS from HERCULES CARGO BOATS.
Roughnecks eat. Rasczak stands, banging a spoon on his mess kit.

		RASCZAK
	Tango Urilla is now bug free. Means
	the Roughnecks have killed  a
	helluva lotta bugs...!

Roughnecks cheer. Rasczak kicks open a CARGO MODULE. Beer kegs
rool out. He kicks open a second module. Inside, musical instruments.
Ace picks up a violin.

		RASCZAK
	I expect the best, but I give the best.
	Habve some fun. That's an order !

130	EXT	BASE CAMP - NIGHT - LATER - ACE

leads a little quartet, plays a sweet fiddle. Roughnecks laugh and dance.
Dizzy tries to pull Johnny into the fun.

		DIZZY
	C'mon...

		JOHNNY
	Nah, I don't do that anymore...

		DIZZY
	You used to dance...

		JOHNNY
	I said no. Want me to pull rank ?

		DIZZY
	Well, excuse me, sir...

Dizzy heads back to the others. Johnny turns and finds Rasczak regarding him
with an odd, sad smile.

		RASCZAK
	Yopu asked me some advice once, Rico.
	Want some now ?

		JOHNNY
	Yes, sir...

		RASCZAK
	Never pass up a good thing, eh ?

Gillespie appears.

		GILLESPIE
	Lieutenant, Brigade's on the com...

Rasczak heads away. Johnny joins Dizzy.

		JOHNNY
	Hey, Diz...

		DIZZY
	What ?

Johnny takes her hand, bows implishly.

		JOHNNY
	May I have the honor ?

He pulls her out among the others and they begin to dance. Ace watches
with a grin, puts some spirit in his fiddle.

131	INT	COMMUNICATIONS - NIGHT - RASCZAK

is in holo conference with an INTELLIGENCE OFFICER

		INTELLIGENCE OFFICER
	At 0821 we received a distress call from
	Planet P, priority code, requesting
	reinforcement...

		RASCZAK
	I thought 4th brigade cleaned out P.

		INTELLIGENCE OFFICER
	Owen reported the eradication of a low
	generation colony a month ago. That's why
	MICOM wants onsite assessment.

		RASCZAK
	Sounds more like some idiot at
	Military Intelligence Command
	wants to get me and my cap troopers
	killed...

The Intelligence Officer reddens.

		INTELLIGENCE OFFICER
	Take your group down to P and have a
	look see. Leave the thinking to us,
	Lieutenant. That's not your job.

		RASCZAK
	My job is to protect the lives of my
	soldiers so they can kill bugs, Major,
	and if you're walking me into a trap-

		INTELLIGENCE OFFICER
	Bugs don't lay traps... They aren't
	intelligent ! Unlike you, they're stupid
	enough to follow orders !

		VOICE (O.S.)
	That'll be all, Major. Dismissed.

The Intelligence Officer disappears abruptly. A new hologram appears.
Rasczak's jaw drops. It's his former student Carl Jenkins, now a Colonel,
weary and pissed off.

		CARL
	This conference is over. Do your duty,
	Lieutenant. That's an order.

Rasczak recovers, salutes stiffly.

		RASCZAK
	Yes, sir.

132	INT	PRE-FAB SLEEPING UNIT - DAY - JOHNNY AND DIZZY

are making love. The door pops open. Rasczak stands there. Dizzy ducks under
the covers. Johnny manages a salute.

		RASCZAK
	Corporal, the Roughnecks are moving
	out for Planet P immediately. Get
	yourself squared away and report to
	Gillespie for logistics.

		JOHNNY
	Yes, sir !

		RASCZAK
	Who's that with you ?

Dizzy shows herself, grinning.

		RASCZAK
	Report in ten minutes.

Rasczak slams the door shut on them. They fall back into one anothers arms,
laughing as they resume lovemaking.

		DIZZY
	Planet P ? What kind of name is that ?

		JOHNNY
	They ran out of names a long time
	ago in this part of the galaxy.

133	EXT	PLANET P - BAD LANDS - DAY - THE ROUGHNECKS

move through canyons of towering wind-carved rock formations.
Gillespie carries the communications package.

		GILLESPIE
	I don't understand it, Lieutenant.
	It's not getting anything from 4th
	Brigade...
	not even their transponder.

		RASCZAK
	Keep trying, Sergeant.

134	EXT	CANYON FLOOR - CONTINUING - DAY - THE ROUGHNECKS

walk in a column far below. Something is watching from the above... HOPPERS,
lots of them, moving from rock to rock for better position.

135	EXT	CANYON FLOOR - CONTINUING - DAY - ACE

sees something out of the corner of his eye.

		JOHNNY
	BUGS...!

The hoppers hit. Several Roughnecks go down. Everyone opens up.
Dive-bombing bugs are blown to bits. Roughnecks set them on fire
when they hit the ground.

		DIZZY
	Johnny, watch out !

A burning bug hurls itself at Johnny. Johnny jumps out of the way as
Dizzy fires, blowing it apart. The deadly hoppers seem to be everywhere
above them in the rocks.

		RASCZAK
	LET'S GO ! ON THE BOUNCE !

136	EXT	FLAT LANDS - DAY - THE ROUGHNECKS

move out into the open. In the distance they see 4th Brigade HQ, a walled
compound and partially constructed landing pad.

		RASCZAK
	Gillespie, put in call for retrieval.
	We're off this rock.
	Gillespie, do you read me ?

		GILLESPIE
	AAAAAAAAAAA !

Two hoppers are pulling Gillespie up into the rocks where other bugs
join to feast.

