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KULO LUNA - $BILLION DOLLAR WHALE
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Graphic novel cover art.
(Studio executives: this is a 110 page script written in Final Draft)
EXT. LONDON BRIDGE STATION - EARLY MORNING
It's 4am. Dawn threatening. But still dark. Looming in the
near distance - the Shard.
JOHN STORM - about 40, tall, athletic, ruggedly handsome -
drops down onto the rail tracks and crosses to the opposite
platform. He wears black hoodie, jogging pants and climbing
shoes. A rucksack is strapped to his back. Always one step in
front of him - his cool, understated charisma.
Accompanying Storm is a boyish 22-year-old with John Lennon
glasses and geekish good looks. He carries a laptop in its
case. His name is DAN HAWK.
Storm and Hawk clamber up onto the platform, just as a train
pulls in and blocks them from view.
ON THE OPPOSITE PLATFORM -- Hawk gives Storm a leg up onto
the platform's perimeter wall. From there Storm hauls himself
up onto the station roof, then peers back down at Hawk.
STORM
See you after breakfast.
Storm disappears. Hawk speaks into the face mic he wears --
HAWK
Steve? It's go.
INT. HELIPAD TERMINAL - EARLY MORNING
Afro-American reporter STEVE GREEN - around 40 years of age,
casual suit, black-framed glasses - holds his phone tight to
his ear.
STEVE
Check that, Hawk.
(to Charley)
Ready Charley?
CHARLEY TEMPLE stows away her camera. Charley is early 30s,
boyishly attractive with raven-black hair tied back in a pony
tail. She wears combat trousers and Doctor Martin boots. She
zips up her camera bag and throws it over her shoulder.
CHARLEY
Ready.
Steve drains his coffee. They head out.
EXT. LONDON BRIDGE STATION - EARLY MORNING
Hawk opens his laptop. Storm's YouTube channel is on screen.
The channel is titled 'STORM'. Hawk hits LIVE STREAM.
EXT. BASE OF SHARD - EARLY MORNING
Storm leaps down from the station roof onto the concrete base
of London's tallest skyscraper. Scans about. Orients himself.
MATCH CUT TO:
EXT. LONDON BRIDGE STATION - EARLY MORNING
CCTV IMAGE: Storm orients himself in the half-light at the
base of the Shard.
Hawk watches the CCTV images being live streamed on Storm's
YouTube channel -- Storm in the half-light now, edging his
way along the side of the building at the base of the Shard.
INTERCUT BETWEEN BASE OF SHARD AND LONDON BRIDGE STATION
BASE OF SHARD -- Storm puts a hand to his earpiece and speaks
into his face mic.
STORM
You have visual?
HAWK (EARPIECE VOICE)
Three-sixty degrees.
STATION -- Hawk studies the screen.
HAWK
I'm inside their system. They have
the cameras. I have the remote. We
are live streaming to the world.
His fingers play the keypad --
BASE OF SHARD -- CCTV camera moves...
STATION -- Camera angle on Hawk's laptop changes.
STORM (EARPIECE VOICE)
Making my way round to the start
point now.
HAWK
Roger that. It's twenty metres to
your right.
BASE OF SHARD -- Storm hugs the wall as he makes his way over
stealthily to the start point.
STATION -- On the laptop Hawk sees two security guards
approaching Storm's position.
HAWK
You have unwanted visitors.
BASE OF SHARD -- Storm freezes. Flattens himself against the
wall. Dares not even breathe as the two guards amble past and
disappear around the side of the building. Storm puts a hand
to his earpiece and waits for Hawk's all-clear.
HAWK (EARPIECE VOICE)
Clear to go. Good luck, Skip.
Storm wastes no time. He hauls himself up athletically onto
the metal frame-like structure overhanging him and slips his
rucksack off. He pulls out two suction cups. Looks up --
-- The Shard soars above him all the way to the sky...
STATION -- Hawk packs his laptop away. Leaves the station.
EXT. HELIPAD - EARLY MORNING
Steve and Charley climb aboard an EcoBird electro-hybrid
helicopter - Steve in the pilot's seat, Charley next to him.
ROTOR BLADES WHIR INTO LIFE. Helicopter lifts and banks,
almost silently. Flies off.
EXT. SHARD - LATER - MORNING
A SUCTION CUP SLAPS AGAINST THE GLASS PANEL as Storm heaves
himself up and across onto the open face of the Shard...
He climbs using the cups for grip. One and then the next. He
climbs like Spiderman. It's a superhuman effort --
-- He stops, dips a hand in his chalk bag, dares to look
down. He is 50 metres above London. He continues his climb.
EXT. LONDON BRIDGE - MORNING
DIGI CAMERA BINOCULARS POV: Storm ascends the Shard. No
safety harness. No ropes.
Hawk stands on the bridge and films the climb through high-
powered digital camera binoculars.
INT. ECOBIRD HELICOPTER - MORNING
Steve speaks into his face mic --
STEVE
We're on our way, Hawk. ETA twenty-
six minutes.
EXT. LONDON BRIDGE - MORNING
Hawk films the climb, binoculars pressed to his eyes with one
hand, phone held to his ear with the other.
HAWK
Roger that, Steve.
DIGI CAMERA BINOCULARS POV: Storm continues to climb. He is
halfway up the Shard now.
EXT. HALFWAY UP THE SHARD - MORNING
Storms heaves himself sideways and steps onto the ladder-like
metal structure running the full height of the Shard. Gravity
tugs at him. It's an immense effort --
-- He peels of the suction cup and stows it in his rucksack.
Wipes sweat from his brow. Plants a foot on the rung above
him. Hauls himself up a level --
EXT. LONDON BRIDGE - MORNING
-- Hawk observes anxiously, binoculars trained on the Shard.
HAWK
Come on, Skip. You can do this.
INT. SHARD HOTEL ROOM - MORNING
MOBILE PHONE FLASHES on the bedside table. ALARM SOUNDS. A
female hand reaches over and turns it off.
ATTRACTIVE YOUNG WOMAN in her twenties throws off the bed
covers and heads for the bathroom dressed in a long T-shirt.
EXT. SHARD HOTEL ROOM - MORNING
Storm hauls himself up onto the next rung and casts a glance
across his shoulder, out across London. He is 200 metres up.
Tower Bridge, Big Ben and the London Eye are way below him.
INT. SHARD HOTEL ROOM - MORNING
The young woman emerges from the bathroom with a towel
wrapped around her. Crosses the room. Opens the curtains -
GASPS! She is stunned to see STORM PEERING BACK IN AT HER --
EXT. SHARD HOTEL ROOM - MORNING
-- Storm almost loses his footing as the curtains draw back
to reveal the young woman. He quickly gathers himself.
STORM
Beautiful morning.
EXT. LONDON BRIDGE - MORNING
Hawk listens in through his earpiece.
HAWK
What's that, Skip?
EXT. SHARD HOTEL ROOM - MORNING
Storm is still peering in at the attractive young woman.
STORM
I was just saying the views are
even more distracting up here than
I imagined.
HAWK (EARPIECE VOICE)
Ah. Focus, Skip. Focus.
Young woman snaps the curtains shut.
INT. ECOBIRD HELICOPTER - MORNING
London skyline approaching -- THE SHARD IN VIEW -- Charley
seated at the open door, legs dangling, camera ready.
EXT. TOP OF SHARD - MORNING
Storm heaves himself up another rung, then another. Plants
his foot on the next rung, SLIPS, just manages to grab hold
of the rung above. 300 metres above London now, dangling by
one arm. He manages to swing across and grab hold with both
hands. Regains his footing. Hauls himself up onto --
-- THE TOP OF THE SHARD ... Just as --
-- An EcoBird helicopter swoops in low, Charley hanging from
its open door, camera trained on the man who has just free-
climbed the Shard --
-- Helicopter hovers. Storm gives a wave.
INT. ECOBIRD HELICOPTER - MORNING
CHARLEY'S CAMERA POV: Storm smiles and waves to camera --
EXT. TOP OF SHARD - MORNING
-- Then takes his abseil rope from his rucksack and clips it
to the metal framework. Tugs it to make sure it's secure.
SECURITY GUARD#1
Come on now, Sir! Climb down and
come inside please!
Storm turns to see two security guards on the platform
several floors below, calling to him through a megaphone.
SECURITY GUARD#1
Come on buddy. Time to get down
now.
STORM
Funny you should say that.
Storm falls backwards and disappears. Security guards look
horrified.
INT. ECOBIRD HELICOPTER - MORNING
CHARLEY'S CAMERA POV: Storm falls backwards off the Shard and
abseils down, SAS-style. A banner unfurls as he descends.
Banner reads: 'CLEANER OCEANS FOR A GREENER PLANET'
Steve whoops and cheers and gives the thumbs up.
EXT. LONDON BRIDGE - MORNING
DIGI CAMERA BINOCULARS POV: Storm is now halfway down the
Shard. The banner is fully unfurled.
Hawk lowers the binoculars --
HAWK
Get in!
EXT. HALFWAY DOWN THE SHARD - MORNING
Storm fixes the banner to the building, then watches as the
helicopter wheels round and heads off.
He dangles 150 metres above London. To his left a small
balcony enclosed by an iron railing - an entry point. He
starts to swing himself on the rope, left then right, then
again, a human pendulum. Until --
-- Yes! His hand grips hold of the railing and he hauls
himself up onto the balcony to safety. He unclips the abseil
rope and breathes...
Just then his mobile phone vibrates in his pocket. He takes
it out. The FACE OF GEORGE FRANKS stares back at him.
STORM
George.
FRANKS
Hello John. You must be hungry. I
ordered eggs.
STORM
I'm thinking organic, free range.
FRANKS
Naturally. Simon will show you in.
Storm turns. SIMON - dressed in full waiter's livery - tips
his head and motions towards the black door behind him.
SIMON
This way, Sir.
Storm enters. Black door closes behind him...
BLACK SCREEN...
CREDITS.
FADE IN:
INT. AQUA SHARD RESTAURANT - MORNING
Simon ushers Storm into the private dining suite - parquet
floors, sleek furnishings, glass walls. The suite's only
table is occupied by GEORGE FRANKS, who stands and greets
Storm as he enters. He is around 60 years of age, elegantly
suited, distinguished with a meticulously trimmed moustache.
His handshake is firm.
FRANKS
John. So glad you could drop in.
Coffee?
STORM
Black. No sugar.
Simon tips his head and retreats as Franks motions for Storm
to take a seat then sits opposite. On the table between them
a tablet on a zigzag stand angled so both men can view it.
TABLET SCREEN IMAGE: Storm's YouTube channel - 'STORM'. A
still image from the live stream video of Storm climbing the
Shard heads the page. Caption reads: 'STORM STORMS THE SHARD'
The page is populated by rows of other video thumbnails -
'STORM'S CLEANER OCEANS CAMPAIGN' and 'STORM'S BLUE ECONOMY'
and 'STORM'S PLASTIC FREE WORLD' and 'STORM WINS WORLD SOLAR
CHALLENGE' and others. The page boasts 23 MILLION SUBSCRIBERS
and 12 BILLION VIEWS.
FRANKS
Well that will certainly take some
beating. How was it? Are you okay?
STORM
A little more exhilarating than my
usual morning workout but, yes, I'm
fine thanks.
FRANKS
Compelling viewing, I have to say.
STORM
You were watching?
FRANKS
From the edge of my seat. To judge
by the numbers on your YouTube page
I wasn't the only one, either.
-- 23 MILLION SUBSCRIBERS - 12 BILLION VIEWS --
STORM
Let's hope it has the desired
effect.
Simon returns to the table and pours the coffee just as
Storm's ring tone sounds.
STORM
Excuse me.
The face of Hawk on Storm's mobile.
HAWK (TELEPHONE VOICE)
At least someone's enjoying
breakfast.
EXT. STREET - MORNING
Hawk stands outside Starbucks. He checks his watch.
HAWK
There's nowhere open down here yet,
as you can see.
He holds his phone up so Storm can see the CLOSED sign on the
Starbucks door.
HAWK
I'd ask to join you up there but
it's the heights thing.
Hawk glances up at the full terrifying height of the Shard.
INTERCUT BETWEEN STORM IN THE SHARD AND HAWK IN THE STREET
WITH STORM -- Storm smiles.
STORM
What's the SP?
WITH HAWK -- Hawk tries and fails to hail a cab.
HAWK
All major news outlets have the
footage and by the close of play
the live stream will have gone
viral. I'll make sure of that.
WITH STORM -- Storm sips his coffee.
HAWK (TELEPHONE VOICE)
Barring the end of the world you'll
be the day's lead story.
STORM
What would I do without you?
HAWK (TELEPHONE VOICE)
How honest do you want me to be?
STORM
It was a rhetorical question.
WITH HAWK -- Hawk hails another cab and this one pulls over.
HAWK
Well anyway I'm off to find an all-
nighter.
He jumps in and cab pulls away.
WITH STORM -- Storm sets his cup in its saucer.
STORM
Good luck.
Hawk blinks out. Franks raises an eyebrow - 'Anyone I know?'
STORM
Dan Hawk - prefers just Hawk. He
has an eye for detail.
FRANKS
And organisation by the sound of
it. Where did you find him?
STORM
He was assigned as my race engineer
for the solar challenge a few years
back. Kind of stuck around. A child
prodigy. Graduated from Oxford with
a distinction when he was fifteen -
computer science and artificial
intelligence. I'd never tell him
so, but he's something of a genius.
FRANKS
Thank you Simon.
Simon serves two egg white omelettes. They talk as they eat.
FRANKS
Speaking of genius, I need to talk
to you about your uncle, Professor
Storm.
STORM
Uncle Doug - I miss him.
FRANKS
They're saying it was an accident,
of course, but...
STORM
You don't believe that.
FRANKS
I believe what he was working on
was a threat to the wrong people.
A look of understanding between them ... then Franks dips a
hand in his pocket and pulls out a vellum envelope with a red
wax seal. Hands it to Storm.
FRANKS
He wanted you to have this.
Intrigued, Storm breaks the seal and slices the envelope open
with the butter knife. He pulls out its contents - a letter
with an address and a six-digit combination. It reads --
MY DEAR JOHN, A CHALLENGE AWAITS. FIND YOUR WAY TO ME AND I
WILL EXPLAIN. YOU WILL FIND ME HERE: HANGAR 1 - NELSON'S COVE
- NSW 2315. YOUR KEY TO THE DOOR: 962841 UNCLE DOUGLAS.
STORM
He always did speak in riddles.
He studies the address: HANGAR 1 - NELSON'S COVE - NSW 2315
STORM
Looks like an Australian address.
FRANKS
New South Wales - a place called
Nelson's Cove. You did say you were
heading to Australia soon?
STORM
Yes. I have several speaking and
media engagements there. I'll be
there for a few weeks.
FRANKS
Perfect.
Franks turns to the waiter --
FRANKS
Simon. Could you fetch us some more
coffee please? Thank you.
Franks waits for Simon to leave the room. Then --
FRANKS
A word of caution, John. I don't
know exactly what your uncle has in
mind for you. But whatever it is,
there are those who won't want it
to happen, you can be sure of that.
INT. NAGASAKI BAR - NIGHT
A rowdy scene in a downtown bar. Two men arm wrestle across a
table. A group of boisterous men cheer them on.
One of the arm wrestlers is 45-year-old STANG LEE, a stockily
built man with leathered skin and hard eyes. His huge neck
argues with the collar of his shirt. He is muscle on muscle.
Those muscles strain now as he starts to get the better of
his opponent, his face relaxed, smiling, as if this is the
easiest task in the world.
Finally Stang's opponent surrenders, the back of his hand
slamming down on the table, defeated. The men all cheer and
raise glasses in a toast to the victor.
AT THE BAR -- 50-year-old SHUI RAZOR observes the
celebrations. Shui is half-European, half-Japanese. He is fit
for his age - slim, athletic, quietly commanding. He wears a
goatee beard and a Samurai headband. He looks over at Stang
and raises his glass in salute.
Amid the celebrations one of the men steps forward --
MAN IN NAGASAKI BAR
Now it's your turn, eh Shui? You
versus Stang - two prize-fighting
champions across the table. Winner
takes all!
The men all cheer in anticipation. Stang fixes Shui.
STANG
Old times' sake?
The look between them simmers for a long beat, then --
SHUI
My wrestling days are done, Stang.
I beat you once and once is enough.
We should be going.
He throws back his sake in one hit and slams his glass down
on the bar. Stang watches as Shui heads for the exit - a hard
festering look. Then he gets up and follows Shui out.
INT. STEVE'S OFFICE - DAY
Steve and Charley work at their respective desks. Steve's
phone disturbs him.
STEVE
Tom, how's it going?
INT. TOM HUDSON'S OFFICE - DAY
Office looks out through glass walls onto the BUSY NEWSROOM
FLOOR - journos at their desks, between desks, on the phone,
gesticulating, papers in hand --
-- 40-year-old TOM HUDSON paces his office, phone to his ear.
TOM
Oh, quiet as usual, Steve. I was
wondering if you have the dates for
the solar boat race.
WITH STEVE -- Checks his calendar...
STEVE
Start date, next month - twenty-
fifth. Six weeks today. Charley's
doing the artwork as we speak.
He glances over at her - she nods: 'I'm on it'
STEVE
I'll have her send it over as soon
as it's done.
WITH TOM -- Refers to a front page newspaper story on his
computer screen - a photo of Storm waving into camera from
the top of the Shard. Caption reads - STORY: STEVE GREEN -
PHOTO: CHARLEY TEMPLE.
TOM
The Shard images of John Storm were
fantastic by the way. More of the
same please. John Storm is the face
of climate change right now.
EXT. UNIVERSITY OF QUEENSLAND - DAY
Establishing shot: Sign in the campus grounds reads:
'UNIVERSITY OF QUEENSLAND - ST LUCIA CAMPUS'.
Students chat to one another as they amble through the
grounds. They carry books, folders, rucksacks.
INT. UNIVERSITY LECTURE THEATRE - DAY
Storm stands at the front and speaks to a packed auditorium.
He looks every inch the university lecturer in jeans, T-shirt
and Kalvin Klein glasses. Behind him a giant screen displays
a DIAGRAM OF HISTORICAL HUMPBACK WHALE POPULATION DECLINE --
STORM
As you can see from the diagram,
humpback whale populations have
decreased by something in the order
of ninety-five percent compared to
historical levels.
