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CRAWL: DURING 1983, CONGRESS AUTHORIZED THE FORMATION OF AN ELITE AND INDEPENDENT FORCE OF THE UNITED STATES MILITARY. COMPRISED OF DETACHMENTS FROM ARMY SPECIAL FORCES, NAVY SEALS, AIR FORCE COMMANDOS AND MARINE RECONNAISSANCE UNITS, THIS FORCE IS CALLED: SOCOM - SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND
OPENING TITLE SEQUENCE
Fade In:
EXT. JUMBO JET IN FLIGHT - STOCK - DAY
Stock footage of an airliner in flight at cruising altitude.
CUT TO:
INT. JUMBO JET IN FLIGHT - DAY
The passenger compartment is full to capacity. We see adults and children relaxing and enjoying the flight as busy flight attendants tend to their needs.
CUT TO:
EXT. SMALL BOAT - DAY
We see a lone figure from behind as he raises a CELLULAR PHONE to his ear.
V.O.
My bank received the wire transfer this morning. Your order will be filled in sixty seconds. Please feel free to call us anytime. We're always open. Have a nice day.
We hear the touch-tone as the telephone disconnects. We see CHARLES VINCENT GAULT for the first time as he turns to the henchmen next to him. Gault is mid-40’s and well built. A rugged looking man.
GAULT
You may execute the program SERGEANT.
We see the Sergeant as he begins pushing buttons on a LAPTOP COMPUTER connected to a DEW (Directed Energy Weapon).
ANGLE ON
Completing the entering of the sequence string, the Sergeant stands poised and ready with his finger over the enter key on the computer keyboard.
SERGEANT
Ready sir.
GAULT
Proceed.
The Sergeant presses a button on the computer.
CUT TO:
INT. JUMBO JET IN FLIGHT - COCKPIT - DAY
We see the pilot, co-pilot and flight engineer drinking coffee and busily going over charts and other paperwork. SUDDENLY THE PLANE SHUDDERS VIOLENTLY. Alarms sound throughout the cockpit as the plane begins a steep dive toward oblivion. The pilot lunges toward the controls as the flight crew swings into action.
PILOT
What the Fu..
INSERT
The passenger compartment is in chaos with screaming and panicked passengers.
The flight crew frantically tries to save the plane as it spirals downward.
EXT. SMALL BOAT - DAY
Gault turns from watching the jet’s flight through his BINOCULARS and faces the Sergeant with a questioning look.
SERGEANT
The pulse has initiated an onboard computer malfunction sir. All electrical circuits are overloading.
Gault resumes looking through his binoculars at the plane.
GAULT
Don't you just love electricity. Very well. Proceed sergeant.
The Sergeant begins pushing more buttons on the computer.
CUT TO:
INT. JUMBO JET COCKPIT - DAY
CU on the Pilot’s face filled with strain and concentration as he screams out orders to be heard over the alarms.
PILOT
(to co-pilot)
Give me 20 degrees flaps...Back off the throttles about 15 percent.
The nose of the jet begins to rise back to normal. A look of relief sweeps over the flight crew’s faces.
PILOT
That a girl...Come on baby...Come on.
The pilot begins to relax somewhat as the plane responds to his efforts.
CUT TO:
EXT. SMALL BOAT - DAY
The Sergeant finishes entering the data into the computer.
SERGEANT
The sequence is completed sir.
The sergeant pushes a key on the laptop. Gault continues watching skyward through his binoculars.
GAULT
It shouldn't be long now.
CUT TO:
INT. JUMBO JET - COCKPIT - DAY
The Pilot mutters aloud as he strains to recover control of the aircraft.
PILOT
Alright baby...That’s it. You sweet thing...I knew you wouldn’t let me down...Now just a little more...Atta girl...I knew you could..
CUT TO:
EXT. JUMBO JET IN FLIGHT - STOCK - DAY
The screen goes white with a loud roar.
INSERT
The jet is enveloped in the fireball.