		RASCZAK
	Throw a rifle !

Dizzy tosses her Morita to Rasczak. Gillespie writhes in the hopper's
claws. Rasczak fires, killing Gillespie.

		RASCZAK
	I expext any one here to do the same
	for me... Rico, Watkins, Flores, Levy
	prepare for rear guard action. The rest
	of you make for 4th Brigade.

Johnny and the others cover the Roughneck retreat as hoppers soar down
on the flat lands from the canyon walls.

		RASCZAK
	FIRE...!

Johnny and the others blast bugs out of the air.

		RASCZAK
	FALL BACK 100 METERS...!

A second wave of hoppers come in.

		RASCZAK
	AND FIRE...!

For now, the sky is clear.

		RASCZAK
	4TH BRIGADE HQ ! ON THE BOUNCE !

137	EXT	4TH BRIGADE HQ - DAY - THE OUTPOST

is 50 meters by 100, standard issue pre-fab. The Roughnecks land on the
compound wall. Inside, WORKER BUGS graze on the remains of 200
dead cap troopers strewn over the complex.

		RASCZAK
	Jeez, Command really humped the bunk
	on this one...

Rasczak turns away. Roughnecks engage in the sport of methodically
killing the workers.

		RASCZAK
	Rico, you're acting Sergeant now.
	My last Sergeant lost the com pack.
	Put together a search team and find
	the radio shack.
	We need retrieval.

		JOHNNY
	Yes, sir.

138	INT	4TH BRIGADE HQ - OFFICE COMPLEX - DAY - JOHNNY

surveys the aftermath of the last stand with Rasczak, insect and human dead
everywhere.

		DIZZY (O.S.)
	It's here, sir.

139	INT	COMMINICATIONS - DAY - RASCZAK AND JOHNNY

enter the radio room. A DEAD MAJOR is slumped over the console with
hole in the back of his head. Johnny checks the equipment.
It' dead, too.

		JOHNNY
	Diz, see what you can do.

		DIZZY
	I'm on it !

Dizzy goes to work. Rasczak checks the wound in the back of the dead major's
head.

		RASCZAK
	What's that look like to you, Rico ?

		JOHNNY
	Looks like a bug was in his brain, sir.

		ACE (O.S.)
	Lieutenant, I think you're gonna
	wanna see this, sir.

140	INT	MESS HALL - DAY - A BUG HOLE

in the middle of the floor is surrounded by carnage.

		ACE
	Dirty bugs came in right when they
	were having chow !

		RASCZAK
	Gas that hole and seal it.

Then they hear a sound. Tap tap tap. Rasczak signals for quiet. Tap tap tap tap.
It's coming from the kitchen.

141	INT	KITCHEN - DAY - THE ROUGHNECKS

enter cautiously. The noise is coming from a freezer. Ace stands ready to fire.
Johnny levers open the door, jumps back as GENERAL OWEN, 60, tumbles out
face first.

		ACE
	Officer on the deck, sir.

		RASCZAK
	Pick up the general !

Roughnecks prop him up. General Owen tries to talk, but no words come out.
Rasczak bends down to listen.

		GENERAL OWEN
	Get out... you gotta get me out...!

		RASCZAK
	General Owen, sir ?

The old man grins, hugely relieved.

		GENERAL OWEN
	At ease, Lieutenant. Thank God for you,
	for all of you...this is grand...
	so where's the boat ?

142	INT	COMMUNICATIONS - HALLWAY - DAY - JOHNNY AND RASCZAK

help the old General, now wrapped in a blanket, rambling.

		GENERAL OWEN
	I was forced to hide, of course. The security
	of the Federation in this theater of operations
	was at stake !

		JOHNNY
	Diz, what's with the uplink ?

Dizzy lokks up from where she is working on the radio controls.

		DIZZY
	Workin on it...!

		GENERAL OWEN
	They get in your mind... they make you do
	things ! Look here... They did it to Farley...!

He points at the hole of the dead major's head.

		RASCZAK
	The distress call... The bugs wanted us
	to rescue you...!

		GENERAL OWEN
	Oh, you can be sure of it ! They were
	biding their time... waiting for the most
	opportune moment !

Rasczak's lost interest in the general. He's on the com.

		RASCZAK
	To all Roughnecks, this is Rasczak.
	Prepare for attack. Repeat. We are
	going to be attacked...!

		GENERAL OWEN
	They weren't gonna do it to me.
	Oh no ! I know too many secrets !

Rasczak looks at General Owen with contempt.

		SUGAR WATKINS (O.S.)
	Fire in the hole !

An explosion in the mess hall closes the bug hole.

143	EXT	OFFICE COMPLEX - DAY - GENERAL OWEN

blinks as he steps out into the light. Roughnecks snap to attention.
General Owen looks at the carnage that was once his command and
begins to keen, collapsing to his knees.

		GENERAL OWEN
	Oh God...! My soldiers...! All of my
	boys and girls...!

The Roughnecks are shocked. They've never seen a general break down before.
Lieutenant Rasczak slaps Owen hard.

		LT. RASCZAK
	Shut up ! Your soldier's dead and
	you're not !

		GENERAL OWEN
	I know... I wish you'd shoot me...

		LT. RASCZAK
	I oughta !

And it looks like Rasczak just might, but just then Ace touches down
next to Johnny and Rasczak.

		ACE
	Lieutenant, we got trouble !

144	EXT	RAMPARTS - DAY - RASCZAK

and Johnny join other stunned Roughnecks to see THOUSANDS OF BUGS on
the march from every direction. Bug batteries open up in the distance.

