PsiWriters

"OUTPOST STATION"

(first 12 scenes of an original Screenplay)


1 - SPACE - A STARFIELD
We see a sleek and dignified freighter slowly entering the scene, traveling left to right.
We watch the ship's progress for a few seconds, long enough to see inscribed on the hull, "SYG B SHIPPING & HAULING".


2 - INTERIOR - BRIDGE OF FREIGHTER
WE SEE TWO PEOPLE ON THE BRIDGE: ONE, A TECHNICIAN, IS BUSILY MONITORING A BANK OF MEDIUM SIZED VIEW SCREENS; THE OTHER, THE SHIP'S CAPTAIN, IS DIVIDING ATTENTION BETWEEN A HAND-HELD DEVICE AND A LARGER, CENTRAL VIEWSCREEN WHICH DISPLAYS A SIMPLE STARFIELD. ONE
After a few moments:
TECHNICIAN
(Observing sudden flash in one of his screens)
Holy-- Captain, we've got company. Looks like a pirate.
(Touches a control; view of flash shifts to central screen)
CAPTAIN
(Studies screen a moment)
Shit. This close to Outpost Station?
TECHNICIAN
Closing fast, sir. Standard protocol?
CAPTAIN
(Heaves sigh)
Yeah, standard protocol. Let the bastards have what they want.


3 - SPACE - A STARFIELD
We now see freighter approximately 1/3 of way into scene; there is now also a large and gaudily decorated pirate ship closing from the right of the scene, quickly joined by two much smaller but similarly decorated ships. Our viewpoint begins to sweep back. We soon see that there is a small star in the middle distance which glows dully red, and we also catch a glimpse of OUTPOST STATION, which is in orbit of the dull red star. Once we have seen these things we begin to hear in voice-over, as we continue to pull back:
SYDNEY
Make ready to exit FTL. All personnel, secure stations.
VARIOUS VOICES
(Speaking in a jumble)
Aye, Captain. Yes, Ma'am. Station secure, Captain.
EXEC
Exiting FTL in three--two--one--


4 - SPACE - A STARFIELD
The starfield fills the screen for only a moment longer, then the screen fills with a bright Flash! As the flash reaches its apex--


5 - INTERIOR - BRIDGE OF TSM CAHAN MORRIGAN
We see the same flash now framed within a large viewscreen. We quickly pull back to see that the viewscreen dominates the forward section of a bustling bridge, which is filled with upward of a dozen bustling officers, mixed M/FM. A buzz of voices fill the background as the crew goes efficiently about its duties. In the center of the scene, slightly raised above the rest, is CAPTAIN SYDNEY CHAMBERS. Her eyes are fixed on the main viewscreen at first, but as the flash fades she begins to glance around the bridge.
SYDNEY
Drive status?
ENGINEER
(From post on perimeter)
Engines nominal, Captain. FTL engines shutting down as usual, insysyem drives properly engaged.
SYDNEY
Very good. Structural status?
ENGINEER
(From post, different part of perimeter)
Hull looks good, Captain, no concerns.
SYDNEY
Very good. Vector--
SCAN TECH
(Watching a bank of screens on perimeter. Cuts SYDNEY off)
Captain, we've got multiple vessels at mark 7.52! Looks like it may be hostile activity--at least one of the vessels carries pirate markings!
SYDNEY
On main screen.
(Over SYDNEY's shoulder, Starfield appears on main viewscreen; we can see the freighter and pirate in the distance)
Magnify.
(Freighter and pirate ship leap in size to fill the screen)
Damn. Nice of them to roll out a welcome mat.
EXEC
(Has moved to stand at SYDNEY's side during dialog)
Definitely pirates, Captain. The freighter's markings make it from 16 Cygni B. That's the one with most of the ores and tech startups.
(Pauses to study screen more closely)
I can't tell which pirate band that supposed to be, though. I thought they didn't have a pirate problem here at Cyg C.
SYDNEY
Apparently they do now. Helm, plot an fast intercept.
NAVIGATOR
Yes, Captain. Which vector do you want to use?
SYDNEY
(Considers a moment)
I want to thread the needle between those two. Sound combat alert!