CUT TO:
EXT. SMALL BOAT - DAY
Gault lowers his binoculars. He wears a look of smug satisfaction on his face.
GAULT
Nice shooting sergeant. Let’s get out of here.
SERGEANT
Yes sir.
The sergeant starts up the engines and the boat begins speeding away.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. ECU OF RACING STYLE WHEEL - DAY
We hear a car door open and close along with a high horsepower engine start up. The wheel begins spinning.
PULL BACK TO REVEAL
A flashy red sports car as it speeds away from camera and down a deserted street.
EXT. CITY STREETS - DAY
The red sports car speeds along the deserted streets.
INSERT CU - We see the driver, TYLER MCGEE. Mid-30's, short cropped hair, solidly built, handsome but not pretty.
ROLL OPENING CREDITS
EXT. MILITARY BASE MAIN GATE - DAY
An armed GUARD stands at the gate admitting vehicles one at a time. Tyler stops at the gate, displays his I.D. and is granted entry.
INSERT - DRIVING SHOT
Tyler drives his car on the base.
EXT. INTELLIGENCE OFFICE - DAY
We see Tyler’s car stop out in front. Tyler briefly looks at the front of the building and takes a deep breath before exiting. He slowly walks toward the entrance.
TYLER
Here we go again.
INSERT - ECU
Tyler inserts his identification card into a HIGH TECH CARD READER SYSTEM WITH RETINAL SCANNER. A light on the panel turns from red to green. Tyler then puts his eye up to the scanner.
ECU ON TYLER'S EYE AT SCANNER
Multiple red lasers scan Tyler's eyeball. We hear the door mechanism unlock o.s.
INT. CROSS' OFFICE - ESTABLISHING - DAY
COLONEL BENJAMIN CROSS, early fifties, graying hair, older but still in good shape, is talking on the phone.
CROSS
Thank you sergeant. Keep me informed.
Cross hangs up the phone. The desk intercom activates.
V.O.
(intercom)
Colonel...Major McGee is here sir.
Cross presses the intercom button.
CROSS
(Sternly)
Very well. Send him in.
Cross chomps on his cigar as he waits for Tyler.
INT. INTELLIGENCE OFFICE - DAY
A Female STAFF SERGEANT sits at a desk just inside the front door.
STAFF SERGEANT
Please go right in sir. Colonel Cross is expecting you.
Various uniformed personnel walk back and forth through the scene as Tyler makes his way around several desks. The b.g. is filled with HI-TECH COMMUNICATIONS and SATELLITE MONITORING EQUIPMENT.
A door opens at the far side of the office and Cross walks into the room and over to a desk where he drops off a few papers before looking up to see Tyler coming toward him.
CROSS
(smiling)
Well I’ll be god damned. Tyler...Tyler McGee.
Tyler smiles slightly and walks over to Cross. The two men shake hands and walk into Cross’ office. Cross puts an arm around Tyler's shoulder as they go inside.
INT. COLONEL’S OFFICE - DAY
Cross closes the door. The two men stand looking at one another for a brief moment. Cross smiles at Tyler and claps him on both shoulders. Cross smiles.
CROSS
What the hell happened down there in Honduras last month?
TYLER
My orders were to interdict all drug traffic in my assigned area and I believe we did just that sir.
CROSS
I understand that Major but eleven dead bad guys attracts alot of attention. Unwanted attention I might add, even in a shithole like that. Hell, the Pentagon had a shit fit, as you well know.
TYLER
Sorry about that Colonel but as I told the de-brief team, we either did them or they were going to do us. Intelligence reports made no indication that Cartel units were operating in that AO. I had a team to protect and once they opened fire I went for it. It's all in the report.
CROSS
Well, you must have hit the right assholes, that area's still clean.
Cross shakes his head wearily before he motions toward the empty chair in front of his desk.
CROSS
Have a seat T. I'm about to give you a chance to redeem yourself. At least in the eyes of the big brass.
Tyler drops his bag by the desk before easing into the comfortable chair next to him. Cross drops into the chair behind the desk and looks at Tyler.
