
STARSHIP TROOPERS






Screenplay by 			Edward Neumeier

Produced by 			John Davison
				Alan Marshall

Directed by 			Paul Verhoeven



Cast List: 

Michael Ironside		Lieutenant Jean Rasczak
Jake Busey			Ace Levy
Clancy Brown			Sergeant Zim
Ungela Brockman		Corporal Birdie
Seth Gilliam			Sugar Watkins
Neil Patrick Harris		Carl Jenkins








FROM THE FEDERAL NET  NOTICE  JOIN UP NOW!
 
Proud YOUNG PEOPLE in uniform, the bloom of human evolution. 

YOUNG PEOPLE
I'm doing my part... Me, too... Are you?

The mobile infantery logo: LIGHTNING BOLTS ON A BLACK SHIELD. 

OFFICIAL VOICE
Join the mobile infantery and save the world! Service 
guarantees citizen-ship. Would you like to know more?


BUG METEOR

Behold actual pictures of a METEOR, this one a mile across, as it hurtles past an observation 
ship. 

OFFICIAL VOICE
The Bugs send another meteor our way!

A BRIGHT EXPLOSION in space out beyond the moon. 

OFFICIAL VOICE
But this time we are ready! Planetary defenses are better 
than ever! Would you like to know more?


KLENDATHU  WHY WE HAVE TO FIGHT!

Klendathu, a fierce orange planet ringed by an asteroid belt, orbits a double star. 

OFFICIAL VOICE
Klendathu, source of the bug meteor attacks, orbits a twin 
star system whose brutal gravitational forces produce an 
unlimited supply of meteorites... 

A "You are here" map of the KNOWN GALAXY shows the Earth in relationship to the BUG 
PLANETARY SYSTEM and Klendathu. 

OFFICIAL VOICE
To ensure the safety of our solar system, Klendathu must 
be eliminated! Would you like to know more?


LIVE BROADCAST  FROM ORBIT  THE INVASION OF KLENDATHU!

For BATTLE GROUPS, sixty STARSHPS strong, orbit the orange planet. Graphics: 
KLENDATHU: THE INVASION

OFFICIAL VOICE
We break net now and take you live to Klendathu where 
the invasion has begun!


EXT. KLENDATHU  NIGHT  THE CAMERA

Takes the Mobile Infantery CAP TROOPERS wearing fully armed Marauder POWER SUITS as 
they move up the line, the pans to the NET CORRESPONDENT

NET CORRESPONDENT
We've just landed here on what cap troopers are calling 
"Big K" with the 6th Mobile Infantery division... It's an 
ugly planet, a bug planet, a planet hostile to life as we 
IGKKKKKK!

Blood hits the lens as the Correspondent is cut in half. The CAMERA catches a glimpse of 
HUGE CLAWS as Cap Trooper JOHNNY RICO, 18, blows away SOMETHING BIG with his 
pulse cannon. 

JOHNNY
Com'on, let's go! ON THE BOUNCE

The cap troopers move out, among them DIZZY FLORES, 18, ACE LEVY, 19, and KITTEN 
SMITH, 18. The CAMERA pauses, unsure. 

FED NET CENTRAL (O. S. )
FOLLOW THEM...! GO! GO!

The CAMERA follows. The PULSE of BUG BATTERIES is blinding. Cap Troopers scream as 
they are torn apart right and left by an enemy seen only in disorientating glimpses. 

JOHNNY
THIS WAY!

The group splits into two, and the CAMERA follows Johnny. Something slices Kitten Smith, and 
he goes down screaming. 

JOHNNY
KITTEN!

Johnny stops to help his comrade. A CLAW slashes into him. 

JOHNNY
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!

Now something grabs the CAMERA, spinning it around. We glimpse the hideous jaws of an 
ARACHNID WARRIOR. 

CAMERAMAN (O.S.)
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!

The CAMERA hits the ground. Johnny, badly wounded, bleeding from the mouth, crawls into 
CAMERA, trying to get away from the dark INSECT SHAPES that close in on him. 

JOHNNY
Oh, God... Oh, God, help me... please help me... 

His eyes glaze over as he remembers


FLASHBACK: 

INT. NEW UNI HIGH  CLASSROOM  DAY  CARMEN IBANEZ

Is beautiful, just 18, and quite pleased with herself because Johnny Rico is clearly infatuated 
with her. 

RASCZAK (O.S.)
The end of another school year, and for me no doubt 
another failure... Rico, pay attention!

