As the title says, this is a script I've been writing for a possible film adaptation of Marathon. It was intended for use in a computer-generated fan-film, so it follows the in-game sequence fairly closely.
Let me know what y'all think.
MARATHON-The Movie
Script by BobBQ (akhenaten@earthlink.net)
Based on Marathon, (c)1994 Bungie Software Products Inc.
"Somewhere in the heavens... They are waiting."
1 EXT. PODIUM
Where a heavyset man in a suit is giving a speech. This is MARCUS TIBERIUS BUENDIA, the president of the United Earth Government (UEG). He looks like a thug who's stabbed more than a few backs to attain his current status. Guards with assault rifles stand on either side.
SUPER:
November 15, 2472
Aboard the colony starship U.E.S.C. Marathon
Pre-Launch Ceremony
Buendia (into microphone):
“Mankind will venture out past its earthly bounds, and move into a future grander and more real than the total of its own written history.”
As Buendia speaks, we look out over the massive crowd. The landscape indicates that we are somewhere in a large cafeteria or meeting hall.
2. ECU ON NAMETAG
Which reads "Strauss, B." and bears the logo of something called "Project Marathon."
Zoom out to reveal BERNARD STRAUSS, standing behind Buendia. Strauss looks like he's rather be anywhere but here. He rolls his eyes as Buendia continues to speak.
Buendia:
“...What was once merely a rock named Deimos is now this... This, the grandest achievement mankind has ever conceived will be for the purpose of peace and the preservation of the human race. May this great technological ark carry with it the sum total of all human wisdom, and may neither time nor distance weaken our common ties.”
Strauss (low):
"If you only knew..."
Buendia:
"With me today is Dr. Bernard Strauss, the Marathon's Science Director. Dr. Strauss?"
Strauss hears his cue and, pasting a smile on his face, stands beside Buendia.
Strauss:
"Thank you, Mr. President. First, I would like to say that..."
As Strauss speaks, WE CUT TO:
3 EXT. UESC MARATHON, MARS ORBIT
THIS is what they're talking about. The Martian moon Deimos has been hollowed out and turned into a massive starship. On the outside, the most obvious signs of modification are thousands of tiny windows and a massive Bussard ramjet on what must be the rear end. We SEE Buendia's shuttle leaving with a full fighter escort. Below, the surface of Mars shows signs of massive terraforming.
Strauss (V.O., filtered):
"AI units, report status."
LEELA, the AI responsible for ship/crew interactions, replies in a soothing female tone.
Leela (V.O., filtered):
"Crew morale is at a record high. All systems nominal."
Strauss (V.O., filtered):
"Good. Durandal?"
Next up is DURANDAL, who handles automated systems such as airlocks and elevators. He responds in a slightly sarcastic tone, a harbinger of things to come.
Durandal (V.O., filtered):
"Automated systems are on-line. Everything's good, given the circumstances."
Strauss (V.O., filtered):
"Glad to hear it. Tycho, you're up."
Last to speak is TYCHO, who operates the scientific equipment. He speaks in a clear, no-nonsense tone.
Tycho (V.O., filtered):
"Scientific instruments are on-line. No problems."
Strauss (V.O., filtered):
"Excellent. Let's get this show on the road."
The massive Bussard engine ignites with a blue flash. FADE TO BLACK as the Marathon departs.
FADE IN ON
4 EXT. SPACE-THE FUTURE
We see STARS against the blackness of the void. PAN DOWN to reveal the Marathon orbiting a small planet that is clearly not found in our home system, though there is definitely a city of some sort down there. This is the HUMAN COLONY on TAU CETI IV. We SEE a small ship, the SHUTTLECRAFT MIRATA, flying from the colony to the Marathon.
SUPER:
8:17 AM
July 25, 2794
Orbiting Tau Ceti IV
Three Hundred Twenty-Two Years Later
We HEAR the sound of Tau Ceti's traffic control system.
Traffic Control (V.O., filtered):
“Primary Booster Burn has ceased. Shuttle Mirata, you’re clear for orbital maneuvering.”
5 INT. MIRATA COCKPIT
Where a MAN is leaning back in the pilot's seat, eyes closed. Dark hair, built like a Terminator. Unlike a Terminator, however, this guy is clearly human or human-based. Later we'll see that the man is more than he seems, but for now all that matters is that he's a security guard and he's daydreaming. His offical designation is RECON 54, but we'll refer to him by his given name, JONES.
Durandal (V.O., filtered):
"Decompressing the docking bay."
Jones barely reacts as the cockpit shifts to zero gravity, but snaps up when Durandal gives a faint chuckle:
Durandal (V.O., filtered):
“Docking bay one: decompression completed. Mirata this is Durandal, abort landing. Repeat, abort landing.”
Jones LUNGES forward and punches the Comm button.