CROSS
How long has it been? Two years? No, I guess it’s been three. God damn it's good to see you.
TYLER
Thanks Ben. It’s good to see you too. So what's up?
CROSS
Same old T. Cut to the chase. No bullshit.
(pause)
Okay.
Cross opens a desk drawer, picks out a FILE FOLDER marked SECRET-EYES ONLY and hands it across the desk to Tyler. Tyler opens the folder.
CROSS
You may remember Charles Vincent Gault.
Cross hands Tyler a photo and dossier file.
TYLER
Yeah, I remember him. He ratted out my team in Iraq. I lost two good men.
CROSS
Well...We now know for certain that Gault was responsible for that as well as selling out other members of his own unit in Central America.
(pause)
Cross adjusts himself in his seat.
CROSS
He went into business for himself by making deals with the Cartel in Colombia. Then he sold information about the Cartel to the government.
(pause)
CROSS
Seems these days mister Gault is running his own version of Let’s Make A Deal... It’s terrorism for hire and he’s recruited former spec ops personnel from all over the world as his mercenaries. He pays them a fortune and they do what he says.
INSERT CU ON TYLER
TYLER
Where is Gault now?
Cross stands up from the desk, moves close to Tyler and re-seats himself on the corner of the desk.
CROSS
We believe that Gault and his crew, including one Laura Winslow, were responsible for over fifty terrorist attacks throughout the world within the last eighteen months. Gault plans the attacks, finds a buyer, usually one of our oily friends in the Middle East, gets his money up front and then he pulls it off.
(pause)
Cross lights a cigar, offers one to Tyler but he declines.
CROSS
(continuing)
He appears to be creating a market for his services with virtually every enemy the United States has. We believe he was responsible for the bomb blast that took out those four Rangers in Germany last month.
(pause)
Tyler looks up.
TYLER
Who's this Laura Winslow? and how does she fit in?
CROSS
She's a wealthy British socialite. Deceased parents left her a fortune.
TYLER
So what's she doing with Gault?
CROSS
Our intelligence reports that she met Gault in Uzbekistan last year. We know he was setting up that bombing there but she was touring refugee camps. You know, slumming after donating.
TYLER
So what got 'em together?
CROSS
Reports from both MI five and GSG9 indicate that she may be investing heavily in the arms market and then arranging for those arms to make their way into terrorist hands. You know how it is T, one man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter.
TYLER
Yeah. So, what's this chick's story?
CROSS
She's a thrill seeker. Little rich bitch got bored in school. Parents died in a small plane crash under questionable circumstances. Gault found, seduced and mentored her into a real piece of work. We know she's executed at least five people in Europe. She likes to make a real mess. Gets a sexual thrill out of dumping folks.
Tyler briefly studies her photograph.
CROSS
Make no mistake, she's a cold blooded killer and a target imperative. If you have a shot on her, take it.
TYLER
So what's the job, sir?
CROSS
A Green Light sanction. We take him anywhere and anyway we can. I thought you might like to be the one.
TYLER
You thought right.
CROSS
Gault is hooked into almost every intellignce network around so we can't risk using an active detachment. You have authorization to take anyone you need from any SOCOM unit to fill out your team.
Cross stands up and sits down behind his desk.
CROSS
You will pick your team quietly while we search for Gault. We believe he's still operating out of Lisbon. When you complete your team, we'll begin insertion planning. Any questions?
Tyler stands up and starts to leave.
TYLER
I’ll be in your office for the Intel reports at 2100 hours. I need to make a few calls first.
CROSS
Remember Tyler...Gault ran the Infiltration Cell for us once. He knows every shipyard and military base from here to Portugal. That was his job. To find weaknesses in our security.
TYLER
Yeah.., This outta be interesting.
Tyler turns and walks away leaving Cross looking after him.
CROSS
Come on T,...You’re gonna love this one.
Tyler just walks away but gives a half hearted wave backward without looking.
TYLER
See you tonight...sir.