The teacher JEAN RASCZAK, 38, a rugged veteran who proudly displays his missing hand, 
scowls at Johnny, bemused. 

JOHNNY
Sorry, Mr. Rasczak. 

But as soon as Rasczak turns back to the class, Johnny begins to sketch a cartoon on his desk's 
touch screen. 

RASCZAK
Here in History and Moral Philosophy we've explored the 
decline of Democracy when social scientists brought the 
world to the brink of chaos, and how the veterans took 
control and imposed a stability that has lasted for 
generations since... You know these facts but have I taught 
you anything of value? You. Why are only citizens allowed 
to vote?

Rasczak points at LANNY, 17, with his stump. 

LANNY
It's a reward... what the Federation gives you for doing 
Federal Service. 

Rasczak is crestfallen, makes a big show of patience. 

RASCZAK
No. Something given has no value! Haven't I taught you 
dimwits anything? I guess they ought to revoke my 
teaching credential... 

Laughter. Johnny's cartoon, meanwhile, is taking shape: Johnny and Carmen flying round planet 
Venus in a space ship. 

RASCZAK
When you vote, you're exercising political authority. 
You're using force. And force, my friends, is violence, the 
supreme authority from which all other authority derives. 

CARL JENKINS, 18, a super intelligent geek, jumps in. 

CARL
Gee, we always thought you were the supreme authority, 
Mr. Rasczak. 

Laughter. Rasczak grins. 

RASCZAK
In my classroom, you bet. Whether it's exerted by ten or 
ten billion, political authority is violence by degree. The 
people we call citizens have earned the right to wield it. 

DIZZY FLORES, 18, athletic, pretty, no nonsense, chimes in. 

DIZZY
My mother always says that violence never solves anything. 

RASCZAK
Really? I wonder what the city fathers of Hiroshima would 
have to say about that. You. 

Rasczak points at Carmen. 

CARMEN
They probably wouldn't say anything. Hiroshima was 
destroyed. 

Johnny presses "SEND" on his desk, and the cartoon appears across the way on Carmen's 
screen. 

RASCZAK
Correct. Naked force has settled more issues in history 
than any other factor. The contrary opinion'violence never 
solves anything' is wishful thinking at its worst. 

While Rasczak looks away, Carmen throws Johnny her wonderful smile, and Johnny's gone, 
checked out, flying round Venus. 

RASCZAK
People who forget that always pay... They pay with their 
lives and their freedom. 

Dizzy notices the dreamy look on Johnny's face. So does Rasczak. He points at him with his 
stump, snaps Johnny to. 

RASCZAK
You. Tell me the moral difference, if any, between the 
citizen and the civilian?

JOHNNY
The difference lies in the field of civic virtue. A citizen 
accepts personal responsibility for the safety of the body 
politic, of which he is a member, defending it, if need be, 
with his life. The civilian does not. 

RASCZAK
The exact words of the text. But do you understand it? Do 
you believe it?

JOHNNY
Uh, I don't know. 

RASCZAK
Of course you don't. I doubt if any of you here would 
recognize'civic virtue' if it bit you in the ass. 

A bell rings. Rasczak shrugs, indifferent. 

RASCZAK
Well, that's it. Have a nice life. 


EXT. NEW UNI HIGH  HALLWAY  DAY  JOHNNY AND CARMEN

Walk with their friends. Several COUPLES hold hands. Johnny tries to take Carmen's hand, but 
she demurs. Johnny broods. 

CARMEN
C'mon, let's see if they've posted the math final test yet. 

STUDENT
Hey, Rico, we gonna take Tesla?

JOHNNY
How should I know?

STUDENT
You're captain of the team!


EXT. QUAD  DAY  JOHNNY AND CARMEN

Join other students around a MULTI-SCREEN KIOSK. 

CARMEN
First thing Fleet Academy looks at is your math scores. 
Wish me luck!

Carmen enters her name, receives her score: 97%! She beams. 

JOHNNY
Good for you. 

CARMEN
Your turn... 

Then she spots Carl across the way talking with MARCO, 17. 

CARMEN
Hold on... I wanna talk to Marco. His sister's at Fleet!

Carmen rushes off. Johnny checks his score: 35%! Crushed, he makes sure no none else has 
seen. Carl walks up to him. 

CARL
You still haven't kissed her yet? Don't lie. 

JOHNNY
What's the hurry?

CARL
Others are waiting. 