Faces in the audience are enthralled --
-- CLOSE ON: THE FACE OF 30-YEAR-OLD MARINE BIOLOGIST AND
UNIVERSITY LECTURER SUKI HALL - striking Oriental features,
long dark hair tied in a bun, professor glasses. Suki sits at
the front and takes notes.
STORM
There are many reasons for the
decline, not least the lifting of
the whaling ban. But there are
other factors.
LED screen shows images to emphasize Storm's words --
LED SCREEN IMAGES: A HUMPBACK COLLIDES WITH THE BOW OF A SHIP
-- A POD OF BEACHED HUMPBACKS -- A HUMPBACK SWIMS IN MELTING
ARCTIC ICE -- A HUMPBACK TRAPPED IN GHOST NETS
STORM
Vessel strikes. Underwater noise
pollution. Climate change. Ghost
nets made of plastic compounds...
LED SCREEN IMAGE: A HUMPBACK HARPOONED AND HAULED ABOARD AN
INDUSTRIAL WHALING VESSEL
STORM
...And then of course there's
pirate whaling - long haul sorties
run on dirty diesel. This is not
only a threat to the whale
populations - it also pollutes the
oceans, causing biodiversity and
habitat loss, depleted fish stocks,
and ultimately food shortages in
regions that can least afford them.
Suki removes her glasses. Listens intently.
STORM
The fact is we have to act now. No
whales - no oceans. No oceans - no
planet. Thanks for listening.
Auditorium erupts. A standing ovation. At the front Suki
stands and applauds enthusiastically.
INT. UNIVERSITY LOBBY - LATER
Storm is surrounded by a large group of students demanding
his autograph. STUDENT#1 thrusts a CLEANER OCEANS BROCHURE
into Storm's hand.
STUDENT#1
Could you sign it to Chloe? My
girlfriend. We subscribe to your
YouTube channel. We watched you
climb the Shard in London on the
live stream.
STUDENT#2 pushes to the front and hands Storm a notebook and
pen. She's a little start-struck. Storm signs the notebook.
STUDENT#2
I watched you too. Awesome. Thanks.
Other students clamour for Storm's signature but Suki steps
to the front and rescues him.
SUKI
Okay that's all for tonight
everyone. I'll put a copy of my
notes up on myUQ.
A few groans and slightly disappointed faces as the students
start to disperse. Suki turns to Storm and offers her hand.
SUKI
I hope you don't mind. You looked a
little overwhelmed. Professor Suki
Hall. I'm senior lecturer in marine
biology here. I enjoyed your talk.
STORM
Thank you. Suki Hall? The Suki
Hall, STP?
SUKI
Satellite Tracking Program, yes.
Our main office is based here on
campus.
We're monitoring the Pacific
humpback migrations - cetacean
management strategies.
STORM
Fascinating.
A slightly awkward moment, their hands still clasped. A clear
attraction between them. Finally --
STORM
Well, I ah ... I'd better be going.
A long drive ahead.
SUKI
Of course.
STORM
Nice to meet you.
SUKI
You too.
Storm backs away, reluctantly, then turns and heads for the
exit. Suki's admiring eyes follow him all the way.
EXT. PACIFIC HIGHWAY - NIGHT
A custom 4x4 hybrid Jeep speeds along the highway. In the
driving seat, John Storm.
INT. JOHN'S CAR - CONTINUOUS
Storm's elbow on the armrest. Low-volume music on the radio.
George Franks on the in-car satphone screen.
STORM
George. I'm on my way.
FRANKS
Where are you?
Storm's headlights pick out the road sign: 'COFFS HARBOUR'.
STORM
Just passing Coffs Harbour.
FRANKS
That means you still have four-
hundred kilometers to go. It's the
middle of the night where you are.
Couldn't you have waited till the
morning?
STORM
Less traffic at night George.
FRANKS
Yes, well call me when you get
there. And do me a favour please
John - drive safely.
STORM
As mother used to say.
Storm hits END CALL. George Franks blinks out.
EXT. PACIFIC HIGHWAY - CONTINUOUS
Storm's Jeep roars off into the distance at speed.
INT. STEVE'S OFFICE - DAY
TV IMAGE: A rugged, windswept coastline where snow-capped
mountains fall to a sea of melting ice. THE TAIL FLUKE OF A
HUMPBACK WHALE SLAPS THE SURFACE then disappears beneath the
waves. Voice of news anchor JILL BIRD narrates --
JILL BIRD (V.O.)
Each year thousands of humpback
whales leave their summer feeding
grounds here in the Aleutian
Islands and head for warmer climes.
Some of the whales have been
implanted with satellite tags,
which means we can track their
progress in real time.
A GIANT HUMPBACK WHALE SNORTS FROM ITS BLOWHOLE...
JILL BIRD (V.O.)
One of those whales has been named
Kulo.
Steve stands beside his desk, rummaging through papers. He is
part-distracted by a news item on the TV. Charley enters with
two coffees and gives one to Steve.
STEVE
Thanks Charley. I owe you one.
CHARLEY
You owe me several. Can I borrow
your eyes?
STEVE
Sure.
She ushers him across to her desk. On her computer screen a
poster: 'THE ZERO CARBON CHALLENGE ROUND THE WORLD BOAT RACE'
CHARLEY
I've finished the artwork for the
solar boat race. What do you think?
STEVE
Looks great.
CHARLEY
Not too...?
STEVE
No, no really. It's fine.
CHARLEY
Just that I need to get it over to
Tom.
STEVE
It's great, really.
CHARLEY
Cool.
She gulps a mouthful of her coffee, picks up her camera bag
and heads for the door.
STEVE
Where you going?
CHARLEY
Earn a living.
STEVE
You haven't finished your coffee.
Too late. She's gone. Steve gives his eye back to the TV.
TV IMAGE: Jill Bird wears a hooded oilskin and raises her
voice against the buffeting wind. Behind her the sea growls
at the surrounding snow-capped peaks.
JILL BIRD
As the migration gets underway, the
question is - will Kulo make it to
her winter breeding grounds? Or
will she fall victim to one of the
many obstacles she will face along
the way - plastic waste, ghost
fishing nets, pirate whalers. Time
will tell.
GIANT HUMPBACK WHALE BREACHES --
MATCH CUT TO:
EXT. PACIFIC OCEAN - DAY
-- A GIANT HUMPBACK WHALE BREACHES in the sun-spooled ocean,
a much smaller whale glued to her side. They are like mother
and calf. They are Kulo and Kana.
EXT. NAGASAKI HARBOUR - NIGHT
A three-quarters full moon sits on distant hills. A cruise
ship glows obtrusively. Container ships, dockside cranes and
industrial wharfs occupy the shadows.
And into those shadows drives a beaten up pickup truck. It
belongs to Shui Razor. It pulls into the dimly lit harbour
parking area and Shui and Stang climb out.
They make their way over into the darkest shadows of all, to
where two whaling vessels - the SUZY WONG and the JONAH - are
being made ready to put to sea, their industrial silhouettes
sharp and ugly against this ominously moonlit night.
Here crewmen load last minute supplies and weaponry as Shui
and Stang prepare to board their respective vessels.
STANG
The moon is a good omen. We will
come home fat with whale meat.
SHUI
You are fat enough, my friend.
Shui laughs as he turns and boards the Suzy Wong.
INT. SUZY WONG BRIDGE - LATER
Shui barks orders from the bridge.
SHUI
Cast off forward and aft! Slow
ahead!
Mooring lines are released. Engines throw up thick clouds of
oily smoke. Diesel-polluted water churns beneath the stern as
the Suzy Wong pulls away. Shui shouts back to Stang above the
cacophony of engine roar and water wash --
SHUI
Hey, Stang! Watch my wake and weep!
The two men laugh. But Stang's laugh is a mask. His eyes
harden as he watches Shui negotiate a path out to sea.
EXT. NELSON'S COVE - MORNING
The all terrain wheels of John Storm's custom 4x4 Jeep splash
through a shallow creek...
INT. JOHN'S CAR - CONTINUOUS
...Storm pulls into an enclosed area --
SATNAV VOICE
You have reached your destination.
STORM
This place? Are you sure?
He peers out the front windscreen. Swirls of early morning
mist obscure his view. It is still quite dark. His headlights
pick out a JCB, a pile of wooden pallets, a canoe with a hole
in its hull and years on its clock. The tail of a silver-grey
cat as it disappears into the mist - a ghost. He climbs out.
EXT. NELSON'S COVE - CONTINUOUS
Too dark and misty to see clearly. He takes out a pen torch
and follows its beam - the pallets, the JCB, the canoe. And a
3-metre high steel fence enclosing a compound. He goes to it.
Thinks about climbing it. But then he sees --
-- INSULATORS fixed to a fence post. The fence is
electrified. Being sure to hold only its resin top he touches
the torch's steel barrel to the fence post. SPARKS IGNITE. He
recoils. He must find another way in.
MOMENTS LATER -- He comes to a security gate. A padlock. A
COMBINATION LOCK. Could it be? He takes out his phone and
checks the combination his uncle gave him.
STORM
Here goes...
He types in the numbers - 965851. CLICK! The padlock comes
away. He enters the compound --
EXT. NELSON'S COVE COMPOUND - CONTINUOUS
-- It's still dark. Still misty. Difficult to see. He scans
as he walks, treads carefully, following the beam of his pen
torch. Is that a building ahead?
FLASH! Suddenly he is drenched in blinding light. He has
triggered a security light. Instinctively he freezes. Throws
up a hand to shield his eyes. Has he been discovered?
As his eyes accustom themselves to the bright light he sees
the building now facing him - a wall with a steel security
door. He goes to it. Runs his hand across the door's smooth
surface. No handles --
-- But a flap, there! On the wall. He lifts it. An EYE stares
back at him. Then a FACE - HIS OWN REFLECTION. He realises he
is staring into a facial recognition system.
Beat ... then the security door CLICKS open --
INT. NELSON'S COVE HANGAR - CONTINUOUS
-- Cautiously he pushes the door wide and steps inside. It
closes automatically behind him. Suddenly he is in darkness.
Pitch darkness. Until --
-- Pop-pop-pop-pop-pop-pop-pop-pop - strategically arranged
floor-to-ceiling spotlights pop on, one and then the next.
What they reveal stops his heart. He is instantly transfixed.
Staring and staring at the marvel gleaming back at him now,
he dips a hand in his pocket and retrieves his phone.
STORM
George. You're not going to believe
this.
INT. UNIVERSITY STP OFFICE - DAY
Establishing shot: Sign on door reads 'SATELLITE TRACKING
PROGRAM - OPERATIONS ROOM - UNIVERSITY OF QUEENSLAND'
Spacious modern office - tables, chairs, computers, wall-
mounted GPS maps and marine traffic charts...
Suki sits at her desk and studies the latest GPS positioning
on her computer screen.
COMPUTER SCREEN IMAGE: A map of the Western Pacific shows the
path of the humpback migration. Around two dozen whales have
been tagged, each showing on screen with their unique name
label. KULO is among them --
-- The map also displays other marine traffic - cruise ships,
cargo vessels, fishing boats etc. The map resembles an ocean-
wide web of multicoloured lines and dots.
Suki is concerned with what she sees. She zooms in on TWO
BLOOD-RED DOTS. Whaling vessels? They are sailing close to
the migration. She hits a number on her phone.
SUKI
Oh, hi. This is Professor Suki
Hall, STP. Can you please tell me
why I'm seeing whaling vessels a
thousand miles southeast of Japan?
EXT. PACIFIC OCEAN - DAY
An ugly industrial vessel ploughs through the ocean. It is
the Suzy Wong.
INT. SUZY WONG BRIDGE - DAY
The pulsed BEEP of the fish-finder sonar keeps time as Shui
scans the ocean. Ship's radio crackles into life.
STANG (RADIO VOICE)
Jonah to Suzy Wong. Come in Suzy
Wong. You there Shui?
Shui lowers his binoculars. Lifts the handset.
SHUI
I'm here Stang.
STANG (RADIO VOICE)
Anything?
SHUI
Negative.
INT. JONAH BRIDGE - DAY
Stang holds the handset to his mouth. He is agitated.
Frustrated. They have not yet found their quarry.
STANG
Four days at sea and nothing. The
whales must have taken a different
course this year ... or are you
holding out on me, my old friend?
SHUI (RADIO VOICE)
You know me better, Stang. As soon
as we make eyes you'll be the first
to know.
Stang GRUNTS...
WITH SHUI --
SHUI
They'll show up soon enough.
STANG (RADIO VOICE)
Well let's hope so. If we go back
empty-handed Zheng Ling will feast
on our blubber.
WITH STANG --
STANG
I don't want to be the one to have
tell him ... you still there Shui?
WITH SHUI -- Shui has already replaced the handset.
SHUI
(to himself)
Like I said, they'll show up soon
enough.
EXT. PACIFIC OCEAN - DAY
A pod of humpbacks swim majestically. Tailing the pod a GIANT
HUMPBACK SWIMS WITH HER SMALLER COMPANION - Kulo recognisable
for her immense size, Kana for her playful nature --
-- Kulo and Kana are happy.
INT. NELSON'S COVE HANGAR - MORNING
THE MOST EYE-BLISTERING SIGHT CONFRONTS US NOW...
Gleaming in the blaze thrown upon her by the floor-to-ceiling
spotlighting sits the ELIZABETH SWANN - a futuristic trimaran
with solar-panelled decking and sleek, space-age design. She
sits proudly - magnificently - up on blocks.
Storm is all at once awestruck as he moves towards her,
explores her, lays his hand on the smooth contours of her
body. Makes his way round to her stern and climbs up on the
diving platform. All the while studying her, drinking in her
wonder as though exploring a new lover.
INT. ELIZABETH SWANN - CONTINUOUS
FORWARD HELM -- Storm enters the forward helm and is greeted
by a technological playground -- gadgetry, buttons, keypads,
organic LED screens, a control console. A CENTRAL COMPUTER.
Storm stands in awe of the slick, supertech design ... then
the computer suddenly 'beeps' into life, all by itself.
CENTRAL COMPUTER SCREEN IMAGE: 'ENTER PASSWORD'
For a long beat Storm stares at the computer, the challenge
it poses. Password? He thinks on his feet --
STORM
Password ... password ... ahh ...
birthday, my birthday. Uncle Doug
knew my birthday...
He types in his birth date.
CENTRAL COMPUTER SCREEN IMAGE: 'INCORRECT PASSWORD - TWO
ATTEMPTS REMAINING'
His mind races. An idea flashes across his mind. He checks
his phone again for the combination lock code --
STORM
The code. The combination code.
He types it in.
CENTRAL COMPUTER SCREEN IMAGE: 'INCORRECT PASSWORD - ONE
ATTEMPT REMAINING'
STORM
Damn! Okay. Come on Storm, think...
Another idea occurs to him. He looks at his phone. Hits a
number. Puts the phone to his ear...
INT. HAWK'S APARTMENT - EVENING
...A trendy loft conversion with exposed brick walls, vaulted
ceiling, undressed light bulbs and lots of technology.
Hawk lounges in a 1960s vintage chrome and leather aviator
armchair. He plays a 'SHOOT 'EM UP COMPUTER GAME' on a vast
wall-mounted LED screen. His phone flashes. His attention
remains with the computer game as he answers --
HAWK
Skip?
INTERCUT BETWEEN STORM ON THE BOAT AND HAWK IN HIS APARTMENT
WITH STORM -- Storm becomes increasingly anxious as he stares
at the computer screen and the CURSOR FLASHING IN THE EMPTY
PASSWORD BOX - 'ONE ATTEMPT REMAINING'.
STORM
Hawk. Listen. I need your help. I
need to crack a password.
HAWK (TELEPHONE VOICE)
Who set it?
Storm is taken aback by Hawk's question.
STORM
Who set it? My Uncle Douglas, why?
HAWK (TELEPHONE VOICE)
Professor Storm.
WITH HAWK -- Hawk's fingers play tunes on his gaming console.
HAWK
He was my remote mentor at Oxford.
STORM (TELEPHONE VOICE)
I'm aware of that Hawk.
HAWK
He helped me write a potential
master machine-learning algorithm
to simulate human imagination in
computers.
STORM (TELEPHONE VOICE)
Fascinating.
HAWK
We just didn't have a system
advanced enough to run it.
WITH STORM -- Marvelling at the technology surrounding him.
STORM
Well I may just have discovered
one.
WITH HAWK -- Hawk takes down four secret agents with one
blast of his automatic hand cannon.
HAWK
You have? Crash and die, sucker!
WITH STORM -- Storm removes the phone from his ear and
studies it for a second. Did Hawk just say that?
STORM
Hawk, are you playing computer
games again?
HAWK (TELEPHONE VOICE)
I'm strategizing a plan to save the
world and killing anyone who stands
in my way.
STORM
Of course you are. Listen. Please
try and concentrate. I need to get
into this system and you're the
only person I know with the
technological knowhow to...
HAWK (TELEPHONE VOICE)
Your mother's maiden name.
STORM
What...?
WITH HAWK -- For a brief moment Hawk takes his eye off the
game and gives it to Storm.
HAWK
It will be your mother's maiden
name. The first letter will be
upper case.
WITH STORM -- Storm is not convinced.
STORM
Are you sure...?
Storm's itchy fingers hover over the keypad --
STORM
My mother's maiden name ... first
letter upper case.
HAWK (TELEPHONE VOICE)
Correct.
He types in his mother's maiden name.
CENTRAL COMPUTER SCREEN IMAGE: 'WELCOME TO THE ELIZABETH
SWANN' accompanied by a SMILEY FACE.
STORM
Ha! Yes! Hawk, you're a genius!
HAWK (TELEPHONE VOICE)
I have tried to tell you.
WITH HAWK -- Hawk's fingers continue to play tunes on his
gaming console. The sound of automatic gunfire.
HAWK
Agent down! I'm inside the command
centre. So are you now, Skip. Good
luck with whatever it is you're
doing. Die sucker!
WITH STORM -- Storm has already ended the call. He stares at
the computer screen.
CENTRAL COMPUTER SCREEN IMAGE: 'HELLO JOHN, YOU HAVE ONE
MESSAGE'.
EXT. PACIFIC OCEAN - DAY
The Suzy Wong spews out black toxic fumes as she churns
through an otherwise pristine blue ocean.
INT. SUZY WONG - SHUI'S CABIN - DAY
A SAMURAI SWORD GLINTS IN THE BEAM OF SUNLIGHT SPOOLING IN
THROUGH THE CABIN PORTHOLE...
