The Script for the Unfilmed UFO Episode "The Patriot"
Introduction, transcription & postscript - Marc Martin
Script photocopy - John R. Ellis
Permission to reprint & additional assistance - Leo Eaton
Introduction
This is a transcription of the UFO script "THE PATRIOT", an episode which was never filmed! This was written by Leo Eaton, who was the first assistant director for 7 UFO episodes, and previously directed and wrote episodes for Gerry Anderson on "Captain Scarlet", "Joe 90", and "The Secret Service".
Judging by the characters which are present in this script (Foster, Carlin) and those which are not (Henderson), my guess is that this script was written around the time episode #4 (SURVIVAL) was being filmed.
The transcription below was taken from a photocopy of the script. The copy is complete, except for a few cases where the final line on the page is difficult to read. In these cases, this transcription represents Leo's or my best guess at the original text, based on the recognizable characters. The only case where the final line could not be determined is on page 34. Also, note that the page numbering skips over page 12, but this appears to be a case of page misnumbering, not a missing page.
The transcription layout is exactly the same as the original. Spelling errors and typos in the original were left uncorrected.
For some insight into why this script was never filmed and what influenced Leo to write it, I have a section on this after the end of the script. It is recommended that you read this section AFTER you've read the script, since it might spoil some plot points.
Enjoy!
Marc Martin
April 2005
"THE PATRIOT" FADE IN: 1 EXT GATOOMA TOWNSHIP DAY (V.E.) WE ESTABLISH A MODERN TOWN BUILT ALONG WHIT AFRICAN LINES. MANY OF THE BUILDINGS ARE HALF RUINED AND A PALL OF HEAVY BLACK SMOKE LIES OVER THE TOWN. THERE IS THE SOUND OF JET AIRCRAFT SWEEPING IN FOR THE ATTACK, AND THE CONSTANT BACKGROUND SOUND OF ANTI-AIRCRAFT FIRE. CUT TO: 2 EXT GATOOMA COUNTRYSIDE DAY (V.E.) WE SEE THE GATOOMA GOVERNMENT JETS, SLEEK, SUPERSONIC AIRCRAFT OF FUTURISTIC DESIGN, SWEEP IN FOR THE ATTACK. CLOSER SHOT: A STICK OF BOMBS IS RELEASED FROM UNDER THE WINGS OF ONE OF THE JETS. CUT TO: 3 EXT GATOOMA TOWN DAY (V.E.) A CLOSER SHOT OF THE TOWN.....SEVERAL BOMBS EXPLODE AMONG THE BUILDINGS. CUT TO: 4 EXT REBEL HEADQUARTERS DAY STUDIO LOT WE ESTABLISH A LARGE IMPOSING BUILDING, PROBABLY THE TOWN HALL IN BETTER DAYS. NOW MOST OF THE WINDOWS ARE BOARDED UP AND THE ENTRANCE IS HEAVILY SAND - BAGGED. TO ONE SIDE OF MAIN ENTRANCE IS A SMALL ANTI-AIRCRAFT GUN POSITION, MANNED BY TWO SOLDIERS IN DRAB OLIVE FATIGUE UNIFORMS. THEY ARE FIRING AT THE ATTACKING AIRCRAFT. SEVERAL SOLDIERS DRESSED IN THE SAME UNIFORMS ARE HURRYING ALONG THE STREET. ANOTHER ANGLE A MOTORCYCLE DESPATCH RIDER STOPS IN FRONT OF THE ENTRANCE. DISMOUNTS AND RUNS UP THE STEPS INTO THE BUILDING. CUT TO: 5 INT REBEL OPERATIONS ROOM DAY STUDIO THE ROOM COULD ONCE HAVE BEEN THE MAYOR'S OFFICE, BUT HAS NOW BEEN TAKEN OVER AS THE OPERATIONS ROOM
-2- 5(cont) FOR THIS SECTOR OF THE REBEL ARMY. IN ONE CORNER OF THE ROOM IS JURY- RIGGED RADIO/RADAR CONSOLE. IN FRONT OF THIS A RADIO OPERATOR SITS, BENT OVER HIS INSTRUMENTS. THE WHOLE OF ONE WALL IS TAKEN UP BY A LARGE MAP OF THE COUNTRY OF GATOOMA, SHOWING THE RELATIVE POSITIONS OF THE REBEL AND GOVERNMENT FORCES. IN FRONT OF THE MAP STANDS A GIRL WHO IS ALTERING THE POSITIONS OF TROOP FORMATIONS AS THEY ARE PASSED TO HER. THIS IS CHRISTINE, WIFE OF THE REBEL COMMANDER. SHE IS DRESSED IN THE SAME FATIGUES AS THE OTHER SOLDIERS. SITTING AT A DESK IN ONE CORNER OF THE ROOM, AWAY FROM THE WINDOW, IS MAJOR ROGER DE VEER. HE IS A VERY INTENSE LOOKING MAN IN HIS EARLY THIRTIES, DRESSED IN EXACTLY THE SAME FATIGUES AS EVERYONE ELSE. IN NO WAY DOES HIS UNIFROM SHOW THAT IN FACT HE IS THE REBEL COMMANDER FOR THIS AREA, DE VEER IS TALKING ON ONE OF THE FIELD TELEPHONES. ON DE VEER DE VEER Damage report Sector A. HE LISTENS FOR A MOMENT, THEN WRITES SOMETHING ON PAD DE VEER ......right (A BEAT) ....damage report Sector B? THE DESPATCH RIDER COMES IN AND HANDS SOME REPORTS TO CHRISTINE. ON CHRISTINE SHE LOOKS AT THEM AND STARTS MARKING UP THE NEW TROOP POSITIONS ON THE WALL MAP. SHE REACTS TO SOMETHING IN THE REPORT SHE IS HOLDING AND TURNS TO DE VEER, CHRISTINE The hospital's been hit. DE VEER Casualty reports? CHRISTINE FLIPS THROUGH THE LAST FEW PAGES OF THE REPORT AGAIN BEFORE SPEAKING. CHRISTINE Not Yet. THE RADIO OPERATOR LOOKS UP FROM THE RADAR SET.
-3- RADIO OPERATOR They're on their way home....let's hope there are no more where they came from. DE VEER (shortly) There will be. THE SOUND OF BOMBING BECOMES LESS INTENSE AND FINALLY DIES AWAY ALTOGETHER. IN THE ENSUING QUIET ONLY THE STEADY RHYTHM OF THE GENERATORS CAN BE HEARD. CHRISTINE GOES OVER TO WHERE DE VEER IS SITTING DEEP IN THOUGHT, BUT WITHOUT MUCH HOPE ON HIS FACE. CHRISTINE (Gently) Penny for them.... DE VEER LOOKS UP DE VEER .....without reinforcements we won't be able to hold this town for more than....two or three days. HE LOOKS ACROSS AT THE RADIO OPERATOR DE VEER What's the latest estimated position of the Government forces? RADIO OPERATOR 20 miles south of the town, sir. DE VEER LOOKS AT CHRISTINE AS IF TO SAY. 'SEE WHAT I MEAN'. THE DOOR OPENS AND CASPERD COMES IN. HE IS A LARGE NEGRO IN HIS FORTIES. HE IS CARRYING A LARGE SHEAF OF PAPER. ON CASPERD CASPERD Next time that happens I want to be inside! DE VEER Damage reports? CASPERD HANDS HIM THE PAPERS. DE VEER STARTS READING THROUGH THEM, AND LOOKS UP AT CASPERD. DE VEER The reservoir?
-4- 5(cont) CASPERD Direct hit. DE VEER NODS AND RETURNS TO REPORTS CASPERD We're getting mighty thin on the ground out there.,.. what are the chances of... (his voice trails away) DE VEER Not good. They've cut the supply route between us and the capital. If their advance continues we'll have to abandon the town. Get the troops ready to pull out. CASPERD SALUTES CASPERD Yes, sir. AS HE LEAVES DE VEER TURNS BACK TO CHRISTINE. DE VEER With our lines of communication cut and the reservoir gone...... HE GESTURES 'ZERO' CHRISTINE The Observers must have reported back by now. Surely the United Nations will do something. DE VEER STANDS UP AND WALKS TOWARDS THE WINDOW. ANOTHER ANGLE DE VEER LOOKING THROUGH A NARROW GAP BETWEEN THE BOARDS. HE TURNS BACK TO CHRISTINE. DE VEER I'll believe that when I see it. CHRISTINE MOVES TO JOIN DE VEER. CHRISTINE ......the Americans? DE VEER They've too many commitments in surrounding countries to openly back us. No, we're on our own. CHRISTINE But the world can't just sit back and watch us massacred. There must be someone who'll help us.
-5- 5(cont) IN THE DISTANCE COMES THE SOUND OF AIR SIRENS AS THE ANTI-AIRCRAFT FIRE STARTS AGAIN. THE RADIO OPERATOR TURNS TO DE VEER RADIO OPERATOR They're back again, Sir. CHRISTINE AT ONCE GOES TO THE MAP AS THE SCREAM OF JETS IS HEARD OVERHEAD. CUT TO: MAIN AND EPISODE TITLES 6 EXT HARLINGTON-STRAKER STUDIOS DAY LOCATION STRAKER'S CAR DRIVES UP TO THE MAIN ENTRANCE AND STOPS. STRAKER GETS OUT AND WALKS UP THE STEPS AND INTO THE FOYER. CUT TO: 7 INT STRAKER'S OUTER OFFICE DAY STUDIO MISS EALAND LOOKS UP AS STRAKER ENTERS. MISS EALAND Good morning, sir. STRAKER NODS AND CROSSES TO HER DESK, PICKS UP THE DAYS REPORTS AND GOES THROUGH INTO HIS INNER OFFICE. CUT TO: 8 STRAKER'S INNER OFFICE DAY STUDIO FREEMAN IS SITTING ON THE EDGE OF THE DESK READING A NEWSPAPER. AS STRAKER COMES IN, HE GETS UP AND PUTS THE PAPER DOWN ON THE DESK. STRAKER WALKS ROUND AND SITS DOWN BEHIND THE DESK, PRESSING THE BUTTON FOR THE ROOM TO DESCEND. STRAKER Good morning Alec... how was the trip ? FREEMAN Uneventful HE PICKS UP PAPER AGAIN AND STARTS LEAFING THROUGH IT. FREEMAN When's your birthday ?
