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EXACT
TIME - In 1969, Edwin Link discovered
one of the most famous pocket watches made in Amsterdam in 1686, stopped at exactly 11:43. It
was an elegant brass piece, giving the exact time of the earthquake: 17 minutes to noon; 11:43.
<<<
SCENE 4
John
Storm is persuaded by Charley Temple and Doctor
Roberta Treadstone to proceed to Jamaica urgently, requested by
UNESCO, to catalogue the archaeological remains of the underwater
city, Port Royal, using the Elizabeth Swann's ultra modern array of subsea survey sensors, worried that another quake threatens to wipe out all
records from the last survey in 1981. They plan to make the submerged city a
UNESCO World Heritage
Site.
Dr.
Treadstone is aware of his expertise as a diver and archaeological
knowledge, but cannot figure out how he manages to come out of some of his escapades
unharmed. Which is why Blue
Shield call on the ocean adventurer from time to time -
SCENE: SUNKEN
CITY SECRETS
EXT. CARIBBEAN SEA - DAY
The Elizabeth
Swann, a sleek, modern hydrogen-powered vessel, cruises smoothly along the southern coast of Jamaica, heading west. The sky is a perfect, cloudless blue.
INT. HELM - ELIZABETH SWANN - DAY
CAPTAIN JOHN STORM (40s, thoughtful, capable) stands at the helm. DAN HAWK (20s, energetic, tech-savvy) sits at the control console, a look of boyish anticipation on his face.
PATRISHA LEOPARD (CLEOPATRA) (ageless, beautiful, with a mischievous glint) leans against the console beside Dan, a slight shiver running through her despite the warmth.
JOHN
Perfect weather, Hal.
HAL (V.O. - calm, synthesized)
That it be, Captain. The Elizabeth Swann is currently traversing the waters adjacent to Kingston Harbour, situated between 17 degrees 57 minutes North and 76 degrees 44 minutes West.
JOHN
Yes, thanks, Hal.
John glances at Cleopatra, a hint of weariness in his eyes from their recent adventure. He turns back to the viewscreen.
DAN
What are we looking for, Skip?
PATRISHA (dryly)
Just a survey of another sunken city.
She shrugs, a playful smile touching her lips, then shivers again.
PATRISHA (to herself, almost a whisper)
Hopefully no more icy welcomes from the deep.
JOHN
In 1692, a tsunami swallowed up old Port
Royal. There’s been another quake recently, and Blue Shield wants a detailed survey of what might be worth protecting. The last comprehensive study was done back in 1990.
DAN
If Blue Shield are interested right now, something must have significant cultural value.
PATRISHA
Yes, and don’t forget Charley’s in on this one too.
JOHN
She is a very good friend. A good friend with… a knack for these things. A spooky sixth sense, you might say.
DAN
Attractive too.
JOHN
A bonus. Helps her get where she needs to be. But not a patch on your radiance this morning.
Cleopatra blushes, a rare and charming sight. Dan, meanwhile, is watching the main viewscreen where HAL’s avatar is subtly shifting, almost pulling funny faces.
DAN
Hal, would you calculate a grid pattern search of the sunken city, please? And send up the drone for an aerial view. Might give us a better overview.
HAL (V.O.)
Displaying now, Dan.
A detailed grid pattern overlays the sonar image of the seabed on the main screen. A roof panel on the Elizabeth Swann silently slides open, revealing a docking station with a sleek DRONE charging on a pad. With a high-pitched whir of rotors, the drone lifts off and speeds away ahead of the ship.
John and Dan watch the drone become a distant speck. Patrisha moves closer to the console.
PATRISHA
Make room.
John and Dan shuffle aside, making space for her.
HAL (V.O.)
There are three screens, one for each helm position. The drone camera feed is on the other screen.
JOHN
The AI has calculated a grid search pattern that should help us identify anything new or out of the ordinary by comparing it with pre-quake data. We already have records of some ruins from surveys in ’59 and ’90.
DAN
The water’s so murky down there, visibility is practically zero. A lot of the old surveys were done by touch, just feeling around in the silt.
HAL (V.O.)
That is why our capabilities are required. Our sensor array allows for virtual visibility, exceeding even a dolphin’s sonar or a shark’s pressure sensors. The data captured by our advanced split beam sonar and other instruments is converted into precise geographical image maps.