The sword hangs on the wall behind Shui as he eats lunch -
rice, fish, wakame salad. A half-full bottle of sake and a
glass sit on the table. He fills the glass, drinks, and
continues eating. A knock at the door disturbs him.
SHUI
Hai?
Door opens. CREWMAN#1 enters with urgent news.
CREWMAN#1
A sighting, Captain! We've found
them!
Shui downs cutlery, jumps up, throws back the dregs of his
sake and shrugs on his jacket.
SHUI
Radio the Jonah. Give Captain Stang
our position. And tell him it was
he who took the wrong course. Not
the whales. Ha!
He heads for the door.
INT. ELIZABETH SWANN - DAY
FORWARD HELM -- CENTRAL COMPUTER SCREEN IMAGE: 'HELLO JOHN,
YOU HAVE ONE MESSAGE'.
Storm stares at the message on the screen. The FLASHING
ENVELOPE ICON accompanying that message. Gingerly he reaches
forward and touches it. Then jolts back in amazement as --
CENTRAL COMPUTER SCREEN IMAGE: THE ANIMATED 3D HOLOGRAPHIC
AVATAR OF PROFESSOR STORM APPEARS --
PROFESSOR STORM
John my boy! Good to see you!
Storm is stunned to silence. For a beat. Then --
STORM
Uncle Doug.
PROFESSOR STORM
In the flesh - although not quite,
of course. These days I'm little
more than a holographic avatar, but
no less indomitable for that.
Storm reaches out and touches the professor's face.
PROFESSOR STORM
So what do you think of her?
Impressive isn't she.
STORM
The boat? She's stunning.
PROFESSOR STORM
She's run purely on green hydrogen
and driven by an autonomous control
system - Captain Nemo.
Computer BEEPS. Then introduces itself --
NEMO
Nemo for short. At your service,
Captain Storm.
PROFESSOR STORM
AI, my boy - artificial
intelligence. She has a brain as
intuitive and empathic as the best
any human can boast...
NEMO
And some.
PROFESSOR STORM
...Well, almost. She can certainly
navigate herself from A to B quite
adequately but she does require the
human touch from time to time. And
that, my boy, is where you come in.
STORM
It is...?
PROFESSOR STORM
The Zero Carbon Challenge round-the-
world boat race. I've entered her.
I'd like you to skipper her.
STORM
Me? But...
PROFESSOR STORM
You have all the necessary
credentials and it would go down a
storm on that YouTube channel of
yours - pun intended. You could
take that young Hawk with you as
your first mate. He's a remarkable
young man. He can manage the AI
systems blindfold and when there's
nothing else to do he could...
NEMO
Make the tea.
PROFESSOR STORM
...Precisely. What do you say?
The professor pulls on his most serious face now --
PROFESSOR STORM
I need you to do this for me, John.
I need you to trial her - something
I was unable to do before my ...
well let's just call it my mishap.
George will fill you in on all the
details. He's expecting your call.
Storm is speechless as he watches his uncle start slowly to
fade out...
PROFESSOR STORM
Take care my boy. Take care...
...And the professor is gone.
For a long moment Storm doesn't move, just stares at the
black screen that just swallowed his uncle. Then at the
dazzling array of lights representing Nemo's neural network.
At length he looks down at his phone. Picks it up. Puts it
down again. Engages Nemo instead.
STORM
Nemo. Get me George Franks.
NEMO
Please.
Storm is thrown by Nemo's impudent reply. A beat, then --
STORM
Nemo. Get me George Franks -
please.
NEMO
Yes of course, Captain Storm. No
problem at all.
INT. UNIVERSITY CORRIDOR - DAY
Suki strides along with some urgency. She passes students and
other university staff. Her phone is tight to her ear.
SUKI
If anything happens to any of the
tagged whales we'll know about it.
We'll also know who is responsible.
She ends the call.
SUKI
(to herself)
As if I don't know already.
EXT. PACIFIC OCEAN - NIGHT
FULL MOON CLIMBS OMINOUSLY ABOVE THE SUZY WONG...
EXT. PACIFIC OCEAN/UNDERWATER - NIGHT
Two humpback whales hang like vertical pillars in the moon-
spangled water - one a gentle giant, the other her smaller
companion. It is Kulo and Kana, sleeping. The SOUND OF A
SONAR PING disturbs them. KULO OPENS HER EYE.
SOUND MATCH TO:
INT. SUZY WONG BRIDGE - NIGHT
PULSED SONAR PING of the ship's fish-finder beats time as
Shui Razor scans the ocean through night-vision binoculars.
SONAR OPERATOR studies his screen --
SONAR OPERATOR
One-thousand metres and closing
Captain. South-south-east.
Shui barks an order at the helmsman standing beside him --
SHUI
You heard him! South-south-east -
full ahead!
HELMSMAN
Full ahead, Captain!
Engines roar as Shui puts the tannoy handset to his mouth.
SHUI
All hands! Stations! Now!
EXT. PACIFIC OCEAN/UNDERWATER - NIGHT
Sonar ping sounds against the rumble of distant engines. Kulo
senses danger. She nudges Kana awake. The two whales start to
swim, Kana clinging to Kulo's side like a calf to her mother.
INT. SUZY WONG - NIGHT
The ship comes alive now...
-- BELOW DECK men gulp down their drinks and leap to action
as they abandon the backgammon table and race for the door...
-- IN THE GALLEY chef hurriedly bolts the lid on the soup pan
and turns off the heat...
-- IN THE CABIN legs are thrown over the sides of bunks,
bootlaces tied, oilskins thrown on...
-- IN THE HEAD the sound of the toilet being flushed, the
door unbolted, feet scudding away along the passageway...
INT. SUZY WONG BRIDGE - NIGHT
Shui observes from the bridge as men scuttle about on deck.
Take up their stations. Sonar Operator studies his screen -
blip divides into two blips, one larger than the other.
SONAR OPERATOR
Two whales off the port bow,
Captain. Eight-hundred metres.
Looks like mother and calf - a very
large mother.
SHUI
Hard to port!
Urgency now as Shui spins and observes the screen for
himself. His eyes widen at the sheer size of the larger blip.
SHUI
(into the tannoy)
Rig for a giant! Grappling hooks
ready! Load the harpoons!
EXT. SUZY WONG BOW - NIGHT
A HARPOON IS LOADED -- HARPOON CANNON SWIVELS SLOWLY ROUND...
EXT. PACIFIC OCEAN/UNDERWATER - NIGHT
THE GROWL OF ANGRY ENGINES FILLS THE OCEAN -- Suzy Wong
closes on Kulo and Kana -- the whales are confused -- rumble
of engines grows louder -- Kana panics and swims off, first
one way, then the other -- Kulo stops and calls to Kana but
the engine noise drowns her call...
...KANA IS SEPARATED FROM KULO. SHE IS ISOLATED.
INT. SUZY WONG BRIDGE - NIGHT
Shui sweeps the moonlit ocean with night-vision binoculars,
slowly to starboard, then to port. Then --
-- THERE! Kana breaks surface less than 200 metres off the
port bow. Shui bellows into the tannoy handset.
SHUI
Whale off the port bow! Harpoons
ready!
(to the helmsman)
Steady as she goes. We'll take the
smaller one first. Then the big one
will come to us.
EXT. SUZY WONG BOW - NIGHT
The harpoon cannon trains on Kana. A beat, then --
-- BOOM! Harpoon explodes from the cannon and fizzes through
the night -- strikes Kana -- a deathly cry as blood pools
around her -- she struggles -- convulses -- lets out a low
mournful moan -- then lies still...
EXT. PACIFIC OCEAN/UNDERWATER - NIGHT
...Kulo slows to a halt. Something is wrong.
INT. SUKI'S STUDY - NIGHT
Suki sits in the half light of her study, warm drink in hand,
eyes glued to the computer screen. The same GPS tracking map
we saw earlier now shows one of the whaling vessels much
closer to the migration -
-- Suki sips her drink. Concern. Her eyes do not leave the
screen - as if she's watching Kulo and Kana for real.
EXT. SUZY WONG DECK - NIGHT
The men drive hooks and ropes into Kana's flesh and grapple
to haul her aboard. The scene is carnage - horrifying.
EXT. PACIFIC OCEAN - NIGHT
From a small distance Kulo observes Kana being butchered and
hauled aboard the Suzy Wong. Is that a tear escaping her eye?
She gives a low rumbling growl and moves off...
INT. SUZY WONG BRIDGE - NIGHT
Shui watches over his crew as they haul Kana aboard. Suddenly
a shaft of light glints on the ocean's surface. He raises his
binoculars to his eyes...
BINOCULARS POV: Moonlight ricochets off Kulo's dorsal fin as
she swims back towards the Suzy Wong.
SHUI
The mother is coming back, exactly
as planned.
(through the tannoy)
Harpoons ready! We have company.
INT/EXT. SUZY WONG DECK/BOW/BRIDGE - NIGHT
AT THE BOW -- the harpooner swings the cannon portside and
searches the moonlit waters for his target. He waits ... and
waits ... where is the whale? Then suddenly --
-- HARPOONER RECOILS IN TERROR AS KULO BREACHES BARELY INCHES
FROM HIS FACE ... THEN CRASHES DOWN BESIDE THE SUZY WONG WITH
A THUNDEROUS REPORT.
A 20-metre-high wall of ocean swallows the Suzy Wong,
swelling up and crashing down on the deck like a monsoon
cloudburst. Crew are sluiced in all directions --
ON THE BRIDGE -- a panicked Shui grabs the tannoy.
SHUI
Stand fast! Maintain stations!
AT THE BOW -- the harpooner drags himself slowly to his feet.
Vengeful eyes search the night. He takes hold of the cannon --
EXT. PACIFIC OCEAN - NIGHT
-- Meanwhile Kulo frantically tries to free Kana, calling to
her, nudging her, ramming her, diving beneath her and lifting
her head ... but no response from Kana. When Kulo finally
looks up she sees --
-- The harpoon cannon trained directly on her. Inwardly she
recoils. By instinct she tries to dive, but --
EXT. SUZY WONG BOW - NIGHT
-- Too late!
HARPOONER'S POV: Harpoon cannon releases its load...
INT. SUKI'S STUDY - NIGHT
Suki continues to study the map on her computer screen.
Suddenly she jerks, as if a needle has pricked her - as if
telepathically she knows Kulo has been hit...
EXT. PACIFIC OCEAN - NIGHT
...Kulo lets out a terrifying cry and dives as the harpoon
strikes her back. A cheer goes up from the Suzy Wong.
INT/EXT. SUZY WONG BRIDGE/DECK - NIGHT
Shui looks on triumphantly as the crew all cheer on the deck
below him. But the cheers are short-lived, slowly subsiding
to a nervous silence as the crew realise to a man that the
whale can no longer be seen. Where is she? Is she dead?
DEATHLY SILENCE NOW AS SHUI AND THE CREW FREEZE...
SHUI WAITS NERVOUSLY -- HEMLSMAN AND SONAR OPERATOR HOLD
THEIR BREATH -- THE CREW START TO RETREAT ON DECK. EYES
SEARCH THE NIGHT. Then --
-- KULO SUDDENLY BREAKS THE SURFACE LIKE A SEA-TO-AIR
MISSILE, MONSTER-SIZED. SHE HANGS IN THE AIR ABOVE THE SUZY
WONG FOR WHAT SEEMS A DEATHLY ETERNITY...
ON THE DECK -- THE TERRIFIED FACES OF THE CREW LOOK UP TO SEE
THE MONSTER ABOUT TO CRASH DOWN UPON THEM...
ON THE BRIDGE -- SHUI WATCHES IN HORROR AS THE GIANT WHALE
HANGS IN THE AIR ABOVE HIS MEN...
A BEAT ... TWO ... THEN --
-- KULO CRASHES DOWN ON CREW AND DECK WITH THE FORCE OF A
FALLING ASTEROID, MIDSHIPS, SPLITTING THE VESSEL IN TWO.
INT. SUKI'S STUDY - NIGHT
Suki shows sudden concern as one of the dots inexplicably
blinks out. KULO'S NAME LABEL DISAPPEARS FROM THE SCREEN --
SUKI
Kulo...?
Suki's fingers dance urgently across the keyboard but to no
avail. Kulo's tag has stopped transmitting.
INT/EXT. SUZY WONG BRIDGE/DECK - NIGHT
Men run in all directions now terrified. The ship is breaking
up. Bow separating from stern. Both halves going down.
ON THE BRIDGE -- a horrified Shui grabs the ship's radio.
SHUI
Stang! Stang are you there? Suzy
Wong to Jonah! Come in Stang!
INT. JONAH BRIDGE - NIGHT
Stang munches a mouthful of wagyu katsu sando. He is in no
hurry to answer the call.
SHUI (RADIO VOICE)
Stang! Where are you?
Finally --
STANG
Problem Shui?
SHUI (RADIO VOICE)
We've been hit - by a whale!
STANG
A whale?
SHUI (RADIO VOICE)
A very big whale! We're going down!
STANG
Then put in a mayday call.
He laughs...
SUZY WONG BRIDGE --
SHUI
Stang, don't be crazy. We're in
international waters. We're not
supposed to be here.
(then into the tannoy)
Launch the lifeboats! Abandon ship!
I repeat - abandon ship!
ON DECK -- men scream and shout and run for the lifeboats as
the ship breaks up beneath their feet. Some leap overboard...
JONAH BRIDGE -- Stang stuffs the last of his sandwich in his
mouth, shakes his head and sighs.
STANG
Give me your position, Shui.
EXT. PACIFIC OCEAN/UNDERWATER - NIGHT
Kulo observes the sinking ship from a small distance - bow
and stern going down separately. She gives a mournful growl,
then turns and swims away, blood weeping from her wound, the
full moon turning shades of blood-orange at her back.
INT. AIRCRAFT - DAY
STEVE GREEN'S SEATBELT CLICKS SHUT. Out the window he sees --
AERIAL SHOT: SAND ISLAND, ALOHA TOWER AND PIER 2 CRUISE
TERMINAL draw nearer as the aircraft descends.
AIRCRAFT CAPTAIN (V.O.)
All passengers fasten your
seatbelts. It's a glorious day on
the ground, twenty-eight degrees
with a light breeze...
EXT. HONOLULU AIRPORT - DAY
SUPER - 'HONOLULU INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT'
Aircraft touches down --
AIRCRAFT CAPTAIN (V.O.)
...Enjoy your stay on the island.
EXT. TERMINAL 2 EXIT - DAY
Steve and Charley exit the airport, throw their luggage in
the boot of a cab and climb in. Cab pulls away, just as --
-- 30-something KAI SATO exits the airport. Oriental descent.
Dark suit. Attache case. Kai watches Steve and Charley's cab
until it disappears from view, then hails a cab of his own.
He wears a SILVER ID BRACELET.
INT. CAB - HONOLULU STREET - DAY
Steve sits in the back with Charley, mobile phone to his ear.
STEVE
John, it's Steve. We've just
arrived.
INT. HOTEL ROOM - DAY
Storm wears swimming shorts and beach shoes. He grabs a towel
form the bathroom, rolls it and packs it in his man bag. His
phone is on the side, on speaker mode.
STEVE (TELEPHONE VOICE)
Was hoping to catch up later this
evening, get a few words for the
channel. I know Charley would like
some photos as well.
STORM
I'll bring Hawk along.
STEVE (TELEPHONE VOICE)
Perfect.
EXT. HOTEL - DAY
Cab pulls up outside the entrance. Steve checks his watch as
he and Charley climb out.
STEVE
It's five-thirty now. Shall we say
seven?
HOTEL ROOM -- Storm throws on a shirt, leaves it unbuttoned.
STEVE (TELEPHONE VOICE)
It'll give us time to unpack and
clean up.
STORM
Let's say seven-thirty. It'll give
me time for a swim.
STEVE (TELEPHONE VOICE)
See you then.
Storm grabs his phone and man bag and leaves the room.
INT. HOTEL FOYER - DAY
Kai Sato approaches the desk. He is detached, humourless.
HOTEL RECEPTIONIST offers a smile.
KAI SATO
Kai Sato.
Receptionist checks the name on the computer and hands over
the room key. Kai's silver ID bracelet visible here.
HOTEL RECEPTIONIST
Room six-two-five, Mr Sato. Have a
great day.
KAI SATO
Thank you.
Kai turns and heads for the elevator. Doors slide open and
Storm steps out in swimming shorts and open shirt, carrying a
man bag. Kai watches Storm disappear out the door.
EXT. PACIFIC OCEAN - DAY
Shui dozes in a lifeboat crammed with a dozen other men. He
clutches his Samurai sword. A second life boat carries the
rest of the crew nearby. Suddenly a shout from the lookout --
LIFEBOAT LOOKOUT
Captain! Captain wake up!
Shui stirs. Lookout points at a ship in the distance.
INT. JONAH BRIDGE - DAY
BINOCULARS POV: A blurred image of Shui's lifeboat slowly
sharpens...
Stang adjusts his binoculars and the Suzy Wong's lifeboats
come sharply into view.
EXT. JONAH/PACIFIC OCEAN - DAY
The Jonah is alongside the lifeboats. The men are lowering
ropes. Shui and his crew are exhausted.
JONAH DECK -- Stang leans over the side, shouts down to Shui.
STANG
The great Shui Razor. You bring
shame on your sword, my friend.
A Samurai sunk by a whale. Ha! A
fisherman's tale if ever I heard
one.
Shui says nothing. Sonar Operator at Shui's side explains.
SONAR OPERATOR
It's true, Captain Lee. It was
huge. We had already caught the
smaller one and...
STANG
Smaller one? There were two whales?
So you were holding out on me Shui.
I should leave you to the sharks.
He turns and walks away. Across his shoulder, he shouts --
STANG
Haul them aboard!
EXT. HOTEL RESTAURANT - NIGHT
A crowded beachfront restaurant. Steve and Charley are seated
at a table, chatting as Storm and Hawk arrive - Storm in open-
neck shirt and trousers, Hawk in black T-shirt with 'I'M
ARTIFICIALLY INTELLIGENT' blazoned on its chest --
-- As they make their way to the table Storm bumps into an
old flame. SARAH-LOUISE JONES is about 35 with blonde
shoulder-length hair and striking ocean-blue eyes. She is
attractive without the need of makeup.
STORM
Sarah!
While Storm and Sarah chat, Hawk hangs awkwardly. Their
conversation is friendly but competitive - and flirty.
STORM
Long time. How are you keeping? I
heard you were competing.
SARAH
I seem to remember I was always
competing with you, John.