-6- 8(cont) STRAKER What... ? September 21st... Why? FREEMAN Hmm.... Virgo HE LOOKS DOWN AT THE PAPER FREEMAN "Someone or something could put you off balance this afternoon. You will be inclined to react over impetuously. God day for getting out and about, but try and keep the peace with other members of your domestic circle." STRAKER SMILES STRAKER You don't mean you believe in that, do you? FREEMAN Sure, when it suits me. 9 INT UNDERGROUND CORRIDOR STUDIO WE HEAR THE SOUND OF THE LIFT COMING TO A STOP. THE DOORS OPEN AND STRAKER AND FREEMAN WALK OUT. THEY WALK DOWN THE CORRIDOR AND INTO THE CONTROL ROOM. CUT TO: 10 INT CONTROL ROOM STUDIO THE CONTROL ROOM IS QUIET, WITH THE OPERATIVES CARRYING OUT ROUTINE CHECKS. STRAKER STOPS BY FORD. STRAKER All quiet? FORD Yes, Sir. STRAKER AND FREEMAN WALK THROUGH INTO THE UNDERGROUND OFFICE. AT THE DOOR, STRAKER TURNS AND SPEAKS TO FORD. STRAKER Have two coffees sent into my office. CUT TO: 11 EXT SPACE V.E. IN DEEP SPACE A UFO TRAVELLING AT MANY TIMES THE SPEED OF LIGHT IS HEADING IN TOWARDS THE SOLAR SYSTEM.
-7- CUT TO: 12 EXT SPACE V.E. IN ORBIT AROUND THE EARTH SID'S DETECTORS ARE IDLY SCANNING SPACE. A CONTACT WITH THE UFO IS PICKED UP AND THE RADAR ANTENNAE TRAIN ON THE BEARING. CUT TO: 13 INT SID STUDIO SID UFO sighted, bearing green 140-527, sol 8 decreasing. Range 17 million miles closing..... CUT TO: 14 INT INTERCEPTOR CRATER V.E. THE INTERCEPTORS START TO ASCEND ON THEIR RAMPS. CUT TO: 15 EXT CRATER V.E. THE INTERCEPTORS COME UP ON THE SURFACE OF THE MOON AND LIFT OFF. CUT TO: 16 INT SHADO CONTROL STUDIO SCENE OF GREAT ACTIVITY FORD This is a red alert to all SHADO stations. STRAKER AND FREEMAN COME RUNNING OUT OF THE OFFICE AND STAND OVER BY THE DESK. ELLIS (V.O.) This is moon base to SHADO control. Have UFO on positive track. Going for intercept. CUT TO: 17 EXT SPACE THE UFO STILL ON COURSE CUT TO: 18 EXT SPACE THREE INTERCEPTORS FLYING IN CLOSE CUT TO:
-8- 19 INT SHADO CONTROL A TV MONITOR SHOWS THE DECREASING RANGE OF THE UFO. SID (V.O.) Speed sol 4 decreasing. Range 15 million miles, 14 million miles....... CUT TO: 20 EXT SPACE THE THREE INTERCEPTORS ARE STILL IN FORMATION. THEY FIRE THEIR MISSILES. CUT TO: 21 INT SHADO CONTROL STRAKER AND FREEMAN WAITING IMPATIENTLY. SID (V.O.) Confirm missile detonation.... Stand by for destruct report. FORD LOOKS UP FROM HIS SCREEN AND TURNS TO STRAKER. FORD I still have a reading, sir, it's through STRAKER REACTS TO THIS STRAKER Launch Sky One for interception HE TURNS TO FREEMAN STRAKER Get me trajectory termination as soon as you can. STRAKER GOES BACK TO THE UNDERGROUND OFFICE, LEAVING FREEMAN IN THE CONTROL ROOM FORD This is SHADO control calling Sky Diver. Standby for immediate launch CUT TO: 22 INT STRAKER'S UNDERGROUND OFFICE STUDIO STRAKER IS PACING UP AND DOWN WAITING
-9- 22(cont) FOR NEWS. THE U.F.O.'s FLIGHT - PATH CO-ORDINATES COME UP ON THE TELEVISION MONITOR AND STRAKER MOVES OVER TO THE ILLUMINATED WALL MAP. HIS FINGER TRACES THE U.F.O.'s TRAJECTORY. ANOTHER ANGLE FREEMAN WALKS IN AND JOINS STRAKER AT THE WALL MAP. FREEMAN We have the U.F.O. trajectory STRAKER (absently) Yes,.... (a pause) what's Sky One's position? FREEMAN, GUESSING WHAT IS ON STRAKER'S MIND SHAKES HIS HEAD NEGATIVELY. FREEMAN Not a chance.... the range is too great. STRAKER (To himself) How badly did the missiles damage it FORD (V.O.) It's down, sir.... (a pause) standby.. Trajectory termination 1540/2950. STRAKER CHECKS THE CO-ORDINATES ON THE WALL MAP. STRAKER Which puts it right.... here. Gatooma... why do I know that name? FREEMAN Don't you read your paper? The civil-war. STRAKER (Reacting) Of course...Right, Alec. Get me everything you can on the place....maps....photographs, the lot. And get Foster in here. CUT TO: 23 INT STRAKER'S INDERGROUND OFFICE STUDIO SOME TIME HAS ELAPSED AND STRAKER, FOSTER AND FREEMAN ARE SITTING ROUND THE CONFERENCE TABLE. IN
-10- 23(cont) FRONT OF THEM ARE MAPS AND REPORTS ON THE SITUATION IN GATOOMA. FOSTER Can't we send in one of our normal recovery teams? STRAKER No... . The political situation is too unstable.... it would look like interference. STRAKER PICKS UP A FILE AND SELECTS A SHEET OF PAPER STRAKER This must be done under cover. Alec, I want you out there immediately. You and you team will be a Documentary News Unit doing a film on the war. ON FREEMAN FREEMAN Right ON STRAKER STRAKER The UFO's probably damaged Keep it hushed up. No news of this must get out. I'll arrange for the necessary clearance to get you out there. Keep in touch on the satellite link, let me know the moment you have anything. FREEMAN GETS UP AND GOES OUT OF THE ROOM STRAKER It couldn't have come down in a worse place. Paul, get Sky One up to the Gatooma border as soon as possible. FOSTER O.K. Chief FOSTER GETS UP AND LEAVES. STRAKER WALKS BACK TO THE WALL MAP. CAMERA ZOOMS IN ON TO A CLOSE UP OF THE COUNTRY OF GATOOMA CUT TO: 24 EXT REBEL H. Q. DAY STUDIO LOT TO ESTABLISH
-11- 25 OPERATIONS ROOM DAY STUDIO DE VEER IS SITTING AT HIS DESK GOING OVER THE 1A TEST FIELD REPORTS WITH CASPERD CASPERD The school's been turned into an emergency hospital, but it's still not enough. We suffered too many casualties on that last raid, they just can't cope. DE VEER They'll have to. THE RADIO OPERATOR TURNS ROUND AND GOES ACROSS TO DE VEER RADIO OPERATOR Major. DE VEER WALKS ACROSS TO STAND BY THE CONSOLE DE VEER Yes? RADIO OPERATOR It's the forward Observation post, they're reporting a craft has just crashed near them. DE VEER Switch them through on to P.A. THE OPERATOR PRESSES A SWITCH AND A VOICE, WEAK AND DISTORTED IS BARELY DISCERNIBLE ABOVE THE BACKGROUND STATIC RADIO OPERATOR (V.O.) (Distorted) .... There's too much smoke. I can't make out what it is. It looks like some sort of plane. Wait a minute.... the smoke's clearing... a figure's walking clear. We're moving in to take a closer.........
-13- 25(cont) AS THE VOICE CUTS OUT THE OPERATOR LEANS FORWARD TRYING TO RE-ESTABLISH CONTACT RADIO OPERATOR Come in Obs. One. Are you receiving me? Over. ALL THAT IS HEARD OVER THE RADIO IS A CRACKLE OF STATIC ON DE VEER DE VEER Looks like we've shot one of them down. Get a patrol out there quickly. I want the pilot brought in for interrogation. DE VEER TURNS AWAY FROM THE CONSOLE AND RETURNS TO HIS DESK. CASPERD GOES OUT. CUT TO: 26 EXT SKY DAY V.E. WE ESTABLISH A SMALL EXECUTIVE JET AIRCRAFT IN FLIGHT BEARING THE LEGEND 'HARLINGTON-STRAKER PRODUCTION'. CUT TO: 27 INT FLIGHT DECK FREEMAN IS AT THE CONTROLS. THE CO-PILOT IS SITTING BESIDE HIM. CO-PILOT We're approaching the Gatooma border, sir FREEMAN All right, take over HE TURNS TO MAKE AN ADJUSTMENT TO THE RADIO SET IN FRONT OF HIM
-14- 27(cont) FREEMAN This is FILM ONE calling SHADO control CUT TO: 28 INT SHADO CONTROL ROOM STRAKER IS STANDING BY FORD'S CONSOLE STRAKER Reading you, Alec FREEMAN (V.O.) We're coming over the Gatooma border now. ETA 15 minutes STRAKER They're expecting you so you won't have any trouble. Keep me in touch. Out. CUT TO: 29 INT FLIGHT DECK FREEMAN O.K. George, we're cleared. Take her in. CUT TO: 30 INT MEDICAL CENTRE REBEL H. Q. THIS IS A ROOM THAT THE FIELD SURGEON TO THE REBEL FORCES HAS TURNED INTO HIS SURGERY, MEDICAL EQUIPMENT IS PLACED HAPHAZARDLY ROUND THE ROOM AND IN ONE CORNER OF THE ROOM IS A COUCH. ON THIS COUCH LIES THE STILL BODY OF AN ALIEN, STILL IN HIS SUIT AND HELMET. THE SUIT IS BLACKENED BY SMOKE AND DUST, BUT OTHERWISE LOOKS UNDAMAGED. CASPERD, CHRISTINE AND DE VEER STAND WATCHING AS THE FIELD SURGEON BENDS OVER THE BODY. ON DE VEER DE VEER Did you find any wreckage? CASPERD No.... the whole area was blasted... it must have exploded soon after impact.
