Part 9

[trey]

Hopefully now that I'm break, I can be more productive and get some more out.

EXT – COLISEUM - A HALF HOUR LATER

Alex, Tariq, Rashad, Eli and Vincent are walking at the rear of a large group of people leaving the coliseum as they make their way to the makeshift harbor. Everyone looks tense save Rashad.

TARIQ
….. so about three days to get there….

RASHAD
Yes.

TARIQ
An hour to shut down the plant.

RASHAD
The folder has the plant's blueprints. We have to know how to get in and out as fast as possible by memory.

ELI
We go in, can’t find an exit or get stuck, well it won’t be pretty.

RASHAD
We can get out of there as fast as possible, and the air strike’s not planning to go until another five days. Plenty of time, should give us the room to blow it all to Hell.

ALEX
But, what do you mean by genocide?

RASHAD
Hmmm?

ALEX
Before the Humanitarian’s speech, Eli, you said it was a genocide. He didn’t say anything about that in his speech.

VINCENT
Uhhh Rob, were you listening to him?

Alex looks confused

ALEX
Well I mean, it was a good, rousing bit-

RASHAD
Well of course, he’s not going to spell it all out for us, that would take all goddamn cockhole cockhole cockhole day. We all have our files, we all have our plans, it’s all different for different groups. See this group (waves arms to show group) We’re the team going to Eastern America. The group that left earlier? That’s Western America. Back there (points back to coliseum) are the China and Japan groups. Though unofficially, we’re supposed to be wasting anyone who happens to cross us. Provided, we’re up in the copter.

Alex looks surprised, and looks up at Eli.

ELI
If they aren’t with us, they’re not for Big H.

TARIQ
Like he said, they had their chance. And now we have to step in and get rid of the shit.

ALEX
Of course, of course.

The group reaches the harbor where dozens of freighters are parked by the water. A group of helicopters come in and park themselves on the ship’s deck.

INT – HUSTON’S FREIGHTER – SEVERAL HOURS LATER

A group of nearly 50 people are gathered in a large room somewhere in the hull of the freighter. The group is restless, but more in a carefree manner. Huston reads off the names of all the group leaders, asking “all members present and accounted for?” Alex walks into the room with Vincent.

VINCENT
(to Alex) Well, I will say that Lora was far gentler with that strip search. God, that bitch, oh remind me when we get to the bunk, I havfta tell you this story from a few months back…..

ALEX
Got it (sits down beside the other three)

HUSTON
Cortez, all members present and accounted for?

VOICE
Sir.

HUSTON
Stott, all members present and accounted for?

VOICE
Sir.

HUSTON
Kobta-kobta, oh shit (laughs)

VOICE
Koptchaliyski.

HUSTON
Hah, thanks. All members present and accounted for?

VOICE
(mocking) SIR YES SIR!

HUSTON
Alright, pardon my reading skills, but it looks like we got through road call. Good thing we don’t have too many towelheads, or I’d be in real trouble.

The group laughs, as many turn around to face Rashad. Rashad gamely flashes a smile at Huston. Tariq claps Rashad on the back.

HUSTON
Right, so most of you will be on the Eastern side of the United States. (points to map) and we’ve all got our formation in a straight line. (map flashes to show dots to represent the teams) I assume there is some strategic reason, but that was Tunde’s call. I just drive the ship. (group looks around uneasily) Sorry. If any of you need to make contact, the systems on these copters are roughly 20 years old, so I’d try for which copter is closest in the area. But, would many of you agree that your missions shouldn’t bring the need for outside help, they’re all pretty straight forward? (murmured agreement from leaders) Your weapons have all been rationed out, you have enough firepower in copter for a whole 12 men platoon. If any of you run out, that’s your own damn fault. There’s enough rockets in the copters as well, don’t worry. (beat) I guess….. that’s all the briefing I need to go over. Your leaders should have the full rundown.

INT – CABIN - SEVERAL MINUTES LATER

Tariq, Vincent and Alex walk into the cabin room, a well-lit, small room, but fairly clean.

VINCENT
My, he seemed well-informed.

TARIQ
Are you kidding, none of the ship captains know shit; they’re just there to ferry us back and forth from headquarters.

ALEX
So, tomorrow…..

TARIQ
Well, it’s not easy work, but someone’s got to do it. (laughs) I sound like I’m some construction.

VINCENT
(faux tough guy voice) Scorching the earth, just another day at the grind.

Alex just sits and looks up at the ceiling.

TARIQ
Well, it looks like you got your wish Vincent. Looks like this’ll finally be the one.

VINCENT
Mmmm….

TARIQ
Rob, you nervous?

ALEX
A bit.

TARIQ
Yeah me too. But this’ll work. Rashad’s a smart guy.

ALEX
Mmmm. (pretends to fall asleep)

VINCENT
(puts on walkman and blasts French pop)

TARIQ
Turn that shit off before I implant that into your skull.

Vincent laughs, turns in down and settles in, looking out the window hopefully.

[trey]

I'll just add to this thread....

INT – HELICOPTER – THE NEXT MORNING - 11ISH

Alex is looking down watching Huston’s freighter grow smaller and smaller. Inside the helicopter, Alex is sitting, strapped into his seat next to Eli, Vincent and Tariq. Rashad is moving back and forth in the cabin, taking inventory of the weaponry. Tariq is reading a comic book while Vincent is smoking, to Tariq’s disgust. Eli is listening to a handheld radio playing pre-Vietnam rock. In the front, their pilot, Vanessa, is flying the helicopter.

