|
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 17
EXT. UNDERWATER WRECK SITE – NIGHT
The abyss is dark, only punctuated by the narrow beam of JOHN
STORM’s dive light. His high-tech suit glimmers subtly against ancient shadows. Below him lies the sprawling wreck of a privateer
ship - its decks encrusted with barnacles, its once-proud hull now draped in
marine
detritus, and - a ghostly specter - the swirling, tattered remains of a discarded fishing
net.
JOHN (V.O.) (soft, reverent) Each relic of this sunken vessel is a page of
history - a story entrusted to the depths. I’m here not to claim this treasure for greed, but to safeguard it as the legacy of those long departed.
A metallic click resonates in his helmet as he switches his comm channel. The reassuring, measured voices of his team puncture the eerie silence.
DAN HAWK (V.O.) John, remember: HAL’s reading show an unstable grid in that net. Proceed with the utmost care; the last thing we need is to provoke a collapse of the cargo hold.
HAL (V.O.) (analytical, calm) Analysis confirms that any abrupt movement increases the entanglement risk by 32%. Maintain a steady course. Every shift in current might compromise not only our data but the integrity of this cultural artifact.
As John drifts closer, his mind flashes back to countless hours deciphering the wooden
carving - an enigmatic code unearthed from Blackbeard’s coffin and reinforced by clues from Henry Morgan’s remains. His conviction is now as palpable as the salty water surrounding him.
JOHN (V.O.) That carved message… It wasn’t merely a treasure map. It was a
testament - a coded call to protect what once sailed the high seas. I owe it to history, to every life that has tied its fate to these
waters.
With deliberate slowness, John raises his underwater recording device. The camera’s view reveals piles of aged
gold
coinage, shimmering silver
filigree, and clusters of
gemstones
that catch his light like scattered stars. The ghost net, draped almost ceremonially about the wreck, sways like a spectral
marketplace - a reminder of both nature’s reclaiming power and man’s careless discard.
JOHN (into comm, steady but low) I’m capturing every detail. This archive will serve as our video schedule of
contents - irrefutable evidence of heritage, not plunder. The data goes directly to
Blue
Shield; it’s our safeguard against those who’d wield legal force to wrest the location away.
A subtle tremor in the net signals the capricious nature of the deep. John pauses, hovering motionless as fragments of plastic drift past, remnants of a world that once marveled at the sea’s bounty and now mar its purity.
HAL (V.O.) Alert: currents fluctuate. Adjust trajectory by 5° starboard. Minimize contact with the net’s perimeter.
John carefully maneuvers around an entangled section, the underwater ballet unfolding with medicated precision. His face, though hidden behind a visor, reflects the gravity of his
responsibility - not only to history but to the future preservation of this site. Above the
water, the stealth-mode Elizabeth Swann looms silently, a floating guardian amidst the looming shadows of
Royal Navy and
Spanish Armada blockades.
DAN HAWK (V.O.) Remember, John: This isn’t salvage. Our goal is a legally binding agreement for
UNESCO
world
heritage site designation. In doing so, we protect this vital piece of history from the machinations of power-hungry empires.
John’s gloved hand tightly grips the camera as he records a sweeping panorama of the wreck and its cargo. His tone is resolute.
JOHN (quiet determination) I won’t be forced to yield the secrets of these depths. They belong to
history - and to humanity. Let those who wish to exploit them know: every frame, every record, stands as proof that this legacy is preserved, not pillaged.
A current surges unexpectedly, nearly tugging at John’s tether. With a sharp intake of breath, he regains
control - balancing his dive with a mix of instinct and learned precision. In that heartbeat of peril, his eyes capture one final, breathtaking image of the treasure’s glint before he slowly ascends.
EXT. UNDERWATER WRECK SITE – NIGHT
John Storm drifts near the gleaming wreck, his light scanning for every detail. Suddenly, an unexpected cool
wave - a freak thermocline - sweeps across the scene. Far in the distance, a flimsy nylon net, drifting like a phantom, is caught and redirected by the shifting current.