Carl points out Dizzy, talking with friends. 

JOHNNY
Did you read her mind?

CARL
Don't have to... Some mating semaphore is pretty hard to 
miss. 

It's true. You can tell by the way she looks at Johnny. 

JOHNNY
Yeah, but I want Carmen. 

CARL
You got it bad. 

Carmen returns to Johnny as Carls heads off. 

CARL
Don't forget about this afternoon. 
(to Carmen)
He's always late when he walks you home to fish for a kiss. 

Carmen blushes, covers. 

CARMEN
She's flying starships!

JOHNNY
Who?

CARMEN
Marco's sister. Can you imagine maneuvering half a 
million tons through crwoded space lanes... You gotta have 
nerves of steel! Reflexes are critical.

JOHNNY
I have good reflexes. 

Carmen notices the way Dizzy's looking at Johnny, doesn't like it one bit, takes Johnny's arm. 

CARMEN
C'mon Johnny, we'll be late for Biology. 


INT. BIOLOGY LAB  DAY  THE BIOLOGY TEACHER

Is an older woman, very spry, also blind. Johnny, Carmen and other students gather around 
covered lab tables. 

BIOLOGY TEACHER
For our final today, please identify the mouthparts, the 
abdominal organs, and for extra credit, locate the nerve 
cord and count the ganglia. You may begin. 

The students remove the cover to reveal large alien bugs, 60 centimeter ARKELLIAN SAND 
BEETLES laid out for dissection. 

CARMEN
Eeuch!

JOHNNY
Aw, c'mon, it's just a bug. 

BIOLOGY TEACHER
Just a bug, eh? We humans like to think we are Nature's 
finest achievement. I'm afraid it isn't true. This Arkellian 
Sand Beetle is superior in many ways. It has fewer moving 
parts, can reproduce itself in vast numbers, and unboud by 
concerns of ego and mortality, makes the perfect selfless 
member of society. 

JOHNNY
Better put your goggles on. 

Johnny slices the abdomen open with a surgical laser. Green fluid sprays from the slit. Carmen 
turns away looking ill. 

BIOLOGY TEACHER
Our galaxy is teaming with insect life. We have identified 
over two billion species so far. Human, life, it would seem, 
is the anomaly. 

CARMEN
But we're Intelligent. Human minds have invented art, 
mathematics and interstellar travel. 

BIOLOGY TEACHER
True, we know of no insect society that has produced a 
Shakespeare, an Einstein or a Cherynkov, but before you 
let that go to your head, take the example of the Arachnids, 
a highly organized, highly evolved insect society. 

She points to an insect evolution chart that starts with a common ant and ends with a two meter 
tall ARACHNID WARRIOR. 

BIOLOGY TEACHER
They are relatively stupid by human standards. Workers 
have an IQ of 12, warriors around 35, and yet the 
Arachnids have colonized planets. Over a million years of 
evolution, Nature has provided the Arachnids with the 
biological means to hurl their spore into space. 

Johnny applies a spreader and jacks the insects abdominal cavity open with a sounding crack. 
Bug guts gush out. 

JOHNNY
Well, if that's the crop, that must be the gastric caecal... 

CARMEN
Excuse me...!

She heads for the door, hand over her mouth. 


EXT. CIVIC PARK  DAY  JOHNNY AND CARMEN

Walk home from school together. 

JOHNNY
35% on the math final! No one could be that dumb with 
numbers. 

CARMEN
Well, at least you didn't lose your lunch over a bug. How 
embarrassing. 

JOHNNY
Who cares about bugs? You can't go anywhere if you don't 
know math. 

CARMEN
Don't be so sure. I like you even if you are dumb with 
numbers. 

JOHNNY
Then how come you won't hold hands with me at school?

CARMEN
I don't want everyone to see. 

JOHNNY
Why won't you kiss me when we're all alone?

CARMEN
How come that's all you talk about anymore?

JOHNNY
It's all I think about anymore. 

Indeed, they are all alone now. The look in Johnny's eye says how about it. Carmen grins, 
reaches for Johnny's hand. 


EXT. PUPLIC TRANSPORTATION  DAY

Carmen and Johnny stand together near a bank of TRANSPORTERS. 

CARMEN
You can't walk me home. 

JOHNNY
Why not?

CARMEN
I thought you were going to help Carl. 

JOHNNY
Carl can wait. 

CARMEN
Johnny, my Dad's home today. 

Johnny's face darkens with frustration. 