STORM
Always?
SARAH
When it mattered.
STORM
When it mattered I thought we
cooperated pretty well.
Hawk rolls his eyes and looks suitably uncomfortable.
STORM
Oh sorry - this is Hawk. My first
mate.
HAWK
Chief engineer. Anyway, I can see
you two have a lot to fight about
so I'll ahh ... I'll leave you to
it. Nice meeting you.
Hawk trundles off and joins Steve and Charley. Storm smiles.
SARAH
A little young for a first mate,
isn't he?
STORM
Yes, well, what he lacks in years
he makes up for in brain cells. Our
boat, the Elizabeth Swann, she's
very ... technological.
SARAH
Really. Well she'll need to be
fast, too. I'm not here to make up
the numbers, John. I intend to win.
STORM
Me too.
A look between them --
-- A FEW MOMENTS LATER Storm arrives at the table.
STORM
Sorry about that. An old friend
from my university days.
HAWK
She's still in love with you.
STORM
She's in love with her own
ambition.
CHARLEY
That's a bit harsh, John. A girl's
allowed her aspirations.
Charley glances over to where Sarah is seated, several tables
away. She clocks Sarah throwing discreet eyes at Storm.
CHARLEY
Besides, I think Hawk could be
right.
Just then the waiter arrives at the table.
WAITER
Are you ready to order?
Storm suddenly checks his pockets - empty!
STORM
Damn! I left my phone in my room.
STEVE
Do you need it?
STORM
I'm afraid I do. George Franks is
calling me this evening. I'll only
be five minutes. Excuse me.
He gets up and leaves.
INT. HOTEL CORRIDOR - NIGHT
Storm approaches the door to his room. Is about to put the
key card in the lock when he hears a noise from inside.
Cautiously he inserts the card ... a beat, two, then --
-- He SLAMS THE DOOR WIDE, bursts into the room and hits the
light switch --
INT. HOTEL ROOM - NIGHT
-- Storm hits the light switch and sees Kai Sato rifling
through his suitcase.
STORM
Who are you? What do you think
you're doing?
Kai offers no words. His reply is instead a lightning fast
move that catches Storm off guard -- THWACK! Storm is flat on
his back against the wall. He shakes his head. Looks up just
in time to see Kai disappearing out the door.
INT. HOTEL CORRIDOR - NIGHT
Storm emerges from his hotel room. Sees Kai reach the end of
the corridor and disappear off to the right --
Storm runs -- end of corridor -- turns right -- another
corridor -- Kai 20 metres ahead of him -- Storm runs -- Kai
dives into the elevator -- elevator doors slide shut in
Storm's face. Beat ... Storm thinks on his feet --
-- Sees the FIRE EXIT...
EXT. HOTEL FIRE ESCAPE - NIGHT
-- Storm exits onto the fire escape. He is high up. 25th
FLOOR. He starts to descend the metal staircase - 24th floor,
23rd floor, 22nd floor ... On each floor we see the ELEVATOR
DESCENDING through the hotel window - 23, 22, 21, 20 --
Storm's feet descend the steps ... they run ... and run ...
Storm on the 14th floor now. Breathless. He peers in through
the window just in time to see --
-- ELEVATOR DOORS OPEN. A man, a woman and a child exit. No
Kai. Storm thumps the rail with the heel of his hand.
INT. HOTEL ROOM - NIGHT
Storm throws ice in a glass and adds a large measure of rum.
He speaks to George Franks on the phone.
STORM
I haven't told anyone. It's the
start of the race in the morning. I
didn't want them worrying.
INT. GEORGE FRANKS OFFICE - DAY
A spacious modern office with stylish chrome-and-leather
furniture, modern art pieces and floor-to-ceiling windows
that look out on Canary Wharf. An impressive glass-topped
desk commands. Franks paces at the window --
FRANKS
And there's nothing missing?
Passport, wallet, anything else of
value?
WITH STORM --
STORM
Nothing. He didn't even take my
phone. I left it in my bag after my
swim today. It was still there.
He throws back the rum. Starts to pour another...
FRANKS (TELEPHONE VOICE)
Then he must have been looking for
something specific.
WITH FRANKS -- Peers out the window at nothing in particular.
FRANKS
I didn't tell you this, John - I
didn't want to worry you. But it's
possible your intruder was looking
for the formula.
WITH STORM -- Goes to take a drink, but stops abruptly.
STORM
The formula?
FRANKS (TELEPHONE VOICE)
For the Elizabeth Swann's
propulsion system.
WITH FRANKS --
FRANKS
Whoever he's working for must have
thought perhaps the professor left
it to you in his will, along with
the boat.
WITH STORM --
STORM
But he didn't ... did he?
FRANKS (TELEPHONE VOICE)
Listen John, I need to make a call.
I'll get back to you.
EXT. HONOLULU HARBOUR - DAY
Sunshine. Music. Celebration. Dancers in grass skirts. Suited
and uniformed officials presiding from a raised platform.
Overhead a light aircraft circles, trailing a banner: 'WORLD
ZERO CARBON CHALLENGE'.
ON THE PIER -- Crowds. Flags. Happy faces. Steve and Charley
at the head of a jostling media scrum - camera crews, news
anchors. Steve puts a hand to his ear. Charley films him.
STEVE
(into Charley's camera)
You there, Hawk?
INT. ELIZABETH SWANN - DAY
FORWARD HELM -- Hawk brings up Storm's YouTube channel on the
LED screen. He hits LIVE STREAM.
HAWK
Good to go, Steve. We're live
streaming to the world!
BACK WITH STEVE AND CHARLEY -- Charley filming Steve --
STEVE
(into Charley's camera)
So, here we are in Honolulu,
another Storm live stream underway.
WITH HAWK -- Steve reports indistinctly on the LED screen as
Hawk runs a systems check with an uncooperative Nemo --
HAWK
Systems check, Nemo.
NEMO
Is that really necessary?
HAWK
Just do it, please. Turbine.
NEMO
Check.
HAWK
Hydrogen banks.
NEMO
Check.
HAWK
Fuel cells.
NEMO
Reserve capacity ... Look, this can
get rather tiresome after a while,
Chief Engineer Hawk. Everything is
in order, okay? Ready to go.
Storm enters --
STORM
Everything ship-shape Hawk? Do we
have wind and current forecasts?
NEMO
Oh my days...
EXT. HONOLULU HARBOUR - DAY
RAISED PLATFORM -- MC stands proudly at the mic dressed in
gleaming white full-dress naval uniform.
MC
And now, your royal highnesses,
honoured dignitaries, ladies and
gentlemen - let the race commence!
Band strikes up. Crowds cheer. Fireworks explode. Then --
-- THE DEAFENING SOUND OF THE START HORN!
STEVE
(into Charley's camera)
And there off!
VIEW FROM THE PIER -- The boats head out into the channel at
a steady pace. An armada of media boats surround them --
STEVE (V.O.)
Storm and the Elizabeth Swann
taking an early lead.
AERIAL SHOT -- the Elizabeth Swann pulling away -- Starlight
a clear second -- the remaining four jostling for position
and surrounded by the media boats.
EXT. ELIZABRTH SWANN - DAY
ON DECK -- Storm waves at an unsmiling Sarah 100 metres
behind him. He enjoys the moment. She doesn't --
-- The Elizabeth Swann powers across the ocean's surface at
speed --
EXT. PACIFIC OCEAN/UNDERWATER - DAY
-- Somewhere beneath that surface Kulo emerges from the
depths and swims towards us, her motion laboured. She is
exhausted. A stream of blood trails her. Up ahead --
-- GHOST NETS. 50 metres high. A kilometer in length. They
hang silently. Sway menacingly with the ocean's movement - a
deadly, ghostly dance.
Kulo struggles on, so slowly, unaware the nets await her.
INT. JONAH - STANG'S CABIN - DAY
Shui tucks hungrily into a hot meal. Stang lounges opposite,
feet up on the table.
STANG
You are hungry, eh my friend? You
are lucky I came for you.
SHUI
We should head back to port.
STANG
What?
SHUI
The quarters are cramped. There are
too many men.
STANG
But we are five days from Nagasaki.
And we would go back with nothing.
It's a crazy idea.
He throws back a measure of sake.
SHUI
I am pulling rank, Stang. I am the
senior man.
STANG
Come on, Shui. We are old friends.
SHUI
Captain.
STANG
Huh?
SHUI
There can only be one captain on a
ship, and while we are both on this
ship, I am the captain. You will
call me Captain, not Shui.
Stang is not happy. A beat to process Shui's words. Then --
STANG
Perhaps I should ask Zheng Ling if
he is happy for us to return empty-
handed - Captain.
The look between them simmers...
INT. ZHENG LING'S OFFICE - DAY
Zheng Ling stands at the window and looks out on the Nagasaki
skyline as he questions Kai Sato, who has just been ushered
into the room by Ling's BODYGUARD. Kai is nervous. Panicky.
ZHENG LING
Tell me you have good news, Kai.
KAI SATO
I'm sorry Mr Ling. We've searched
everywhere. Computer files. London
address. Honolulu.
ZHENG LING
And?
KAI SATO
Nothing.
Zheng Ling turns, menacing. Kai sweating now --
ZHENG LING
Honolulu. Tell me what happened in
Honolulu?
KAI SATO
Storm came back ... to the hotel
room ... unexpectedly.
ZHENG LING
You allowed yourself to be caught.
KAI SATO
No...
ZHENG LING
He saw you. That's a fail, Kai.
That's a fail.
Zheng Ling turns back and faces out the window. To his
bodyguard, Ling says --
ZHENG LING
Lose him.
KAI
But Mr Ling, I ... no, please...
Bodyguard scruffs Kai from the room.
EXT. REAR OF ZHENG LING'S OFFICE BLOCK - LATER
Industrial parking area/backyard - a few parked vehicles,
several rubbish bins, a skip...
Zheng Ling's bodyguard exits the building pushing a wheelie
bin. An arm dangles from the top of the bin. The arm wears a
silver ID bracelet.
Garbage truck pulls into the yard, picks up the bin and
empties it into the back of the truck. Truck drives off.
Bodyguard wheels the bin back inside the building.
INT. ZHENG LING'S OFFICE - CONTINUOUS
Zheng Ling stands at the window, hands in pockets, looking
out on the Nagasaki skyline as the garbage truck passes by on
the street below.
THE FACE OF ZHENG LING REFLECTED IN THE OFFICE WINDOW --
MATCH CUT TO:
INT. GEORGE FRANKS OFFICE - NIGHT
-- THE FACE OF ZHENG LING ON THE COMPUTER SCREEN.
George Franks sits at his desk, types in a command and brings
up a profile of Zheng Ling on his computer:
NAME: ZHENG LING -- AGE: 57 -- CITIZEN: JAPAN -- STATUS:
SINGLE -- LANGUAGES: JAPANESE, ENGLISH -- DESCRIPTION: HAIR
BLACK; EYES BLACK; BODY ROTUND -- BUSINESS: MARITIME.
TV News plays in the background --
NEWSNIGHT PRESENTER
As the Zero Carbon Challenge round-
the-world boat race enters its
second week we are joined live via
satellite link by race leader John
Storm...
Franks flicks a glance up at the TV...
NEWSNIGHT PRESENTER
...John, a commanding lead, all
done on clean sustainable energy.
Storm puts a hand to his earpiece, is about to reply, when
Franks mutes the sound and hits the intercom.
FRANKS
Get me Steve Green.
EXT. PACIFIC OCEAN - DAY
Kulo toils through the calm blue waters. Blood trails her.
Ghost nets entangle her. 3 great whites tail her --
-- Danger is her companion now.
EXT. ELIZABETH SWANN - DAY
ON DECK -- Storm relaxes with a cold drink. Hawk joins him,
swigs from his reusable water bottle and marvels at the sun-
spangled vista.
HAWK
You know what, Skip, things could
not be better. Nemo is pushing us
along at almost twenty knots. Ten
days out from Honolulu and we're
already more than a day ahead of
your former significant other.
STORM
Not significant, Hawk. Just good
friends.
HAWK
Wrong answer.
STORM
Anyway it was a long time ago.
Storm's phone interrupts them --
STORM
Steve.
EXT. STREET - DAY
Steve and Charley weave in and out of traffic as they cross
the busy street. An urgency about them.
STEVE
John. I just got word from George
Franks. He's being pretty coy about
where he got the information but it
would seem we have a massive story
unfolding.
INT. ELIZABETH SWANN - DAY
FORWARD HELM -- Storm and Hawk watch Jill Bird reporting from
dockside, Nagasaki Harbour...
JILL BIRD
A giant humpback whale has attacked
and sunk a pirate whaling vessel a
thousand miles southeast of Japan.
According to reports, the incident
occurred over a week ago but has
only just come to light.
LATER -- Storm on alert. Franks on the satphone screen --
FRANKS
The vessel was part of a fleet
owned by a man called Zheng Ling.
Among other things he runs an
international whaling cartel.
INT. GEORGE FRANKS OFFICE - NIGHT
Franks on two-way visual communications with Storm. On his
desktop computer screen a newspaper headline: 'ZHENG LING UPS
STAKE IN LUXURY CRUISE LINE' --
FRANKS
He also owns a substantial
investment in other areas of the
maritime industry - cruise ships
mainly. We believe the man who
broke into your hotel room was
working for him.
STORM
(on satphone screen)
We...?
INT. RESTAURANT - DAY
Eating lunch -- Steve is excitedly explaining to Charley...
STEVE
The Consortium.
CHARLEY
What consortium?
STEVE
George said it was set up to
counter the threat from big
business climate change denial.
Funded by an anonymous billionaire.
BACK WITH STORM IN THE FORWARD HELM -- Storm takes it on, but
with some reluctance.
STORM
And Uncle Doug worked for this ...
Consortium?
FRANKS
(on screen)
Let's say he was affiliated. As am
I. We knew Zheng Ling had somehow
got wind of what he was working on.
On top of everything else Ling owns
a majority shareholding in JOPCO --
STORM
-- Japan Oil and Petroleum
Corporation.
WITH FRANKS -- Random images/profiles on Franks' computer
screen now - Shui Razor, Stang Lee, Kai Sato --
FRANKS
Correct. We believe Ling and his
industrial mafia were out to stop
Professor Storm developing the on-
board storage formula that makes
the Elizabeth Swann's fuel-cell
system commercially viable.
WITH STORM -- His mind whirs. Then --
STORM
So you're saying they murdered him.
Before he could patent the formula.
WITH FRANKS --
FRANKS
John, you asked if your uncle left
the formula to you in his will. The
answer is yes, but with a caveat.
WITH STORM --
FRANKS
(on satphone screen)
The formula belongs to you now.
You're the only one who can patent
it. But first you must complete the
trial. Finish the race. It was your
uncle's express wish.
Storm chews on this for moment, then the hard realisation --
STORM
Which means I've just replaced
Uncle Doug at the top of Zheng
Ling's hit list.
FRANKS
(on satphone screen)
That would appear to be the case.
EXT. ELIZABETH SWANN - NIGHT
ON DECK -- A calm, balmy night. Waning moon. The Milky Way...
Storm sits alone, deep in thought. These latest revelations
weigh heavily.
INT. SUKI'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
Open plan kitchen/diner. TV News plays as Suki boils a kettle
and makes tea --
ABC NEWS PRESENTER
Another twist in the sinking of the
whaling vessel...
-- Suki instantly stops what she is doing and gives her
attention to the TV.
ABC NEWS PRESENTER
...An anonymous Japanese
businessman is offering a million
dollars - that's right, one million
dollars - to anyone who can find
and kill the whale responsible.
INT. JONAH - STANG'S CABIN - NIGHT
Stang is on a furtive video call. Laptop open on the table.
Zheng Ling's face filling the laptop screen.
ZHENG LING
A million dollars.
INT. ZHENG LING'S OFFICE - NIGHT
Zheng Ling rolls a cigar between finger and thumb as he
speaks to Stang's face on his computer screen.
ZHENG LING
Seeing as you are the only whaling
vessel within five-hundred miles I
would say you and Shui are about to
become very rich.
WITH STANG --
ZHENG LING
(on Stang's laptop screen)
Half a million each - assuming you
find the whale.
The door to Stang's cabin is slightly ajar. Shui secretly
listens in on the call.
ZHENG LING
(on Stang's laptop screen)
But you, Stang, you can become even
richer. Bring me John Storm, and
you'll receive a further one
million dollars - all to yourself.
The news registers in Stang's eyes, then he hears a noise
behind him. He spins. The door to Stang's cabin is still
ajar. But Shui has gone.
INT. STEVE'S OFFICE - DAY
Charley scrolls through the latest headlines on the whaling
story on her computer. Steve's here too, at his desk.
STEVE
A million?
CHARLEY
It's all over social media. All the
outlets are carrying the story.
CHARLEY'S COMPUTER SCREEN IMAGE: Google listings: 'MILLION
DOLLAR MOBY' and 'MYSTERY BUSINESSMAN OFFERS MILLION DOLLAR
REWARD FOR MISSING WHALE' etc.
CHARLEY
Coverage of the race has suddenly
taken a back seat.
Steve has an idea --
STEVE
I wonder.
CHARLEY
What?
Steve types SATELLITE TRACKING PROGRAM into the Google search
engine and clicks on the top result. A page with an image of
Suki comes up with details of the program and a telephone
number (we do not see all of the number).
COMPUTER SCREEN IMAGE: SATELLITE TRACKING PROGRAM (STP) --
UNIVERSITY OF QUEENSLAND -- ST LUCIA CAMPUS -- EMAIL:
profsukihall@stluciacampus.au -- TEL: +61 7 3365 ****
Steve picks up his phone and dials the number.
STEVE
Ahh, Professor Suki Hall, please.
This is Steve Green calling from
the UK. I'm John Storm's press
officer. Thank you...
While the call's being put through to Suki --
STEVE
Charley, get hold of Tom Marcus.
See how much he's willing to pay
for exclusive shots of the missing
whale.
Suki comes on the line --
STEVE
Professor Hall? Steve Green. I
wonder if I could talk to you about
the missing whale...?
EXT. PACIFIC OCEAN/UNDERWATER - DAY
Kulo is in a bad way now. Strangled by ghost nets and plastic
ropes. Bleeding heavily. Chaperoned by four great whites --
-- Kulo struggles on.
INT. ELIZABETH SWANN - DAY
FORWARD HELM -- Hawk mans the helm as Storm takes a call from
Steve Green on the satphone screen.