-15- 30(cont) DE VEER TURNS AWAY FROM THE ALIEN, HE WALKS OVER TO A CRATE MARKED 'MEDICAL SUPPLIES-FRAGILE' AND SITS DOWN ON DE VEER DE VEER Whoever he belongs to isn't going to be happy about losing him. HE TURNS TO CASPERD DE VEER I think we'll be having visitors before long THE DOOR OPENS AND THE RADIO OPERATOR COMES IN ON RADIO OPERATOR RADIO OPERATOR Excuse me sir, but the British Film Unit's jet has just landed. We're bringing them straight here. DE VEER Right THE RADIO OPERATOR TURNS TO LEAVE, AND DE VEER LOOKS BACK AT CASPERD DE VEER Until we know more about who he is and where he comes from, I want security block on him,.... particularly from our visitors. CASPERD Leave it to me CUT TO: 31 EXT REBEL AIRFIELD DAY(V.E.) THE HARLINGTON-STRAKER JET IS PARKED AT ONE SIDE OF THE BOMB-PITTED RUNWAY, THE REBEL JEEP IS DRIVING AWAY FROM THE AIRCRAFT. CUT TO:
-16- 32 INT REBEL OPERATIONS ROOM DE VEER AND CHRISTINE WALK IN AND OVER TO THE TROOP POSITIONS RADIO OPERATOR They're moving up tanks. I think the big push is about to start. DE VEER What's the latest estimated position? RADIO OPERATOR Still 20 miles South DE VEER All the approach roads are mined. That should hold them. That Film Unit has picked quite a time to arrive. HE TURNS AND WITH CHRISTINE WALKS BACKS TO HIS DESK. FROM HIS EXPRESSION WE SEE THAT HE IS EXTREMELY THOUGHTFULL CHRISTINE The Film Unit? DE VEER It's too much of a coincidence... A couple of hours after that crash landing along comes a British Film Unit with the highest possible authority..... CHRISTINE The owners of that... that astronaut? DE VEER Someone must have pulled an awful lot of strings and I'd very much like to find out who. CUT TO: 33 EXT TOWN DAY V.E. THE JEEP IS THREADING ITS WAY THROUGH THE RUINED STREETS. CUT TO:
-17- 34 INT JEEP DAY STUDIO PROCESS A REBEL SOLDIER IS DRIVING WITH FREEMAN SITTING ON THE FRONT BESIDE HIM. IN THE BACK ARE TWO MEMBERS OF THE SHADO TEAM, CHAPMAN AND BLACK, AND LOADS OF CAMERA EQUIPMENT. CUT TO: 35 EXT REBEL H.Q. STUDIO LOT THE JEEP PULLS UP TO A HALT OUTSIDE THE MAIN ENTRANCE AND FREEMAN AND HIS TEAM GET OUT. UNDER THE WATCHFUL EYES OF THE SENTRIES. CASPERD COMES DOWN THE STEPS TO MEET THEM. CASPERD Mr. Freeman, we've been expecting you.....if you will come with me. THEY TURN AND GO UP THE STEPS INTO THE BUILDING CUT TO: 36 INT OPERATIONS ROOM DAY STUDIO DE VEER AND CHRISTINE ARE STILL OVER BY THE DESK. THE DOOR OPENS AND DE VEER LOOKS UP AS CASPERD USHERS IN FREEMAN AND HIS TEAM. CHRISTINE SHOOTS DE VEER A GLANCE WARNING HIM TO BE DISCREET. DE VEER GETS UP AND WALKS OVER TO GREET FREEMAN. ON FREEMAN STARING INCREDULOUSLY AT CHRISTINE ON DE VEER DE VEER (smoothly) Ah, Mr Freeman, I am Major De Veer THEY SHAKE HANDS FREEMAN How do you do, Major. DE VEER GESTURES TO CHRISTINE DE VEER My wife Christine
-18- 36(cont) FREEMAN GIVES A SHORT BOW AND SMILES AT HER. FREEMAN INDICATES HIS COMPANIONS. FREEMAN My cameraman Richard Chapman, my sound operator David Black. THEY ALL SHAKE HANDS DE VEER We have found some accommodation for you and you team. But I'm afraid we can't make you as comfortable as we'd like to. I'm sure you appreciate that being the front line, we all have to rough it. FREEMAN Don't worry about us. I expect we've been in worse positions. DE VEER I doubt it...... DE VEER GOES BACK TO HIS DESK AND PICKS UP ONE OF THE TELEPHONES, CONTINUING TO TALK TO FREEMAN AS HE DOES SO DE VEER If you'll excuse me I have one or two things to attend to. My wife will show you to your quarters. CHRISTINE LEADS FREEMAN AND HIS TEAM TO THE DOOR. AS THEY ARE ABOUT TO GO DE VEER LOOKS UP. ON DE VEER DE VEER When you are settled, it might interest you to join me on my rounds. It'll give you a chance to see what is left of our town. CUT TO: 37 INT SHADO UNDERGROUND OFFICE STUDIO STRAKER IS SITTING BEHIND HIS DESK. HE LOOKS UP AS PAUL FOSTER ENTERS STRAKER Any thing?
-19- 37(cont) FOSTER Nothing Yet STRAKER The UFO's been down for six hours now. What does Alec think he's playing at? FOSTER Maybe he's hit a snag. STRAKER (absently) Yeah.... (a pause)... Paul, run a check on the sattelite link, will you. FOSTER Will do CUT TO: 38 EXT RUINED TOWN DAY (V.E.) WE ESTABLISH THE REBEL JEEP DRIVING THROUGH THE RUINED STREETS CUT TO: 39 INT JEEP DAY STUDIO PROCESS DE VEER IS DRIVING WITH FREEMAN SITTING BESIDE HIM, WITH CHRISTINE SITTING IN THE BACK. DE VEER What interests me, Mr Freeman is how you got permission to get out here. FREEMAN Well, Major.... let's just say my organisation is sympathic towards your cause. DE VEER I'm glad to hear someone is. FREEMAN TURNS TO FACE CHRISTINE
-20- 39(cont) FREEMAN It's unusual to find a woman up in the front line. I should have thought......... CHRISTINE I'm certainly not setting any presedent Mr. Freeman. My duty is to my country, I'm a soldier first and a woman second. Is there any reason why a woman can't use a gun just as well as a man? FREEMAN (soothingly) What I meant was........ DE VEER If you stay with us long enough, I expect Christine will have the opportunity of demonstrating her.... marksmanship. FREEMAN LOOKS OUT OF THE WINDOW CUT TO: 40 EXT TOWN DAY (V.E.) FREEMAN'S POINT OF VIEW OF THE RUINED BUILDINGS AS THE JEEP DRIVES THROUGH THE TOWN CUT TO: 41 INT JEEP DAY STUDIO PROCESS CHRISTINE GESTURES TO A BUILDING THAT THEY ARE PASSING. IT IS LITTLE MORE THAN A PILE OF RUBLE CHRISTINE That was our hospital...... FREEMAN Bombs? CHRISTINE NODS ASSENT THEN CONTINUES BITTERLY
-21- 41(cont) CHRISTINE They didn't stand a chance.... I know war is cruel but must it be that cruel? DE VEER We are fighting for our survival, Mr. Freeman, and as you know self preservation is one of the strongest forces within us. CHRISTINE You can only push people so far. Since Africanisation and Government dictatorship we've been slowly driven from everything we once held. We had to stand our ground in the end, it was either that or let our country go. FREEMAN TURNS TO LOOK OUT OF THE WINDOW AGAIN AND THEN TURNS BACK TO CHRISTINE FREEMAN This must have been a beautiful town once. CHRISTINE It was....Now do you see? We're fighting for what we think is right, and that's where you can help us. Say that in your film, let people outside see what goes on here. FREEMAN Your casualty figures are heavy? CHRISTINE Would you expect them not to be? Men are lost in battle, such deaths are inevitable but when your people interfere...... FREEMAN What do you mean? CHRISTINE This morning one of your experiments wiped out.......... DE VEER (In Afrikaan) Christine, that's enough FREEMAN REALIZES THAT HE IS
-22- 41(cont) POSSIBLY GETTING CLOSE TO THE TRUTH FREEMAN Yes....go on DE VEER It's unimportant FREEMAN What do you mean by one of our experiments? DE VEER She meant nothing FREEMAN LOOKS HARD AT DE VEER AND THEN TURNS TO CHRISTINE WHO AVOIDS HIS GLANCE DE VEER You are our guest, Mr. Freeman, I would ask you not to abuse our hospitality, There are things here that do not concern you FREEMAN As a reporter, everything about this war concerns me. DE VEER No when I order....... THE RADIO INTERCOM BUZZES RADIO OPERATOR (V.O.) Control calling Major de Veer DE VEER de Veer..... RADIO OPERATOR (V.O.) Please return to H.Q. at once, Major DE VEER Right, I'm on my way
-23- CUT TO: 42 EXT. TOWN DAY V E. THE JEEP STOPS, TURNS AND DRIVES BACK THE WAY IT CAME CUT TO: 43 EXT REBEL H. Q. STUDIO LOT THE JEEP PULLS TO A HALT AND DE VEER GETS OUT AND RUNS UP THE STEPS. CHRISTINE AND FREEMAN FOLLOW HIM. CUT TO: 44 INT OPERATIONS ROOM THE FILED SURGEON IS WAITING IMPATIENTLY FOR DE VEER'S RETURN. THE DOOR OPENS AND DE VEER BURSTS IN SURGEON He's alive, Major. He's beginning to regain consciousness.... I think you should come and look at him, there's something about his eyes. DE VEER All right, I'm coming. Stay with him, I'll join you in a minute. AS THE SURGEON GOES OUT, FREEMAN COMES UP TO JOIN DE VEER FREEMAN A casualty? DE VEER You could say that. This doesn't concern you Mr. Freeman. Please remain here until I get back. HE STRIDES OUT OF THE ROOM WITH CHRISTINE FOLLOWING. LEAVING FREEMAN DEEP IN THOUGHT.