		RASCZAK
	Warm it all up ! Everything you got !
	Levy, collect the big guns from the
	towers. Watkins, put General Owen
	with the wounded. Rico, where's my
	communications ?

		JOHNNY
	What's going on, Diz ?

		DIZZY (O.S.)
	I got power ! Gimme a minute !

Johnny runs for the communications room.

		JOHNNY
	We don't have a minute !

145	INT	COMMUNICATIONS - DAY - DIZZY

has the board up. Outside the battle has begun. Nukes go WOMP ! and
pulse guns chatter.

		DIZZY
		What frequency ?

		JOHNNY
		All bands.

		DIZZY
		Roughneck patrol to battle group...
		Roughneck patrol to battle group...

		RODGER YOUNG (O.S.)
		This is Rodger Young... What's going
		on down there ? We're taking plasma !
		We have Orion P-11 as clear !

		JOHNNY
		SHUT UP, SIR ! We need pick up now !

		RODGER YOUNG (O.S.)
		What is your position ?

		JOHNNY
		Landing zone is extremely hostile.
		Come down on this transmission !

		RODGER YOUNG (O.S.)
		Inside 4th brigade compound ?
		That's crazy !

		JOHNNY
		Then I hope you have a crazy
		pilot ! Keep the line open, Dizzy !

Johnny races out the door.

146	EXT	4TH BRIGADE HQ - DAY - THE COMPOUND

is white hot as Roughnecks on the walls unload nukes. Johnny crosses
the compound, lands next to Rasczak on the wall.

		JOHNNY
	Boat coming down, sir !

The Roughnecks stop firing as they run out of nukes.

		ROUGHNECKS
	I'm empty...all nuked out... Me, too !

Johnny scans the battlefield. Nukes have turned the surface into dark glass.
Now, out of the smoke, come the bugs, steaming glass cracking beneath
millions of marching feet.

		ACE
	Jeez, we musta killed a million already...!

		JOHNNY
	Not enough, I guess.

Sugar Watkins sees Genera Owen in the compound below,
stumbling aimlessly among his dead soldiers.

		SUGAR WATKINS
	General ! GENERAL, stay with the wounded...
	Sir, the general...!

		RASCZAK
	Ah, the hell with him...

Hoppers sweep into the compound. The Roughnecks open fire. General Owen
make easy pickings for ones that get through.

		RASCZAK
	Fall back... form a circle ! If no
	living bug comes over that wall,
	we cannot be harmed.

Dizzy arrives on thr bounce as the Roughnecks fall back into the compound.
Bugs pile in over the walls. The circle affords them 360 degrees of kill zone.

		RASCZAK
	Rico, Flores, Watkins, Levy ! We
	control the sky until retrieval !

		JOHNNY ET AL
	Yes, sir !

Rasczak, Sugar Watkins, Johnny and Dizzy stand back-to-back in the center
of the circle, sweeping the skies with the heavy guns from the towers.
Hoppers are blown to pieces.

		ACE
	Getting low here, sir !

		DIZZY
	300 rounds and counting, sir !

		RASCZAK
	Make every shot count !

Johnny looks up. A RETRIEVAL BOAT hurtles down through bursts of
bug plasma, takes a grazing hit, rights itself with retros and lands within
the circle. Roughnecks cheer, saved !

		RASCZAK
	Sergeant, secure the boat !

		JOHNNY
	Yes, sir !

Roughnecks move to protect the boat. The hatch blows open.

		RASCZAK
	Board the wounded !

Dead bugs ring the compound walls, forming ramps for living insect
soldiers to enter the compound in greater numbers.

		RASCZAK
	Move to retrieval on my command !
	First group, now...!

The circle shrinks as Roughnecks fall back and board the boat.
More and more bugs pile in over the compound walls.

		RASCZAK
	Alright, Flores ! Levy ! Rico...!

Suddenly, the ground collapses under Rasczak. He falls in to his waist,
vomits blood as something chews on him from below.

		RASCZAK
	AAAAAAAAAAAA !

		JOHNNY
	Cover us, Ace !

Ace and the others fire from the boat. Johnny and Dizzy fire at the ground
around Rasczak. Rasczak stops screaming. They try to pull him free.

		JOHNNY
	Hit your jets, sir !

		RASCZAK
	I can't My legs are gone...
	Get on the boat...

The compund wall collapses. A wave of bugs charges in.

		RASCZAK
	Rico, tell'em to glass this goddam planet.
	I've never seen so many bugs upstairs at
	the same time...

		JOHNNY
	We're not leaving you here, sir !

Weakly, Rasczak picks up his pulse gun, checks the power.

		RASCZAK
	This is my farm. Get on the boat,
	NOW ! That's an order, Sergeant.

		JOHNNY
	Give'em hell, sir !

Johnny and Dizzy run for the boat. Rasczak opens fire, picking his shots,
but soon the bugs are all over him.

		RASCZAK
	C'mon you sons of bitches !
	There's no bug alive can kill a
	real mAAAAAAA !

At the boat, Dizzy turns to look back at Rasczak. A hopper swoops
down on Dizzy, it's claws ripping into her abdomen.

		DIZZY
	AAAAAAA ! GET IT OFF ME
	GET IT OFF GET IT OFF
	GET IT AAAAAAAAAA !

Johnny blows the bug off her back. Blood sprays from a deep gash in
her neck. Johnny picks her up, tries to stop the blood with his hand.
The life is leaving her eyes.

		JOHNNY
	Hang on, Diz... don't die on me...

A TANKER BUG breaches the broken wall. Ace jumps out to help his
friends. The hatch closes just as the tanker bug sprays. The boat blasts
off, dripping metal.

