FADE UP:
EXT. YAVIN 4 - DAY
From atop an air tower, we see a REBEL WATCHMAN monitor an X-Wing Fighter as it comes in to land.
CUT TO:
EXT. REBEL GROUND BASE – SAME TIME
Establishing shot of a hidden structure obscured by foliage. A sign above the large metal panel door reads: REBEL ALLIANCE TRAINING CAMP.
INT. BARRACKS – SAME TIME
A group of new RECRUITS wearing orange flight uniforms are lined up in rows while a grizzled-looking REBEL SERGEANT, 50, struts alongside them barking commands.
Please do not think that just because we have destroyed the Death Star, we can afford to be complacent. The Empire is yet to be defeated. Mark my words, the Imperial Starfleet will be back, and in greater numbers. I am Gunnery Sergeant Rieekan. I am hard, but I am fair. You will not like me. But the things I teach you WILL save your life in aerial combat. IS THAT UNDERSTOOD?!
(in unison)
SIR, YES, SIR!
One particularly insubordinate young recruit – DACK – pipes up from towards the end of the line.
- Sir, whatever, sir...!
There is silence.
Who said that?
(outraged)
Who said that?!
He struts over to the smirking DACK and barks in his face.
What’s your name, pilot?!
DACK
Private Dack, sir!
REBEL SERGEANT
You’re in need of a serious lesson in discipline and teamwork, Dack!
DACK
Yeah - whatever. I could take on the whole Empire myself...
You’ve got an attitude problem, pilot! You’re all washed up! Now drop to the floor and give me twenty, all of you!
RECRUITS
(in unison)
SIR, YES, SIR!
DACK scoffs cockily as he does so.
CUT TO:
INT. TRAINING SCHOOL – WEEKS LATER
Rows of RECRUITS sit in their regulation orange uniforms listening to the same REBEL SERGEANT giving a lecture. He is stood in front of a holographic projection which depicts an attack formation.
Now, today’s formation is Attack Pattern Delta. This is a particularly useful strategy when engaging in air-to-ground combat in hostile terrain.
In amongst the team of recruits, we see DACK and a FRIEND messing about playing ‘Knuckles’ while he speaks.
- DACK!!! What have I told you about paying attention in class?! What was I just talking about?
DACK
I dunno. Some stupid formation or other...
REBEL SERGEANT
(pointing with lecture aid)
Attack – Pattern – Delta.
DACK
(scoffing)
Yeah. Attack Pattern Lame, more like...
REBEL SERGEANT
Get out, Dack! Get out! And wipe that grin off your face...!
DACK exits, smirking nonchalantly.
CUT TO:
INT. FLIGHT SIMULATOR CENTRE - WEEKS LATER
The REBEL SERGEANT patrols several rows of mini-simulators, observing the various pilots’ prowess.
Now, steady... steady...
We see DACK recklessly manoeuvring his craft.
REBEL SERGEANT
DACK! What have I told you about having no approach vector?! You’re not set! What happens if you have a malfunction in fire control?! And have you even begun to learn how to use that harpoon and tow cable...?!
DACK
- Yeah, whatever, Serge...!
(turning to CO-PILOT)
Like I’m ever going to need to fly a Snowspeeder on Yavin 4...
FADE TO:
EXT. BATTLE OF HOTH – MONTHS LATER
Footage from The Empire Strikes Back.
INT. LUKE SKYWALKER’S SNOWSPEEDER COCKPIT - DAY
(into comlink)
DACK
(panicking)
Luke, I have no approach vector. I’m not set!
Steady, Dack... Attack Pattern Delta. Go now!
EXT. HOTH – BATTLEFIELD
Luke’s Snowspeeder heads straight for the viewport of an AT-AT Walker and fires its lasers. The walker fires a volley at the approaching Snowspeeders, forcing them to bank to the right.
INT. LUKE’S SNOWSPEEDER COCKPIT – SAME TIME
That armour’s too strong for blasters!
(into comlink)
Rogue Group, use your harpoons and tow cables! Go for the legs, it might be our only chance of stopping them!
(to DACK)
Alright, stand by, Dack.
DACK notices a blinking light on his dashboard.
DACK
Luke, we’ve got a malfunction in fire control. I’ll have to cut in the auxiliary!
LUKE
Just hang on!
(taking fire)
Hang on, Dack. Get ready to fire that tow cable.
DACK struggles to set up his harpoon gun.
EXT. HOTH BATTLEFIELD
Rogue Leader and another Snowspeeder fly in tight formation towards the walker as explosions burst all around them. The craft is suddenly rocked by a volley of laser fire.
INT. LUKE’S SNOWSPEEDER COCKPIT – SAME TIME
LUKE turns round to see if DACK is alright. We see his limp frame slumped against the control panel.
Dack...? DACK...!
Suddenly, the speeder is rocked by a huge explosion. Amid sparks and electrical current, the craft hurtles headlong into the snow.
FIN.
C.C. 23/08/11
No comments:
Post a Comment