STEVE
(on satphone screen)
We think she's close by.
STORM
She?
INT. STEVE'S OFFICE - DAY
Steve talks to Storm via video link. On his computer screen
an image of a breaching humpback - caption: 'KULO LUNA'.
STEVE
I spoke to a Professor Hall at the
STP.
STORM (SATPHONE VOICE)
Suki Hall?
STEVE
You know her?
WITH STORM --
STORM
We've met.
STEVE
(on satphone screen)
Okay well Professor Hall is pretty
sure it's the giant humpback known
as Kulo. Her GPS tag gave her
position away. She was exactly
where the whaling vessel was when
it was sunk. Professor hall says
the signal failed after that. She
thinks her tag was probably damaged
in the attack.
STORM
Kulo.
STEVE
(on satphone screen)
Right. Apparently there was a
supermoon the night she sank the
ship. The media have dubbed her
Kulo Luna.
HAWK
And you want us to do what,
exactly, Steve? Abandon the race
and go looking for a missing whale?
STEVE
A hunted whale, Hawk. There's a
price on her head.
HAWK
A million dollars. Yes, we know.
Storm rakes his fingers back through his hair. What Steve is
asking is a lot, but Storm's conscience is punching him.
STORM
Well it's important we don't stray
too far off course, Steve. I still
have a race to win.
STEVE
(on satphone screen)
Of course. Absolutely. Oh and, ah
... on the off chance, if you see
anything ... maybe you could get a
few shots?
EXT. ELIZABETH SWANN - DAY
VARIOUS SHOTS OF -- Storm up on deck, high-powered binoculars
hard to his eyes, scanning the ocean...
INT. ELIZABETH SWANN - DAY
FORWARD HELM -- Sonar scans the depths, finds nothing. Hawk
heads for the exit.
HAWK
I'm going up on deck, Nemo. Let me
know if the sonar finds anything.
NEMO
Please.
Hawk turns back, gives Nemo a look --
HAWK
Okay ... please.
NEMO
Yes of course, Chief Engineer Hawk.
No problem at all.
INT. JONAH BRIDGE - DAY
Sonar Operator greets Shui as he enters. Stang stands beside
the helmsman, looking through his binoculars.
SONAR OPERATOR
Captain.
Shui nods. Then, to Stang --
SHUI
Stang. You should get some sleep.
I'll take over here.
Stang lowers his binoculars. He is reluctant to leave.
STANG
Ah. Well in case you have any ideas
while I sleep, remember Zheng Ling
wants us to return once we've
caught the whale. Not before.
SHUI
Of course. A million dollars is a
million dollars.
An icy stare between them and Stang leaves the bridge.
EXT. ELIZABETH SWANN - DAY
ON DECK -- Hawk arrives to find Storm's binoculars still
glued to his eyes.
HAWK
They're becoming a permanent
fixture if you don't mind me
saying, Skip.
He lowers the binoculars --
STORM
She has to be out there somewhere.
HAWK
We're way off course. By my
calculations Starlight is now in
the lead.
A thoughtful pause, then --
STORM
You know what, Hawk? I've been
thinking.
I do all these crazy stunts like
climbing the Shard and racing solar
boats around the world because I
believe in what we're doing. I
believe the crazy stunts might just
help achieve something - like clean
up a patch of ocean or save an
endangered species. Well right now
there's an endangered whale out
there who needs our help.
(beat)
And you know the craziest thing? I
think the old man knew. Uncle Doug.
Somehow he knew - Kulo Luna, Zheng
Ling. Kismet. Am I losing the plot?
HAWK
If you mean are you suffering from
a false belief based on incorrect
inference about firmly sustained
external reality despite the median
consensus, I would say yes.
STORM
What if that's not what I mean?
HAWK
Then I'd say you have to follow
your instinct, Skip.
EXT. PACIFIC OCEAN - LATE AFTERNOON
The sun's reddening disc hovers above the far horizon in a
blaze of blood orange - EPIC. From somewhere beneath the
ocean's surface the CRY OF A DISTRESSED WHALE escapes and
permeates the air, reverberating all around, haunting.
EXT. PACIFIC OCEAN/UNDERWATER - LATE AFTERNOON
A GIANT EYE -- It belongs to Kulo. She hangs a few metres
below the surface, keeping watch on her tormentors - four
great whites who circle her.
Suddenly one of the sharks moves in close. Kulo roars, then
manoeuvres round with surprising speed and swats the shark
with a flick of her giant flipper. The shark is tossed high
in the air, breaking surface like a rag doll and crashing
back down with a thunderous splash.
Kulo groans. The wearied look in her eye tells us she cannot
keep the sharks at bay for much longer.
INT. ELIZABETH SWANN - LATE AFTERNOON
Hawk mans the helm. Sports news plays on the LED screen.
Storm enters, binoculars slung around his neck, just as
SPORTS NEWS PRESENTER announces --
SPORTS NEWS PRESENTER
New race leader, Starlight, is now
some distance ahead of the field.
Hawk notices Storm tighten at the news. He mutes the TV.
STORM
Nemo, get me Starlight.
A beep from Nemo and Sarah Jones appears on screen. Hair back
in a pony tail. Sunglasses back on her head.
SARAH
John. Where the hell have you been?
I've been trying to reach you for
the past two days.
STORM
Thought I'd do a spot of fishing.
Give you a chance to catch up. You
said you wanted to win.
SARAH
Not like this.
STORM
You always were difficult to
please.
They both smile awkwardly. A small silence, then --
STORM
Sarah listen, I ahh ... I don't
suppose you've seen anything?
SARAH
If you mean have I seen an errant
whale then no, sorry, I haven't.
(beat)
John, are you sure you know what
you're doing?
EXT. ELIZABETH SWANN - LATER
The sun is dipping low on the horizon...
ON DECK -- Storm sweeps the darkening ocean with his
binoculars. Then again. Nothing. He lowers his binoculars,
just as his phone PINGS. He checks it.
SMART PHONE SCREEN IMAGE: A SONAR BLIP indicates an object
2kms southwest of the Elizabeth Swann.
Storm swings round and searches urgently in the direction of
the sonar reading, straining to see in the dusky light. He
sweeps the small patch of ocean, then again, then --
-- THERE! Finally Storm spots a DARK MASS on the surface. The
image is a little blurred. He adjusts the binoculars, brings
the mass into sharp focus. He shouts down to Hawk.
STORM
Hawk! Port fifteen, full power!
IN THE FORWARD HELM --
HAWK
Got it, Skip! I've got multiple
blips on the sonar!
ON DECK --
STORM
Multiple...?
Storm looks again.
BINOCULARS POV: SHARK FINS CIRCLING A HUMPBACK WHALE. And
there is blood. The whale is spilling blood.
STORM
(to himself)
Oh my God...
He swings down off the solar decking onto the aft deck.
STORM
We've found our girl, Hawk. Come
aft - now! We need to move fast.
We're losing light.
EXT. ELIZABETH SWANN - CONTINUOUS
AFT DECK/COCKPIT -- Hawk arrives to find Storm pulling on his
wet suit and snapping his dive compass watch on his wrist.
STORM
Power on the lights and pull
alongside, Hawk.
Hawk's fingers dance across the touchscreen. Motors whine.
Elizabeth Swann reverses alongside Kulo.
HAWK
Searchlights, Nemo!
NEMO
Searchlights on.
Searchlights pick out the METRE-LONG WOUND on Kulo's back and
the BLOOD SLICK seeping from it. They also reveal the SHARKS.
HAWK
Great whites.
STORM
Four of them.
HAWK
So tell me you're not going in.
STORM
We have no choice. She's clearly
fatigued and she's bleeding badly.
We'll need to fix her wound. Can
you come up with something?
HAWK
Can I...? I can try, but...
STORM
And maybe some Orca sounds.
HAWK
Orca sounds...
STORM
Even great whites have predators.
Hopefully the sounds will distract
the sharks long enough for me to
take a look at the whale.
HAWK
Nemo?
Nemo gives off several electronic beeps and ambient music
fused with whale song starts to play.
HAWK
I'll feed it through the sub-
surface speakers once you're in the
water.
Storm is now fully kitted out in wet suit. Full face mask
with built-in comms system. Air cylinder. Flippers. He holds
a speargun in his hand.
HAWK
Be careful, Skip. Those sharks look
hungry.
Storm disappears through the deck hatch --
HAWK
Now, Nemo.
An electronic beep and 'SUBSURFACE SPEAKERS' is highlighted
on Nemo's screen --
EXT. PACIFIC OCEAN/UNDERWATER - CONTINUOUS
-- ORCA SOUNDS PLAY UNDERWATER...
Storm moves warily through the water towards the giant whale,
20 metres ahead. Above him the killer sharks circle.
INTERCUT BETWEEN STORM UNDERWATER AND HAWK ON THE BOAT
WITH HAWK AT THE AFT HELM -- A live feed of Storm's progress
is fed to the console screen by the underwater cams. Hawk's
eyes are glued to that screen.
HAWK
Can we live stream this, Nemo?
NEMO
Consider it done.
LED SCREEN IMAGE: Storm's YouTube channel -- a LIVE STREAM
opens just as --
CONSOLE SCREEN IMAGE: -- A great white suddenly turns and
heads for Storm at terrifying speed.
HAWK
Skip! Bad boy at three o'clock!
WITH STORM -- Storm spins and sees the shark heading straight
for him. Mouth wide. Head back. Rows of serrated teeth bared
and less than five metres from his face --
-- Storm swings the speargun up. Aims and fires. But the
shark swerves. Spear misses. Shark's fin brushes Storm as it
careers past him, knocking the speargun from his hand. He
looks down in horror as the speargun sinks to the seabed.
WITH HAWK -- Adrenaline drives Hawk now as he watches the
underwater action on the screen.
CONSOLE SCREEN IMAGE: Shark circles round. Prepares for a
second strike --
HAWK
Coming in again, Skip - eight
o'clock!
(to Nemo)
Music on max, Nemo!
WITH STORM -- Orca-sound music blares as again Storm spins
and sees the great white speeding towards him. He realises
the music is having no deterrent effect.
STORM
(sarcasm)
Great. I happen to run into the
only deaf shark in the ocean!
Storm is a sitting target. He grapples to release his dive
knife but the shark is on him, it's razor-like teeth about to
tear his flesh --
WITH HAWK -- Hawk watches in horror as the great white bears
down on Storm. An erratic BEEP BEEP on the sonar diverts his
eyes to the sonar imaging screen and he sees MULTIPLE BLIPS,
this time more than he can easily count. He looks concerned
and confused, both at once.
HAWK
(to himself)
Dolphins...?
WITH STORM -- Shark bears down on Storm at a ferocious pace.
HEAD BACK. MOUTH WIDE --
Storm struggles and struggles to free his knife from its
sheath -- Too late! The shark is on him. But then --
-- WHOOSH! A bottlenose dolphin - DOLPHIN#1 - suddenly
appears from the depths and slams into the shark's belly at
lightning speed - like a torpedo. Shark tumbles and sinks
rapidly into the ocean's depths.
WHOOSH! DOLPHIN#2 slams into a second shark, and it too is
sent spiralling down into the deep dark blue...
WITH HAWK -- Eyes wide, Hawk watches the action on the
console screen. He fights to keep his excitement in check.
HAWK
(to himself)
You know, I've always held dolphins
in the highest regard.
NEMO
The very highest.
HAWK & NEMO
(excitedly together)
YES!
WITH STORM -- Orca-sound music plays softly now as Dolphin#1
nuzzles up to Storm, as though checking him over --
Storm reaches out and lays his hand gently on the dolphin's
face. With his other hand he makes a circle of his forefinger
and thumb, a sign that says 'I'm okay. Thank you. I'm okay'.
The dolphin seems to nod its understanding, then swims off
towards the surface...
Storm looks up - a POD OF 30 DOLPHINS circles the whale, a
ring of protection.
WITH HAWK -- From his position on the boat Hawk can see the
pod of dolphins circling the whale.
HAWK
I don't know if the dolphins are
here to protect you or the whale,
Skip. But I doubt the sharks will
bother you again.
STORM (COMMS VOICE)
Roger that, Hawk.
WITH STORM -- Kulo floats motionless several metres below the
surface as Storm swims above her and checks her wound.
STORM
My God. One giant dressing and a
small miracle required. We're both
relying on you, Hawk.
HAWK (COMMS VOICE)
Leave it to me, Skip. Out.
WITH HAWK IN THE CABIN -- Hawk frantically rummages through
every locker and cupboard. Pulls out several reels of
reinforced general purpose tape. A roll of greaseproof paper.
A tub of heavy duty elastic bands --
-- Opens the medical kit, takes out lint and tubes of
antiseptic cream. Grabs a bedsheet and a length of rope.
WITH STORM -- He is level with KULO'S EYE. He slides his dive
knife from its sheath and shows it to her.
STORM
It's okay, girl. You have to trust
me. Trust me. Okay? Okay?
Kulo gives a gentle sound.
STORM
Good girl.
WITH HAWK ON DECK -- Urgently he tears off several strips of
tape -- Unfurls two rolls of lint -- Opens the tubes of
antiseptic cream and squeezes their contents onto the lint --
Folds up the bedsheet...
WITH STORM -- Working as fast as he can, cutting away the
nets and ropes with his knife, one and then the next. As each
section of netting falls away Kulo sighs appreciatively.
WITH HAWK -- He stuffs the sheet, the rope and the makeshift
dressing into a dry bag.
WITH STORM -- He cuts away another net, and then another...
Finally he cuts away the last remaining net and Kulo lets out
a booming whoooaaahhhhh that rumbles through the ocean like a
peal of thunder...
WITH HAWK ON THE DIVING PLATFORM -- Hawk waits anxiously.
Storm emerges from the water onto the diving platform. Hawk
hands Storm the dry bag.
HAWK
One antiseptic dressing, whale-
size. A sheet and two lengths of
rope to fix it. Best I could do.
Was it as bad as it looked?
STORM
Another few hours and she would
have drowned. No wonder the sharks
were hanging around.
HAWK
Well done, Skip.
Storm dips back into the water. As he swims off a dolphin
surfaces and seems to catch Hawk's eye.
HAWK
Yes, well done to you, too.
WITH STORM -- Kulo floats on the ocean's surface. Storm
clambers up onto her flipper, then onto her back and opens
the dry bag.
STORM
Hang in there, girl.
He takes the dressing out of the bag and applies it to one
side of the wound. Kulo lets out a cry and thrashes her tail
and flippers, almost catapulting Storm back into the sea. He
clings on for all he's worth.
STORM
Woah! Steady girl ... steady.
Finally Kulo relaxes. Storm applies the rest of the dressing.
Pulls the sheet and rope from the bag. Throws the sheet over
the dressing and lets the two ends of rope fall into the
water either side of Kulo's neck. Then dives in after them.
UNDERWATER -- Beneath Kulo's hulking mass Storm grabs first
one end of rope, then swims across under the whale's throat
and grabs the other end. Ties the two ends together.
STORM
Perfect. Good job, Hawk.
WITH HAWK AT THE AFT HELM -- Hawk sees the whale with its new
dressing. He looks pleased with himself.
HAWK
Perfect, yes, agreed.
WITH STORM -- Storm is again at Kulo's eye...
Magic now as deep inside that eye Storm sees AN IMAGE OF THE
GREAT PACIFIC GARBAGE PATCH - a spiralling mass of floating
plastic and other human detritus coating the ocean's surface.
Kulo is trying to tell him something ... but what?
WITH HAWK AT AFT THE HELM -- LED SCREEN IMAGE: KULO'S EYE
LOOKS BACK AT US...
Hawk watches as the image of Kulo's eye blinks out.
NEMO
Live stream terminated.
HAWK
Thank you, Nemo. Oh and ... well
done. Good job.
NEMO
Oh! No problem at all, Chief
Engineer Hawk. No problem at all!
INT. STEVE'S OFFICE - DAY
Steve sits at his desk, munching a sandwich, scrolling
through the latest on Kulo.
STEVE
My God!
CHARLEY
What's up?
STEVE
They're offering odds on the
whalers catching Kulo.
CHARLEY
Who?
STEVE
Everyone. Ladbets. WagerHub.
Stake100. Global Bookie.
CHARLEY
You're kidding.
Charley joins Steve at his desk. Leans over his shoulder and
checks the screen.
CHARLEY
Ten-to-one against them killing
her? That's obscene.
STEVE
Five-hundred-to-one on Kulo sinking
the second ship.
CHARLEY
And look here. The total value of
bets worldwide has already reached
three-hundred-million-dollars...
STEVE
Three-hundred ... no way.
CHARLEY
...Could make it to a billion by
this time tomorrow. They're calling
her the billion-dollar whale.
STEVE
Insanity.
Steve's phone rings. He snatches it up --
STEVE
Tom.
INT. TOM HUDSON'S OFFICE - DAY
Tom's prowling his office.
TOM
Have you seen the latest?
WITH STEVE AND CHARLEY --
STEVE
Looking at it now. A billion
dollars...
WITH TOM --
TOM
Steve. Those exclusives you
mentioned, of the whale.
STEVE (TELEPHONE VOICE)
Storm's on it. He's located the
whale. He's sending the photos over
later today.
TOM
That's great, Steve. But listen,
this changes things. How are you
and Charley fixed for a trip to Oz?
INT. JONAH BRIDGE - DAY
RADAR SCREEN: Several sweeps - nothing.
Stang narrows his eyes and scans the ocean. Storm must surely
be close by. He raises his binoculars.
EXT. ELIZABETH SWANN - DAY
DIVING PLATFORM -- Storm's pulling on his wet suit. He's
going in again. Hawk thinks it's a bad idea. Kulo swims
alongside, slightly astern --
STORM
A billion.
HAWK
An estimate of how many sharks
currently populate the ocean.
STORM
An estimate of how many dollars
currently weigh on Kulo. We have to
try and help her.
Storm grabs his flippers and face mask.
HAWK
I wasn't exaggerating when I said a
billion...
STORM
Only a few thousand of which are
great whites and tigers.
HAWK
It only takes one.
STORM
She's not well, Hawk. I think I
know what's wrong with her. She was
trying to tell me.
HAWK
What do you mean she was trying to
tell you? Tell you what - exactly?
STORM
I'm afraid that's confidential.
A look ... and Storm disappears into the water. Hawk lets go
a heavy breath, exasperated. He turns to Nemo.
HAWK
Nemo. Orca sounds - please.
Nemo beeps --
NEMO
No problem at all.
