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Lord
Huntington, at the
lectern
<<<
SCENE 8
INT. BRITISH GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY - LECTURE CHAMBER - DAY
A packed lecture hall. LORD HUNTINGTON (60s, distinguished, tweed-clad) stands at a podium, a laser pointer in hand. Behind him, a large screen displays a low-resolution satellite image. Scattered throughout the audience are ROYAL NAVY ADVOCATES (various ages, sharp, observant).
LORD HUNTINGTON
Ladies and gentlemen, recent low-level satellite imagery of Port-au-Prince Sound,
Haiti, has revealed an anomaly. A wreck, previously unrecorded, of a wooden vessel exhibiting a distinct metallic signature – indicative of cannon. Given that wooden construction for this class of craft ceased post-1900… its potential historical significance is considerable.
He clicks his pointer. The screen changes to a magnified section of the satellite image.
LORD HUNTINGTON (CONT'D)
Observe this organized arrangement. These concentrated areas of metallic density. Consistent with gunports. And, dare I suggest… cannon.
A murmur ripples through the audience. Lord Huntington clicks again. The screen displays a map of Gonave Island and the waterways leading to Port-au-Prince Bay.
LORD HUNTINGTON (CONT'D)
Esteemed colleagues, the question before us: action or inaction? We have stumbled upon a potential key to a forgotten past. Should we delve deeper? A show of hands, please, for those in favour of further investigation.
Ninety percent of the hands in the room rise. All but one.
LORD HUNTINGTON (CONT'D)
Thank you. A clear consensus. And you, sir? You have a query?
All eyes turn to WILLIAM GRAY (50s, ex-Navy, intelligent, slightly rumpled), his hand still raised.
WILLIAM GRAY
William Gray, ex-Navy. A truly intriguing prospect, Lord Huntington. My question: the not-insignificant matter of funding, should an expedition be proposed – and I trust my interpretation is correct?
LORD HUNTINGTON
An astute point, Mr. Gray. This remains an informal discourse. However… Sir Rodney Baskerville is among us. Sir Rodney, might you offer your perspective?
All heads swivel to SIR RODNEY BASKERVILLE (60s, history professor, oceanographer, slightly disheveled).
SIR RODNEY BASKERVILLE
(Clearing his throat)
Hurmph. Yes. For those unfamiliar, I am a… marine archaeologist. My focus: sites of potential historical import. This… discovery… is new to me. The prospect of… further investigation… is, shall we say, compelling. Funding… ah… that is beyond my purview. But the concept… it resonates.
A low murmur of agreement fills the room. Suddenly, a BOOMING VOICE cuts through the quiet.
COMMANDER JAMES MAYNARD (O.S.)
Perhaps I might interject?
All heads turn to COMMANDER JAMES MAYNARD (40s, sharp, Royal Navy uniform), standing on the opposite side of the chamber.
LORD HUNTINGTON
Commander! Yes, please. You have something to add?
A ripple of amusement goes through the audience.
COMMANDER MAYNARD
Indeed. Commander James Maynard, Royal
Navy, maritime archaeology division. In specific circumstances, the Ministry of Defence might… assist financially. Should the Society find that… advantageous.
Spontaneous applause erupts. Lord Huntington waits for it to subside.
LORD HUNTINGTON
(Eyes wide)
Undoubtedly.
COMMANDER MAYNARD
Perhaps a discussion during the networking interval? Sir Rodney, Mr. Gray… might you join me for a beverage?
Sir Rodney looks surprised, then nods.
SIR RODNEY BASKERVILLE
Pleased to.
William Gray looks equally surprised.
WILLIAM GRAY
Oh. For sure. Gladly.
LORD HUNTINGTON
Excellent. Thirty minutes, gentlemen?
The audience nods and begins to file out. William Gray waits near the exit for Sir Rodney, Commander Maynard, and Lord Huntington.
INT. BRITISH GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY - MEMBERS' BAR - LATER
A cozy corner of the bar. LORD
HUNTINGTON, COMMANDER
MAYNARD, WILLIAM
GRAY, and SIR RODNEY BASKERVILLE sit around a small table with drinks.