147	INT	CARGO BAY - DAY - JOHNNY

holds Dizzy in his arms, drenched in her blood, fighting G-forces as the
boats heads for orbit.

		DIZZY
	I bought the farm, didn't I,
	Johnny ?

		JOHNNY
	No, you're gonna be alright, Diz !

		DIZZY
	It's alright 'cause I got to have you,
	Johnny...

MEDICS push Johnny aside, go to work on Dizzy.

148	INT	BOAT - COCKPIT - DAY - JOHNNY

slams into the cockpit. Out the front screen, violent bursts of BUG PLASMA
fill the sky as they break atmosphere.

		JOHNNY
	Get on the com and tell Fleet to
	glass that rock...!

The co-pilot turns around. It's Zander. His eyes narrow.

		ZANDER
	On whose authority, Corporal ?

		JOHNNY
	This would be mine, sir. Acting
	Sergeant John Rico. I've assumed
	command on this mission.

The pilot turns around. It's Carmen.

		CARMEN
	Johnny...! I thought you were dead !

		JOHNNY
	I'm not, but alot of my soldiers are.
	Glass the planet !

Johnny leaves. Carmen punches up Fleet Command.

		CARMEN
	Rodger Young, this is inbound shuttle
	De Ruyter with an official request from
	the Mobile Infantery to bombard
	Planet P-11...

149	INT	BOAT - CARGO BAY - DAY - JOHNNY

returns to Dizzy's side as the medics struggle to save her. Blood pours
out of her mouth. Her body thrashes.

		DIZZY
	JOHNNY HEH HEH CAN'T HEH
	BREATHE GOD JOHNNY CAN'T
	HEH HEH HEH HEH...!

Dizzy dies. A Medic slaps her. Her head lolls, mouth open, eyes blank.
They drop her and move on to the next casualty. Johnny sits there,
stunned. Carmen enters from the cockpit.

		CARMEN
	Negative on your request. Fleet
	Command has the battle group
	on standby...

	Carmen sees Dizzy lying dead on the deck.

		CARMEN
	...I'm sorry.

		JOHNNY
	We gotta choke on the mud and the
	blood and Fleet can't be bothered to
	spit.

		CARMEN
	No, I think something's up. The Sky
	Marshall's here.

She points out for a viewing port. Johnny looks. Fifteen battle groups,
100 ships strong, lay off Planet P, all of them dwarfed by the Sky
Marshall's flagship, Buenos Aires.

		CARMEN
	I thought you were KIA, Johnny...

		JOHNNY
	That was just a mix up.

		CARMEN
	You look so... I don't know, you
	look like you've really been in it.

		JOHNNY
	What happened to your eye ?

Carmen touches the scar over her eye.

		CARMEN
	Almost got knocked out of the sky
	over Big K.

		JOHNNY
	I like it. It's kinda...you.

150	EXT	BATTLE GROUP - ORION SYSTEM - THE BOAT

lands on the flight deck of the Rodger Young in the midst of the
flotilla.

151	INT	OFFICERS QUARTERS - DAY CYCLE - ZANDER

enters, watches Carmen dress. She hums as she checks herself in the
mirror, touches thr scar over her eye, smiles.

		ZANDER
	Where are you going ?

		CARMEN
	A funeral.

		ZANDER
	That girl who died on the way up
	...his girl ?

		CARMEN
	Yeah.

		ZANDER
	How do you feel about him now ?

		CARMEN
	I don't know, Zander.

		ZANDER
	I do.

152	INT	RODGER YOUNG - GUNNERY DECK - CARMEN

enters as Johnny speaks. Dizzy is laid out in dress gray. The surviving
Roughnecks have gathered to pay final respects.

		JOHNNY
	Dizzy bought the farm. She was my
	good friend, and friens are the best
	luck anyone gets... But in war, we must
	go on without our friends. We take
	with us their memory, and we are left
	to wonder if there is meaning in their
	death. Let me tell you what it is:
	Dizzy bough the farm so we can keep
	on fighting.

Several INTELLIGENCE OFFICERS march into the bay.

		JOHNNY
	Officer on deck !

Everyone snaps to attention. Colonel Carl Jenkins strides into the room.
His eyes are hollow, and he looks grim. He returns Johnny's salute,
nods to Carmen.

		CARL
	Please continue, Sergeant.

		JOHNNY
	Dizzy wouldn't want our tears. She'd
	want us to remember her... with a
	vengeance. So go out and kill a bug
	for Dizzy. Kill as many as you can.
	You are her revenge, and every bug
	you kill honors her death.

Johnny nods to the GUNNERY CREW. They load Dizzy's body into a
tube. Johnny steps back, salutes Dizzy. Everyone salutes.

		JOHNNY
	Womb to tomb, cap trooper !

		ROUGHNECKS
	Womb to tomb !

The CREW CHIEF fires the tube. Out the viewports, A PULSE OF LIGHT
disperses into space. The Roughnecks file out. Carl approaches.
Carmen takes Johnny and Carl by the hand.

		CARMEN
	Well, look at this. The three of us back
	together again.

		JOHNNY
	How are you, Carl ?

		CARL
	Johnny, I'm sorry it had to be your
	unit on Planet P. That mission had
	a very low survival probability...

		JOHNNY
	Bugs laid a trap, didn't they ?

		CARL
	Elegant proof of intelligence,
	isn't it ? We thought there might
	be a brain on P.

		CARMEN
	You knew and you sent them
	anyway ?

