MIDGAME: BRIEFING J1 - TOLWYN, EISEN -> J2BRFTL
BLAIR’S A LITTLE SURPRISED TO FIND TOLWYN RUNNING THE BRIEFING.
EISEN STANDS BY, LOOKING A LITTLE LOST: HE’S NOT USED TO ATTENDING A BRIEFING HE’S NOT GIVING.
TOLWYN
Welcome, Colonel.
-> (beat)
As you may or may not know, we are currently enroute to the Torgo System, where we will rendezvous with . . . destiny.
TOLWYN CAN’T HELP BUT SMILE WITH PRIDE AS HE USES A HAND-HELD REMOTE DEVICE TO CUE UP A 3-D HOLO MODEL OF A SHIP THAT FLOATS IN THE AIR OVER THE MAP TABLE. THE CRAFT IS AS STRANGE AS IT IS MASSIVE. ITS MOST PROMINENT FEATURE IS THE HUGE, BARREL LIKE BODY THAT COULD PROBABLY CONTAIN A FEW DOZEN VICTORYS.
THE HOLO SLOWLY REVOLVES AND CHANGES FROM WIRE-FRAME SCHEMATICS TO FULLY-RENDERED IMAGES AS TOLWYN SPEAKS:
TOLWYN (V.O.)
Gentlemen . . . I give you the Confederation’s finest achievement . . . The Behemoth. After a decade of secret research and development, our greatest minds have created the device that will spell doom for the Kilrathi.
TOLWYN PUSHES A BUTTON ON THE REMOTE CONTROL: A THIN LASER LINE STREAMS OUT OF IT. HE USES IT TO POINT TO VARIOUS AREAS OF THE SHIP.
TOLWYN (V.O.)
Behemoth is a series of linked, superconducting energy amplification conduits, focusing an output of five hundred million gigawatts into one lancing point. Any target at the end of that point is destroyed - -
EISEN INTERRUPTS. HE CAN’T HELP HIMSELF:
EISEN
- - even a planet . . .
TOLWYN SHOOTS A LOOK AT EISEN: HE’S NOT A MAN WHO CARES FOR HIS THUNDER BEING STOLEN.
TOLWYN
Yes, Captain. Even a planet.
TOLWYN LETS THIS SINK IN A MOMENT, THEN CONTINUES.
TOLWYN
We would have liked another year or two for testing and development but, unfortunately, circumstances have forced me to deploy the weapon now.
BLAIR
And might I ask why, Admiral?
TOLWYN
You should know the answer to that question more than anyone else, Colonel.
-> (beat)
The classified and bitter truth is the Confed has been losing the war this past year. If the current trend continues, the Kilrathi will walk the Earth in six months, maybe less. So, the Behemoth must be pressed into service earlier than anticipated.
HE CONTINUES WITH HIS LASER POINTER.
TOLWYN (V.O.)
Because of this accelerated deployment, the ship’s defensive systems are . . . how can I put this? . . . somewhat incomplete. There are a few, uh, . . . soft spots . . . located here, and here - - where the shields are thin and there’s been no time to complete keel mounts or laser turrets.
TOLWYN LOOKS AT BLAIR STERNLY.
TOLWYN
I expect you to be especially aware of these areas, Colonel. I will be your job to protect and defend this ship - - it should be looked upon as the Confederation’s last-ditch effort to win the war outright.
TOLWYN SUDDENLY PAUSES AS A HIGH-PITCHED TONE IS HEARD. WE SEE NOW THAT HE WEARS A TINY COMM-EARPIECE, AND IS APPARENTLY BEING SPOKEN TO OVER IT. HE PULLS OUT A SMALL PENDANT THAT HE WEARS ON A CHAIN BENEATH HIS COLLAR - - AND SPEAKS INTO IT:
TOLWYN
Yes, yes, thank you, I understand.
-> (looking at his remote)
The download is complete.
TOLWYN CLICKS THE REMOTE AND THE HOLO OF THE BEHEMOTH SEEMS TO GET SUCKED DOWN INTO THE MAP TABLE. HE NOW GESTURES TO THE MAP OF THE TORGO SYSTEM WHERE BLIPS SHOW A SWARM OF KILRATHI FIGHTERS CONVERGING ON THE BEHEMOTH.
TOLWYN (V.O.)
We have arrived at Torgo, gentlemen, where I had hoped for a nice smooth rendezvous with the Behemoth . . . but as is their wont, the Kilrathi have spoiled the party. Colonel, this is undoubtedly the most important mission you’ve ever flown in your life. You must defend the Behemoth at all costs. I want a magnum launch - - all fighters up. Are we clear?
BLAIR SALUTES
BLAIR
Yes, sir.
*
No wingman choice. Magnum launch is equivalent to a scramble. Everyone flies.