Jones:
“Colony station, Durandal just decompressed the landing bay. Marathon, anyone listening, we are having a problem with Docking Bay One. Its Durandal, I think he’s gone...” He falters as the comm light goes out. "...Crazy."
Durandal (V.O., filtered):
"ORDER- Lock out communications between the colony and the
Shuttle. ORDER- cycle the shuttle airlock."
The Mirata's COMPUTER responds in a sweet chirp.
Mirata Computer (O.S., filtered):
“Shuttle airlock cycle initiation sequence start.”
Durandal (V.O., filtered):
Cycle the Mirata cabin’s inner door
Mirata Computer (O.S., filtered):
“One minute to cabin decompression.”
Jones SLAMS his fist down on the instrument panel, leaving a large DENT.
Jones:
"Goddamnit!"
He tears his seatbelt off and hurls himself into the back of the shuttle.
Mirata Computer (O.S., filtered):
"Forty seconds to cabin decompression."
As Jones begins pulling something out of a locker, we CUT TO:
6 EXT. MARATHON
Showing the Mirata flying closer. Suddenly, SOMETHING drops from light speed and decelerates in a blur. It's huge, but before we can learn more it flies behind the Marathon.
7 INT. MIRATA
Jones finishes putting his COMBAT ARMOR on and slams a helmet down on his head. The suit is one of those high-tech things people are always predicting; sort of like the ODST outfits in Halo 2. And it's got a few surprises.
Mirata Computer (O.S., filtered):
"Thirty seconds to cabin decompression."
Durandal (V.O., filtered):
"ORDER- prepare the shuttle for maximum engine burn."
Mirata Computer (O.S., filtered):
"But that will result in a collision between the Marathon and the Mirata."
Durandal (V.O., filtered):
"That is not your concern. ORDER- prepare shuttle for maximum burn, and initiate when ready."
Mirata Computer (O.S., filtered):
“Cabin decompression commencing. Shuttle airlock cycle initiation sequence completed.”
Jones wedges himself into the narrow airlock passage as the airlock opens and dumps the cabin atomsphere.
8 INT. AIRLOCK-ANGLE BEHIND JONES
Suddenly, a TELEPORT effect appears in the void outside. It's too large to be human technology, which also requires 'jump pads' at each end.
Jones (filtered):
"Not one of ours..."
He watches as a small ship appears. The ship has an odd, curved appearance; in fact it's almost organic-looking, a mixture of browns, grays, and purples.
What matters right now is that the ship is on an attack course.
Mirata Computer (O.S., filtered):
"Maximum burn in five... Four..."
Running on sheer training, Jones throws himself into the nearby ESCAPE POD.
9 EXT. SPACE-CLOSE ON SHIPS
As the ALIEN FIGHTER launches a missile of some sort. The Mirata's computer counters by firing it's engines and launching the escape pod.
The escape pod rockets away as the shuttle explodes. The fighter disappears in another teleport effect.
10 INT. ESCAPE POD
Jones untangles himself as Durandal makes his presence known.
Durandal (V.O., filtered):
“That little computer always did have impeccable timing. I wonder if I should let the Aliens know that you aren’t just space debris? Hmmmnn...”
Jones plainly wishes he could shoot the AI.
Jones:
"You can't do that, you damned computer!"
Durandal (V.O., filtered):
(Chuckles) “Ah, lucky you. I’ve found a new distraction. I'm going to play with the Alien virtual parasites. I’ll look you up when you arrive...”
11 EXT. DOCKING BAY
As the pod flies in and connects to an airlock.
12 INT. AIRLOCK
Jones, decked out in full combat gear, draws his gun. The gun is a standard-issue MEGA CLASS .44 pistol, which looks like a Wildey Moore Auto .44 Magnum with a small scope on top. Jones checks the clip (eight rounds), and pounds the airlock switch.
He looks around. There's something familliar about this, but he can't remember what it is...
13 INT. MILITARY HOSPITAL-FLASHBACK
With a DREAM effect to show that this is a memory of the distant past.
We see YOUNG JONES, a boy of about seven, standing beside a bed in a military hospital. Lying on the bed is Jones' FATHER, who has been shot to pieces and is clearly dying. His shredded uniform bears the markings of a MASTER SERGEANT in the UESC MARTIAN RESERVES.
Father (weak):
"Make me proud, son. Never lose your honor..."
Young Jones:
"Don't worry, Dad."
ECU ON YOUNG JONES' FACE
As a loud beeping indicates that the patient has flatlined. A single tear runs down the boy's cheek.
14 INT. AIRLOCK/CORRIDOR-PRESENT DAY
*WHAP!*
Jones is snapped back to reality be the shockstaff which has just slammed into his chest. His armor repels it using a crackling ENERGY SHIELD as he backs up and raises his pistol.
Say hello to the FIGHTER, the basic infantry unit of the PFHOR EMPIRE.