I know I’m not around much anymore, but this is what I spent the past year or so working on.
SCENE 1 - THE COCKPIT
CAPTAIN AND XO ARE STANDING BEHIND TABLES. GUNNERS OFFSTAGE.
X0
Three minutes to drop zone, Captain.
CAPTAIN
Ready cargo for release. Final check.
X0
Modules on internal control, full autonomous mode.
(Turns to Captain)
These new drones should make resupply runs much easier.
CAPTAIN
(Distant)
Hmm…
X0
Hopefully those Marines won’t be stuck there much longer.
CAPTAIN
Mistake to send them there.
X0
They’ll clear a landing zone with the squadron’s load today. We’ll get them back in action.
(Pause)
Sir?
CAPTAIN
Yes, Lieutenant?
X0
It’s an honor to fly with you, sir. You must know we study the Mars battle in flight school.
CAPTAIN
But you’re wondering about something?
X0
Yes, sir.
CAPTAIN
A couple of kids, couple of ex-wives, couple of wrecked sports cars-- that’s how you get a full-bird colonel flying a blockade runner.
XO
Kinda hard to ignore the hazard pay. But–– it seems like you could land a better assignment.
CAPTAIN
I annoy the brass, and everyone knows about Colonel Cranky.
X0
(A bit chagrined.)
Yes, sir.
CAPTAIN
(Distracted.)
Sarah-- second wife, I hear she’s in the medical corps. ER Nurse after my first car wreck. No way Lexie-- first-- was getting that thing.
X0
Your repu–– RECORD is impressive, sir.
(Pause)
Sorry about your previous First Officer.
CAPTAIN
(Bemused.)
Reputation.
(Turns to XO)
I hoped to get him home before… but, thrown in the brig on Oort Station Five? He’ll be there for a while.
X0
We’ve lost a few ships this week.
CAPTAIN
Surprised it took them so long to figure us out.
X0
(Surprised.)
You think we’re losing?
CAPTAIN
(Long look at XO, but says nothing. Then Captain turns to windshield.)
I think we brought this on ourselves.
X0
We don’t start wars! We finish them!
CAPTAIN
Do we? Do we? We shouldn’t even be able to do what we do with these ships. It’s all because we got a can of green glowing goo back there that we stole from them! What does that make us?
(Looking off into the distance.)
What does that make us?
X0
It makes us resourceful! It makes us fighters! We can beat them at their own game!
CAPTAIN
Then why do you think we’re dropping supplies to another garrison that’s been isolated for weeks? Why aren’t we just landing?
X0
Well, we redeployed our heavier ships. We’ve kept them from taking any of the moons.
CAPTAIN
(Turns to XO.)
Rocks. We’re fighting over rocks.
X0
Our rocks!
CAPTAIN
(Looks into the distance.)
Sarah could be down there for all I know.
(Beat.)
I knew a guy who was in the lead group when the Slimeys turned up at the Moon.
(Stares out the windshield.)
We shot first.
X0
Where is he now? I’ll call him a liar to his face.
CAPTAIN
How do think we got that green stuff in the first place? His boat was lost a month ago. Bunch a good guys gone.
X0
Convenient.
CAPTAIN
Friendly fire. Very convenient.
X0
So it’s a cover up now?
CAPTAIN
(Looks at XO, but says nothing.)
X0
(A bit upset.)
Command wouldn’t do that.
CAPTAIN
Mars? We would never have had a chance if we hadn’t copied everything we could from them.
X0
Like I said, we beat them at their own game!
CAPTAIN
We’ve done something wrong.
(Pause)
Sometimes, I think about dropping this boat right on top of those bums at headquarters.
X0
That’s sedition!
CAPTAIN
Or martyrdom. Quick way to notoriety.
X0
Martyr? You really shouldn’t say stuff like that.
CAPTAIN
You’re right. Better chance of surviving in the brig on Earth.
X0
(Looks at the Captain for a moment.)
One minute to drop zone.
CAPTAIN
Okay, crew, time to earn your money. Heat 'em up!
GUNNERS ENTER FROM THE WINGS.
X0
Call 'em out!
STERN GUN
Stern gun aye!
BOW GUN
Bow gun aye!
UPPER GUN
Upper gun ready!
LOWER GUN
Lower aye!
XO
Cargo bay open. Ready for release.
CAPTAIN
Get a fix on the squadron. Lock in course for the run.
X0
Roger that. We got incoming.
UPPER GUN
Got Slimeys up high!
BOW GUN
Another wing at four o’clock!
STERN GUN
Slimeys niner, down low.
CAPTAIN
Geez. Open fire!
BOW GUN
Lot of 'em out there.
LOWER GUN
Squadron taking fire.
STERN GUN
There’s a bunch on our six! Never seen so many!
UPPER GUN
We need more juice for the guns!
BOW GUN
Can’t recharge fast enough!
UPPER GUN
They’re getting in close!
(All crew reacts to a direct hit.)
CAPTAIN
Ugh! Are we there yet?
X0
We’re gonna get hammered! Entering Drop Zone now!
CAPTAIN
Drop Cargo!
X0
Roger that! Load away!
LOWER GUN
My gun’s dead! My gun’s dead!
CAPTAIN
Prepare for–
(All crew reacts to a direct hit.)
(LOWER GUN turns back to audience)
Damn! Damage report!
XO
Got some hull damage. Down a gun. Still got power.
CAPTAIN
Gimme speed! Prepare for evasive action!
X0
We can’t break formation yet!
CAPTAIN
Hell with that rule! We’re outta here!
STERN GUN
They’re breaking off! Not following!
CAPTAIN
What happened back there? Report!
UPPER GUN
Wilson’s hit. Carter’s with him now.
CAPTAIN
Carter–!
UPPER GUN
He’s got his hands full, Captain. Looks bad.
CAPTAIN
What’s on the radar?
X0
Nothing, sir. The enemy is holding position.
CAPTAIN
And the rest of the squadron?
X0
There’s nothing on the scanner, sir.
CAPTAIN
None?! Just us?
X0
Yes, sir.
CAPTAIN
They’ve got us figured out.
(Pause)
What does that make us?