-24- CUT TO: 45 INT MEDICAL CENTRE REBEL H. Q. THE FIELD SURGEON IS BENT OVER THE PRONE BODY OF THE ALIEN. HE HAS HALF REMOVED THE SUIT AND IS LISTENING WITH A STETHOSCOPE TO THE REVEALED PORTION OF BODY. AS DE VEER AND CHRISTINE COME IN HE LOOKS UP SURGEON He's lost consciousness again. His heart beat is erratic. I'm going to try and remove the helmet. DE VEER What's the risk? SURGEON It's difficult to say. The whole thing is beyond my experience. DE VEER Well.... do what you think best, Doctor. THE SURGEON BENDS BACK OVER THE ALIEN AND STARTS TO UNDO THE SCREWS THAT HOLD THE HELMET. CUT TO: 46 INT OPERATIONS ROOM FREEMAN IS STRIDING UP AND DOWN, THINKING HARD. HE TURNS TO THE RADIO OPERATOR. FREEMAN .....be right back THE RADIO OPERATOR SPRINGS TO HIS FEET AS FREEMAN GOES OUT OF THE DOOR CUT TO: 47 EXT CORRIDOR DAY STUDIO A SOLDIER IS GUARDING THE DOOR TO THE
-25- 47(cont) MEDICAL CENTRE. FREEMAN WALKS FAST ALONG THE CORRIDOR AND IS ABOUT TO COME INTO THE MEDICAL CENTRE WHEN THE SOLDIER BLOCKS HIS PATH FREEMAN You've got to let me in, it's urgent CUT TO; 48 INT MEDICAL CENTRE DE VEER REACTS TO THE COMMOTION OUTSIDE THE DOOR DE VEER What's going on out there? GUARD (VO) It's Mr. Freeman, Sir DE VEER All right, let him through THE DOOR OPENS AND FREEMAN COMES IN. HE GOES STRAIGHT TO THE ALIEN. ON DE VEER DE VEER I thought I ordered you to stay in the Operations room FREEMAN IGNORES HIM. HE PUSHES THE DOCTOR ROUGHLY AWAY FROM THE ALIEN. FREEMAN Leave that helmet alone, you fool, you'll kill him if you remove it. THE SURGEON LOOKS UP AT HIM ENQUIRINGLY AND THEN LOOKS ACROSS TO DE VEER FOR INSTRUCTIONS FREEMAN I know what I'm talking about
-26- 48(cont) DE VEER LOOKS AT HIM, AND NODS TO THE SURGEON DE VEER Do as he says HE TURNS TO FREEMAN ON DE VEER DE VEER I think you owe us some explanations FREEMAN IGNORES THE REMARK AND TURNS TO CHRISTINE SPEAKING WITH AUTHORITY DE VEER I think you owe us an explanation FREEMAN Get my two men down here fast. Tell them to bring the equipment CHRISTINE GOES OUT AND DE VEER STANDS WATCHING FREEMAN. WHEN FREEMAN HAS SATISFIED HIMSELF THAT THE ALIEN IS STILL ALIVE, HE GETS UP AND MOVES OVER TO DE VEER, AS HE DOES SO BLACK AND CHAPMAN COME IN FREEMAN He's all yours. I think he's all right. Try to get him back to normal breathing CHAPMAN AND BLACK GO OVER TO THE BODY AND START TO UNPACK WHAT LOOKS LIKE FILM EQUIPMENT CASES. OUT OF THESE THEY TAKE COMPLICATED MEDICAL EQUIPMENT. THE SURGEON MAKES A MOVE TO INTERFERE BUT DE VEER RESTRAINS HIM DE VEER Leave it to them. They presumably know what they're doing DE VEER TURNS TO FREEMAN DE VEER And now Mr. Freeman. if that's your name.
-27- 48(cont) I would like to know what all this is about FREEMAN HESITATES ON FREEMAN FREEMAN What I am going to say will be very difficult for you to understand DE VEER Try me FREEMAN First, I must impress you on the need for absolute secrecy..... DE VEER Let me be the judge of that FREEMAN No.....that's not good enough DE VEER HOLDS FREEMAN'S GLANCE FOR A MOMENT AND THEN LOWERS HIS EYES DE VEER All right, continue FREEMAN That man over there is not, as you have assumed, one of our astronauts. His home is a planet in the solar system many light years away from earth. His craft was intercepted by.... my organisation just outside lunar orbit. Unfortunately we only damaged it......the rest you know BLACK LOOKS UP FROM THE ALIEN AND TURNS TO FREEMAN AND DE VEER BLACK If you will all leave the room please, we're about to remove the helmet. There could be some danger of infection.
-28- 48(cont) DE VEER Infection? FREEMAN It's just a safety precaution. Please do as he says FREEMAN, DE VEER AND CHRISTINE AND THE SURGEON LEAVE THE ROOM AND GO OUT INTO THE CORRIDOR CUT TO: 49 INT CORRIDOR STUDIO CHRISTINE I find this all very hard to accept FREEMAN Of course. I've already broken the cardinal rule of my organisation by telling you what I have. That alien needs urgent medical attention if he is to survive. My men are just not equipped for this. He must be got back to my headquarters as quickly as possible. DE VEER However indirectly your......alien has caused the death of several of my men. You won't tell me the name of your organisation, and I've certainly never heard of you. For all I know your story may be a pack of lies. FREEMAN You have just got to take my word for it DE VEER I'm sorry, that's not good enough. FREEMAN Major, whether you believe me or not, it's vital that no word of this landing leaks out. The security of the entire world depends on the existance of the aliens being kept secret.
-29- 49(cont) CHRISTINE But what is your organisation? What communication do you have with these aliens? FREEMAN Look, I've told you to much already. Just trust me. HE TURNS TO DE VEER FREEMAN You must let me fly him out. You've nothing to gain by keeping him here. DE VEER Convince me FREEMAN My organisation has a certain amount of influence in the worls. If you help me, we might well ba able to help you. DE VEER Keep talking FREEMAN That's all. If the alien stays here you stand to gain nothing in fact you're jeopardising the security of the world. If you let him go........ THE DOOR TO THE MEDICAL CENTRE OPENS AND CHAPMAN COMES OUT. ON CHAPMAN CHAPMAN May I have a word with you, sir? FREEMAN .....Be right with you FREEMAN WALKS TO THE DOOR AND THEN TURNS TO LOOK AT DE VEER ON FREEMAN FREEMAN Think it over, Major. FREEMAN TURNS AND WALKS INTO THE MEDICAL CENTRE
-30- 50 INT MEDICAL CENTRE FREEMAN AND CHAPMAN GO OVER TO WHERE BLACK IS STILL BUSY AT THE SIDE OF THE BODY OF THE ALIEN. THE HELMET IS NOW OFF AND THE AREA AROUND THE BED IS STAINED WITH GREEN LIQUID. CHAPMAN He's dead. The switch to normal breathing was too much for his system. FREEMAN Keep that quiet. There's no point in telling Major De Veer for the time being. CUT TO: 51 INT CORRIDOR CHRISTINE AND DE VEER ARE WALKING TOWARDS THE OPERATIONS ROOM CHRISTINE Do you think he's telling the truth? DE VEER It's possible. The question is, what do we do,.., do we let them go? THEY GO THROUGH THE DOOR INTO THE OPERATIONS ROOM CUT TO: 52 INT OPERATIONS ROOM DE VEER His organisation must have great influence, I'm sure of that. CHRISTINE Do you think he might be in a position to help us DE VEER If he does it must be on my terms, not his CHRISTINE Yes, but are we in any position to bargain ? DE VEER While I still hold this.... alien
-31- 52(cont) yes, but once I let Freeman and his team leave....... Can you see anybody believing us. It would be too easy for Freeman to deny that this ever happened, and without proof who would ever believe us? CHRISTINE So what are you going to do? DE VEER I'm going to find out just how important this Freeman and his organisation are. CUT TO: 53 EXT HARLINGTON-STRAKER STUDIOS DAY LOCATION WE ESTABLISH A LARGE BLACK LIMOUSINE FLYING THE UNITED NATIONS PENANT, PARKED OUTSIDE THE MAIN ENTRANCE. CUT TO: 54 INT UNDERGROUND OFFICE STUDIO STRAKER IS SITTING AT HIS DESK, VERY MUCH ON THE DEFENSIVE, WITH PAUL FOSTER SITTING ON ONE SIDE TRYING TO KEEP OUT OF THE WAY. LEANING ACROSS THE DESK LOOKING DOWN AT STRAKER IS SULLIVAN, AN AMERICAN IN HIS LATE FIFTIES. FROM SULLIVAN's AIR OF AUTHORITY WE DEDUCE THAT HE IS STRAKER'S SUPERIOR SULLIVAN I want action, Straker, and I want it fast. SHADO has had a good record up till now, and I'd hate to see something like this spoil it. STRAKER Yes, but....... SULLIVAN But nothing HE THROWS DOWN A SHEET OF PAPER ON THE DESK
-32- 54(cont) SULLIVAN I won't be dictated to by a bunch of rebels. The ultimatum gives us 24 hours before they release details of the UFO landing. I don't need to tell you what will happen if they do that. STRAKER But Alec Freeman...... SULLIVAN Freeman's a fool. I want you out there yourself, Straker. If this isn't sorted out within 24 hours you and your organisation will be blown wide open. Take any measures you think are necessary. I mean any measures. SULLIVAN STRIDES OUT THROUGH THE DOOR, PAUSING TO LOOK AT STRAKER BEFORE GOING INTO THE CONTROL ROOM. STRAKER LEANS TOWARDS HIS VIDEOPHONE AND PRESSES A SWITCH. STRAKER See Mr. Sullivan safely off the premises. FORD (V.O.) Yes, sir. STRAKER LEANS BACK IN HIS CHAIR ON STRAKER STRAKER That's all we needed FOSTER What do you think has happened out there? STRAKER Freeman had better have some pretty good answers when I see him. Whatever he told this Major De Veer seems to have convinced him that he can call the tune. The damnable thing is, Paul, he can. We've got to destroy that evidence at all costs. Arrange for a radio link up via SID. I want to be in constant touch with SHADO control at all times. HE STANDS UP AND WALKS TOWARDS THE DOOR STRAKER I'm leaving you in charge Paul, it's all yours. STRAKER GOES OUT THROUGH THE DOOR
-33- 54(cont) FOSTER SLOWLY WALKS ROUND AND SITS DOWN IN STRAKER'S CHAIR. HE TRIES IT FOR SIZE, LEANING BACK IMPORTANTLY. 55 EXT SKY DAY (V.E.) AN S.S.T. COMES IN FOR ITS LANDING APPROACH CUT TO: 56 EXT REBEL AIRFIELD DAY(V.E.) THE S.S.T, TOUCHES DOWN ON THE BOMB CRATERED RUNWAY AND SLOWLY TAXIES INTO POSITION BESIDE THE HARLINGTON- STRAKER JET. A REBEL JEEP DRIVES OUT TO MEET IT. CUT TO: 57 INT OPERATIONS ROOM DAY STUDIO DE VEER AND CASPERD ARE STANDING OVER BY THE MAP. FREEMAN IS SITTING IN THE CORNER. HE ANXIOUSLY LOOKS AT HIS WATCH. DE VEER LEAVES CASPERD AND WALKS OVER TO FREEMAN, DE VEER Mr. Straker has just landed, my wife will bring him straight here FREEMAN What you did was completely unnecessary, it won't help you. DE VEER Let me be the judge of that HE TURNS AND WALKS BACK TO CASPERD CASPERD Do you think they'll agree to your terms? DE VEER We'll know soon enough CUT TO: 58 EXT REBEL H. Q. DAY STUDIO LOT THE REBEL JEEP DRIVES UP TO THE ENTRANCE. CHRISTINE IS DRIVING, WITH STRAKER SITTING BESIDE HER. CHRISTINE GETS OUT AND COMES ROUND TO HOLD THE DOOR OPEN FOR STRAKER. THEY WALK ROUND THE JEEP AND STRAKER FOLLOWS CHRISTINE UP THE STEPS.