6 - SPACE - LOOKING PAST FREIGHTER AND PIRATE SHIP
We look out to deep space from side of freighter away from MORRIGAN, so are pointed in opposite direction than we last saw. Pirate ship is located parallel to freighter, but a fair distance away. We see pirate ship guns trained on freighter and, as we watch, a small transport departs pirate, heading for freighter. A moment later we see a flash in the distance, and one of the distant dots begins to quickly grow in size--the MORRIGAN.


7 - INTERIOR - BRIDGE OF FREIGHTER
CAPTAIN
(Watching viewscreen, sees transport detach from pirate ship)
Ah, hell, they're boarding us.
(Pushes button on hand-held. Naval type call whistle sounds. Speaks into hand-held.)
This is the captain, we're being boarded. Button it down and get to secure quarters, fast!
(TECHNICIAN pushes buttons on his console, nods to CAPTAIN, and both quickly run out of bridge)


8 - INTERIOR - CORRIDOR OF FREIGHTER
We look down a fairly long, metal corridor. In the distance we see CAPTAIN and TECHNICIAN run out of bridge and head toward us. Door to bridge remains open behind them. In a moment our view reverses so the bridge is behind us, and we see CAPTAIN and TECHNICIAN joined by two others. All four stop at a particular spot on corridor wall. CAPTAIN points hand-held device at wall, and punches a button on it. An opening appears in the wall; all four crew members lunge through the opening, which closes and disappears behind them.


9 - INTERIOR - BRIDGE OF TSM CAHAN MORRIGAN
As before, but red combat alert lights blink at several points around perimeter. Buzz is still there, but more intense; all present are extremely focused on task.
NAVIGATOR
ETA two minutes, Captain.
SYDNEY
(Intent on viewscreen, where transport can be seen between pirate and freighter)
Understood.
(To EXEC, still standing beside her)
Scramble a team of marines into a drop-ship, looks like they're going to be boarded before we can get there.
EXEC
Yes, Ma'am.
(Heads for station to comply)
SYDNEY
Arms control, I want to send a bit of a love pat to that pirate cruiser as we sweep by. Have it ready on my command.
ARMORY OFFICER
Locked and loaded, Captain, waiting your order.
NAVIGATOR
Ninety seconds.
EXEC
(Returning from station)
Drop-ship will be manned and primed in one minute, Captain.
SYDNEY
Good.
(Touches button on arm of chair)
Captain to drop-ship. You folks may have a bumpy ride--we're launching ordnance the same time we launch you. I still want you on board that freighter taking down the pirate boarders as fast as you can.
EXEC
They'll get it done, Captain.
SYDNEY
I know they will.
(Stares at viewscreen a bit longer)
They're surprisingly well disciplined for pirates.
NAVIGATOR
One minute.
EXEC
What do you mean, Ma'am?
SYDNEY
You can bet they've seen us by now, but they haven't flinched yet. I've never heard of pirates holding station with a Noble-class cruiser bearing down on them.
EXEC
(Frowns)
No, Ma'am, neither have I.
NAVIGATOR
Thirty seconds.
SYDNEY
OK, folks, here we go. Gun control, target their engines and weapons; blast 'em if they so much as twitch, otherwise strafe as we go by. Launch
drop-ship and missile on my mark--
NAVIGATOR
Fifteen seconds.
SYDNEY
Navigator, give me a second by second.
NAVIGATOR
Twelve--eleven--ten--nine--
SYDNEY
Drop-ship, go!
NAVIGATOR
Seven--six--five--
SYDNEY
Fire missile now. Here we go, Guns, on your toes--