TARIQ
Vince, put that shit out NOW!

RASHAD
(couting weapons) Letsee…. 5, 10, 15. Model 3….

Tariq grabs Vincent’s cigarette pack out of Vincent’s shirt and holds it away from him. The two struggle a bit before Eli grabs it from Tariq and throws it behind him. Vincent glares at Eli who only responds with a coy grin.

RASHAD
You guys better knock that shit off or it’s going to be one long flight.

The three look a bit sheepish.

ALEX
So when we get to the plant, who’s doing what?

RASHAD
What do you mean?

ALEX
Sir, I was told due to my inexperience I would not be issued license to hold a firearm.

VINCENT
That’s why you’re bait. (Tariq elbows him sharply)

ALEX
…Wha?

TARIQ
He’s kidding.

RASHAD
We have at least a few days. We technically can’t leave alone by the helicopter, that’ll be ‘Nessa’s job (gestures towards the closed off cockpit) Eli, would you be alright if you held onto Robert when we get to the plant?

ELI
(on cellphone) Yeah, sure.

RASHAD
Wait, what are you…

ELI
(still on phone) Hello? I’d like to make a request. (beat) Yes, Rockin’ Robin by Bobby Day. (beat) And I’m sending it to by friend Rashad. (beat) Yup. (beat) 102.5, WHRC! (closes phone and grins roguishly at Rashad)

RASHAD
Once we start getting closer to our target, I’d rather you don’t do that.

ELI
I’m sure Nick Stevens’ Lunchtime Request will undo this all.

VINCENT
Hey, speaking of which, when’s lunch?

TARIQ
We just had breakfast.

RASHAD
We can’t stop anywhere until 8 tonight. There’ll be a strip mall by an area where we can park the copter and get some quick food. (grabs headset and goes into cockpit) I need to talk Vanessa through a few more things. Sit tight.

The in cohesive sounds of Rashad and Vanessa can be heard from where the other four men are sitting. The group is silent for a few moments.

ALEX
So once we shut down the plant….. where do we go?

TARIQ
Back to HQ, I guess. (Eli nods) Wait things out until they start letting us go back to see our families again.

ELI
Wait, Tariq, what are talking about?

TARIQ
Well, I mean once they kidnapped that Chinese guy and Teddy K’s daughter and that shit, some us stayed behind, but they had Skinner go out and start setting up fake houses in-

ELI
(abruptly) This is it guys. Vince, Rob, Tariq. You heard Rashad, The Humanitarian. This isn’t just a power plant we’re shutting down. We have men shutting down power in China, Japan, and all across the U.S. And once that’s done, we kill. We anyone and everything we see. The tide is turning, and there’s no way we can undo what will be done.

Tariq, Vincent and Alex look somber.

ELI
(gravely) We asked for this when we joined. Sorry if it all seems so abrupt now.

TARIQ
(laughs nervously) fuck this. Heh, this is fucking crazy. fuck all of you, I’m-

ELI
Rob, did you know how Tariq came to work for us?

ALEX
No.

VINCENT
Well, he was in med school when-

ELI
Tariq was a guerilla terrorist and anarchist from Saudi Arabia who was part of a group who tried stealing from some missionaries in Tanzania. His group left him for dead after a botched robbery and he was taken in by General Tunde, who was at that time recruiting for The Humanitarian. He gave Tariq the option of working as a solider for us provided he keep his ass out of trouble. Tunde would have kept closer watch over him, but had too much responsibility. Tunde and Rashad knew each other from Tunde’s Defense Force days so Tariq was handed over as his charge. Tariq doesn’t follow either Rashad or my orders, and we let him go.

TARIQ
(glares helplessly at Eli) Well-

ELI
Tunde said you could help build the future. You wanted to make something right for once.

TARIQ
But my wife and father. They’re still in Florida…

ELI
We find out you called them, and you’re getting tossed out of the damn copter. We can’t have any breaches. You’re just going to have to hope for the best.

Tariq stares at the floor. Eli looks at him not angrily, but sternly in a sorry way. Vincent gives Alex a silent knowing look, and then smiles.

VINCENT
Rob check this out. (pulls out a switchblade from his pocket and hands it to Alex)

ALEX
(examines) Wow, this is nicely carved. (reads name) Who’s Frederick LaCombe?

VINCENT
Kid I stabbed. You can have it, he means as much to me as he does to you.

Alex examines the knife and conceals it in his pocket.

(in background) ELI’S RADIO
(DJ) We’re back Big Steven’s Lunchtime Hour at the Fun Tower. Can I take your request?

(Eli) Hello? I’d like to make a request.

(DJ) Are we taking any requests today? (boing sound effect)

(Eli) Yes, Rockin’ Robin by Bobby Day.

(DJ) Alright, we’ll play that for you right now.

(Eli) And I’m sending it to by friend Rashad.

(DJ) Keeping tight this lunch hour?

(Eli) Yup.

(DJ) now, who spins the greatest wayback songs in California?

(Eli) 102.5, WHRC!

ELI
damn, he missed it. (grins demurely)