-34- CUT TO: 59 INT OPERATIONS ROOM DAY STUDIO AS STRAKER AND CHRISTINE ENTER, FREEMAN STANDS UP AND DE VEER COMES OVER TO MEET THEM. STRAKER (nodding coldly at Freeman) .....Alec DE VEER AND STRAKER SHAKE HANDS DE VEER Mr. Straker, I am Major De Veer HE INDICATES CASPERD DE VEER My aide......my wife Christine you've already met. STRAKER BRIEFLY ACKNOWLEDGES THEM AND THEN TURNS BACK TO DE VEER STRAKER If we could go somewhere where we can talk, Major, we have one or two things to discuss, I believe. Possibly you could show me the alien. DE VEER Of course, if you'll follow me. HE LEADS THE WAY OUT AT THE DOOR, STRAKER TURNS TO FREEMAN STRAKER I'll talk to you later. CUT TO: 60 INT MEDICAL CENTRE DAY STUDIO AS STRAKER AND DE VEER COME IN IT IS OBVIOUS FROM THE ATTITUDES OF THESE TWO MEN THAT THEY ARE NOT GOING TO GET ON. BOTH MEN ARE TOO PROFESSIONALLY INVOLVED IN THEIR OWN FIELDS TO SEE EACH OTHERS POINT OF VIEW. STRAKER WALKS OVER TO LOOK DOWN AT THE ALIEN, AND CHAPMAN AND BLACK STAND RESPECTIFULLY BACK. STRAKER All right, I'll let you know if I need you. CHAPMAN ?????????
-35- 60(cont) STRAKER WAITS FOR THE TWO MEN TO LEAVE BEFORE TURNING ROUND TO DE VEER STRAKER Mr. Freeman has told you the importance of the man you have here? DE VEER He's told me enough for me to know that you have no alternative but to accept my terms. STRAKER That's not the point. There's more at stake than just the future of your country. What you hold in this room jeopardises the security of the entire world DE VEER The security of the world is hardly my problem, Mr.Straker. STRAKER This is more important than any one country, mine or yours. By exposing this to the spotlight of world press you're committing the worst crime imagineable, you're being a traitor to your own race. DE VEER That's not the way I see it. So far all I've heard is a lot of fancy words about aliens and space organisations. How do I know that you're telling the truth? Give me some proof, then I'll listen to you. STRAKER WALKS OVER TO THE ALIEN AND LOOKS DOWN AT HIM STRAKER Here's your proof, Major... look at him DE VEER WALKS OVER TO STRAKER, BESIDE THE BODY DE VEER He could be human, except for the green staining on the face, he's just the same as you or me STRAKER You think so?.....I assure you he isn't. This man and others like him pose a much greater threat to our planet, to our entire way of life, than any Government forces that may be opposing you.
-36- 60(cont) DE VEER I'm sorry but I'm doing what I think is right. I'm fighting a war, and without help I'll lose that war. Your.....alien is my whiphand. He is the means to get the help my people need so desperately STRAKER Can't you see you're holding the whole world to ransom? DE VEER Maybe, in which case you have an easy way out. Give me the help I'm asking for. STRAKER Damn it man, you know I haven't the authority to do that. DE VEER Then I suggest you get it. Otherwise you are just wasting your time and mine. STRAKER If you go ahead and release details of this you'll cause a nationwide panic. Is that what you really want? DE VEER You know what I want. I've given you an ultimatum and whether you like it or not, that ultimatum still stands. STRAKER You're behaving like a fool. Cant you get it into your head that there are issues more important than your little war. DE VEER My people are dying for my little war....... because it's something we believe in. The security of the world means very little to a man when he's fighting for his life DE VEER HOLDS STRAKER'S GLANCE AND THEN LOOKS AT HIS WATCH DE VEER Now, you'll excuse me I have some things to do.....like fighting my 'little' war DE VEER STORMS OUT WITH STRAKER LOOKING AFTER HIM. STRAKER LOOKS DOWN AT THE STILL BODY OF THE ALIEN FOR A MOMENT AND THEN FOLLOWS DE VEER OUT OF THE ROOM
-37- 61 INT CORRIDOR DAY STUDIO AS STRAKER COMES OUT OF THE DOOR FROM THE MEDICAL CENTRE CHRISTINE COMES UP TO HIM CHRISTINE Please, Mr.Straker, you must help us. STRAKER BRUSHES PAST HER, STOPPING BRIEFLY TO LOOK BACK AT HER. STRAKER When you husband starts helping me, I might try to help him. He's endangering the safety of millions of people by his attitude. Tell him that, Mrs De Veer. HE WALKS OFF DOWN THE CORRIDOR LEAVING CHRISTINE STARING HOPELESSLY AFTER HIM CUT TO: 62 INT SHADO CONTROL ROOM FOSTER WALKS UP TO FORD. IN ANSWER TO THE UNSPOKEN QUESTION FORD SHAKES HIS HEAD. HE STARTS WALKING BACK TO STRAKER'S OFFICE. HE IS STOPPED BY THE LOUDSPEAKER COMING TO LIFE AND IMMEDIATELY RETURNS TO THE MICROPHONE. STRAKER(V.O.) Straker to SHADO control FORD SWINGS THE MICROPHONE UP TO FOSTER FOSTER Foster here, Chief, go ahead STRAKER(V.O.) Paul, have Sky One fuelled and ready. What's it's present position? FOSTER LOOKS DOWN AT FORD WHO HANDS HIM A REPORT. FOSTER REFERS TO IT FOR A MOMENT AND THEN TURNS BACK TO THE MICROPHONE FOSTER Standing by at Watambi airfield. 20 miles west of the Gatooma border. STRAKER(V.O.) Put Karlin on red alert, I may need him in a hurry. CUT TO:
-38- 63 INT BEDROOM REBEL H.Q. NIGHT STUDIO THIS IS A SMALL ROOM IN THE REBEL H.Q. THAT IS SERVING AS A BEDROOM FOR STRAKER AND FREEMAN. IT CONTAINS LITTLE MORE THAN TWO CAMP BEDS AND A CHAIR. STRAKER LOWERS A SMALL PORTABLE RADIO TRANSCEIVER AND LOOK ACROSS AT FREEMAN FREEMAN What are you going to do now? STRAKER I don't know. While De Veer still has the alien.... (a pause) Alec.....we must get that body out of here. If we destroy the evidence, that crazy Major can shout about this to as many newspapers as he likes......without proof nobody will believe a word he says FREEMAN STANDS UP AND GOES TO THE WINDOW, LOOKING OUT ONTO THE STREET, AFTER A PAUSE HE TURNS BACK TO STRAKER ON FREEMAN FREEMAN Must it get to that? Aren't De Veer and his people worth some help? Why can't we agree to his demands? It would at least guarantee that we get the alien out of here safely STRAKER No man has the right to hold the world to ransom, Alec, however good his reason. What could the U.N. do? Send in an expeditionary force? FREEMAN Why not? STRAKER (patiently) With every country in the African bloc up in arms, the U.N. would be split right down the middle. Besides, What's the point? The Government troops will be here before the U.N. could come up with any decision, and if they over-run the town before we get the alien out of here.......... FREEMAN STRIDES OVER TO WHERE STRAKER IS SITTING. HE IS OBVIOUSLY EXTREMELY WORKED UP ON FREEMAN
-39- 63(cont) FREEMAN How can you ignore the fact that these men are fighting for their lives? You've met them, you've seen what's happening to them. Doesn't that mean anything to you ? You know as well as I do that if the Gatooma rebels don't get help.............. STRAKER (angry) Get this straight, Alec. We've no right to get involved in this war. You know as well as I do that we can't give in to De Veer's blackmail. Stop trying to be my concience. FREEMAN I sometimes wonder if you've got one. STRAKER That's enough, Alec, don't ride me. You've done enough harm already STRAKER GOES OUT CUT TO: 64 EXT REBEL H. Q. NIGHT STUDIO LOT A SENTRY IS ON DUTY OUTSIDE THE MAIN ENTRANCE. AS STRAKER COMES OUT OF THE DOORS THE SENTRY MOVES OVER TO BAR HIS WAY SENTRY I'm sorry sir, I have orders you aren't to leave. STRAKER Who's orders SENTRY Major De Veer's, sir CHRISTINE COMES OUT OF THE ENTRANCE AND WALKS DOWN TO JOIN THEM CHRISTINE What's the trouble Mr.Straker? STRAKER I appear to be under some sort of house arrest CHRISTINE TURNS TO THE SENTRY CHRISTINE It's all right, I'll take responsibility