JOHNNY
What's he got against me... I mean, I'm a teenager. You 
can't be a citizen when you're only a teenager!

CARMEN
It's not you, Johnny. Your parents are rich they don't need 
to be citizens, and that stuff means a lot to my dad. He's a 
veteran. 

JOHNNY
Well, if your dad doesn't like me, how come we're such 
good friends?

CARMEN
Sometimes I do what I want, eh?

Carmen steps into the flux. ZAPPP! She's gone. Johnny grins, happy to be in love. 


INT. CARL'S HOUSE  BASEMENT  DAY

Johnny is hard-wired to the stacks of processing units that comprise Carl's basement workshop. 
Carl concentrates on the image of a playing card, the six of diamonds, displayed on a monitor. 

CARL
Don't think about it... go on instinct. 

JOHNNY
Ace of spades. 

The ace of spades appears, and the computer indicates "no match". Carl puts another card up, 
the jack of diamonds. 

CARL
Statistically speaking you should've accidentally guessed 
right by know. 

JOHNNY
In addition to "psychic dolt" this test also proves I'm 
unlucky? Two of hearts. 

Wrong again. 

CARL
Luck is not a factor. No one really knows why some people 
are sensitive and some aren't. Federal studies like this 
might provide a clue. 

The next card up is the nine of clubs. 

JOHNNY
I wouldn't want to know what everyone was thinking. Four 
of spades. 

Suddenly, A GIANT YELLOW FROG jumps onto the keyboard, fritzing the monitor. Johnny 
removes the blindfold. 

CARL
Cyrano, you big yellow turd!

Johnny knows this frog, scratches him on the neck. 

JOHNNY
He just wants attention. You don't play with him like you 
used to. 

Carl concentrates for a moment. 

CARL
Go bug Mom, Cyrano. 

Cyrano's eyes widen. He hops off the table and up the stairs two at a time. Carl clears the 
screen. 

JOHNNY
How do you make him do that?

CARL
I gave him the impression that there was a fly crawling up 
my mom's leg. He is going to go eat it. 

From upstairs, CARL'S MOM shrieks. 

MOM (O.S.)
Get out! Get out! CARL...!

JOHNNY
Carl, promise me you won't ever do anything like that to 
me. 

CARL
Don't be afraid. Can't do humans... yet. C'mon let's go. 

Carl, puts up more cards, Johnny misses them all. 

JOHNNY
Ten of clubs. You still gonna sign up for Starside R&D?

CARL
Passport to the Universe. Who wouldn't want that?

JOHNNY
I've been thinking about applying for Federal Service, too. 
Fleet, maybe. 

CARL
Your father will never let you. 

JOHNNY
I'm eighteen. It's my decision, I think I'd make a pretty 
good pilot. I've good great reflexes. You need that for 
maneuvering, you know. 

CARL
Only 1 in 14 male applicants make it through stellar 
navigation. So what do you think your chances are?

JOHNNY
Eight point... no, uh, seven... 

CARL
If you can't do those numbers, you haven't got a chance. 

JOHNNY
All I know is Carmen's going to be a citizen, and I don't 
think it'll work out for us if I'm not. 

CARL
Love... how excruciatingly pathetic. Now try and pay 
attention. 

Carl puts a card up. 

JOHNNY
Queen of hearts. 

The computer indicates a match. Johnny peers around at the monitor. It is the Queen of hearts. 

CARL
Well, what do you know about that!


EXT. ATHLETIC FIELD  STANDS  DAY

Carmen and other students wearing orange and black sing the "Uni High Song". The 
SCOREBOARD says: "REGIONAL FINAL" 

Across the field, fans wear red and gold and sing another song. 


INT. LOCKER ROOM  DAY

Johnny and other UNI HIGH TIGERS, all exceptionally robust young man and women, suit up in 
their orange and black uniforms. 

DIZZY
Tesla's tough. They tumble good and they hit HARD. 

Dizzy bounces a JUMP SHOE to Johnny. The spring fires and vaults it high into the air. Johnny 
catches it, puts it on, smiles cocky at the TESLA GIANTS who suit up in red and gold. 

JOHNNY
We tumble good, too. 


EXT. ATHLETIC FIELD  DAY  WHAM!

Tigers and Giants Collide. Powered by jump shoes, the play is gymnastic. Johnny moves the ball, 
flips high in the air over the Giant defensive line, makes ten meters before he is brought down. 