EXT. PACIFIC OCEAN/UNDERWATER - CONTINUOUS
-- Orca sounds play as Storm swims up to Kulo's eye...
STORM
It's okay girl. I don't know how to
say this in whale speak, but I need
you to open your mouth.
Kulo lets out a gentle murmur, then slowly opens her mouth,
but only slightly --
STORM
Good girl, Kulo. Wider if you can.
That's it. Good girl. Good girl.
Kulo opens her mouth wide. Storm peers inside. He is
disturbed to see so many PLASTIC BAGS IN HER BALEEN PLATES.
INT. ELIZABETH SWANN - DAY
FORWARD HELM -- Steve Green's face on the satphone screen.
STEVE
Plastic bags.
STORM
Caught up in her baleen plates. She
needs medical assistance - fast.
STEVE
I think I might have the perfect
solution.
EXT. BRISBANE HELIPAD - DAY
Suki carries a chunky bag as she ducks beneath the spinning
helicopter blades and climbs aboard. Helicopter lifts off.
INT. JONAH BRIDGE - NIGHT
Stang mans the bridge. Shui enters just as --
-- RADAR SCREEN IMAGE: AN ECHO.
RADAR OPERATOR
We have a signal, Captain. Forty-
two kilometers. Bearing south-south-
west. It's a fairly weak signal.
Likely a small vessel.
STANG
A trimaran?
RADAR OPERATOR
Could be, Captain.
STANG
(to Helmsman)
Bring her round.
Shui interrupts --
SHUI
Maintain course! We are searching
for a whale, not a yacht.
STANG
(to Helmsman)
I said bring her round.
Helmsman's nervous - who should he obey?
SHUI
Are you disobeying an order, Stang?
Stang in Shui's face now.
STANG
Take it up with Zheng Ling.
Stang exits the bridge.
INT. SUKI'S HELICOPTER - DAY
AERIAL SHOT: Suki glances out the window at the expanse of
pristine blue ocean below.
A FEW MOMENTS LATER -- Out the front windscreen the Elizabeth
Swann comes into view.
EXT. ELIZABETH SWANN - DAY
ON DECK -- Storm and Hawk watching Suki's helicopter
approaching -- then the ROAR OF THE HELICOPTER BLADES
OVERHEAD as Suki is lowered from the helicopter --
SUKI'S POV: Storm and Hawk craning their necks, watching her
descent -- the Elizabeth Swann's solar-panelled deck drawing
closer, then --
Touchdown! -- Storm unclips Suki's harness -- gives the
thumbs up to the pilot -- helicopter roars away --
-- Storm and Suki stand face to face for the length of a
skipped heartbeat as both are reminded of their attraction to
one another ... Then --
STORM
Thanks for coming. We'd better get
started.
MOMENTS LATER AT THE AFT HELM -- Suki straps on her 'tool
belt'. It has various compartments housing the gadgets she
needs to examine Kulo. She unclips one of the compartments
and takes out a pill camera and a hand-held image recorder.
SUKI
A capsule endoscopy camera -
otherwise known as a pill camera.
We need to get Kulo to swallow it.
She looks to Storm --
STORM
I can try.
-- Then she shows him the image recorder.
SUKI
This little gizmo will capture the
images so we can see what's in her
stomach. I'll also take samples and
re-tag her while I'm with her.
STORM
Let's do it.
DIVING PLATFORM -- Storm and Suki slide into the water. Hawk
turns to Nemo, but before he can speak --
NEMO
Orca sounds coming up!
EXT. PACIFIC OCEAN/UNDERWATER - DAY
Orca sounds play as Storm and Suki swim up close to Kulo.
STORM
It's okay Kulo. This is Suki. She's
here to help you.
Kulo gives a gentle rumble as Storm shows her the pill
camera. He opens his mouth and mimes the action of swallowing
it. She understands. She opens her mouth and Storm places the
pill on her tongue as far back in her mouth as he dare. She
lifts her head and swallows --
STORM
Good girl, Kulo. Good girl.
Suki gives the thumbs up. Storm remains with Kulo, calming
her as Suki swims off and carries out her examinations.
She listens to Kulo's heartbeat with her stethoscope --
Captures the endoscopy images with the recorder -- Takes
blood and tissue samples -- Re-tags Kulo with the tag-gun...
...Finally Suki gives the thumbs up - 'All done'
EXT. ELIZABETH SWANN - DAY
AFT HELM/COCKPIT AREA -- Storm and Hawk stand by as Suki runs
the tests through the computer.
COMPUTER SCREEN IMAGE: A series of images, one after the
other, showing Kulo's bloated stomach stuffed with a huge
ball of knotted plastic.
SUKI
I've seen this all too often
before. It's a knotted mass of
plastic bags. Could weigh anything
up to forty or fifty kilos. We have
to get it out or she'll die.
She holds up a vial of blood --
SUKI
And so will her unborn calf.
STORM
She's pregnant?
SUKI
Heavily.
LATER ON THE DIVING PLATFORM -- Storm pulls on his diving
gear and Suki works on her laptop as Hawk appears holding a
length of rubber hose with a camera at one end and an
impeller pump at the other.
HAWK
One gastric lavage appliance.
SUKI
Perfect.
STORM
Let's hope the hose is long enough.
HAWK
Yes. Let's hope the weather holds,
too. Nemo just checked. It looks
like we're on a collision course
with a category four cyclone.
ANGRY CLOUDS BUBBLE UP ON THE HORIZON as Storm slides into
the water.
EXT. PACIFIC OCEAN/UNDERWATER - DAY
Storm swims towards Kulo...
INTERCUT BETWEEN STORM IN THE WATER AND SUKI AND HAWK ON THE
DIVING PLATFORM
DIVING PLATFORM -- Suki watches the images of Storm on her
laptop as he swims up to Kulo and shows her the hose. Mimes
the action of swallowing it. Kulo opens her mouth.
SUKI
You certainly have a way with her.
UNDERWATER --
STORM
All done by instinct.
Storm inserts the hose, twisting and pushing it to the back
of Kulo's throat --
DIVING PLATFORM -- Suki studies the images on her laptop...
UNDERWATER -- Storm stroking Kulo with one hand, gently
twisting the hose down into her esophagus with the other --
DIVING PLATFORM -- LAPTOP SCREEN IMAGE: The inner walls of
Kulo's esophagus contract and expand as the camera descends
... down ... down ... until --
-- We are in Kulo's stomach looking at the LARGE BALL OF
COMPRESSED PLASTIC.
Suki nods at Hawk --
HAWK
Activate the pump, Nemo.
NEMO
Please.
HAWK
This is not the time!
NEMO
(suitably chastised)
No. Sorry. Pump activated.
Pump starts to whir --
LAPTOP SCREEN IMAGE: Water sluices around in Kulo's stomach.
SUKI
Hold it there ... hold it ...
reverse the flow now, Nemo.
NEMO
Flow reversed.
LAPTOP SCREEN IMAGE: Suction -- water flow -- plastic ball
starting to disintegrate --
UNDERWATER -- Storm continues to comfort Kulo...
DIVING PLATFORM -- Hawk checks the sieve. It contains
disgorged plastic bags.
HAWK
We have plastic!
SUKI
Great. It's working. Same again,
Nemo!
Pump whirs --
LAPTOP SCREEN IMAGE: Last of the plastic is sucked out.
SUKI
Mission accomplished, John.
UNDERWATER -- Storm strokes and fusses Kulo --
STORM
Well done, Kulo. Well done girl.
Kulo offers a gentle sigh.
EXT. ELIZABETH SWANN - NIGHT
Hawk lays out on deck, on his back, counting stars.
HAWK
Three-hundred-and-twenty-four,
three-hundred-and-twenty-five,
three-hundred-and...
Suddenly -- WHOOSH! A SHOOTING STAR fizzes across the sky.
HAWK
...Ah! There goes Perseus. Amazing.
A disarticulated fragment of space
rock hurtling into the earth's
mesosphere at around two-hundred-
and-fifty-thousand kilometers per
hour and heating the air in its
path to more than a thousand
degrees Celcius. Pure romance.
INT. ELIZABETH SWANN - NIGHT
CABIN -- Soft light -- intimate -- sexy...
Storm moves his knight. He and Suki sit opposite, across a
table, playing chess. Their conversation is warm, seductive.
STORM
Thank you for today, Suki. I was
really quite worried about her.
SUKI
Oh, you did all the work. I just
had the pleasure of watching you.
STORM
Teamwork.
Suki moves a bishop --
STORM
So who is Suki? How did she come to
be a marine biologist?
SUKI
It's what her father always wanted.
I guess she just fell in line.
STORM
Well I'm very glad she did.
Storm moves a pawn --
SUKI
He worked in conservation. It was
his passion - marine ecosystems
specifically, protecting marine
wildlife. Later in life he became a
prominent activist, not unlike the
famous John Storm.
Spent a lot of his time away. Then
one day he just never came home.
She moves a pawn. He moves a bishop --
STORM
What happened?
SUKI
He dared to tread on the Tail of
the Dragon.
STORM
The Tail of the Dragon?
SUKI
An underground crime syndicate.
They own a fleet of pirate whaling
ships in Nagasaki. The syndicate's
run by a man called --
STORM
-- Zheng Ling.
SUKI
(surprise)
Yes. How do you know?
STORM
Let's just say you and I have a lot
in common.
SUKI
Life's a one way street.
Queen takes bishop --
SUKI
Check.
Knight takes queen --
STORM
Mate.
EXT. SYDNEY AIRPORT - DAY
SUPER: 'SYDNEY AIRPORT'
Airbus comes in to land...
INT. BAGGAGE RECLAIM AREA - DAY
Steve and Charley jostle for position. Steve's phone sounds.
STEVE
Tom. We've just arrived. Don't tell
me there's another change of plan?
INT. TOM HUDSON'S OFFICE - EVENING
Tom paces, concerned --
TOM
Call me when you get to your hotel,
Steve. We have a situation.
EXT. PACIFIC OCEAN - DAY
GATHERING CLOUDS -- FRESHENING WINDS -- CHOPPY WATERS...
The Elizabeth Swann hits the outer bands of the cyclone.
INT. ELIZABETH SWANN - DAY
FORWARD HELM -- The face of George Franks on the satphone
screen. Storm, Suki and Hawk are all here --
FRANKS
They have you in their sights.
STORM
Who?
FRANKS
Zheng Ling's men. Our satellite
reports show they're close by.
HAWK
Nemo?
Several beeps from Nemo, then --
NEMO
Harpoon vessel. Jonah. Port of
registry Nagasaki, Japan. Twelve
kilometers and closing.
HAWK
What? Why didn't you tell us
sooner?
NEMO
Sorry, Chief Engineer Hawk. I was
kind of caught up in the whole Kulo
thing. It was all rather exciting.
HAWK
For God's sake.
STORM
(to Nemo)
Twelve kilometers.
NEMO
And closing.
STORM
Well we can outrun them, can't we?
SUKI
Not with an injured whale in tow.
Out the window Kulo swims alongside...
SUKI
A heavily pregnant whale at that.
HAWK
And a cyclone about to hit.
Storm lets out a heavy sigh. Then --
STORM
Well whatever happens we must do
everything we can to protect Kulo.
These people are being offered a
million dollars to kill her. That's
a big incentive.
FRANKS
There's one other thing to
consider, John.
STORM
What's that?
FRANKS
I'm afraid there's a million
dollars on your head, too.
INT. JONAH - STANG'S CABIN - NIGHT
Stang sits back with his feet up on the table. Shui gazes out
the window with his back to Stang.
STANG
Half a million each for the whale.
Half a million each for Storm. A
retirement package to die for.
SHUI
The reward for killing Storm was
offered to you, Stang. Not me. I
want no part of it.
STANG
Come on, Shui. I can't do it
without you. I don't know what
Zheng Ling was even thinking
leaving you out of the deal.
SHUI
He was thinking what a mug you are.
STANG
Mug? We're talking a million
dollars - each!
Shui swings round and fixes Stang --
SHUI
We're talking piracy and murder!
Boarding Storm's vessel without his
express permission is a violation
of international maritime law.
STANG
Maritime law?
SHUI
Piracy.
STANG
Says Nagasaki's most notorious
pirate whaler. Ha!
SHUI
And killing him into the bargain is
murder.
STANG
Yes. And from where I'm sitting a
million dollars for murder doesn't
seem such a bad deal.
(beat)
Well? Does it?
Shui stares long and hard at Stang - did he just say that?
SHUI
Our business is to kill whales for
food, Stang, not people for profit.
And for as long as I'm captain of
this ship that's the way it will
stay.
Another long hard glare from Shui ... then he storms out and
SLAMS THE DOOR. In Stang's eyes, treachery.
EXT. PACIFIC OCEAN/UNDERWATER - DAY
Storm and Suki swim with Kulo. Suki inspects her wound while
Storm swims up to Kulo's eye to comfort her. She blinks, as
if to acknowledge his presence --
-- All the while Kulo makes strange 'calling' sounds.
EXT. ELIZABETH SWANN - DAY
DIVING PLATFORM -- Storm and Suki towel themselves down.
STORM
What were those strange sounds Kulo
was making?
SUKI
As a marine biologist I'd have to
say I don't know. As a woman I'd
say she's going into labour. I'd
say she's calling in her midwives.
INT. ELIZABETH SWANN - DAY
FORWARD HELM -- Hawk studying the combined sonar/radar
screen. Storm and Suki watching Kulo on the rear cam screen.
Suddenly two BEEPS alert Hawk.
SONAR/RADAR SCREEN IMAGE -- BEEP ONE: Multiple sonar blips
800 metres to starboard. BEEP TWO: radar image 3 kms to port.
HAWK
Multiple blips eight-hundred metres
off the starboard bow, Skip.
Studies the image closely now --
HAWK
A small pod of whales if I'm not
mistaken.
SUKI
Looks like the midwives have
answered Kulo's call.
REAR CAM SCREEN IMAGE: Kulo peers up into camera, as if to
communicate something. Then she dives and disappears.
INT. ELIZABETH SWANN - CONTINUOUS
FORWARD HELM -- SONAR/RADAR SCREEN IMAGE: Sonar blip moves
away from the Swann towards the approaching multiple blips.
Radar blip draws closer...
HAWK
Kulo's swimming towards the pod.
SUKI
Good girl, Kulo.
STORM
What about the radar image?
HAWK
It's a single vessel, Skip. Three
kilometers that way.
Hawk indicates out the window towards the northern horizon.
Storm raises his binoculars.
BINOCULARS POV: The Jonah makes full steam towards them.
HAWK
Should we make a run for it?
STORM
And leave Kulo exposed? No. We'll
stand our ground. At least then
Kulo can find a safe place to have
her calf.
EXT. PACIFIC OCEAN/UNDERWATER - DAY
Kulo swims through the sun-spooled water. As our camera pulls
back we see that she is not alone. Half a dozen other whales
swim with her - KULO'S MIDWIVES.
EXT. PACIFIC OCEAN - DAY
SUN DISAPPEARS BEHIND GATHERING STORM CLOUDS...
INT. JONAH BRIDGE - DAY
Stang views the Elizabeth Swann through his binoculars. Radar
Operator monitors the approaching cyclone on his screen.
RADAR OPERATOR
The cyclone will be directly
overhead by nightfall, Captain.
Stang lowers his binoculars. Sees Shui watching him from the
doorway. He holds Shui's eyes when he says --
STANG
Then what are we waiting for. Full
steam ahead, Helmsman.
Shui turns and leaves.
EXT. PACIFIC OCEAN - EVENING
The enormous black hull of the Jonah dwarfs the Elizabeth
Swann as it pulls alongside...
INT. ELIZABETH SWANN - EVENING
FORWARD HELM -- The light outside is dusky now, the wind
picking up. Storm, Suki and Hawk observe the Jonah pulling
alongside and half a dozen mean-looking crewmen armed with
whaling knives leaping aboard the Elizabeth Swann --
-- Ship's satphone sounds. Stang's face on the LED screen.
STANG
Captain Storm. The boarding party
will offer you and Professor Hall
safe passage aboard the Jonah. Do
not resist, or they will kill you.
STORM
Why Professor Hall? Why not just
me?
STANG
You have five minutes.
Stang's face blinks out.
EXT. AIRPORT CONTROL TOWER - NIGHT
FIERCE WIND NOW -- DRIVING RAIN...
Airport security vehicle pulls up. Steve and Charley jump out
and run inside the building.
INT. AIRPORT CONTROL TOWER - NIGHT
Steve and Charley enter the control room. Banks of technology
-- computer screens, radar screens, navigation consoles. A
dozen people work in here...
Air Traffic Controller KASHAN sits at his desk and studies
the computer screen. It displays the cyclone's progress.
Steve and Charley make their way over to Kashan. He gets up
to greet them and they shake hands.
STEVE
Kashan? Steve Green.
CHARLEY
Charley Temple.
STEVE
I believe George Franks called to
say we were coming?
KASHAN
He did indeed. Nice to meet you
guys. You must be on some pretty
important work.
CHARLEY
We just need to know when we can
fly.
KASHAN
Right. Of course.
Kashan sits himself back down at the desk --
WEATHER COMPUTER SCREEN IMAGE: The swirling storm heads
northwest across the Coral Sea towards Papua New Guinea...
KASHAN
Well as you can see the cyclone's
moving pretty fast, about fifty
kilometers an hour. You should be
right to go in the morning.
Steve indicates a position on the map.
STEVE
So the Elizabeth Swann is here
right now?
KASHAN
Yep. Right in the middle of it.
CHARLEY
My god. They must be taking a
battering.
STEVE
And some. Let's hope they're still
there in the morning.
EXT. PACIFIC OCEAN - NIGHT
The Elizabeth Swann plunges through the furious storm, tossed
about like flotsam by high winds and mountainous waves...
INT. JONAH - BELOW DECK - NIGHT
The boat rocks and creaks with the motion of the cyclone as
Storm and Suki are led along a passageway, hands tied behind
their backs. At the end of the passageway they are led into --
INT. JONAH HOLD - NIGHT
-- A vast damp industrial space with a TAIL OF THE DRAGON
design in bas relief decorating one of the walls and CCTV
cameras lurking high up in the corners. Two chairs sit side
by side in the centre of the hold. Beside the chairs, Stang.
STANG
Sit.
INT. ELIZABETH SWANN - NIGHT
FORWARD HELM -- BAM! Hawk is hurled across the cockpit by the
force of a huge wave that has just hit broadside. We hear the
SOUND OF METAL TWISTING AND GRATING ON METAL AS LIGHTS FLASH
AND ALARMS SOUND...