-40- 64(cont) SHE THEN TURNS BACK TO STRAKER CHRISTINE Come on, I'll show you around STRAKER All right THEY START TO WALK OFF DOWN THE STREET CHRISTINE If you've never been in a besieged city before, I must warn you that it isn't a very pretty sight. STRAKER I've seen worse A REBEL JEEP DRIVEN BY CASPERD PULLS UP AND STOPS BY CHRISTINE CASPERD They want you down at the hospital, Mrs. De Veer, can I give you a lift? CHRISTINE Thank you SHE TURNS TO STRAKER CHRISTINE Sorry, duty calls SHE HALF GETS INTO THE JEEP AND THEN TURNS TO LOOK BACK AT STRAKER CHRISTINE You might like to come along STRAKER If I won't be in the way THEY BOTH GET INTO THE JEEP WHICH DRIVES OFF CUT TO:
-41- 65 EXT RUINED STREETS NIGHT STUDIO LOT ONE OF THE BUILDINGS STILL ALMOST UNDAMAGED. IT USED TO BE THE PRIMARY SCHOOL, BUT HAS NOW BEEN TURNED INTO AN EMERGENCY HOSPITAL. AN AMBULANCE JEEP PULLS UP AND A COUPLE OF NEGRO ORDERLIES COME DOWN THE STEPS. OPEN UP THE BACK, AND REMOVE THE STRECHER . ON IT LIES A BADLY WOUNDED REBEL SOLDIER. CASPERD'S JEEP PULLS IN AND STOPS. STRAKER AND CHRISTINE GET OUT CASPERD Be seeing you AS THE JEEP DRIVES OFF STRAKER TURNS TO LOOK AFTER IT STRAKER Your husband's second in command? CHRISTINE Yes, you seemed surprised STRAKER Well I would have thought.... CHRISTINE You mean because he's a negro .......what's that got to do with it? STRAKER But surely your forces..... CHRISTINE GIVES HIM A QUICK GLANCE OF AMUSEMENT CHRISTINE That shows how little you know about this country STRAKER I never pretended....... CHRISTINE IGNORES THE INTERRUPTION CHRISTINE It isn't just a question of white fighting black. We're a free people fighting a dictatorship STRAKER INDICATES RUINED BUILDINGS
-42- 65(cont) STRAKER You call this freedom ? CHRISTINE Look, any Government that tries to destroy the minority is evil, no matter what colour that government is. Many Africans in Gatooma believe this and they're dying for their beliefs.......(she pauses) without help......without your help....... SHE LOOKS ROUND AT THE HOSPITAL ENTRANCE CHRISTINE We'd better get inside THEY PAUSE AT THE ENTRANCE CHRISTINE Freedom, Mr. Straker....I wonder if you realise what it means? 66 INT CORRIDOR OF PRIMARY SCHOOL NIGHT STUDIO THE WHOLE PRIMARY SCHOOL HAS BEEN TURNED INTO AN EMERGENCY HOSPITAL, AND BEDS ARE EVEN SPILLING INTO THE CORRIDORS. IN THE MAIN CORRIDOR ARE ABOUT TWELVE CAMP BEDS WITH A MIXTURE OF BADLY WOUNDED REBELS, SOLDIERS AND COLOURED CIVILIANS. COLOURED ORDERLIES MOVE ABOUT AMONG THE BEDS DOING WHAT THEY CAN FOR THE WOUNDED. A WHITE DOCTOR, LOOKING TIRED AND HAGGARD, IS STRAIGHTENING UP FROM ONE OF THE PATIENTS. HE SHAKES HIS HEAD AND TWO OF THE ORDERLIES COME OVER AND BODILY LIFT THE NOW DEAD SOLDIER OFF, TO MAKE ROOM FOR THE NEXT PATIENT. STRAKER AND CHRISTINE COME IN. THE DOCTOR SEES CHRISTINE AND COMES OVER DOCTOR Christine my dear, I'm glad you could come. CHRISTINE TURNS TO STRAKER CHRISTINE I'll only be a few minutes... will you wait? STRAKER Of course
-43- 66(cont) DOCTOR It's hopeless. We just can't keep up with the new casualties STRAKER LOOKS AROUND HIM AT A SCENE OF HOPELESSNESS STRAKER Could my men give you any help, Doctor? DOCTOR Are they qualified doctors? STRAKER You could say that DOCTOR We'd be glad of any extra help..... HE LOOKS AROUND AT THE WOUNDED WITH AN EXPRESSION OF HOPELESSNESS ON HIS FACE DOCTOR I don't suppose they've any antibiotics with them, have they?... we're getting desperately short. STRAKER We carry a certain amount... I'll have them brought down DOCTOR (gratefully) Thank you AN ORDERLY COMES OVER ORDERLY Please come quickly doctor THE DOCTOR GOES OFF TO ANOTHER BED, LEAVING STRAKER LOOKING AROUND HIM. ANOTHER CASUALTY IS BROUGHT IN AND PLACED ON THE BED THAT HAS JUST BEEN VACATED BY THE DEAD SOLDIER. HE IS A COLOURED BOY OF ABOUT 14 AND HE LOOKS VERY BADLY HURT. HIS MOTHER FOLLOWS THE STRETCHER BEARERS IN. HER FACE IS SET IN A HARD MASK OF A PERSON WHO HAS SUFFERED TOO MUCH FOR ANYTHING MORE TO TOUCH HER. STRAKER MOVES TO ONE SIDE. CHRISTINE COMES BACK OUT OF ONE OF THE DOORS
-44- 66(cont) CHRISTINE All right SHE PAUSES, LOOKING AROUND CHRISTINE Shall we go ? STRAKER I promised the doctor my two men would give him a hand. Is there any way I can get in touch with them from here? CHRISTINE Of course SHE BECKONS TO ONE OF THE ORDERLIES CHRISTINE Get on to H.Q. and ask the Major to send Mr. Straker's two men down to the hospital THE ORDERLY NODS AND MOVES AWAY. CHRISTINE TURNS TO STRAKER CHRISTINE Seen enough? STRAKER NODS YES AND THEY TURN TO LEAVE CUT TO: 67 EXT PRIMARY SCHOOL NIGHT STUDIO CHRISTINE AND STRAKER COME OUT CHRISTINE That was a nice gesture, thank you STRAKER I hope they're of some use CHRISTINE They will be THEY BOTH TURN TO LOOK AT A
-45- 67(cont) COLOURED FAMILY WALKING PAST PUSHING THEIR FEW REMAINING BELONGINGS ON A HAND CART. CHRISTINE WATCHES STRAKER'S REACTION TO THIS CHRISTINE Some leave, but many more stay, even when they're bombed out they still stay in the remains of their homes. STRAKER It's always the innocent who suffer most in a war CHRISTINE Now you've seen all this, can't you see why my husband won't give up your alien? No country can go on like this. At least while we've got him there's a chance to make things better STRAKER I'm not totally inhuman, of course I can see that. But I've a job to do, and nothing is going to stop me CHRISTINE So you'd sacrifice a country STRAKER If I had to THEY WALK ON IN SILENCE CUT TO: 68 INT OPERATIONS ROOM NIGHT STUDIO DE VEER IS SITTING AT HIS DESK, CASPERD IS OVER BY THE WALL MAP. THE RADIO OPERATOR LOOKS UP FROM HIS RADAR SCREEN TO DE VEER RADIO OPERATOR Enemy aircraft approaching, sir
-46- 68(cont) DE VEER Range ? RADIO OPERATOR They'll be here in three minutes DE VEER Gun crews to full alert RADIO OPERATOR Yes sir THE RADIO OPERATOR TURNS HIS BACK TO HIS CONSOLE AND SPEAKS INTO HIS MICROPHONE CUT TO: 69 EXT GATOOMA COUNTRYSIDE NIGHT V.E. THE GOVERNMENT JETS COME STREAKING IN OVER THE BORDER CUT TO: 70 EXT RUINED STREETS NIGHT STUDIO LOT STRAKER AND CHRISTINE ARE WALKING ALONG WHEN THEY REACT TO THE SOUND OF THE AIR RAID SIRENS CHRISTINE Another raid, we must get back to H.Q. CUT TO: 71 EXT GATOOMA TOWN NIGHT V.E. THE JETS STREAK IN LOW AND START DROPPING THEIR BOMBS CUT TO:
-47- 72 EXT RUINED STREETS NIGHT STUDIO LOT THERE IS AN EXPLOSION AT THE END OF THE STREET AND CHRISTINE AND STRAKER ARE COVERED IN DUST STRAKER Get under cover. This is no time to be caught out in the open THEY BOTH RUN TO THE ENTRANCE OF A NEARBY HOUSE CUT TO: 73 INT RUINED HOUSE NIGHT STUDIO CHRISTINE AND STRAKER COME THROUGH THE DOOR. AS THEY CLOSE THE DOOR THERE IS ANOTHER EXPLOSION NEARBY AND THE WHOLE HOUSE SHAKES STRAKER That was close CHRISTINE You get used to it. Raids like this happen four or five times a day THERE IS THE WHISTLE OF A BOMD FALLING CLOSE AT HAND, AND A TREMENDOUS EXPLOSION SHAKES THE HOUSE AGAIN STRAKER Look out A PILE OF RUBBLE AND PLASTER FALL TO THE GROUND. STRAKER GETS CLEAR IN TIME, BUT CHRISTINE IS HALF BURIED. STRAKER RUSHES FORWARD AND STARTS TO PULL THE RUBBLE OFF CHRISTINE STRAKER Mr. de Veer,....Christine, are you all right? THERE IS NO ANSWER. AS STRAKER
-48- 73(cont) PULLS CHRISTINE CLEAR WE SEE THAT SHE HAS PASSED OUT. ANOTHER PILE OF RUBBLE COMES DOWN WHERE THEY BOTH WERE STANDING. CHRISTINE SLOWLY STARTS TO REGAIN CONSCIOUSNESS STRAKER Are you all right? CHRISTINE Yes, yes......I think so ANOTHER BOMB EXPLODES NEARBY AND THE HOUSE SHAKES TO ITS FOUNDATIONS ONCE AGAIN. SHE LOOKS AROUND AT THE DEVASTATION, HER BREATH COMING IN GREAT SOBS ON CHRISTINE CHRISTINE Oh God, when will this end? I can't take much more. Every day more of us are killed.... maybe next time... It'll be Roger or me... why.... why ? SHE BURIES HER HEAD IN HER HANDS SOBBING UNCONTROLLABLY. THEN SHE LOOKS UP AT STRAKER, BLINKING BACK HER TEARS CHRISTINE You must help us Mr. Straker. Please help us, please..... STRAKER MOVES OVER AND TRIES TO CALM HER. CHRISTINE, SOBBING, HOLDS ON TO HIM, DESPERATE FOR COMFORT. STRAKER IS COMPLETELY AT A LOSS, NOT KNOWING WHAT TO DO IN THIS SITUATION. SLOWLY CHRISTINE RECOVERS CHRISTINE I'm sorry, I don't usually behave like this, but there are times when everything seems so.......pointless