10 - SPACE - LOOKING DOWN AT GROUP OF SHIPS FROM BEHIND MORRIGAN
We see MORRIGAN begin to "thread the needle" between the pirate ship and the freighter. Drop ship hurtles off and immediately powers toward freighter. Missile peels off more lazily and homes on pirate vessel. However before missile can reach its target-- and just as MORRIGAN begins to enter space between the ships--the pirate ship's drive engages without warning, and the ship begins to veer away and accelerate. Its engine fire sets off missile, which explodes in a globular cloud immediately behind the pirate, causing it to sqew like a car in mud. Beams of light stab out from the pirate toward MORRIGAN, missing as MORRIGAN also maneuvers evasively. MORRIGAN fires beam and particle cannons toward the vanishing pirate vessel, but before the beams can reach a hyper window opens and the pirate vessel disappears into it. However, as MORRIGAN passes beyond the freighter, two small pirate vessels which had been invisible behind the freighter suddenly emerge, fire point-blank at MORRIGAN, then accelerate away to flee into their own hyper windows. We see hull plates peel off MORRIGAN where she was touched by the pirates' fire.


11 - INTERIOR - BRIDGE OF TSM CAHAN MORRIGAN
Alarm bells have joined the red alert claxons. There is no visible damage, though there is some smoke in the air, and a fire extinguisher is being deployed somewhere along perimeter.
SYDNEY
Damage report!
COMM TECH
All hands report safe, Captain.
ENGINEER
Looks like we've got some hull damage, Captain. Nothing severe, but we lost a few plates.
SYDNEY
Acknowledged. Stand down from battle alert--and somebody shut that claxon off!
(To EXEC)
Damn, where'd those two little birds come from?
EXEC
Looks like they were laying in wait behind the freighter. You're right, captain, that's amazingly good tactics for a pirate.
SYDNEY
Yeah, that's one time I wish I'd been wrong. Well, see what the repair folks can do while I wrap it up with the freighter. We'll escort them on to Outpost Station as soon as they're secured and ready to go.
(EXEC nods and moves away)
COMM TECH
Captain, I've got Marine Sergeant Saans for you.
SYDNEY
On screen.
The face of SAANS fills the main screen, clearly calling from the drop-ship
SYDNEY (CONT'D)
What's your status, Sergeant?
SAANS
Got three pirate prisoners, Captain, two pirate casualties. No one hurt on our side, and the freighter crew had locked down and gone to ground in a safe room so one hurt there, either. They're in the process of unlocking, and will be ready to go in about five.
SYDNEY
Good work, Sergeant. Leave two of your men there as liaisons and the rest of you get back here, we're underway as soon as the freighter's ready.
SAANS
Yes, Ma'am.
(Turns and starts barking orders for a moment before viewscreen blanks)
SYDNEY
You heard that everyone, we're underway in about five minutes. Rig for insystem transit. Navigator, plot us a nice fast course to Outpost Station.
NAVIGATOR
(After a beat)
Course ready, Ma'am.
EXEC
(Sidles up beside SYDNEY, speaks softly)
Nothing the repair crews can do. We're going to need replacement plates.
SYDNEY
(Turns a sour look at EXEC, then sighs)
I guess we'll find out pretty soon just how ready this place is for us.
Comm, get me the station manager as soon as we're in range, please.
COMM TECH
Yes, Ma'am.
(EXEC nods and SYDNEY sits back in her chair, letting her gaze wander around the bridge)