JOHN (V.O.) (uneasy) I thought I was swimming clear... but sometimes the sea has its own plans.
Before he can react, the drifting net wafts into his path and coils around him with lightning speed. John’s limbs twist as the synthetic strands tighten, and memories
flash - countless underwater photographs of turtles, whales, and even sharks struggling and drowning in similar entanglements. His pulse races as panic begins to seep in.
Through intercom static, his suit crackles to life with urgent distress signals.
JOHN (into comm, strained) I'm caught - entangled in a net! It’s tightening... I can barely move!
Cut to:
INT. BRIDGE OF THE ELIZABETH SWANN – SIMULTANEOUS
Dan Hawk’s eyes widen as he reads the signal. On a separate channel, HAL’s cool, calm digital voice cuts through the tension.
DAN HAWK (V.O., urgent but steady) John, steady now. Remember when you and
Shui Razor freed Kuna near Fraser Island? You handled that with
precision - focus and deliberate cuts. I’m suiting up for a rescue.
HAL (V.O., analytical) John, listen carefully. Check your cylinder pressure
- your oxygen is depleting. Do you see your gauge? Assess your status and locate the cutting tool in your kit.
Back underwater, John’s gloved hands fumble around his utility pouch. He retrieves his compact cutter. The net’s nylon strands tighten further every second while his mind churns with memories of the baby
humpback
whale, Kuna, whose rescue always reminded him of the sea’s fragile balance.
JOHN (breathing heavily, with strained determination) I… I remember Kuna…
Shui
Razor’s calm precision. I’ve got one arm free now - I'll start at the edge of the net.
With measured movements, John starts slicing through the encasing strands. His cutter bites into the tough nylon as he fights the panicked pull of the current and the net.
DAN HAWK (V.O., encouraging) That’s it, John. Use slow, deliberate cuts. One slice at a
time - like you did with Kuna. Stay focused on freeing yourself. I’m right beside you, ready to dive in if needed.
HAL (V.O., reassuring) I’m alerting the Mexican Navy support team
- they’re on standby. John, minimize sudden movements; maintain your position. Your oxygen gauge shows you're
low - approximately 35% remaining. Every second counts.
John’s vision flickers between the tightening net and the fading numbers on his diving cylinder. Tears of salt water mix with determination as he recalls those heart-wrenching images of marine life lost to such hazards.
JOHN (into comm, voice wavering yet resolute) I’m cutting through the
strands - focusing on steady, precise moves. I won’t let this become another tragedy... not for me, not for those we’ve saved.
The net’s grip loosens incrementally as John works methodically. Each controlled cut recalls the coordinated rescue of
Kuna - a testament to his resilience and the support of his crew.
DAN HAWK (V.O.) Keep going, John. I see some slack now. Hold on just a bit longer. I’m preparing to breach the water if I need to haul you in.
HAL (V.O.) Excellent progress. Once you’re free, signal immediately. Your next steps are critical, and we must get you to safety without disturbing the site further.
With one final determined slice, the last strands snap. John’s arms and legs are finally liberated, though his diving cylinder’s gauge warns him of imminent depletion. He floats, gasping for regulated breaths as his heart steadies—a blend of relief and lingering worry.
JOHN (into comm, catching his breath) I’m free. Extraction required
- oxygen is low. I’m holding on.
In the control room above, Dan Hawk tightens his resolve, suiting up for an immediate underwater rescue, while HAL finalizes the call to the Mexican Navy for backup.
DAN HAWK (V.O.) Understood, John. Stay with me - we’re almost there.
HAL (V.O.) Mexican Navy backup is en route. Maintain your position. I’m monitoring every drop on your pressure gauge. We’ll have you out in no time.
John steadies himself amid the muted blue of the underwater world. The
incident - a collision of nature’s unpredictable power and man’s enduring
spirit - reminds him of the delicate balance he must uphold. With his loyal crew guiding him through, the legacy of the deep and the precious cargo of history remains in safe hands.