		CARL
	A colony has to reach a certain size
	before it produces a Brain... we think
	300 generations. Woulda too expensive
	to launch an operation if there wasn't a
	Brain...

Carl sees the way Carmen is looking at him, like he's a bug.

		CARL
	You don't approve. Well, too bad.
	We're in this for the species, boys
	and girls. It's simple numbers, they
	have more, and everyday I have to
	make decisions that send hundreds of
	people like you to their deaths.

		JOHNNY
	Didn't they tell you, Colonel ?
	That's what cap troopres are good
	for.

Carl allows himself a tiny smile.

		CARL
	Hope you're ready for more. We're
	going back to P to capture that Brain.

		JOHNNY
	The Roughnecks are always ready, sir.

		CARL
	I hear they need a new Lieutenant...
	Want the job ?

		JOHNNY
	I'll take it... until I get killed
	or you find someone better.

KLAXONS sound. Suddenly, everyone has someplace to go.

		CARMEN
	Hope you get your Brain Bug, Carl.

		CARL
	It's good to see you two. It reminds
	me of the way things were before...

Carl turns abruptly and heads away. His entourage follows.

		CARMEN
	Take care, wilya Johnny ?

		JOHNNY
	See you on the bounce !

153	INT	RODGER YOUNG - COMMAND & CONTROL - CARMEN

steps onto the bridge. There's a new NUMBER 2 sitting in Zander's chair.
She's right out of Tereshkova, and she looks scared.
Carmen turns to Captain Deladier.

		CARMEN
	Where's Lieutenant Barcalow ?

		DELADIER
	He requested a combat assignment.
	There's always a need for experienced
	pilots on the ground.
	I had no choice but to let him go...
	He said you'd understand.

Carmen bites her lip, takes first chair. Deladier feels bad for her, knows
she's made a painful decision.

154	INT	RODGER YOUNG - DROP ROOM - ROUGHNECKS

are suiting up. Ace enters.

		ACE
	Officer on the deck !

Roughnecks fall in. Johnny steps into the room. There are many new and
much younger faces.

		JOHNNY
	I only have two rules. Rule one,
	everyone fights. Rule two, no one
	quits. If you don't do your job,
	I'll kill you myself.
	Do you get me ?

		ROUGHNECKS
	We get you, sir !

		JOHNNY
		(to Ace, sotto voce)
	Who're all these kids ?

		ACE
	We got reinforced. Most of'em
	just got outa boot...

		JOHNNY
	We're the old men, Ace.

155	EXT	PLANET P - 4TH BRIGADE HQ - DAY - CARGO SHIPS

have landed. Cap troopers set fire to huge piles of dead bugs. BULLDOZERS
push bodies into a mass grave, among them Rasczak.
Johnny walks past with his team.

		JOHNNY
	We'll take this high ground. Lookouts
	there and therte and up there. If the
	bugs come upstairs in this neighbor-hood,
	we'll be the first to know.

		ACE
	Got it. Fleet tactical wants to know
	where they can deploy the skimmers.

		JOHNNY
	Down there on the flats, eh ?
	Listen up, Roughnecks ! Our
	primary objective is to assist
	our friends from the Fleet...

Roughnecks boo.

		JOHNNY
	Alright, cut it out. We will deploy
	from skimmers in teams of six.
	If the bugs open up a battery,
	we put it out of business.
	Any questions ?

A HERCULES CARGO BOAT hurtles out of the sky and lands on the high
ground Johnny has intended forb his H.Q. Johnny scowls, marches over
to the boat and confronts a FLEET OFFICER.

		JOHNNY
	Would'ya mind moving your boat ?

		FLEET OFFICER
	Better talk to the boss.

The cargo bays open to deploy FLEET SKIMMERS. Zander jumps down
to oversee the operation.

		JOHNNY
	You're standing on my H.Q.,
	Lieutenant !

		ZANDER
	This is a Fleet-driven operation, son,
	and the Fleet thinks my boat will be
	safer on the high ground.
	You can have everything else, eh ?

		JOHNNY
	You heard the Sky Marshall...
	Move it all down -

Suddenly, in the distance, bug batteries open fire, not one but twenty.
Zander and Johnny share a look of concern.

		ZANDER
	Rodger Young, prepare to receice
	outgoing fire...!
		(to his crew chief)
	I'll take the first group.

		JOHNNY
	Saddle up, boys, that's our trash !

156	EXT	SPACE - PLANET P ORBIT - BUG PLASMA

begins to take a toll on the battle group as the orbiting ships lay their eggs.
Cap Troopers are scliced as they drop.

157	EXT	RODGER YOUNG - BRIDGE - CAPTAIN DELADIER

turns to Carmen.

		DELADIER
	Evasive action !

Carmen dodges other starships, turns to her new number 2.

		CARMEN
	Prepare for warp !

		NEW NUMBER 2
	Yes, ma'am ! Warp in 5... 4...
	3...!

KA-WHAM ! The Rodger Young takes a direct hit.

158	EXT	RODGER YOUNG - PLANET P ORBIT - THE RODGER YOUNG

is cut in two. The rear section explodes, the forward section begins to burn towards
the bridge.

159	INT	RODGER YOUNG - BRIDGE - CAPTAIN DELADIER

calmy evacuates the bridge. Power fails and so does the gravity.

		CARMEN
	This is Rodger Young, we're going
	down... Repeat, this is Rodger Young,
	we're going down...!

		DELADIER
	Ibanez...LET'S GO !

160	INT	RODGER YOUNG - ESCAPE CORRIDOR - CARMEN

and Captain Deladier run for the lifepods. An explosion flips the corridor.
Captain Deladier's leg is crushed when an airlock closes on her.