12 - INTERIOR - CAPTAIN'S OFFICE
WHOLE ROOM IS DULL GRAY WITH LITTLE DECORATION. THERE IS ONE PORT HOLE, BEHIND DESK (WHICH FACES DOOR, AWAY FROM PORT HOLE) AND TO ONE SIDE. SYDNEY AT DESK, SPEAKING WITH WALTER RUDOLPH OVER COMM SCREEN ON DESK. OUR INITIAL VIEW IS OF SYDNEY FROM BACK SIDE OF COMM SCREEN. SYDNEY
Manager Rudolph, I'm Captain Sydney Chambers in command of the Terran Space Military cruiser Cahan Morrigan. We're in the Cygni- C system and expect to dock at Outpost Station within the hour.
WALTER
About damn time. How many more ships should we expect?
SYDNEY
(Pauses a moment in surprise)
You requested assistance in dealing with a few pirates. How many more ships do you think you should expect?
Our view shifts to see WALTER on viewscreen, over SYDNEY's shoulder. He appears to be in a similar office. Viewpoint can shift between SYDNEY and WALTER from here on.
WALTER
I asked for a squadron. Knowing central command, though, I imagine that got pared down to one or two ships for each of the star systems.
SYDNEY
(Now slightly amused)
So you're expecting, what? Four ships? Six?
WALTER
About that, yes.
SYDNEY
(Now ironic)
Well, Central Command sees the issue a bit differently. The Morrigan is what you get.
WALTER
(Sputters)
What--one ship? 16 Cygni is a trinary system--that's THREE complete star systems all wrapped up in one, almost three-and-a-half million cubic AU's! What can just one ship do against that!
SYDNEY
(Now sounding offended)
One ship is capable of...a lot more than you might think, Manager Rudolph. Just what is your estimation of the scope of the problem?
WALTER
(Begins to laugh, almost becoming hysterical as he speaks)
The scope--of the problem? The SCOPE of the problem? The problem is as big as I just said the whole damn system is, Captain! There's pirates at Cyg A, there's pirates at Cyg B, there's pirates EVERYWHERE lately! And they've even started attacking shipping here at Cyg C--
SYDNEY
(Interrupts WALTER)
Yes, I know, we intercepted a pirate raid on a freighter as we arrived.
WALTER
(Suddenly quieted)
You--intercepted a pirate raid? You mean you blew 'em out of the sky?
SYDNEY
(Disquieted by WALTER's words)
No, though we did chase them off. We have some captives, and suffered some minor damage in the altercation. The freighter is under our protection as we approach Outpost Station.
WALTER
Well. I wish you'd blasted them, but still. Sorry I sounded a bit nuts here a moment ago. I'll give you a complete briefing on the pirate--problem--face to face, once you're docked.
SYDNEY
I look forward to it. Morrigan, out.
We hear a knocking, as at a door.
SYDNEY (CONT'D)
Enter.
(Door opens to admit SAANS, who comes to attention before desk and salutes.)
At ease, Sergeant--and again, good job. What did the merchants have to say for themselves? You said they holed up in a safe room.
SAANS
Yes, Captain. Apparently that's SOP for merchanters all across the Cyg systems--shut the ship down so the pirates can't make off with it, but otherwise just let them have what they want. Their captain says killings and kidnappings are 'way down since most of them took to this tactic.
SYDNEY
Huh. Sound enough tactic, I suppose, but it says a lot about just how much piracy there is as 16 Cygni.
(Gains pensive look, stands and moves to look out port hole)
The merchants say anything about how much piracy there is here at Cyg C?
SAANS
Apparently it's a pretty recent development. The pirates have been getting more and more brazen over the past year or so, he said, and attacking at Cyg C is the latest thing.
SYDNEY
Terrific.
(Turns to face SAANS again)
That's all for now, Sergeant. I want your report on my desk as soon as your Lieutenant signs off on it.
SAANS
Yes, Ma'am.
(Salutes, then turns and leaves. As SAANS departs, EXEC is outside door, leans in and clears throat)
EXEC
Ah, Captain--
SYDNEY
(Turns from window)
Ah? Oh, come in, XO.
EXEC
We're on final approach to Outpost Station, Ma'am. Should be docked in about twenty minutes.
SYDNEY
Fine.
(Grimaces)
I need to have a face-to-face with the station manager SAP. I want you to stay on top of the repairs, or at least, finding parts. I don't think this outpost has a repair dock.
EXEC
No, Ma'am, it doesn't, at least not on the record. I'll see what I can find.
SYDNEY
Thanks. Page me when we're docked.
EXEC
Yes, Captain.
(Turns and leaves.)