EXT. ETHEREAL DECK – NIGHT
A ghostly, moonlit deck appears aboard a spectral vessel drifting between the realms of the living and the dead. The sea beyond shimmers with uncanny light. Two
figures - GHOST OF BLACKBEARD (Edward Teach)* and GHOST OF
HENRY
MORGAN - stand at the helm, their eyes fixed on the underwater drama unfolding below.*
GHOST OF BLACKBEARD (with a deep, gravelly tone): “Avast, ye scallywag! Look ye now—our living mate John Storm be tanglin’ in this cursed
plastic web. Shiver me bones, ‘tis a sight fit to chill the marrow!”
GHOST OF HENRY MORGAN (dryly, with a hint of admiration and concern): “Aye, Blackbeard, ‘tis a close shave indeed. If he doth not cut his freedom swift-like afore his breath be snatched away, our hope to reclaim that ill-starred booty be doomed.”
Below, through the dark watery depths, John’s struggling form is barely visible as he fights to free himself from the nylon net. His every twist recalls the perilous dance of past maritime tragedies.
GHOST OF BLACKBEARD (raising a transparent hand in a mocking salute): “I wager me last
doubloon that our daring buccaneer cuts through them tangled threads in time. Else, the treasure I
covet - booty I ne’er held in life - will remain as lost as Davy Jones’ locker!”
GHOST OF HENRY MORGAN (smirking spectral grin): “Yar, if he be victorious, then mark me, our fortunes may yet be reversed. But should he succumb to the watery depths, it be the end of our ghostly reign o’er these sunken spoils, aye?”
The ghostly figures continue to watch as John, his face set with determined grit visible even behind his dive mask, methodically works his cutter along the edges of the net. The spectral air is filled with their lively wager as ancient voices echo over the eternal waves.
GHOST OF BLACKBEARD: “Blow me down! See him go - like the wind through riggin’ in a tempest. That be the heart of a true buccaneer! I’ll wager a chest of Spanish doubloons that he be free afore his last breath is exhaled.”
GHOST OF HENRY MORGAN (softly, almost reverently): “A fine wager indeed. For if his valor prevails, our cursed treasure, ripped from our grasp so long ago, shall come forth from the depths, and our names shall sail once more upon fortune’s tide. But if not, then
alas - our hopes be dashed like a run aground brig in a storm.”
The camera lingers on the ghostly duo as their forms shudder with anticipation. Their spectral eyes follow every pulse of John’s
struggle - a reflection of battles once fought on roaring seas, of heirs to fortune yet deprived by fate.
GHOST OF BLACKBEARD (in a hopeful whisper): “Let the fates decide, matey. For a life well fought below shall tip the
scales - if our living comrade cuts free, then we be one step closer to reclaiming what was ours by right of blood and legend.”
GHOST OF HENRY MORGAN: “Aye, and may our fortunes be reborn on that day, when John Storm, against all odds, defies even the grips of ghostly plastic. Until then, we watch and wager, our hearts forever tied to the treasures of the deep.”
The scene fades as the ghostly duo’s voices merge with the sound of the surging
sea - a timeless reminder that legends, whether of mortal daring or spectral longing, are forever interwoven with the ocean’s endless mysteries.
CUT TO:
INT. BRIDGE OF THE ELIZABETH SWANN – NIGHT
On the ship’s sleek control panel, DAN HAWK and HAL’s digital interface monitor the live feed with intensity. Charts and coordinates blur against rapidly updating legal briefs and heritage proposals. Their focus is
clear - the safeguarding of history has become a high-stakes chess match against those who would see the wreck exploited.
INT. BRIDGE OF THE ELIZABETH SWANN – NIGHT
The bridge is dimly lit as alarms and gauge readouts flicker. JOHN STORM, still catching his breath after narrowly escaping entanglement in a drifting ghost net, paces around a compact radio console. His voice, though measured, is laced with anger and urgency.