Urgency now as Hawk picks himself up. Shakes himself down.
Fingers the console touchscreen --
HAWK
Turn the alarms off, Nemo. And run
a systems check.
NEMO
Really? Is it not obvious...
HAWK
Now!
Nemo beeps. Lights out. Alarms off. Hawk struggles into his
storm-proof oilskin.
NEMO
Systems check ... Solar panel
array, port wing forward, disabled.
Turbine generator supports damaged.
Control rod malfunction. Extent of
damage unknown.
HAWK
(heading for the exit)
That's what we need to find out.
Maintain course. Keep her steady.
Hawk slams the door behind him.
NEMO
(to himself)
Keep her steady, he says. Hurricane-
force winds, twenty-metre-high seas
and he wants me to keep her steady.
Suddenly another wave crashes into the boat, SETTING OFF THE
ALARMS AGAIN. Hawk pokes his head back through the door.
HAWK
And turn those damned alarms off!
NEMO
Of course, Chief Engineer Hawk. No
problem at all.
INT. JONAH HOLD - NIGHT
Storm and Suki sit facing the back wall, hands tied behind
their backs. Shui and Stang are here with six crewmen. Shui
nods and one of the men throws a switch that turns out the
lights and casts the hold into total darkness --
-- Beat ... then a large wall-mounted LED screen comes to
life with THE TUMEFIED FACE OF ZHENG LING. The screen is
backlit with a phosphorous glow, throwing the industrial
space into stark neon contrast --
Faces of Storm and Suki in Chiaroscuro light now...
ZHENG LING
The famous John Storm. Professor
Suki Hall.
Welcome aboard what is now the
Dragon Fleet's flagship - given
that my senior captain ran aground
on a whale.
(to Shui)
We will have words on your return,
Captain Razor.
Stang sniggers. Shui is not amused. Storm register's Shui's
reaction. Zheng Ling continues his address to the prisoners --
ZHENG LING
So, to business. I'm a fair man, Mr
Storm, but I do not suffer fools.
And by fools I mean anyone who
threatens my interests.
SUKI
Is that why you murdered my father?
ZHENG LING
Your father should have considered
the consequences of sabotaging my
operations.
Shui is surprised at this news. He flicks a glance at Suki,
then at Zheng Ling on the LED screen. Who else has his boss
murdered?
STORM
My uncle didn't sabotage your
operations.
ZHENG LING
Ah, your uncle. Professor Douglas
Storm. No, you're right. He didn't.
But he was a dangerous man. His
formula, had he been permitted to
trial and patent it, would have
enabled the fuel-cell economy to
run riot. The fossil fuel industry
would have collapsed and my Dragon
Fleet would have sunk in its wake.
STORM
So you tried to steal the formula
from him.
ZHENG LING
Steal? No. I simply offered him a
deal, one he was foolish to refuse.
If he had signed the formula over
to me he would not only have walked
away with his life.
He would have been a very rich man.
But it would seem your uncle had
scruples. He had to be stopped.
STORM
You killed him.
ZHENG LING
He had an unfortunate accident - at
the hands of my new senior captain.
A mean grin plays on Stang's lips. He looks across at Storm
through the room's low-key lighting - smug, unforgiving. The
look says 'I killed your uncle and you will be next'. Shui is
looking increasingly uncomfortable...
ZHENG LING
All of which bears little relevance
now. The point is, on your uncle's
death you became the lawful owner
of the formula. You are now the one
who must accept my offer - if you
want your lady friend to live.
Zheng's threat stings Storm.
SUKI
Don't listen to him, John.
ZHENG LING
Shui?
At first Shui doesn't respond. He fires a warning shot at
Stang: 'This isn't over, not yet'.
ZHENG LING
Captain Razor, the contract.
Finally Shui nods to Crewman#1, who steps forward carrying a
document rolled up in the form of a scroll. He unfurls it and
holds it up to Storm's face --
-- It is headed: 'ASSIGNMENT OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS'
ZHENG LING
An agreement between us, Mr Storm.
By signing the deed you will be
assigning ownership of the formula
to me. You have until sunup.
STORM
I don't need until sunup. You can
have the formula...
SUKI
John, no!
STORM
...On one condition.
ZHENG LING
I'm listening.
STORM
You let Professor Hall go.
Zheng Ling leaves a contemptuous pause for effect ... then
dismisses Storm's appeal out of hand.
ZHENG LING
Like I said, Mr Storm. You have
until sunup.
EXT. ELIZABETH SWANN - NIGHT
CYCLONE AT ITS HEIGHT NOW -- TURBOCHARGED WINDS -- MONSTROUS
WAVES -- SEAWASH AND STINGING RAIN...
WALKWAY -- Hawk clambers across the walkway between the pods,
following the beam from his hand-held searchlight. Danger
partners him. It is lethal out here.
Suddenly -- BOOM! The Swann is hit by a mountainous wall of
water that thunders down on Hawk like a tsunami from the
angry sky. Hawk is swallowed completely --
-- When we see him again he has lost his footing -- he is
clinging on by his fingertips, feet scrabbling for purchase --
no way he will make it --
-- But somehow he does. He hauls himself up. A deep breath.
Then he scans the underside of the solar panel array with his
searchlight. No damage. He pushes on --
ON DECK -- Hawk's searchlight beam settles on the port wing
forward -- SEVERAL CRACKED AND BENT PANELS -- he reaches out
and tugs at one of them and it snaps off --
AT THE AFT HELM -- Searchlight glides across the stern, left
then right. Hawk still searching, still desperately clinging
to his life...
WIND AND RAIN LASHING HIM -- OCEAN SPRAY LIKE WATER CANNON
FURIOUS IN HIS FACE -- WAVE ON WAVE TOSSING THE SWANN AROUND
LIKE FLOTSAM...
Finally -- There! Searchlight reveals the damage: TURBINE
GENERATOR SUPPORT BUCKLED -- CONTROL ROD TWISTED AND SNAPPED.
WHAM! Another volume of ocean smacks Hawk full in the face
and sends him crashing backwards -- just manages to grab hold
of the handrail, then picks himself up and battles his way
back inside...
INT. ELIZABETH SWANN - CONTINUOUS
FORWARD HELM -- DOOR SLAMS SHUT BEHIND HAWK...
He has just entered. He is exhausted, drenched. Gasping for
breath. He cannot speak. But Nemo can --
NEMO
Solar panel array?
Hawk still can't talk. He nods affirmative --
NEMO
Turbine generator support? Control
rod?
Again he nods affirmative --
NEMO
I did tell you. Could have saved
yourself the bother.
INT. STEVE'S HOTEL ROOM - NIGHT
Steve loosens his tie and pours himself a drink. Peers out
the hotel room window at the wild night. His reflection peers
back in at him --
-- TOM HUDSON is the name on Steve's mobile. It lies on the
bedside table on speakerphone.
TOM (TELEPHONE VOICE)
How's the weather?
STEVE
We're clear to go in the morning...
Checks his watch --
STEVE
...About four hours from now.
Charley's getting her head down.
TOM (TELEPHONE VOICE)
You know the betting has exceeded a
billion dollars. This could be the
biggest media coup in history.
STEVE
Assuming everything goes according
to plan.
TOM (TELEPHONE VOICE)
That's where we're relying on you,
Steve. You and Charley. The world
will be watching - literally. Good
luck.
Call ends. Steve knocks back his drink.
STEVE
Thanks Tom. No pressure.
INT. JONAH - SHUI'S CABIN - NIGHT
Shui sits at the table, playing back a recording of Zheng
Ling's satphone call on his laptop --
ZHENG LING
...It would seem your uncle had
scruples. He had to be stopped ...
An unfortunate accident - at the
hands of my new senior captain ...
My new senior captain.
A knock at the door. Shui knows who it is. He pauses the
recording, gets up and opens the door. Crewman#1 hands him a
flash drive. They speak in whispered tones.
SHUI
Are the men prepared?
CREWMAN#1
Yes captain.
SHUI
Tell them to wait for the signal.
Best get some sleep now. We have an
early start.
Shui closes the door, sits back down and slots the flash
drive in the laptop.
INT. ELIZABETH SWANN - NIGHT
FORWARD HELM -- STEVE GREEN ON THE SATPHONE SCREEN...
STEVE
I need you to be ready to go the
minute I call.
Hawk is still nursing his bruised ego as he takes the call.
HAWK
(sarcasm)
Oh, I think I can manage that,
Steve. There's an off-the-scale
cyclone blowing. I have a damaged
vessel. My captain's gone AWOL and
I have an opinionated robot prone
to stagy histrionics as a workmate.
Other than that I'm good to go.
On the satphone screen Steve forces a tired smile.
STEVE
Good man, Hawk. I'll be in touch.
Steve blinks out. Hawk sighs. Nemo beeps --
NEMO
Oh well. Clement weather forecast
for the morning, Chief Engineer
Hawk. Sun, sun and sun.
(beat)
Opinionated robot indeed.
INT. JONAH BELOW DECK - DAY
DOOR OPENS OUT ONTO A BLAZE OF EARLY MORNING SUNSHINE...
Storm squints against the bright sunlight as he steps through
the door and out onto the main deck. His hands are still tied
behind his back. Suki, her hands also tied, steps through
with him. They are chaperoned by half a dozen crew --
EXT. JONAH DECK - CONTINUOUS
-- The rest of the crew form a large semicircle around Shui,
who stands centre-deck dressed all in black with Samurai
headband and sword. Beside Shui, a table and a chair...
Stang is here too, over by the starboard hand rail throwing
scraps of diced whale blubber over the side, piece by piece.
A length of wood has been rigged up here, overhanging the
gunwale. Someone will 'walk the plank' today.
Directly below the plank a SHIVER OF TIGER SHARKS has
gathered, feeding on the scraps thrown by Stang.
Storm and Suki stand before Shui.
SHUI
It would be best if you sign
without a fuss.
Shui motions for Storm to sit at the table as one of the crew
unfurls the contract and lays it flat. A pen awaits but Storm
remains where he is.
STORM
You know, as I see it, gentlemen,
you have a problem. If you kill
Professor Hall, I will refuse to
sign. If you kill me, I will be
unable to sign. Either way the
formula will be patented by my
people and you will have to answer
to Zheng Ling.
Stang is unimpressed. He nods to two of his men. They step
forward and blindfold Suki. Two other men restrain Storm.
Shui conceals his displeasure.
STANG
We'll see if you are prepared to
stand by and watch your lady friend
die, my friend.
(to the two crewmen)
Bring them over.
Suki is manhandled over and up onto the plank. At the same
time Storm is muscled over to the hand rail, close to Stang.
Shui follows. Storm is shown what lies over the side. He
peers down and sees --
-- A FEEDING FRENZY -- the sharks gorging insanely, like
giant piranhas, as Stang empties a bucket of diced whale
blubber over the side. Storm stiffens. Shui's eyes harden.
STANG
(to Storm)
Time to sign.
Storm looks up at Suki balanced precariously on the plank.
Then at Shui. Then back at Stang. Panic is in him now. But
then --
-- A speck, in the sky, in the distance, flying low over the
water towards the ship. A helicopter...?
EXT. ABOVE PACIFIC OCEAN - DAY
EcoBird helicopter flies low, stealth-like, virtually silent
over the ocean surface --
INT. ECOBIRD HELICOPTER - CONTINUOUS
-- Steve pilots and speaks into his face mic. Charley is
seated at the open door. Out the front windscreen the Jonah
is visible three kilometers ahead.
STEVE
Stand by, Hawk.
INT. ELIZABETH SWANN - DAY
FORWARD HELM - Hawk with Steve's face on the LED screen --
HAWK
Standing by, Steve.
NEMO
Standing by, Steve.
Hawk give Nemo a LOOK.
INT. ECOBIRD HELICOPTER - DAY
Jonah firmly in Steve's sights now --
STEVE
All set, Charley?
Charley gives a thumbs up.
CHARLEY
Lets do it.
EXT. ABOVE PACIFIC OCEAN - CONTINUOUS
Helicopter banks and swoops low over the ocean surface.
EXT. JONAH DECK - DAY
Stang in Storm's face now --
STANG
Sign.
STORM
Not until you let Professor Hall
go.
A hard look from Stang --
STANG
You will sign, my friend. Sooner or
later.
Storm bites his teeth -- Shui's hand hovers over his sheathed
sword -- The helicopter draws closer...
...Finally Stang turns to the two men who manhandled Suki
onto the plank. He is about to give the order, when --
STORM
Stop! For God's sake, stop!
Storm desperately tries to free his hands from their tether
and launch himself at Stang but the two crewmen guarding him
restrain him --
-- Shui's hand grips the hilt of his sword.
STANG
You are ready to sign?
Over Stang's shoulder Storm sees the helicopter drawing ever
closer...
STORM
How do I know you'll let them go if
I do sign?
STANG
You don't trust me?
Stang shakes his head in mock disappointment, playing with
Storm now --
STANG
The contract.
Storm doesn't move.
STANG
Then you condemn your friend to
death.
Again Stang turns to the two plank men. At which point Shui
unsheaths his sword.
SHUI
Enough Stang! There is no honour in
this manner of death. A warrior
lives and dies by the sword.
STANG
Then you have just chosen your
manner of death, my friend.
Stang unsheaths his whaling knife. It is every inch as long
and sharp and lethal as Shui's sword. For a brief moment the
two whaling captains face off, then Stang is in Storm's face.
STANG
Last chance, Storm. Sign, or I feed
her to the sharks.
Strangely, Storm appears unnaturally calm. He gives Stang
cold nonchalant eyes ... then he says, simply --
STORM
Duck.
It takes Stang a moment for Storm's command to register, but
when it does panic grabs him and he spins round on his heel.
He is just in time to see --
-- An EcoBird helicopter coming straight at him, flying so
low it almost scalps him, an intrepid camerawoman hanging
from its open door, her camera trained on the scene barely
two metres below her. It's Charley of course --
INT. ECOBIRD HELICOPTER - DAY
-- Charley hangs out the open door, camera in hand. Steve
talks into his face mic --
STEVE
Charley's rolling!
INT. ELIZABETH SWANN - DAY
FORWARD HELM -- Hawk excitedly types into the touchscreen --
LED SCREEN IMAGE: Storm's YouTube channel -- a LIVE STREAM in
progress -- Stang's shocked face looking up into camera as he
is knocked off his feet and sent sprawling by a combination
of shock and helicopter downwash --
HAWK
I have the feed, Steve. We are
streaming live to the world!
EXT. JONAH DECK - DAY
Stang on his back now, shocked, groggy, disoriented...
Suddenly SHUI'S SWORD LASHES THE AIR LIKE A WHIP, Zorro-
style, and slices the rope binding Storm's hands --
-- Storm's two guards step back in shock. They think about
grabbing Storm but Shui's presence is enough to deter them.
He motions for one of them to give Storm his whaling knife.
The man tosses it so that it falls at Storm's feet. Storm
picks it up, just as --
-- Shui spins and faces the crewmen. They include Crewman#1,
who raises his clenched fist aloft as Shui sounds the Samurai
battle cry and the crew respond as one --
SHUI
Ei! Ei!
SUZY WONG CREW (AS ONE)
Ou!
Still on his back, Stang watches in disbelief as the EcoBird
helicopter circles overhead, Charley hanging dangerously out
the open door, filming...
Meanwhile ... Storm is up and onto Suki's plank, cutting her
tether, removing her blindfold, helping her back to safety --
-- Below, the sharks still froth and churn over the chunks of
diced blubber.
BACK ON DECK ... Shui turns and eyeballs Stang, who is
climbing to his feet now, whaling knife in hand --
STANG
I am taking back command of this
ship, Shui.
SHUI
Never so long as I live.
Stang turns to the crew --
STANG
What are you waiting for? Arrest
Captain Razor!
But the crew hold their ground, to a man disobeying Stang's
order and remaining rooted where they stand.
STANG
This is mutiny!
SHUI
No, Stang. This is honour.
With that, Stang lunges at Shui with a cross slash of his
whaling knife but Shui blocks --
THE FIGHT BEGINS -- STANG VERSUS SHUI -- THE CREW ROOTED TO
THE SPOT, MESMERISED, LIVING EVERY BLOW...
STEEL CLASHES ON STEEL NOW AS THE TWO OLD ENEMIES TRADE SWORD
STRIKES AND HURTFUL BLOWS, ONE FOR ONE, AT FIRST, BUT THEN --
-- Shui's superior warrior skills start to gain the edge --
Shui blocking Stang's downward katana strike and crunching
Stang's chin with the hilt of his sword -- grabbing Stang's
wrist and snapping so that Stang's knife is knocked from his
hand -- Stang coming back with a mistimed rugby tackle that
sends him tumbling across the deck...
...At which point Shui sheaths his sword. Stang hauls himself
up, then --
-- BAM! BAM! BAM! Shui's lightning fast fists...
-- BAM! BAM! BAM! Shui's boot, fist, elbow striking Stang so
fast the blows are a blur...
Finally Stang staggers and collapses back against the
bulkhead, slides down onto his back, Shui standing over him,
sword again unsheathed, its sharp end hard against Stang's
throat.
SHUI
Like I said, Stang, Never so long
as I live.
Beat. Then Shui again sheaths his sword, turns and walks
away, over to where Storm is comforting Suki.
SHUI
John Storm!
Storm sees Shui approaching. He is holding something in his
outstretched hand. It's a flash drive.
SHUI
Your uncle's murder. All the
evidence you need. Take it.
Storm is taken aback. Is this a trick? But before he can make
up his mind Shui is clubbed from behind by Stang's meaty fist
and knocked cold. Stang snatches the flash drive from Shui's
hand as he falls.
STANG
I'll take this.
Taunting, Stang holds the flash drive up in Storm's face and
grins smugly. But --
STORM
I think you'll find that belongs to
me.
Beat. And Storm is on Stang like a wild cat, launching
himself through the air and taking him down -- the two men
instantly grappling -- Storm on top -- Stang fighting him
off, gaining the advantage -- then Storm muscling Stang off
and sending a crunching elbow blow to Stang's nose --
-- Stang crashes back hard against the hull, DROPS THE FLASH
DRIVE and it SKIDS ACROSS THE DECK. Suki tries to pick it up,
several times, but each time either Storm or Stang get in her
way, inadvertently, as their fight continues...
INT. ECOBIRD HELICOPTER - DAY
Steve holds the helicopter steady...
