M A R O O N E D - T-ISLAND SCREENPLAY

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SKELETON ISLAND - Was a pirate secret location, known only to a small number of captains by that name. But as piracy became unfashionable with mass hangings, the numbers of those in the know, dwindled. Until, all that remained was a location carved in wood. Generally hidden somewhere safe by the pirate concerned. This location was useless without a chart giving the exact position that each pirate buried their stash. The maps made on parchment, were handed down to the next generations, by way of inheritance free of taxes.

<<< CHAPTER 15.1

Back on the dock, John stood frozen, a cold dread creeping into his heart as he watched the pirates, now ensconced in the command chairs, their rough hands clumsily manipulating the advanced controls. Black Jack turned, a triumphant grin splitting his weathered face.

“Farewell, Commander Storm!” he crowed. “Enjoy your walk on the plank… metaphorically speakin’. Billy, get us out o’ here!”

With a grunt, Billy Bones engaged the propulsion systems. A low thrum vibrated through the deck as the Elizabeth Swann, John’s pride and joy, began to move, leaving him standing alone on the deserted pier.

“Hal?” John whispered into the empty air, his mind reeling. “What’s happening?”

A calm, synthesized voice, seemingly resonating within the confines of his own skull, answered. Commander Storm. Black Jack and Billy Bones have forcibly taken control of the bridge. Mr. Hawk, Doctor Cleopatra, and Crewman Tremaine have been taken as hostages aboard their vessel, designated ‘Hispaniola,’ now at anchor approximately five nautical miles to the northeast.

“Why didn’t you stop them, Hal?” John muttered under his breath, his frustration boiling. “A taser burst would have sorted them out.”

Prioritizing the safety of Mr. Hawk and Doctor Cleopatra, Hal’s telepathic voice replied, devoid of emotion. Initiating non-lethal countermeasures against the intruders at this juncture could have jeopardized their well-being. Allowing the illusion of control maintains a strategic advantage.

“Longstride…” John’s jaw clenched, a bitter taste in his mouth. “This has his stench all over it.”

Suddenly, a mental voice, clear and distinct, sliced through his turbulent thoughts. Commander Storm. Longstride is communicating via ship-to-ship comms. He is addressing you directly.

John’s hand instinctively moved towards a concealed weapon beneath his jacket. A holographic display flickered to life within the confines of his mind’s eye, revealing the smug, scarred face of John Longstride, his image projected from the bridge of his own vessel.

“Well, well, Commander Storm,” Longstride’s voice, amplified and distorted by the comms system, dripped with false cordiality. “Seems my… associates have paid you a little visit. A temporary change of ownership for your fancy hydrogen toy.”

John fought to maintain a semblance of calm. “Longstride, you’re making a mistake. This will only end badly for you.”

A harsh laugh echoed from the holographic image. “Oh, I don’t think so, Storm. Here’s the deal. You hand over the Aztec map, that golden skull you pilfered, and every shiny trinket you found in that cave. Do that, and I’ll release your little crew and even return your precious Elizabeth Swann… eventually.”

Longstride’s eyes flicked downwards, a predatory gleam momentarily visible. “Of course, accidents happen at sea, don’t they? Especially when there’s valuable cargo involved.”

Commander Storm, Hal’s telepathic voice cut in, his tone analytical and precise. Longstride’s bio-signatures indicate a high probability of deception. His stated intentions regarding the hostages and the vessel are inconsistent with his physiological responses.

John’s face hardened. He knew Longstride was lying. The pirate wanted the treasure, and he wanted the Elizabeth Swann for himself.

“You think I’m a fool, Longstride?” John’s voice, though outwardly controlled, vibrated with suppressed fury. “You’ll take the treasure and try to sell my ship for scrap.”

Longstride smirked, his image flickering slightly. “You wound me, Commander. Such distrust! But time is wasting. Make your choice. The clock is ticking for your friends.”

The transmission ended, leaving John staring at the blank space where Longstride’s face had been. His mind raced, a whirlwind of anger and calculation.

“He’s not getting away with this,” John said aloud, his voice low and dangerous.

Agreed, Skipper, Hal’s voice resonated within his mind. I have been continuously monitoring the intruders’ actions and the location of the Hispaniola. Preparations for retrieval are underway.

“Good,” John replied, a determined glint igniting in his eyes. “Let’s make sure Longstride regrets the day he set foot on my, er, our - ship.”

John turned, his gaze fixed on the distant horizon where the Hispaniola lay at anchor. He knew he had to play Longstride’s game for now, but he also knew Hal was his secret weapon. The rescue had already begun, silently and invisibly, within the intricate circuits of the Elizabeth Swann.

>>> CHAPTER 16

ABSTRACT: John Longstride orders Black Jack and Billy Bones to kidnap Dan Hawk and Cleopatra the pirates going onboard the Elizabeth Swann as supposed friend-lies - then capture and lock Dan and Cleopatra in the Hispaniola ship, now anchored in new location. The pirates tied up their new captives with Scott Tremaine, to be used as hostage leverage. Then, Jack and Billy steal the Elizabeth Swann. The pirates think they have control of the Swann, but in reality the onboard AI, Hal, allows that illusion, not wanting to Taser the illicit guests until Dan and Cleopatra are safely recovered. Hal alerts John Storm to these events telepathically via BioCore, when Longstride tips his hand, saying give us the map, the golden skull and cave contents and we'll release hostages on the Hispaniola and return the Elizabeth Swann. Of course he is lying. He plans to keep the Elizabeth Swann, and try and sell the ship, or parts of it on the black market.