EXT. HILLSIDE - NIGHT
We see two men laying down just below the top of the hill. FINCH is peering through a laser range finder, while HASKINS looks through binoculars. Finch is nervous.
FINCH
I got nine hundred thirty seven meters to that painted corner of the first building.
HASKINS
Roger that.
Haskins lowers his binoculars and writes down the information in a small notebook.
HASKINS
Okay...That’s it then. The whole place is mapped and ranged.
He stops writing and looks at Finch.
HASKINS
Let’s get the fuck outta here amigo.
Finch lowers the rangefinder.
FINCH
Move out and draw fire my man.
INT. TYLER’S QUARTERS - ESTABLISHING - NIGHT
We see Tyler as he enters the room. He places his suitcase on the bed and walks into the rest room. After staring at his face in the mirror for a moment, he walks back into the room, sits on the edge of the bed and picks up the telephone. He punches some numbers and waits. His son BILLY answers the phone.
BILLY
Hello?
Tyler sits on the side of the bed motionless. After several seconds he finally speaks.
TYLER
Hi ya Bill.
The child’s voice becomes instantly excited.
INT. JENNIFER'S APARTMENT – ESTABLISHING – NIGHT
Billy talks on the phone to Tyler.
BILLY
Daddy! Mommy it’s Daddy. Hi Daddy. When are you coming to see us?
BEGIN SERIES OF INTERCUTS
CUT TO:
Tyler is pained by the pleading tone in his son’s voice.
TYLER
I’ll see you soon shorty. How’s school?
BILLY
It’s okay I guess. I got an A in math.
TYLER
Hey! That's great champ. I'm proud of you.
CUT TO:
Billy continues his conversation with Tyler on the phone. Tyler’s ex-wife JENNIFER Walks into the scene from another room.
BILLY
Did you get in any wars Daddy?
JENNIFER
Billy, Honey, let me talk to your father. Why don’t you go see if the brownies are cool yet. Okay?
BILLY
Okay mom. I love you Daddy.
Billy reluctantly hands the phone to his mother and walks into the kitchen leaving Jennifer alone to speak to Tyler.
JENNIFER
What is it Tyler?
CUT TO:
TYLER
Jen, I just called to say hi to Billy. That’s all. No big deal.
CUT TO:
JENNIFER
It is a big deal. We agreed that you would go through me before you talk to Billy. You know how he wants to hear all about your war stories. Then I have to deal with the crying when you're gone.
CUT TO:
TYLER
You mean our lawyers agreed. Billy’s my son too and I have every right to...
Tyler stops in mid-sentence. He takes a deep breath and calms himself down.
TYLER
(continuing)
Look, I didn’t call to upset you or the boy. I just wanted to hear my son’s voice that’s all.
CUT TO:
Jennifer also softens a little.
JENNIFER
Tyler, the court said that you have to contact me in writing to set up visitation and that goes for phone calls too, you know that. I’m just trying to go by the rules which is something you may want to try yourself for a change.
END INTERCUTS
INT. TYLER’S QUARTERS – NIGHT
Tyler sits on the edge of the bed with the phone to his ear as he rubs his eyes with his head hung low. He tries to speak but can only mutter a few words under his breath.
TYLER
I’m sorry.
(pause)
I'll call some other time.
JENNIFER
You going out again?
TYLER
Yeah.
JENNIFER
Is it bad?
TYLER
Bad enough.
They both pause.
JENNIFER
You know how it was before. What a wreck I was when you left on your... missions.
TYLER
I remember.
JENNIFER
That's something I had to be done with. The fear.
TYLER
I just wanted to hear my son's voice.
JENNIFER
Come visit when you can. We...Billy would like to see you.
TYLER
I will.
Tyler hangs up the phone and sits on the bed looking very depressed. He glances over at the nightstand by the bed where he has placed a FRAMED PHOTOGRAPH of Jennifer, Billy and himself, taken during happier times. After a few seconds he shakes it off and reaches for his gear bag. Removing a SCRAMBLER ,he attaches it to the phone and punches a few numbers. The party at the other end answers.