-49- 73(cont) STRAKER I understand. It takes a lot of courage to carry on as long as you have CHRISTINE I have no choice, I'm a soldier CUT TO: 74 INT OPERATION ROOM REBEL H. Q. DE VEER IS STANDING OVER BY THE WINDOW, LOOKING AT THE TOWN. FREEMAN SITS IN THE CORNER TRYING TO KEEP OUT OF THE WAY. CASPERD IS OVER BY THE WALL MAP WITH ANOTHER SOLDIER. DE VEER TURNS FROM THE WINDOW AND WALKS OVER TO JOIN CASPERD DE VEER Where is she? CASPERD She'll be all right, Christine knows how to look after herself A DESPATCH RIDER COMES IN AND HANDS A REPORT TO CASPERD CASPERD LOOKS AT IT AND THEN LOOKS UP AT DE VEER CASPERD They're moving up several more divisions sir, this looks like the big offensive DE VEER NODS AND GOES TO HIS DESK, PICKING UP ONE OF THE FIELD TELEPHONES. HE JUGGLES THE HEADSET FOR A MOMENT AND LOOKS ACROSS TO CASPERD DE VEER It's dead, something must have cut the land line HE GOES ACROSS AND LOOKS AT THE MAP AS THE LATEST DAMAGE REPORTS ARE NOTED DOWN THE RADIO OPERATOR TURNS AND CALLS ACROSS RADIO OPERATOR They're moving up, Major DE VEER LOOKS AT CASPERD
-50- 74(cont) DE VEER You were right CASPERD Is there any point in trying to hold the town? DE VEER If we pull out we won't stand a chance, we'll be out to peices in open country THE DOOR OPENS AND CHRISTINE AND STRAKER ENTER COVERED IN DUST BUT OTHERWISE UNHURT DE VEER Where have you been? I gave orders that you weren't to leave the building STRAKER Orders I chose to disregard. Get someone to take a look at your wife, Major she's had a bad shock CHRISTINE I'm all right DE VEER Let the surgeon decide that..... go on darling CHRISTINE NODS AND, SMILING GRATEFULLY AT STRAKER GOES CUT DE VEER WATCHES HER LEAVE AND THEN TURNS BACK TO STRAKER ON DE VEER DE VEER Get this straight Mr. Straker. This town is under martial law, and while you are here you're under my command, whether you like it or not. When I give an order I expect it to be obeyed. Do I make myself clear? STRAKER Quite clear, Major DE VEER If you will assemble your team, I think
-51- 74(cont) you should leave now. Government forces are within 10 miles of the town and a battle front is no place for civilians STRAKER Until we get what we come for, we're staying DE VEER In that case, Mr. Straker, I hope you know how to use a gun DE VEER THEN TURNS TO CASPERD DE VEER Get your troops well dug in round the bridge. Hold the position as long as you can, then withdraw to the outer perimeter CASPERD SALUTES CASPERD Yes sir HE TURNS AND WALKS TO THE DOOR DE VEER and Julius......good luck CASPERD SMILES AND GOES OUT OF THE DOOR. DE VEER WALKS OVER TO THE RADIO OPERATOR DE VEER What are the latest troop positions ? RADIO OPERATOR Nine miles away sir, they're still advancing. Our forward positions are still being pushed back DE VEER Well, this is it
-52- 74(cont) RADIO OPERATOR What are our chances DE VEER Let's not fool ourselves, our one hope now is that.... alien RADIO OPERATOR Isn't it a bit too late for that? Sir DE VEER Not necessarily. Even if we loose the town.... we aren't the only unit of resistance DE VEER WALKS ACROSS TO THE WALL MAP AND STARES AT IT, HIS MIND ELSEWHERE. HE SPEAKS QUIETLY, ALMOST TO HIMSELF ON DE VEER DE VEER If we can get.... Him safely out of here RADIO OPERATOR And what will Mr. Straker think about that DE VEER TURNS TO STRAKER, AND FOR THE FIRST TIME WE SEE THE HINT OF A SMILE ON HIS FACE DE VEER Mr. Straker?.. .I don't care a damn what Mr. Straker thinks DE VEER TURNS AND WALKS OVER TO WHERE STRAKER AND FREEMAN ARE STANDING DE VEER Mr. Straker, I'm sending your alien back from the battle front. If we lose the town I don't want to risk him falling into enemy hands
-53- 74(cont) STRAKER I've got two aircraft standing by, Major if you'll let me fly him out he could be in safety within 15 minutes. You've nothing to gain by holding him now. DE VEER I think I have, he stays with us. A convoy is leaving for the hills in an hour, he'll be on it. I want one of your men to travel with him. (pause) You'd better make sure that your .....Alien is fit to travel. STRAKER If that's your decision..... DE VEER It is STRAKER Very well...... HE TURNS TOWARDS FREEMAN STRAKER Alec, will you come with me FREEMAN AND STRAKER GO OUT CUT TO: 75 INT CORRIDOR STRAKER AND FREEMAN WALK DOWN TOWARDS THE MEDICAL CENTRE FREEMAN What happens now? STRAKER We get what we came for. Tell Chapman to be ready to move out with the convoy FREEMAN I suppose you know what you're doing STRAKER I think so, get Chapman ready.... FREEMAN GOES OFF AND STRAKER GOES INTO THE MEDICAL CENTRE CUT TO:
-54- 76 INT MEDICAL CENTRE THIS IS NOW DESERTED EXCEPT FOR THE STILL BODY OF THE ALIEN STRAKER WALKS OVER TO LOOK DOWN AT THE ALIEN AND THEN SLOWLY TAKES THE PORTABLE TRANSCEIVER FROM HIS POCKET STRAKER This is Straker to SHADO control..... CUT TO: 77 INT SHADO CONTROL UNDERGROUND OFFICE STUDIO PAUL FOSTER IS SITTING AT STRAKER'S DESK OPERATOR (V.O) Commander Straker for you sir FOSTER Thank you HE LEANS FORWARD AND PRESSES A BUTTON ON THE VIDEOPHONE STRAKER Paul, I want Sky One painted in Gatooma Government markings FOSTER (Reacts) You want WHAT ? STRAKER You heard me... a convoy is leaving here in an hour heading north towards the hills. There'll be a homing device transmitting on frequency three-one-three decimal-four. Sky One is to intercept CUT TO:
-55- 78 INT MEDICAL CENTRE STRAKER That convoy must be destroyed Paul, I want no survivors, (pause) understood? FOSTER (V.O) Understood AS STRAKER LOWERS THE TRANSCEIVER FREEMAN COMES TOWARDS HIM LISTENING TO THE LAST DIALOGUE FREEMAN You can't do that STRAKER I've got no choice. I can't run the risk of the Alien falling into Government hands FREEMAN But it's cold blooded murder STRAKER It's necessary FREEMAN But what about Chapman? STRAKER We're all expendable FREEMAN You're always so sure that you're right. To you the end justifies the means, no matter how high the cost STRAKER I told you, there's no other way FREEMAN This homing device? .... How will you get that on the convoy ? STRAKER Chapman will take it, make sure it's in with his equipment
-56- 78(cont) FREEMAN You're not getting me to do your dirty work STRAKER That's an order.....Alec THE DOOR OPENS AND DE VEER COMES IN DE VEER They're within a mile of the city perimeter.. .that gives you about half an hour....if you want to stay with your Alien, I suppose that you and Mr. Freeman leave with the convoy DE VEER TURNS AND WALKS BACK TO THE DOOR, THEN PAUSES ON DE VEER DE VEER I'm sending Christine back as well... maybe she'll have a better chance that way FREEMAN LOOKS ACROSS AT STRAKER WHO LOWERS HIS GLANCE FREEMAN (quietly to Straker) You can't let her go STRAKER (quietly) I know HE TURNS TO DE VEER STRAKER If you're worried about her, she can fly out with us. That way she'd be in no danger DE VEER Thank you for the offer, Mr. Straker
-57- 78(cont) but she's a soldier, you won't persuade her to leave. She'll go with that convoy DE VEER CLOSES THE DOOR BEHIND HIM AND FREEMAN ROUNDS ON STRAKER FREEMAN Now will you stop the attack STRAKER You know I can't FREEMAN I thought she was beginnign to mean something to you STRAKER If I call of the attack I'm jeopardising the entire operation of SHADO. No single life is worth that much FREEMAN This is more than just a single life STRAKER Is it? We're fighting a war, Alec. A war much bigger than... this one we're involved in here. There are bound to be casualties however regretable they may be FREEMAN (bitterly) Regretable STRAKER Get that homing device planted. We don't have much time FREEMAN GIVES HIM A LOOK OF CONTEMPT AND WALKS OUT CUT TO: 79 INT SKY COCKPIT DAY (STUDIO) KARLIN SETTLES HIMSELF IN HIS SEAT AND