LORD HUNTINGTON
Gentlemen. Sir Rodney, a long-standing member. Commander, Mr. Gray, a pleasure. The Society clearly favours a formal proposal. Regarding funding… your thoughts?
COMMANDER MAYNARD
Lord Huntington has an inkling of the Navy’s interest. Mr. Gray?
WILLIAM GRAY
(Nodding)
Ex-Navy myself. Lifelong interest in historic warships. Experience with sonar and seabed scans in the
Caribbean. My knowledge of local policies –
Brazil, Mexico – might aid in permits. Lord Huntington, you don’t yet know the wreck’s provenance, correct?
LORD HUNTINGTON
We suspect Spanish, possibly Dutch or British. Ownership… a secondary concern at this stage. The goal is exploration. The UK should be involved.
WILLIAM GRAY
Precisely my thinking. Administratively, I can assist from the outset. Berth and rations sufficient for my contribution.
LORD HUNTINGTON
Thank you, William. Well put. Sir Rodney?
Sir Rodney approaches.
SIR RODNEY BASKERVILLE
Might I join you?
COMMANDER MAYNARD
Please.
SIR RODNEY BASKERVILLE
Just wanted to offer my support to any formal proposal.
WILLIAM GRAY
(To Sir Rodney)
I’ve offered to crew, with administrative support.
COMMANDER MAYNARD
And the Royal Navy is prepared to offer initial financial assistance in exchange for data.
LORD HUNTINGTON
Most generous.
SIR RODNEY BASKERVILLE
I can second any proposal within the Society.
LORD HUNTINGTON
Excellent. William, your situation?
WILLIAM GRAY
Paperwork, vessel scouting, provisioning, crew recruitment. I can contribute to grant applications, budget preparation.
LORD HUNTINGTON
Splendid. Commander, a ballpark figure for the Navy’s contribution?
COMMANDER MAYNARD
Up to £200,000, and low-level intelligence. Confidentiality is paramount.
LORD HUNTINGTON
Understood. Total discretion until we are ready.
COMMANDER MAYNARD
Project bank details? Agreement on covered expenses – vessel, supplies, equipment hire.
Lord Huntington nods his agreement. Commander Maynard departs urgently.
INT. BRITISH GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY - LORD HUNTINGTON'S OFFICE - DAY (NEXT DAY)
Lord Huntington speaks on the phone.
LORD HUNTINGTON
…yes, a formal request for part-funding… a potential maritime archaeological discovery… matching funds… two hundred thousand pounds… excellent. Thank you, Chairman.
EXT. VARIOUS LOCATIONS - MONTAGE - DAYS LATER
- WILLIAM GRAY poring over nautical charts and contacting maritime brokers.
- LORD HUNTINGTON reviewing photographs of various yachts.
- A dilapidated
ARCTIC EXPLORATION VESSEL moored in Bristol docks.
LORD HUNTINGTON (V.O.)
Official sanction secured. Now, the vessel. A long-range capability… many redundant craft… mooring fees exceeding upkeep… deliberate sinking not uncommon…
INT. ARCTIC EXPLORATION VESSEL - BRISTOL DOCKS - DAY
Lord Huntington surveys the sturdy, if slightly neglected, vessel.
LORD HUNTINGTON (V.O.)
A former British Antarctic Expedition vessel… costly to store… a giveaway price. Perfect.
FADE OUT
>>>
SCENE 10
ABSTRACT: Lord Huntington acquires funding from the
British Geographical Society,
with Royal Navy interest in the background, for an
expedition to recover relics in the Caribbean, a shipwreck though to be rich in
archaeologically important artifacts. Though his secret agenda is to piggy
back John's operation in the search for Blackbeard's mythical hoard and the
supposedly cursed Golden
Skull. Huntington purchases an old Antarctic survey ship, renaming it 'Hispaniola'.
The Society trio includes William Gray and Sir Rodney Baskerville. The
Commander Maynard becomes more involved as the expedition progresses.
Location
map showing Port-au-Prince, Cuba and Jamaica, in the Caribbean Sea. Part of
a PowerPoint presentation used by Lord Huntington in London's British
Geographical Society.
Location
map showing Port-au-Prince Bay, Canale de la Gonave, Saint Marc. Lord
Huntington's presentation, seeking official funding for "Operation
Hispaniola.'
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.
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