HURRICANE IOTA NOVEMBER 2020 - Providencia (boat dock) and Santa Catalina were ravaged by extreme weather when heading into 2021.

The small Colombian island of Providencia was hit hard by the powerful Category-5 hurricane Iota, which caused severe damage to the majority of local’s homes and the already scant public infrastructure.

At that time, Colombia’s President, Ivan Duque, said it is the first Category 5 – the most serious of hurricanes – to hit the Andean nation in its history.

Providencia island had a population of 5,000 people and is part of the Archipelago of San Andres, Providencia and Santa Catalina located in the Caribbean Sea about 775km (481 miles) northwest of mainland Colombia. Geographically, it is closer to the central American country of Nicaragua.

The hurricane was first considered a Category 2 but just before passing Providencia it developed into a Category-5 tropical cyclone which NASA said can have wind speeds of up to 253km/h (157mph) and has the ability to cause catastrophic damage.

Neighbouring larger island San Andres also faced damage to its infrastructure, albeit less intense. Northern Colombian coastal cities, like Cartagena, have flooded and are battling high winds.

According to the United States Office of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 2020 has had the highest hurricane activity in the Atlantic since official records began in 1851.

PROLOGUE: ROYAL AFRICAN COMPANY - King Charles II, Royal Charter James Stuart II, transport goods from Africa: Bloody Triangle.

SCENE 1. THE BATTLE OF OCRACOKE - Lt Robert Maynard, Blackbeard's curse, beheading & torturous interrogation on the Adventure 

SCENE 2. EARTHQUAKE JAMAICA - Present Day - An earthquake hits Port Royal, disturbing the sunken city & Palisadoes cemetery.

SCENE 3. BLUE SHIELD ENGLAND - Blue Shield, Newcastle UK, UNESCO requests Storm catalogue underwater city UNEP World Heritage Site.

SCENE 3.1. SWASHBUCKLING - John tries out Dan's VR sword fencing program, then duel with real pirate cutlasses, Hal keeping score.

SCENE 4. HENRY MORGAN'S DEATH - Henry Morgan has a heart attack; funeral ceremony at Palisadoes cemetery, old Port Royal.

SCENE 5. SUNKEN CITY SURVEY - Present Day, Swann's sensors scan the ocean bed, revealing mausoleum former Governor of Jamaica.

SCENE 6. JUNE 1692 TSUNAMI - Jamaica, June 7th, an earthquake hits Port Royal, then a tsunami washes the pirate haven under the sea.

SCENE 6.1. GHOSTS BLACKBEARD & MORGAN  - Spectral figures cheer on John Storm as he searches Henry's Palisadoes crypt for clues.

SCENE 7. HENRY MORGAN'S COFFIN - John Storm & ROV, comes face to face with Henry's skeletal remains. Finds interesting wooden engraving.

SCENE 8. BBC JILL BIRD - London. John Storm's finds lost Henry Morgan's pirate remains. "And for those of you wondering, there was no treasure."
SCENE 9. OPERATION HISPANIOLA - British Geographical Society, & Royal Navy fund Lord Huntington's expedition to recover relics in the Caribbean.

SCENE 10. SHIP'S COOK - William Gray helps John Long's cut-throats to crew for Huntington's Hispaniola, Long a dab hand on the galley.

SCENE 11. ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOS - Huntington (BGS bigwig) asks John Storm for help with shipwreck survey - meet in the Caribbean, Haiti.

SCENE 12. SKELETON ISLAND - Intrigued by map proffered by Lord Huntington, John agrees to switch attention to location, to coast of Panama.

SCENE 13. SANTA CATALINA - Colombian, Mexican, Panamanian, Nicaraguan patrols re: 'Satisfaction' & hunt for Aztec gold, Spanish Conquistadors.

SCENE 14. TREASURE ISLAND - Hurricane Iota erased map clues, Isla Providencia. Longstride believes location of Blackbeard's/Morgan's treasure.

SCENE 15. KIDNAP - Black Jack & Billy Bones kidnap Dan, Cleopatra - lock in Hispaniola with Tremaine. Hal alerts John to events via BioCore.

SCENE 15.1. THE GAUNTLET - With Dan and Cleopatra hostage, John challenges Black Jack to a duel, which Billy Bones ends with a pistol shot.

SCENE 15.2. MAROONED - Left of the dockside, John is forced to play along with Longstride, to give Hal time to recover situation safely.

SCENE 16. DOUBLE CROSS - Maynard pact with Spanish Navy to blockade Caribbean to capture John & Swann. Longstride deal Aztec Golden Skull.

SCENE 17. BLACKBEARD'S CURSE - John retakes Swann, Hal immobilizes Black Jack and Billy Bones and rescues prisoners on Hispaniola.

SCENE 18. MORGAN'S TREASURE SHIP - John deciphers carving code helped Dan and Cybercore Genetica. Dives to find privateer's shipwreck.

SCENE 19. BILLION DOLLAR DEAL - John negotiates with Panama, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador & Blue Shield for % salvage based on wreck video.

SCENE 20. BLOCKADE RUNNER - Swann navigates through Spanish Armada & Royal Navy blockade in stealth mode, invisible to radar.

SCENE 21. BERMUDA TRIANGLE - Pirates head into Bermuda Triangle, Colombian Navy in pursuit: BBC Sky News. Never to be seen again.

  ON JOHN LONG'S ORDERS, BILLY BONES AND BLACK JACK KIDNAP CLEOPATRA, DAN HAWK AND SCOTT TREMAINE - TREASURE ISLAND - BLACKBEARD'S CURSE & PIRATES GOLD

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