		DELADIER
	AAAAAAAAAAA !

Carmen hits the release, pulls her free. Deladier pushes Carmen away.

		DELADIER
	Leave me, Lieutenant ! That's an order !

		CARMEN
	No way, ma'am !

161	INT	RODGER YOUNG - LIFE POD BAY - CARMEN

pushes into the chaotic life pod bay. PANICKED CREW shoving, screaming,
fighting. The ship pitches. They tumble, landing near a pod. Carmen jumps
for it, pulls Deladier in after.

162	EXT	RODGER YOUNG - PLANET P ORBIT - THE RODGER YOUNG

disintegrates as lifepods shoot away toward the planet.

163	INT	LIFEPOD - PLANET P ORBIT - CARMEN

navigates through a graveyard of floating wreckage, dead cap troopers,
someone's trombone. She sets her beacon and the pod plummets
downward.

		CARMEN
	Mayday, mayday ! This is
	Lieutenant Carmen Ibanez in
	lifepod RY63... I'm going in...

164	EXT	PLANET P - BASE CAMP - DAY - ROUGHNECKS

board the Skimmers. Zander approaches Johnny, upset.

		JOHNNY
	What's your problem now,
	Lieutenant ?

		ZANDER
	The Rodger Young just burned up...

Johnny's face falls.

		JOHNNY
	Any survivors ?

Zander points. Far in the distance, a glowing pod plummets toward the planet.
Johnny tracks it on his "head up".

165	INT	LIFEPOD - ATMOSPHERE - DAY - CARMEN

is shaken violently as the pod hits atmosphere.

166	EXT	PLANET P - DAY - CARMEN'S POD

hits and goes straight through the crust of Planet P.

167	INT	BUG CITY TUNNELS - DAY - THE POD

comes to rest. Carmen blows the hatch, pulls Deladier out, grabs a Morita
pulse rifle. Tunnels lead in every direction.

		CARMEN
	This is Lieutenant Carmen Ibanez.
	Is anyone receiving ?

168	EXT	BASE CAMP - DAY - JOHNNY

grabs the handset from Ace.

		JOHNNY (O.S.)
	Affirmative ! Carmen, this is Roughneck
	base camp... What is your present
	location ?

169	INT	BUG CITY TUNNELS - DAY - CARMEN

sees a warrior coming at her from out of the shadows. Carmen fires a burst
and kills it. Now there are two. Carmen backs up firing, but there are
too many.

		CARMEN
	My present location is 42 degrees
	South by 176 degrees East...
	situation is extremely hostile...
	I...AAAAAAAAA !

They have her. She puts the barrel of the Morita in her mouth, but a claw
cut her trigger finger off at the knuckle.

170	EXT	PLANET P - ROUGHNECK BASE CAMP - DAY - JOHNNY

and Zander are horrified by what they hear.

		CARMEN (O.S.)
	AAAAAAAAAAAAAA !

		JOHNNY
	We've gotta go get her !

		ZANDER
	You know as well as I do she's
	probably already dead.

Johnny knows it's true, swallows bitterly, turns away. That's when he sees it.
Nearby, the ground shifts, a claw breaks through, a hole opens up and bugs
boil up out of the ground.

		SUGAR WATKINS
	Here they come !

They turn and see a second bug hole open up.

		JOHNNY
	We're outa here. Lieutenant, get
	your men into the skimmers. This
	real estate's about to go buggy.

		ZANDER
	Hey, just calm down, I'm giving
	the orders here-

The entire area underneath the base camp collapses to form a huge new
canyon. The Hercules boat topples, crushing Skimmers and unfortunate
Fleet personnnel.

171	EXT	NEW CANYON - DAY - JOHNNY

and the surviving Roughnecks pick themselves up. The are now 30 meters
below the planet's surface. Above them, bugs line the wide rim of the
newly formed canyon.

		JOHNNY
	Form a perimeter !

Through the dust, exposed bug tunnels can be seen in the canyon walls and
piling out of them by the score, deadly Arachnid warriors. Johnny throws
Zander a pulse cannon.

		JOHNNY
	Make yourself useful, fly boy...
	PREPARE TO REPEL BUGS !

The Roughnecks open fire at the charging bug horde. Warriors are blown to
pieces. Gas grenades fly and H.E. rounds close tunnels. A maimed warrior
gets through and heads for Zander.

		ZANDER
	AAAAAAAAAAA !

Johnny and Ace team up to blow it away. Zander takes a deep breath,
loos around, impressed. The Roughnecks have killed a great many bugs.

		JOHNNY
	Ace, get on the com. Tell Fleet we
	need retrieval... Sugar, salvage some
	armor and suit up Lieutenant Barcalow.

Sugar Watkins tosses a bloody jump boot his way.

		ZANDER
	Thanks.

		ACE
	Fleet Command says retrieval's no go.
	The battle group's at safe distance...
	and we got another problem.

Ace points out a Tanker bug that's been brough up to the rim.
Johnny sees another.

		JOHNNY
	Looks like they're gonna hose us down...

Johnny chews on this.

		JOHNNY
	Alright... Listen up, Roughnecks.
	We're gonna head west down through
	bug city, pick up any Rodger Young
	survivors we run across, and join A
	Company. Get me ?

		ROUGHNECKS
	We get you, sir !

Zander, awkward in a power suit, confronts Johnny.

		ZANDER
	What do you think you're doing ?

		JOHNNY
	I'm gonna save Carmen.

		ZANDER
	That would mean a comlete disregard
	for the mission objective. They hang
	you for that, Rico.

