|
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.
<<<
SCENE 15
SHADOW
BLOCKADE AND SHIFTING ALLIANCES
INT. BRIDGE - ELIZABETH SWANN - NIGHT
John Storm paces the bridge, the holographic displays showing sensor readings and navigational charts. He’s in contact with HAL, the ship’s AI.
HAL (V.O.): Commander Storm, I am detecting increased naval activity in the southwestern
Caribbean. Primarily British and Spanish vessels. Their deployment patterns suggest a blockade formation, focusing on the passages around Santa Catalina and Providence Islands.
JOHN: Maynard. He’s not letting go. He must have made a
deal, he's not about to let the treasure slip through his hands for a
second time.
HAL (V.O.): Confirmed. Intercepted encrypted communications indicate a cooperative agreement between
Royal Navy Commander James Maynard and elements within the
Spanish
Navy. Their stated objective is to interdict any vessel attempting to transit the area with significant bullion. Prize protocols are being discussed.
JOHN: Prize ships… they’re going to try and seize the Swann and the Hispaniola. The gold. They think it’s theirs.
HAL (V.O.): Their justification, based on historical records, cites the Spanish origin of the Aztec treasure and Commander Maynard’s ancestral involvement with Blackbeard, who they believe possessed knowledge of its final location.
JOHN: Blackbeard died before he could tell anyone. Maynard’s ancestor got nothing but a corpse. And now this Maynard thinks he has a right to what
Morgan
liberated fair and square?
HAL (V.O.): Logic suggests a tenuous claim at best. However, their naval presence is substantial.
A separate holographic window flickers to life, displaying an intercepted text-based communication.
HAL (V.O. - Reading): “Nicaraguan authorities have acknowledged the situation but maintain a position of neutrality regarding the disposition of the treasure.”
Another window displays further intercepts.
HAL (V.O. - Reading): “Mexican and
Panamanian governments have declined Commander Maynard’s invitation to participate in the blockade. Their official statement expresses ‘significant concerns regarding the potential infringement of international maritime law and the principles of cultural heritage.’ They further note that the
Colombian Archipelago, where the
treasure was recently located, is surrounded by international waters, rendering the proposed blockade a questionable act.”
John lets out a frustrated sigh.
JOHN: At least some nations have a sense of international law. But Maynard and the Spanish… they’re a law unto themselves.
Suddenly, another communication alert chimes. HAL displays a heavily encrypted message originating from the
Hispaniola.
HAL (V.O.): Captain Storm, a secure transmission from Longstride. He appears to be in communication with Commander Maynard.
The holographic display shows a fragmented and distorted audio-visual feed of JOHN LONGSTRIDE on the bridge of the
Hispaniola, speaking to an unseen figure.
LONGSTRIDE (Voice distorted): …the Golden Skull… yes, I have it. But my terms remain firm, Commander. The safe return of my… associates. No harm shall come to them. That was the agreement.
MAYNARD (Voice distorted, echoing from Longstride’s end): The agreement was for the skull, Longstride. The gold is the priority now. Your… associates are leverage.
LONGSTRIDE (Voice strained): Leverage, yes. But not casualties. I made it clear. No bloodshed.
MAYNARD: Circumstances change. The Spanish are eager. Don’t push your luck, pirate. The blockade is tightening. Your only way through is cooperation.
The transmission cuts out. Long John stares at the blank screen, his expression grim.
JOHN: Longstride… he’s trying to play both sides. He wants the skull, but he doesn’t want Dan and Cleopatra hurt.
HAL (V.O.): Analysis suggests a conflict of interest within Longstride’s motivations. His earlier threat to secure hostages contrasts with his current insistence on their safety during negotiations with Commander Maynard.
JOHN: He’s stalling. He’s hoping we can get them out of this mess.
Another incoming message alert. This time, it’s Longstride directly contacting the Elizabeth Swann.
LONGSTRIDE (Holographic image, clearer now, a forced cordiality in his tone): Storm, old friend. It seems the waters are getting a tad… congested. These pesky navies, eh?
JOHN: You sold us out, Longstride. You took my ship and my crew.
LONGSTRIDE: Now, now, let’s not be hasty with accusations. Think of it as a… strategic repositioning. I might just have a way through this little blockade. Some old contacts, you see. But it requires… cooperation.
JOHN: Cooperation? After what you’ve done?
LONGSTRIDE: Look at the bigger picture, Storm. Those Spanish dogs and that pompous Maynard think they can just waltz in and take what’s ours – what will be ours. I can secure passage through their net… for both our vessels. A temporary alliance of necessity.
JOHN: What’s the price, Longstride?
LONGSTRIDE: Just a little… patience. And perhaps a show of good faith. Let’s just say I’ve painted a picture for Maynard, a picture that involves… you still having something they desperately want. Something that will take time to acquire. Enough time for us to slip through their fingers.
HAL (TELEPATHIC): Commander, Longstride’s bio-signatures indicate a high level of stress but also a calculated attempt at deception. He is likely buying time, hoping for an external resolution.
John considers Longstride’s words, his gaze hardening. He knows the pirate is untrustworthy, but the safety of Dan and Cleopatra is paramount.
JOHN: What exactly have you told Maynard, Longstride?
LONGSTRIDE (A strained smile): Just enough to keep him… intrigued. Let’s just say he believes the Golden Skull is still within your grasp, and you’re willing to negotiate its release… for safe passage. A little white lie to navigate these treacherous waters. Trust me, Storm. For once, our interests align. We both want to get out of here with our ships and our people intact.
John stares intently at Longstride’s image, searching for any flicker of truth in his eyes. He knows it’s a gamble, but with the combined might of the British and Spanish navies bearing down on them, they may have no other choice but to play along with the devil they know.
JOHN: Don’t try to double-cross me again, Longstride. If anything happens to Dan or Cleopatra…
LONGSTRIDE (Nodding emphatically): They are my insurance, Storm. Their safety is… paramount to my own. For now.
The communication ends. John turns to HAL, his expression grim.
JOHN: He’s playing a dangerous game, Hal. And he’s dragging us right into the middle of it.
HAL (V.O.): Agreed, Captain. However, his actions may provide a window of opportunity. The blockade’s focus will likely be on anticipating our movements based on Longstride’s fabricated scenario. This could create vulnerabilities we can exploit.
John nods slowly, a plan beginning to form in his mind.
JOHN: Then let’s use their assumptions against them. Longstride wants time? We’ll give him time… and then we’ll hit them where they least expect it.
CUT TO BLACK
>>>
SCENE 17
ABSTRACT:
Maynard does deal with Spanish Navy to blockade south-west Caribbean & Santa Catalina/Providence islands, to prevent John or Huntington returning to Atlantic with Blackbeard's/Morgan's gold - which they consider to be theirs - split 50-50. They are prepared to board or sink Swann and/or Hispaniola - to take as prize ships. Nicaragua remains neutral. Mexican and Panamanian governments decline offer to join group. Express concerns, as to cultural heritage, where technically a Colombian Archipelago surrounded international waters, hence they consider blockade, a pseudo act of piracy. Hal intercepts messages as watching brief. Maynard offers Longstride a deal for Aztec Golden Skull, but John Long will will not agree to harming of Dan or Cleopatra. He does secure safe passage through blockade.
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
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.
|