-58- 79(cont) ADJUSTS HIS HELMET. HE LEANS FORWARD AND STARTS UP THE JET MOTORS CUT TO: 80 EXT WATAMBI AIRFIELD DAY (VE) SKY ONE IS POSITIONED AT THE END OF THE RUNWAY PAINTED IN THE SAME COLOURS WE HAVE ESTABLISHED ON THE GATOOMA GOVERNMENT AIRCRAFT. WITH A ROAR OF JETS SKY ONE HURTLES DOWN THE RUNWAY AND THRUSTS ITSELF INTO THE AIR CUT TO: 81 EXT SKY DAY (VE) SKY ONE CLIMBING THROUGH CLOUDS CUT TO: 82 EXT REBEL H.Q. DAY (STUDIO) TWO JEEPS ARE WAITING OUTSIDE THE MAIN ENTRANCE. FOUR REBEL SOLDIERS ARE IN THE FIRST ONE. THE SECOND HAS AMBULANCE MARKINGS AND THE BACKDOORS ARE OPEN. THE ALIEN IS BEING LOADED IN ON A STRETCHER, HIDDEN COMPLETELY BY A BLANKET. CHAPMAN IS SUPERVISING THE LOADING DE VEER, CHRISTINE, FREEMAN AND STRAKER COME OUT OF THE ENTRANCE AND STAND BY THE VEHICLES CHRISTINE Goodbye darling, good luck DE VEER Look after yourself CHRISTINE And you
-59- 82(cont) THEY EMBRACE AND HE TURNS TO GO BACK INTO THE BUILDING. CHRISTINE TURNS TO GET INTO THE FRONT JEEP AND THEN STEPS BACK TO WHERE STRAKER IS STANDING CHRISTINE Goodbye Mr. Straker, please don't let us down. You're our only hope now STRAKER REACTS CHRISTINE GETS INTO THE JEEP. CHAPMAN FINISHES LOADING THE ALIEN INTO THE AMBULANCE AND CLOSES THE DOORS CHAPMAN All right sir, we're all set THE CONVOY PULLS OFF. FREEMAN WATCHES THEM DRIVE AWAY DOWN THE STREET AND THEN TURNS TO STRAKER FREEMAN I hope you're satisfied STRAKER TURNS IGNORING FREEMAN AND WALKS INTO THE BUILDING CUT TO: 83 EXT SKY DAY (VE) SKY ONE IS ESTABLISHED IN LEVEL FLIGHT CUT TO: 84 INT COCKPIT SKY ONE KARLIN AT CONTROLS KARLIN Sky One to SHADO Control. I
-60- 84(cont) have Target Indication bearing zero 24 red...... CUT TO: 85 SHADO CONTROL STUDIO FOSTER IS STANDING BY FORD AT HIS CONSOLE KARLIN (VO) Range 100 miles. Letting down to strike altitude FORD Roger Sky One CUT TO: 86 INT REBEL OPERATIONS ROOM DAY (STUDIO) THE SCENE OF INTENSE ACTIVITY. THE SOUND OF DISTANT GUN FIRE CAN NOW BE HEARD. TWO SOLDIERS ARE STANDING BY THE MAP PLOTTING THE LATEST TROOP POSITIONS RADIO OPERATOR They've just cut the road north of the town DE VEER What about the convoy? Did they get clear ? RADIO OPERATOR Yes sir A DISPATCH RIDER COMES IN AND SALUTES DE VEER DISPATCH RIDER Delta 4 and 5 destroyed sir. Delta 2 and 3 have had to pull back to the town perimeter
-61- 86(cont) DE VEER Pull all reserve units back to the town centre, we'll make that our final line of defence. IN A CORNER STRAKER AND FREEMAN ARE STANDING QUIETLY WATCHING THE ACTIVITY. DE VEER WALKS OVER TO THE WALL MAP AND CHECKS THE POSITION OF HIS TROOPS CUT TO: 87 EXT GATOOMA COUNTRYSIDE DAY (VE) THE CONVOY IS RACING ALONG THE COUNTRY SIDE. AMBULANCE AT THE REAR CUT TO: 88 INT FIRST JEEP DAY (STUDIO PROCESS) CHRISTINE IS SITTING BESIDE THE DRIVER CUT TO: 89 EXT SKY DAY (VE) SKY ONE ANGLED IN A DIVE CUT TO: 90 INT COCKPIT SKY ONE CLOSE UP KARLIN KARLIN Estimating target 30 seconds CUT TO: 91 INT OPERATIONS ROOM DAY(STUDIO) THE RADIO OPERATOR TURNS FROM THE RADAR SCREEN RADIO OPERATOR Major, I've a contact DE VEER COMES ACROSS TO THE CONSOLE DE VEER Aircraft? RADIO OPERATOR Yes sir
-62- 91(cont) DE VEER How many? THE RADIO OPERATOR CHECKS HIS SCREEN AND LOOKS BACK AT DE VEER RADIO OPERATOR Only one sir DE VEER course? RADIO OPERATOR Heading zero-two-four red DE VEER That means he's heading this way....... But why just one ? RADIO OPERATOR It's changing course now sir. Heading zero three zero CUT TO: 92 EXT GATOOMA COUNTRYSIDE DAY (VE) CONVOY STILL SPEEDING THROUGH COUNTRYSIDE CUT TO: 93 EXT SKY DAY (VE) SKY ONE ON ITS ATTACK APPROACH CUT TO: 94 INT SHADO CONTROL STUDIO FOSTER STANDING BY FORD KARLIN (VO) Have missile aquisition. Range 30 miles FORD Roger Sky One..... advise when target destroyed CUT TO: 95 INT OPERATIONS ROOM DAY (STUDIO) DE VEER IS STILL STANDING BY THE RADIO OPERATOR AT HIS CONSOLE DE VEER What's its heading now RADIO OPERATOR Still zero three zero, sir.
-63- 95(cont) DE VEER GOES ACROSS TO THE WALL MAP TRACES A LINE WITH HIS FINGER. HE TURNS TO FACE STRAKER LOOKING WORRIED DE VEER Can you read a map? STRAKER COMES OVER CUT TO: 96 EXT CONVOY TO ESTABLISH CUT TO: 97 INT SKY ONE CLOSE UP KARLIN KARLIN Have visual contact with target, am overflying CUT TO: 98 EXT GATOOMA COUNTRYSIDE THE CONVOY SPEEDS ALONG AS SKY ONE FLIES OVER AT LOW LEVEL CUT TO: 99 INT FIRST JEEP CLOSE UP DRIVER HE LIFTS UP MICROPHONE DRIVER Mobile Alpha One to base, we have a Government jet overhead CUT TO: 100 INT OPERATIONS ROOM DAY (STUDIO) DE VEER SNATCHES MICROPHONE FROM RADIO OPERATOR DE VEER Mobile One.......Can you get under cover ? DRIVER No, we're in open country CUT TO:
-64- 101 INT SKY ONE CLOSE UP KARLIN KARLIN SHADO control this is Sky One. There is an ambulance in the convoy FORD (VO) The convoy is the target, repeat the convoy is the target. Out. CUT TO: 102 EXT SKY ONE (VE) SKY ONE TURNS TO COME IN FOR HIS FINAL APPROACH CUT TO: 103 INT OPERATIONS ROOM DAY (STUDIO) DE VEER STANDS INTENT ON THE SCREEN DRIVER (VO) He's coming in for the attack..... we're trying to....... CUT TO: 104 EXT GATOOMA COUNTRYSIDE DAY (VE) SKY ONE OVERFLIES THE BLAZING REMAINS OF THE CONVOY AND CLIMBS RAPIDLY AWAY FROM THE SCENE OF DEVASTATION CUT TO: 105 INT SKY ONE CLOSE UP KARLIN KARLIN Target destroyed, no survivors observed. Am returning to base, over. CUT TO: 106 EXT GATOOMA COUNTRYSIDE DAY (VE) WE HOLD ON THE REMAINS OF BLAZING VEHICLES CUT TO:
-65- 107 INT OPERATIONS ROOM DAY (STUDIO) DE VEER SLOWLY STRAIGHTENS UP FROM THE RADIO CONSOLE AND WALKS SLOWLY ACROSS TO HIS DESK, HE SLUMPS DOWN OVER THE DESK BURYING HIS FACE IN HIS HANDS STRAKER I'm very sorry THE RADIO OPERATOR TURNS IN HIS SEAT RADIO OPERATOR Major, they're through the outer perimeter. 'A' Platoon request permission to pull back DE VEER No, tell them to hold their positions and get some men to support them RADIO OPERATOR Yes sir DE VEER STANDS UP FROM HIS DESK VERY MUCH THE SOLDIER AGAIN AND CROSSES OVER TO WHERE FREEMAN AND STRAKER ARE STANDING DE VEER Well, Mr. Straker, is that what you stayed to see? HE TURNS TO LOOK AT ONE OF THE SOLDIERS BY THE MAP DE VEER Latest position ? SOLDIER Within half a mile of the air field DE VEER TURNS TO STRAKER DE VEER You and your team had better be ready to leave......I can't be responsible for your safety any longer STRAKER AND FREEMAN TURN AND WALK TO THE DOOR. THEY PAUSE AT THE DOOR AS DE VEER TURNS TO STRAKER AGAIN DE VEER Oh, and don't worry about your secret Mr. Straker. It'll be quite safe with us. Without the help you could have brought us I doubt that any of us will be alive this time tomorrow
-66- 107(cont) HE TURNS AND WALKS BACK TO HIS DESK, PAYING NO FURTHER ATTENTION TO FREEMAN AND STRAKER STRAKER LOOKS AT FREEMAN STRAKER Come on let's get out of here. We've not much time. THEY TURN AND WALK THROUGH THE DOOR. AS THEY LEAVE THE SOUND OF GUN FIRE INCREASES. END TITLES
Postscript
So, why was this episode never filmed? Well, Leo does not remember exactly, but he seems to think that the script was deemed too unpleasant and/or political. Possibly it was UFO script editor Tony Barwick who made this decision, however Tony would have had to approve the story before the script could have been written in the first place.
Leo recalls that this script was influenced by Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) being constantly in the news at the time, and it seemed that the white/black struggle could eventually turn into a bloodbath (luckily it never did). Also, Straker's behavior was influenced by the movie FAIL-SAFE, where the US president orders a nuclear weapon dropped on New York as the only way to stop an all-out atomic war.