		JOHNNY
	Yeah, that's right.

Johnny and Zander stare each other down.

		ZANDER
	Let's go.

		JOHNNY
	Move out.

Johnny starts for the gaping mouth of an exposed bug tunnel and
the others fall in behind him.

		ACE
	Bug hunt !

		ROUGHNECKS
	BUG HUNT !

172	INT	TUNNEL - DAY - JOHNNY

leads his deadly force through enemy territory. The Roughnecks kill
everything that gets in their way. Zander lends his inexperienced hand.

		JOHNNY
	Mr. Barcalow, save power, don't
	waste it on workers...
	Ace, tell Aardvark we're on our
	way...

		ACE
	Yes, sir !

Warriors appear in the tunnel behind them.

		JOHNNY
	Sugar, close the tunnel...!

		SUGAR
	Fire in the hole !

Sugar Watkins fires an H.E. round and seals the tunnel.

173	INT	BUG CITY - FEEDING PIT - DAY - CARMEN

opens her eyes. She can hear BUGS CLICKING. She's in a pit filled
with human dead. A nearby carcass wears a uniform from 4th Brigade
Off in the dark she hears HUMAN MOANING.

She crawls over rotting corpses toward the sound. The moaning turns
to SCREAMING. It's coming from outside the pit. She pulls herself
up to peer over the edge.

174	INT	BUG CITY - THE ROYAL COURT - DAY - CARMEN

sees hundred of bugs at work, WARRIORS, WORKERS and dozens of
small (2 meters) CHARIOT BUGS. Aworker walks pas, stepping on her,
but pays her no attention.

She sees the source of the screaming:	Captain Deladier is hold
between two warriors, and she's screaming because of what she sees,

		DELADIER
	NAAAAAAAA...! OH PLEASE...

The BRAIN BUG is huge (5 meters) and pulpy. I has vestigial legs that
cannot support ist weight, and so it must be moved by a shifting carpet of
chariot bugs.

		DELADIER
	...OH GOD AAAAAAAAAAAAA...!

A thorn-like PALP unfolds out of the brain bug and strikes, driving deep into
Deladier's head and sucks her brains out.

		DELADIER
	AAAAAAAAAAAAAAA !

Carmen watches horrified as Deladier dies. The suddenly a warrior grabs her
from above and drags her out of the pit. She screams as its claws slice into
her limbs.

		CARMEN
	AAAAAAAAAAAAAA !

Now the brain bug comes for her. She sees the palp unfold, the thorn-like
spike coming toward her. Carmen is no longer looking for escape.
All she wants to do is die.

Suddenly, every bug in the chamber stops as though to listen. Carmen hears it.
A HIGH-PITCHED SQUEAL, getting louder.
Johnny enters the chamber alone.

The warriors move toward him. He holds up a NUKE, source of the high-pitched
tone. The ready light flashes. The Brain Bug emits a series of harsh clicks.
The warriors freeze.

		JOHNNY
	You know what this is...?

Johnny makes an explosive sound. The Brain Bug slowly withdraws its palp.

		JOHNNY
	Sure you do... You're a big fat smart
	bug, aren't you ?

Johnny moves toward Carmen. The Brain Bug's multiple eyes track him.
The warriors holding Carmen threaten. Johnny turns on the brain bug,
his finger on the nuke's trigger.

		JOHNNY
	I'll take you with me.

The Brain Bug clicks. The warriors back off. Carmen collapses.
Johnny reaches for her.

		JOHNNY
	Take my hand !

Chariot bugs move the Brain Bug down a hole. Workers seal the hole
behind it with amazing speed. Johnny drags Carmen back toward the
tunnel he entered from. The warriors charge.

		JOHNNY
	Roughnecks...NOW !

Johnny throws himself on top of Carmen as the Roughnecks burst into
the chamber, guns blazing. The fight is furious, point blank, deadly to
bug and Roughneck alike.

Sugar Watkins screams as a warrior rips his arm off. Zander takes a
claw through the gut.

		ZANDER
	AAAAAAAAAAAAA !

He blows it away, sees his intestines hanging out of the wound, shoves
them back inside and keeps on fighting. A warrior rears up over Johnny
and Carmen.

		JOHNNY
	Weapon !

Ace throws him a Morita. Johnny catches it, pumps three rounds into the
bug's nerve stem. He struggles out from under the dead warrior.
Every bug in the chamber is dead.

		JOHNNY
	Are you hurt ?

Carmen throws her arms around Johnny.

		CARMEN
	Johnny...!

Zander takes this in. Carmen sees him, then his wound.

		CARMEN
	Zander...! Oh, you're hurt.

Ace takes a look at his wound, makes a face.

		ACE
	Ah geez...

Zander pushes him away, struggles to his feet.

		JOHNNY
	Can you walk ?

		ZANDER
		(clenched teeth)
	Not a problem.

		JOHNNY
	Let's get some armor on her, and
	the we'll get outa this stinkin
	bug hole !

Various components are gladly passed forward. Johnny and Ace
help her putting it on.

		CARMEN
	I thought I was dead. Lucky for
	me you jokers showed up, eh ?

		ZANDER
	It wasn't luck. Rico ignored the
	mission objective to rescue you...

		CARMEN
	Is it true ?

		JOHNNY
	Yeah, if I live through this,
	they'll probably hang me.
	Now com'on, let's move out !

175	INT	BUG CITY TUNNELS - DAY - THE ROUGHNECKS

double-time it, racing for the surface. They come to a fork.

		CARMEN
	Which way ?