CHARLEY'S CAMERA POV: STORM AND STANG TRADE HURTFUL BLOWS...
MATCH CUT TO:
EXT. JONAH DECK - DAY
STORM AND STANG TRADE HURTFUL BLOWS...
Stang sends Storm backwards with a powerful blow to the body
then grabs him by the throat and bends him backwards over the
gunwale -- Storm craning his neck, looking down to see the
sharks still circling below him --
Will Stang force Storm over the side...?
NO! Storm's forearm smashes hard into Stang's face -- Stang
staggers back -- Storm on him again -- fist, elbow, fist --
Again Stang staggers backwards -- but remains on his feet --
he is a tank, and he is steamrollering back towards Storm --
BAM! Storm is unsure quite what hit him but he's on his back
now, head propped against the hull, Stang towering over him
like a mountain gorilla, Suki unsure quite what to do...
INT. ECOBIRD HELICOPTER - DAY
Charley still filming out the open door --
CHARLEY'S CAMERA POV: Storm laying back against the hull,
Stang towering over him, unforgiving...
INT. ELIZABETH SWANN - DAY
FORWARD HELM -- LED SCREEN IMAGE: Storm's YouTube channel --
LIVE STREAM in progress -- Stang towering over Storm...
Hawk comically shadow fights to demonstrate his words --
HAWK
Come on, Skip! The Shaolin Death
Touch. A classic kip-up followed
through with a dim-mak blow to the
stomach-nine point. Boom! He'll be
finished.
NEMO
That's easy for you to say.
EXT. JONAH DECK - DAY
BAM! Storm on his feet again, coming at Stang, this time a
THUDDING RIGHT CROSS TO THE JAW that sends Stang crashing
back against the hull -- he lands on his back -- looks down
at his side, sees --
-- A GRAPPLING HOOK.
Stang takes up the grappling hook and comes back at Storm --
swinging wildly now -- Storm backing off to avoid the blows --
-- WHOOSH! -- WHOOSH! -- WHOOSH!
Then -- THUD! The grappling hook misses Storm by the width of
a skin-layer and embeds itself in the deck --
-- BAM! By reflex Storm's boot comes up and smashes into
Stang's chest. Stang reels backwards, but comes back at Storm
with his own front thrust kick that all but crushes Storm's
rib cage. Storm crashes back against the hull, so winded he
almost vomits --
-- On the deck by his side: THE FLASH DRIVE.
On his back now, clutching his aching ribs, Storm sees Stang
moving towards him wielding his whaling knife. He manages to
reach over and snatch up the flash drive, just as --
-- A LIGHTNING FAST DOUBLE FIST-PUMP FOLLOWED BY A FRONT
THRUST KICK TO THE JAW drops Stang to the deck. He collapses
like a felled tree. Then attempts to get up, but falls back
down again, moaning and rubbing his aching jaw.
Suki stands over him, having delivered the knockout blows.
Disbelief on the faces of the spectating crew turns to a
SPONTANEOUS ROUND OF APPLAUSE AND CHEERS in appreciation of
Suki's intervention.
Meanwhile Shui starts to come round, then hauls himself to
his feet as Suki kneels down by Storm's side --
SUKI
Are you okay?
STORM
I'll survive. Where did you learn
to do that?
SUKI
Let's just say I'm better at
fighting than I am at chess.
Just then a shadow falls across Storm. Cheers and applause
from the crew subsides to a nervous silence as Storm looks up
to see --
-- Shui standing over him. A momentary threat lingers in
Shui's eyes ... but then he offers Storm his outstretched
hand and hauls him to his feet.
A long look of mutual respect between them...
...And then Storm sees her. Across Shui's shoulder, breaking
through the waves at Olympian speed, 200 metres and closing,
a humpback whale heading straight for them. The bandage on
her back tells Storm exactly who that whale is --
STORM
Kulo!
SUKI
Kulo?
Suki turns. Shui turns. They both follow Storm's line of
sight. Kulo at 40 knots, less than 100 metres from them now.
SUKI
Oh my God.
SHUI
That is Kulo? Kulo Luna? The whale
that sunk my ship?
(genuine admiration)
She is magnificent.
STORM
She is. But she has a temper. And
my guess is she doesn't much like
this ship.
Shui gets the message --
SHUI
This way.
In a heartbeat Shui is over by the inflatable liferaft pods,
followed by Storm and Suki. He releases a pod and it crashes
down into the ocean, inflating on impact --
-- Shui gives one final admiring look at Kulo, crashing
magnificently through the waves, barely 50 metres away now
and heading straight for the Jonah.
STORM
Time to go. Come on!
Storm grabs hold of Suki's hand and they leap together into
the water. Shui is about to jump when --
STANG
Shui!
Shui turns. Stang is struggling to his feet --
STANG
What do you think you are doing?
SHUI
I'm giving you back your ship,
Stang. That is what you wanted,
right?
Shui laughs, then turns and jumps, just as --
-- WHOOSH! KULO BREACHES, PIERCING THE SURFACE AND SPIRALLING
UP INTO THE SKY LIKE A SEA-TO-AIR BEHEMOTH --
Up and up Kulo climbs -- higher -- still higher -- until she
is hanging up there, directly over Stang, as though suspended
on invisible wires --
-- Stang's terrified face peers up at the monster overhead...
INT. ECOBIRD HELICOPTER - DAY
Steve barely believes what he is witnessing --
STEVE
Tom is going to love these shots!
Charley at the open door filming everything --
CHARLEY'S CAMERA POV: Storm and Suki in the lifeboat, Shui
clambering aboard, Kulo hanging like a death threat above
Stang and the Jonah --
INT. ELIZABETH SWANN - DAY
FORWARD HELM -- Hawk watching the live stream, enthralled...
LED SCREEN IMAGE: Storm's YouTube channel -- LIVE STREAM --
Shui joins Storm and Suki in the lifeboat, Kulo still hanging
in the air, defying gravity, then --
-- Kulo begins her descent...
INT./EXT. JONAH DECK/BELOW DECK - DAY
ON DECK-- Kulo begins her descent -- men running, screaming,
praying, leaping overboard...
-- Stang's wide eyes gaping up at Kulo as she plummets ...
down ... down ... until her shadow engulfs Stang completely
(Will Kulo crush him...? Will Stang survive...? Stang's fate
remains a mystery)...
...BUT THE FATE OF THE JONAH IS WRITTEN, BECAUSE NEXT --
-- BOOM! Bridge and superstructure explode as Kulo's bulk
crashes down upon the whaling vessel, midships -- debris
spitting in every direction -- deck crane crashing down into
the wreckage -- hull plates coming undone like a tin can --
BELOW DECK -- Ocean gushing in through the opened up hull
plates, flooding cabins, passageways, bridge...
-- Men panicking down here as they struggle against the
torrents, escaping up ladders and out through hatches...
ON DECK -- Ocean swamping the Jonah now as she starts to
break up and bubble under --
EXT. PACIFIC OCEAN - DAY
-- Men leaping off the Jonah and swimming for lifeboats --
Kulo circling the stricken vessel like a predator, the Jonah
disappearing beneath the waves, then --
-- KULO DIVES.
EXT. JONAH LIFEBOAT - DAY
From a small distance Storm, Suki and Shui watch Kulo
disappear beneath the waves as the Jonah is finally swallowed
by the ocean, prow first, the ship's name visible on her
stern as she slides down to her fate --
-- CLOSE ON: THE NAME PLATE ON THE SHIP'S STERN AS SHE
DISAPPEARS BENEATH THE WAVES: 'JONAH'
FADE OUT.
FADE IN:
EXT. FEDERAL POLICE HEADQUARTERS - SYDNEY - DAY
Establishing shot: Sign above the entrance reads 'AUSTRALIAN
FEDERAL POLICE'
INT. FEDERAL POLICE HEADQUARTERS - CONTINUOUS
LED SCREEN IMAGE: Split screen -- One half shows Zheng Ling
on his satphone call. The other half shows CCTV footage from
the Jonah's hold, Storm and Suki tethered to their chairs.
ZHENG LING
It would seem your uncle had
scruples. He had to be stopped.
STORM
You killed him.
ZHENG LING
He had an unfortunate accident - at
the hands of my new senior captain.
A hand removes a flash drive. The hand belongs to
SUPERINTENDENT MCAULEY.
Storm and Suki are in the room with him. A SERGEANT and a
SENIOR LEADING CONSTABLE are also here. They have just
finished playing back Zheng's 'confession'.
SUPERINTENDENT MCAULEY
We'll take it from here.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. ZHENG LING'S OFFICE - DAY
Zheng Ling is handcuffed and led from his office by a team of
four police officers.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. ELIZABETH SWANN - MARINA - DAY
IN THE FOREGROUND -- The Elizabeth Swann is anchored
alongside Starlight and the other race competitors...
FRANKS (TELEPHONE VOICE)
Well done, John. The Dragon has
been well and truly slain. One less
fossil in the mix, so to speak...
INT. ELIZABETH SWANN - CONTINUOUS
FORWARD HELM -- GEORGE FRANKS ON THE SATPHONE SCREEN...
Storm, Suki and Hawk debrief with George Franks.
FRANKS
...And you still managed to
complete the first leg of the race
barely half a day behind Starlight.
STORM
A fact Sarah will delight in
pointing out.
FRANKS
(chuckles)
Let her have her moment. Yours will
come. There's a long way to go yet.
Cape Town next, I believe?
STORM
Yes. The Tasman Straights. The
Roaring Forties. Need to repair the
storm damage before we attempt that
though. No small miracle we made it
to Sandy Straits. All down to Hawk.
HAWK
And Nemo. Teamwork.
Nemo emits a red glow as he blushes --
NEMO
Means a lot.
EXT. MARINA RESTAURANT - EARLY EVENING
A crowded waterfront restaurant. Steve and Charley are seated
at a table, chatting. Sarah is here too, chatting with a few
people by the bar.
Storm and Suki arrive, arm-in-arm - Storm in open-neck shirt
and shorts, Suki in fabulous figure-hugging evening dress. As
they make their way to the table, George's phone call to
Storm concludes --
FRANKS (V.O.)
Anyway, John, enjoy your few nights
off. I'll catch up with you soon.
Call ends. Then Sarah spots Storm entering the restaurant.
She looks pretty pleased with herself as she waves and makes
her way over to him. She makes a point of eyeing Suki.
SARAH
John!
STORM
Sarah. This is Suki - Suki, Sarah.
Sarah squeezes a smile --
SARAH
Well, well ... an improvement on
your last first mate.
HAWK
Chief engineer.
They all turn to see Hawk standing there with 20-year-old
JESSICA who sports long blue hair, nose ring, funky black
glasses and a black 'I UNLOCKED HIS LEVEL' T-shirt. Hawk's T-
shirt is also black. It says 'BOY GAMER'.
HAWK
Jessica and I won't be staying for
dinner. We're off to the casino.
STORM
Casino?
JESSICA
It's a gaming casino. Online.
STORM
Of course it is. Well enjoy.
HAWK
You too.
They turn and exit - like two teenagers bunking lessons.
SARAH
So ... I hear you took on some
damage in the storm.
STORM
Nothing we can't fix.
SARAH
Glad to hear it. I wouldn't want to
miss the sight of you trailing me
into Cape Town.
She glances over at the bar --
SARAH
Anyway, I'd better get back. Old
friends. Mustn't keep them waiting.
Ciao for now.
One last eye-frisk aimed at Suki then Sarah returns to her
party.
A FEW MOMENTS LATER -- Storm and Suki are about to take their
seats at the table with Steve and Charley, when --
-- A GIANT HUMPBACK BREACHES IN THE MARINA.
STORM
Kulo!
Gasps of awe and oohs and aahs ripple around the restaurant
... but the mood quickly changes as the whale starts to slap
her tail flukes violently. She is clearly distressed --
-- And then Storm sees it: GHOST NETTING ON THE WATER'S
SURFACE -- A SMALL WHALE CAUGHT UP IN THE NETS, STRUGGLING TO
FREE ITSELF...
SUKI
It's a calf. It must be Kulo's
baby!
(realisation)
Oh my God she's caught in nets!
EXT. MARINA/UNDERWATER - EARLY EVENING
UNDERWATER -- The calf is entangled in ghost nets, struggling
to free herself. Frightened. Becoming more and more frantic --
-- Kulo swims beneath the calf, nudging her to the surface --
SURFACE -- But the calf struggles to stay afloat, snorting
from her blowhole, gasping for air, panicking, struggling to
breathe...
EXT. MARINA RESTAURANT/JETTY - EARLY EVENING
Suki is beside herself --
SUKI
John, we have to do something!
Just then a man wearing a Samurai headband appears on the
edge of the jetty. It is Shui. He peers over at Storm ... a
look ... then rips off his headband, unsheaths his sword and
dives headlong into the water. The crowd gasps...
STORM
Shui.
CHARLEY
Isn't he one of the whalers?
STEVE
Looks like his instincts have
kicked in. Looks like he intends to
kill the calf.
Storm is ripping off his shirt.
STORM
Not if I have anything to do with
it.
SUKI
John!
EXT. MARINA/UNDERWATER - EARLY EVENING
SURFACE -- But Storm is already head-first into the water,
swimming with some intent after Shui, who is heading for Kulo
and her stricken calf.
Shui swimming, sword in his teeth ... Storm swimming, gaining
on Shui --
-- Kulo nudging Kuna up to the surface, preventing her from
drowning --
-- Shui swimming, Storm chasing him --
-- Finally Storm catches Shui and grabs hold of his ankle,
pulls him back, drags him under...
UNDERWATER -- Shui struggles to fight Storm off and the two
men tumble around in the water as though a deadly fight has
broken out between them, but Shui finally breaks free and the
two men come up gasping for air.
SURFACE -- Storm and Shui splutter around in the water.
SHUI
What do you think you're doing?
STORM
Stopping you from killing Kulo's
baby!
SHUI
There is no honour in killing a
baby with a Samurai sword.
STORM
Then what are you doing?
SHUI
I'm trying to get away from you so
I can cut her free.
STORM
You are? Well, why didn't you say?
Shui makes a face, then produces a diving knife and throws it
to Storm.
SHUI
Shall we?
The two men dive...
EXT. MARINA RESTAURANT - EARLY EVENING
Meanwhile back at the restaurant the mood is tense. A hushed
silence. Faces in the crowd look on anxiously - Suki, Steve
and Charley among them. A voice behind Suki --
HAWK
What's happening?
An excited, wide-eyed Hawk and Jessica are suddenly there
with the others.
SUKI
I thought you two were gaming.
HAWK
We heard the commotion.
JESSICA
It triggered a chain-reaction of
amygdala and dopamine responses we
were unable to ignore.
HAWK
The neurobiology of fear. And
excitement. It's irresistible.
SUKI
Right.
Suki looks a little gone out.
EXT. MARINA - EARLY EVENING
UNDERWATER -- Kulo hangs alongside as Storm swims up to
Kuna's eye, shows her the knife ... then Storm and Shui start
to cut away the nets, Shui on one side of Kuna, Storm on the
other, both cutting and tugging urgently, then --
-- Shui motions to Storm 'I need air' and the two surface.
SURFACE -- Storm and Shui break surface, gasping for air ...
a DEEP BREATH, a 'thumbs up' ... and again they dive...
EXT. MARINA RESTAURANT - EARLY EVENING
Suki and Hawk are glued to the action. Hawk is speedy with
nervous energy --
HAWK
You know according to the odds
ratio quantifying the strength of
association between two seemingly
random events, the probability of
the calf becoming entangled in
ghost nets in precisely the same
manner as its mother are...
SUKI
Button it, Hawk. Please.
HAWK
Yes. Sorry. Nerves.
EXT. MARINA - EARLY EVENING
UNDERWATER -- Shui cuts the last of the nets on one side,
Storm makes a final cut on the other side and finally all the
nets are off --
-- Kuna shakes herself down then swims up close to Kulo and
rubs herself against her mother -- Kulo responds by nudging
her calf and cuddling her with her pectoral fin -- Kulo then
swims up to Shui and Storm and nudges both men gently with
her nose, first Shui, then Storm -- then the two whales swim
away, out to sea, Kuna hugging Kulo's side all the way --
-- Storm and Shui share a look: 'job well done, brother' and
then they swim for the surface...
SURFACE -- A SAMURAI SWORD AND A DIVING KNIFE BREAK SURFACE,
like King Arthur rising from the lake, followed by Shui's and
Storm's smiling faces...
EXT. MARINA RESTAURANT/JETTY - EARLY EVENING
On seeing Storm and Shui's victory the crowd erupts -
applause, cheers, smiles, tears --
-- Suki, Steve, Charley, Hawk and Jessica are among the many
smiling, cheering faces...
A FEW MOMENTS LATER -- Storm and Shui emerge from the water
to thunderous cheers and applause. Slightly embarrassed by
all the attention, Storm slips his shirt back on and he and
Shui join the others --
STORM
You risked your life out there.
SHUI
(shrugs)
For Kulo? I owed her one.
STORM
But she sunk your ship.
SHUI
Ah. But she also made me a rich
man.
Everyone looks a little puzzled as a mischievous looking Shui
pulls a waterproof wallet from his back pocket and produces a
slip of paper.
SHUI
Zheng Ling might have offered a
million dollars to kill Kulo. But
the bookie's odds to keep her alive
were just as good.
Now the others start to anticipate what Shui is about to say.
STORM
No way, you didn't...
SUKI
Oh my God!
HAWK
A reverse-probability wager.
Genius!
Shui beaming, ear to ear --
SHUI
Two thousand dollars at five-
hundred-to-one that Kulo would sink
the Jonah. Dinner's on me!
STORM
Son of a gun!
Laughter and the chinking of glasses all round --
-- And as if to join in the celebrations, a small distance
out to sea KULO AND KUNA SUDDENLY BREACH SPECTACULARLY --
THEN AGAIN -- AND AGAIN -- whoops and hollers and smiles and
tears accompany a standing ovation in the restaurant --
-- Storm, Shui, Suki, Hawk, Steve, Charley and Jessica CHINK
CHAMPAGNE GLASSES...
SHUI
To Kulo Luna!
STORM
The billion-dollar whale!
THE END
NOT QUITE
Please contact the Cleaner Ocean Foundation to discuss film potential: jameson@jules-verne.org
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This screenplay is Copyright © 26th November 2021 Cleaner Ocean Foundation. Protected by the Berne Convention. All rights reserved. The views, reviews and opinions of the Trust are protected by Articles 18 and 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
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