JOHN
Hurricane Charlie in ’51 pretty much destroyed what was left of the above-water structures of Port Royal. An archaeological disaster. But miraculously, some of the submerged buildings are incredibly well-preserved. It’s believed to be one of the best-preserved underwater cities in the world.
PATRISHA (intrigued)
Like magic. If only Marc Antony could see this…
John exchanges a quick glance with Dan, acknowledging the unexpected blast from Cleopatra’s past.
JOHN
So far, detailed data has been collected from eight submerged buildings, an unrivalled collection of in situ artifacts. The site is on a tentative list for UNESCO World Heritage status. And would you believe, from 1597 to 1994, the city was hit by at least forty-seven hurricanes and major storms, nine significant earthquakes, and two major fires.
DAN
No way. And people still live there?
JOHN
As you can see from the scan data… Wow. Will you look at that. It’s like walking through the ruins of Herculaneum, only underwater.
The Elizabeth Swann begins its pre-planned grid search, changing course with smooth, silent precision thanks to its advanced AI navigation.
PATRISHA
Hercu-what now?
JOHN
It’s a large town near Pompeii in Italy, Patrisha. Destroyed by Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. Buried under volcanic ash. If you’re interested in excavations, it’s worth a visit. Happened just over a hundred years after…
John stops himself abruptly. The Swann completes another traverse.
HAL (V.O.)
Survey completed, Captain Storm.
John smiles faintly at the formality. The sonar scan now displays hundreds of submerged metal objects invisible to standard sonar. Most of the 17th-century city remains are under forty feet of water.
JOHN
A chap called Edwin Link and his wife Marion pioneered the exploration of this site between ’56 and ’69. Started as amateurs, built their own underwater exploration vessel, the Sea Diver. In their first ten-week expedition, they uncovered brick walls and a cannon from a fort, with help from the Smithsonian, the US Navy, National Geographic, and the Jamaican government.
HAL (V.O.)
Indeed. And it was Mr. Link who famously discovered the brass pocket watch that stopped at noon on the 7th of June, 1692, as the sea engulfed its wearer.
JOHN
True. And would you believe that a frigate named HMS Swann was washed over the rooftops of Port Royal by the tsunami as the buildings sank?
DAN (groaning)
Thanks for that, Skip.
Dan rubs his temples, a superstitious unease creeping into his expression.
JOHN
Okay. So, the survey shows the recent tremor has caused some minor changes to the seabed, but all the key buildings appear structurally sound. UNESCO and Jamaica will be pleased. However… there is a mound that was not visible in previous surveys, at the site of the old Palisadoes Cemetery.
Dan scratches his chin thoughtfully.
DAN
We still don’t know why Blue Shield were involved in this.
HAL (V.O.)
It is probable that such disturbances attract opportunistic divers who may seek to pilfer artifacts without proper reporting. These artifacts could then be sold on unregulated platforms, potentially funding illicit activities.
JOHN
Hold that thought, Hal. This ‘mound’… our scanners are unable to penetrate whatever is inside. Funny how the Texas A&M Institute of Nautical Archaeology missed that in over ten years of digging around in the 1980s.
DAN
Shall I prepare the ROV, Skipper?
JOHN
Yes, please, Dan. Oh, and recall the drone, Hal. Thanks.
John’s gaze is fixed on the mysterious mound on the sonar display, a flicker of intrigue in his eyes.
FADE OUT
>>>
SCENE 6
Damn you for Villains, who are you? And, from whence came you? The Lieutenant made him Answer, You may see by our Colours we are no
Pyrates. Black-beard bid him send his Boat on Board, that he might see who he was; but Mr. Maynard reply'd thus; I cannot spare my Boat, but I will come aboard of you as soon as I can, with my Sloop. Upon this, Black-beard took a Glass of Liquor and drank to him with these Words: Damnation seize my Soul if I give you Quarters, or take any from you. In Answer to which, Mr. Maynard told him,
that he expected no Quarters from him, nor should he give him any.
UNESCO
and Blue Shield work together to protect heritage sites from looters, under
the tenets of the Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property
in Armed Conflict 1954.
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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