		JOHNNY
	Up. We gotta be near A Company
	by now.

The tunnel floor drops out. FIVE ROUGHNECKS disappear into the hole.
WARRIORS climb up into the tunnel.

		JOHNNY
	FALL BACK !

The Roughnecks bachk up fast, shooting. Zander staggers, collapses.
Johnny drops to his side, rolls him over.

		JOHNNY
	How bad are you, pal ?

		ZANDER
	Been better, buddy.

Johnny sees warriors coming up into the tunnel by the score.

		JOHNNY
	Alright, we're gonna carry you...

		ZANDER
	Nah, I figureyou folks oughta get
	upstairs before it's too late...
	Gimmee the nuke.

Zander checks his pulse cannon's available power.

		JOHNNY
	Don't be a hero...

		ZANDER
	This is my farm. Now c'mon, give
	me what you got and get out of
	here...

Johnny nods, hands him the nuke. Carmen sees what's happening.

		CARMEN
	Zander, what are you doing ?

		ZANDER
	Just giving you something to
	remember me by, baby.

		CARMEN
	Zander, no...!

He grabs her and kisses her. Johnny drags Carmen away. Zander opens
fire as the first warriors reach his position.

176	INT	BUG CITY - INCLINED TUNNEL - DAY - JOHNNY AND CARMEN

race desperately for the surface. They hear the chatter of Zander's pulse cannon
and the screams of dying bugs.

		JOHNNY
	GO.GO GO GO GO...!

Tears stream down from Carmen's face.

177	EXT	PLANET P - DAY - JOHNNY AND CARMEN

and the surviving Roughnecks make it to the surface. 	WOMP !
A subterrenean nuclear explosion blows a column of earth and stone
into the air.

178	EXT	PLANET P - A COMPANY BASE CAMP - JOHNNY

and the others enter A Company's perimeter. No one notices their arrival
because everyone's gathered in a big circle watching the Brain Bug.

		CARMEN
	Look... they got it.

Several of its delicate legs were apparently broken during the capture.
Carl approaches it without fear, puts his hand on the thing.

		GENERAL
	What's it thinking, Colonel ?

Carl smiles in a cruel way.

		CARL
	It's afraid.

Johnny and Carmen approach the General.

		JOHNNY
	Sir, I'd like to turn myself in.
	Dereliction of duty by an officer
	during wartime.

		GENERAL
	And you freely admit to it ?

		JOHNNY
	Yes, sir.

		GENERAL
	Is what this man says true,
	Lieutenant ?

		CARMEN
	To the best of my understanding,
	it is, sir.

The General sighs, turns to his AIDE.

		GENERAL
	Round up a field court martial,
	wilya ?

Carl steps in.

		CARL
	It's alright, sir. Acting
	Lieutenant Rico was under
	my orders... psi-orders.

The General smiles, relieved.

		MAJOR
	Oh, I see. Well, that's completely
	different. That's classified.

The General heads away. Carl winks at his friends.

		JOHNNY
	You always told me you couldn't
	do human...

		CARL
	I can't... but like I told you,
	it's a number's game. The
	Federation needs all the pilots
	it can get...

		CARMEN
	I don't know why, but every time
	the three of us are together I feel
	like everything's gonna be alright.

		CARL
	I hope you're right, Carmen.
	We've got one of their brains now.
	Pretty soon we'll know how they
	think, and then we'll know how to
	beat them. One day it'll be over, and
	everyone will forget that this was the
	moment. This is when it turned. And
	it wasn't the mighty Fleet, it wasn't
	any fancy new weapon, it was a cap
	trooper named Zim who captured
	a brain...

		JOHNNY
	Zim...?

Johhny sees a knot of soldiers around Zim, who is smiling, selfconscious
and admirers shake his hand, pound his back.
Johnny rushes to congratulate him.

		JOHNNY
	Hey, Sergeant Zim. Good job !

Zim turns, gives Johnny a wry look. He wears the single stripes of a private.

		ZIM
	Thank you, sir.

Zim snaps to attention, salutes. Johnny has to smile.

		JOHNNY
	Carry on, private !

179	FROM THE FEDERAL NET - AND SO THE WAR GOES ON !

Starships parked row-by-row in the floating yards above Luna.
Meanwhile, at Camp Currie, cap troopers train.

		OFFICIAL VOICE
	Armed with more soldiers, more ships,
	and with a unity unmatched in all of
	human history, the Federation marches
	on !

180	TECHNOLOGY - NEW WEAPONS !

Federation scientists are hard at work.

		OFFICIAL VOICE
	Better gas to kill bugs with and, soon,
	the capacity to crack a planet in half
	with just one bomb !

181	ENLIST NOW !

Proud YOUNG PEOPLE in uniform, the bloom of human evolution.

		OFFICIAL VOICE
	Citizenship now guaranteed to all able
	applicants. Put your plans on hold to
	fight for the future ! Protect your
	continued right to evolve !
	Would you like to know more ?

182	INT	STARSHIP SPARTA - THE BRIDGE - CAPTAIN CARMEN IBANEZ

stands on the bridge of a brand new starship, the Sparta.

		CARMEN
	We're over the target area now, Lieutenant !

183	INT	SPARTA - DROP ROOM - LIEUTENANT JOHNNY RICO

looks his Roughnecks over before the drop.

		JOHNNY
	Saddle up, Roughnecks !

		ACE
	You heard the Lieutenant !
	On the bounce, troopers !

One thing's for sure:	They'll keep fighting, and they'll win!
THE END
All movie scripts and screenplays on «Screenplays for You» site are intended for fair use only.