JOHN (into radio, controlled fury) Dr. Treadstone, this is John Storm. I just had a near-death run-in with a
plastic ghost
net - nearly drowned thanks to modern marine detritus. I’m mad as hell, and not just for my sake but for all those marine creatures suffering silently.
There’s a brief pause as static clears. The calm yet authoritative voice of
DR. ROBERTA TREADSTONE comes through, carrying both concern and determination.
DR. TREADSTONE (V.O.) John, I’ve been following your progress. I understand your anger. Tell me what you’re seeing.
John glances out through a reinforced viewport at the dark sea beyond, the turmoil of his recent ordeal still vivid in his eyes.
JOHN I’ve located a major heritage site - an entire privateer wreck, dripping with treasure and history, but also teetering on the edge of being looted by unscrupulous interests. And that damn ghost net… isn’t just an entanglement
hazard - it’s a menace. It’s choking our seas and our heritage alike.
In a low and concerned tone, DAN HAWK’s voice cracks in from another channel, careful not to fan the flames but obvious worry in his tone.
DAN HAWK (V.O.) John, when you went under, my heart nearly stopped. You gave us all a
scare - we’ve been through the rescue with Kuna, remember? Today was just as critical.
HAL’s digital cadence interjects smoothly, providing situational clarity.
HAL (V.O.) Affirmative. Current readings confirm your oxygen levels are lower than ideal. We have a limited window before we need to extract you. Dr. Treadstone, I’m logging all environmental and positional data.
Back on the bridge, John clenches his fists but forces calm, his tone turning resolute as he shares the broader implications.
JOHN Dr. Treadstone, this wreck is more than treasure - it’s a time capsule of maritime legacy. We’ll use all recordings as evidence. But further, I’m thinking we push for an international mandate. Tag every
fishing net, recover them whenever possible. Ghost nets aren’t just a risk to
vessels - they’re a death sentence for marine life.
There’s a pause as DR. TREADSTONE reflects on his words. Her voice, assertive and visionary, surfaces once more.
DR. TREADSTONE (V.O.) I agree, John. This isn’t merely about protecting one site. It’s an environmental crisis and a heritage crisis rolled into one. I’ll mobilize my contacts at UNESCO’s
Blue
Shield. We’ll draft a proposal for mandatory tagging and regular retrieval of ghost nets. Your findings here might be the catalyst we need to get international cooperation.
John’s voice softens for a heartbeat, tempered by relief yet still carrying the weight of his ordeal.
JOHN Thank you, Roberta. I just… I can’t watch our oceans turn into floating landfills. I need to ensure that these sites are preserved, not plundered by territorial powers or corporate greed. I’m risking my life here for something bigger than treasure.
During a brief lull, DAN HAWK’s calm yet urgent voice surfaces again, emphasizing camaraderie and caution.
DAN HAWK (V.O.) John, stay steady. We nearly lost you today -
you’re too valuable to let slip back into the depths. I’m suiting up on the next dive, in case you need immediate extraction.
HAL interjects, providing a succinct update.
HAL (V.O.) Additional support is being coordinated. The Mexican Navy standby is on call, and I’m monitoring your cylinder pressure closely.
John inhales deeply, regaining his composure as he stands amidst the quiet hum of the ship’s control systems. His eyes, though still burning with indignation, reveal a man determined to protect both history and the ocean.
JOHN Understood. I’ll hold this position until I can get further clearance from you, Roberta. Let’s make sure that this
site - and our seas - are safeguarded for future generations.
Dr. Treadstone’s affirmation comes through, steadying the turbulent atmosphere.
DR. TREADSTONE (V.O.) We’ve got your back, John. I’ll keep the channels open. Stay safe.
The camera slowly pans over the bridge as the team - human ingenuity, decisiveness, and the support of international
cooperation - rises to meet the challenges set by a capricious ocean and human carelessness.
>>>
SCENE 19
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.
|
