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SCENE 3
SCENE: SPARRING SESSION
INT. ELIZABETH SWANN HELM - DAY
The helm of the hydrogen ship, ELIZABETH
SWANN, is sleek and modern, dominated by holographic displays and touchscreens. Yet, mounted on the polished bulkhead behind the central console, two antique pirate cutlasses gleam under the soft ambient lighting.
CAPTAIN JOHN STORM (40s, capable, with a thoughtful intensity) and
DAN HAWK
(20s, energetic, tech-savvy) stand in the spacious area before the console, both wearing comfortable, shipboard attire. Dan gestures towards the antique swords with admiration.
DAN: You know, Captain, these old blades have seen some action. Imagine the stories they could tell.
John steps closer, running a hand along the weathered hilt of one.
JOHN: They do have a certain… presence. Reminders of a wilder time on these oceans. Though I prefer our
hydrogen power to relying on the whims of the wind.
DAN: Agreed. Speaking of the future… check this out.
Dan taps on a wrist-mounted device. The air in front of them shimmers, and a detailed holographic environment materializes: a stylized dojo with glowing geometric patterns. Two translucent, hilt-like objects appear in their hands – dummy light sabres, their energy blades crackling softly.
DAN (CONT'D): My latest VR sparring program. Full haptic feedback, customizable opponents… but today, it’s Captain vs. First Mate. Ready for some light saber dueling, Captain?
John grins, a spark of playful competitiveness in his eyes.
JOHN: Lead the way, Mr. Hawk. Though I suspect your futuristic weaponry won’t prepare you for a good old-fashioned cutlass.
They take up fighting stances, the dummy light sabres humming.
HAL (V.O. - Calm, synthesized voice): Commencing VR Sparring Simulation. Opponents: Storm, J. – Hawk, D. Scoring enabled. First to ten points wins.
Dan lunges, his light sabre flashing in a swift arc. John parries with surprising agility, the energy blades clashing with a satisfying snap-hiss.
HAL (V.O.): Hawk, one point.
JOHN: Beginner's luck.
They circle each other, a playful tension in the air. Dan attacks again, a flurry of quick strikes. John defends expertly, his movements precise and economical. He counters, his dummy light sabre tagging Dan’s shoulder.
HAL (V.O.): Storm, one point. Tie score.
After several more exchanges, John’s superior tactical awareness and surprising skill become evident. He anticipates Dan’s moves, blocks effortlessly, and lands clean hits.
HAL (V.O.): Storm, three points. Hawk, one point.
HAL (V.O.): Storm, five points. Hawk, two points.
Dan, panting slightly, lowers his dummy light saber.
DAN: Okay, Captain. You’ve clearly got some hidden Jedi skills. All that quiet contemplation on the bridge must be paying off.
JOHN (Chuckles): Or maybe I watched a few too many holovids of ancient Earth sword fights.
DAN: Well, prepare for a serious upgrade. Next round, no mercy!
They resume sparring, but the pattern continues. John consistently outmaneuvers and outfights Dan in the VR environment.
HAL (V.O.): Storm, eight points. Hawk, three points.
HAL (V.O.): Storm, ten points. Simulation terminated. Winner: Storm, J.
Dan removes his VR headset, a sheepish grin on his face.
DAN: Alright, alright. You win. But VR isn't everything, Captain. It’s just… pixels and light.
John raises an eyebrow, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
JOHN: Is that a challenge, Mr. Hawk?
He gestures towards the antique cutlasses on the wall. Dan’s eyes widen.
DAN: You’re not serious… with those?
JOHN: For a bit of fun, as you said. Safety first.
John retrieves the two cutlasses. Dan watches with a mixture of apprehension and excitement. John carefully caps the sharp tips of both blades with soft, brightly colored protectors. He then tosses one to Dan.
JOHN (CONT'D): Padded jackets are in the locker. Let’s see if your VR skills translate to a bit of old-world swashbuckling.
They don thick, padded jackets. Dan cautiously takes a fencing stance, holding the capped cutlass somewhat awkwardly. John, however, moves with a natural grace, his stance balanced and his blade held with confident ease.
DAN: Uh, Captain? You… you seem surprisingly comfortable with that thing.
JOHN: One never knows what skills might come in handy on the high seas, Mr. Hawk.
They begin to spar. Dan is enthusiastic but clearly outmatched. John’s movements are fluid and precise, disarming Dan with swift flicks of his wrist. The capped blades clang harmlessly against their padded jackets.
JOHN: En garde!
Clang! John’s blade knocks Dan’s weapon out of his hand. It clatters to the deck.
DAN: Okay, you got lucky that time.
Dan retrieves his sword. They engage again. This time, John feints left, then swiftly attacks Dan’s exposed side, his capped blade tapping the padding.
DAN: Agh! You’re too fast! You would have had me.
Again, they reset. Dan tries a more aggressive approach, but John effortlessly parries and counters, his movements almost balletic. He delivers a gentle tap to Dan’s chest with his capped blade.
DAN: Right through the heart. You’re a natural, Captain. Where did you learn to do that?
One final exchange. John, with a flourish, spins his cutlass and cleanly disarms Dan once more, then holds the capped tip of his blade inches from Dan’s throat.
DAN (Smiling wryly): Alright, alright! I yield! You are definitely the swashbuckling master, Captain. VR is no match for the real deal, especially in your hands. I am thoroughly outclassed.
John lowers his sword, a satisfied grin on his face.
JOHN: Just a bit of fun, Mr. Hawk. And a reminder that sometimes, the old ways still have their merits.
HAL (V.O.): Observation: Commander Storm demonstrates a significantly higher proficiency in simulated and physical bladed combat compared to
Navigator Hawk. Efficiency rating: Storm, 98%. Hawk, 42%. Recommend further training for
Mr Hawk.
Dan throws his hands up in mock surrender.
DAN: Thanks, Hal. Always supportive.
John claps Dan on the shoulder, the camaraderie between them evident.
JOHN: Next time, we’ll stick to drone piloting, Mr. Hawk. That seems more your forte.
Dan laughs, picking up his capped cutlass.
DAN: Agreed, Captain. Agreed. But I’m not giving up on the light sabers just yet. There’s still room for improvement… and maybe a few more unexpected wins.
They share a look, the friendly rivalry continuing as they return the antique swords to their display.
FADE OUT
>>>
SCENE 4
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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