EXT. STANDS  DAY

The CROWD Cheers as Johnny runs back to join his team. He sees Carmen waving, glad that 
Johnny has seen her among all the people. 


EXT. HUDDLE  DAY

Johnny and other Tigers listen as quarterback Dizzy calls the plays. 

DIZZY
Kick three, fade left. On two. 

They make fists, then breal for thevline of scrimmage. 


EXT. SCRIMMAGE LINE  DAY  THE TIGERS

Have the ball. The Giant's QUARTERBACK assigns ZANDER BARCALOW, 18, handsome, 
super-confident, to guard Johnny. 

ZANDER
Time's running out. 

Zander points. The SCOREBOARD shows "TIGERS 19,GIANTS 20", three minutes and counting 
on the clock. Johnny grins. 

JOHNNY
A lot can happen in three minutes. 

DIZZY
Hut... hut!

Johnny takes the handoff, flips over a gauntlet of Giant guards. Zander hurls himself at Johnny, 
misses. Johnny scores. Zander tumbles into the crowd, loses a jump shoe. 


EXT. SIDELINES  DAY

Zander looks up and sees Carmen, smiling as she offers him a hand. She helps him up. He holds 
her hand longer than necessary. 

CARMEN
Are you alright?

ZANDER
I'm getting better. 


EXT. ATHLETIC FIELD  DAY

Johnny runs back to join his team as the crowd cheers. The Tigers lead 21-20. Johnny frowns 
when he sees Carmen talking to Zander on the sidelines, shaking his head, smiling. 


EXT. SIDELINE  DAY

Zander finds his shoe, straps it on. 

ZANDER
So what are you doing later?

CARMEN
Everyone is going to the dance. Aren't you?

ZANDER
I don't know. It's my last night as a civilian. I ship out for 
Tereshkova tomorrow. 

Zander heads for the field. Carmen follows, interested. 

CARMEN
You're going to the Academy? That's where I want to go. 
I'd love to talk to you about that. 

A REFEREE blows his whistle at Zander, signaling impatiently. 

ZANDER
I'm all ears. 

CARMEN
Don't you have to finish the game?


EXT. SCRIMMAGE LINE  DAY

The Giants are in possession. Zander lands hard in front of Johnny. 

JOHNNY
Don't get any ideas. She's my girl. 

ZANDER
You can never be sure. 

Johnny scowls at Zander, turns his head to look back at Carmen. She waves, smiling. The Giants 
pull a blitz. 

DIZZY
WATCH THE BLITZ...!

Zander knocks Johnny on his ass, and the Giants score. It's "TIGERS 21, GIANTS 22" and less 
than a minute to go. 


EXT. HUDDLE  DAY

Dizzy orders up the next play. Johnny keeps looking over his shoulder because Zander's back 
talking to Carmen again. 

DIZZY
Flip six, three hole. Rico? Hey!

Dizzy slams Johnny upside his helmet with her forearm. 

JOHNNY
What?

DIZZY
You were drifting. Flip six, three hole. On one, got it?

JOHNNY
Just throw me the ball, Diz. 

They make fists and break. 


EXT. SCRIMMAGE LINE  DAY

Johnny takes position again across the line from Zander who now grins at Johnny broadly. 
Johnny doesn't grin back. 

DIZZY
Hut!

At the snap, Johnny breaks for open field. Dizzy throws, Johnny catches it, trips Zander up 
painfully, and hurls himself into the end zone as a horn sounds the game's finish. 


EXT. ATHLETIC FIELD  DAY  CHEERING UNI FANS

Rush onto the field as the school band strikes up a victory march. Tigers do flips in the air. 
Giants look dejected. Zander picks himself up, watches Johnny leave with Carmen. 


INT. JOHNNY'S HOUSE  NIGHT

Johnny walks through rooms filled with elegant furniture. He's all spiffed up for the big dance. 
His MOTHER catches him preening in front of a mirror by the TRANSPORTER in the hall. 

MOTHER
Who said you could grow up so fast? Last time I checked 
you were only five years old. You had such a bright little 
face... 

JOHNNY
Aw, don't get mushy. 

Johnny's FATHER enters carrying a FEDERAL SERVICE CATALOGUE. 

FATHER
This came for you today. I presume on your request. 

JOHNNY
A lot of my friends are doing Federal Service... 

MOTHER
You aren't thinking of applying...?

Johnny shrugs. 

FATHER
Have you lost you lost your mind? I'd rather take ten 
lashes in Public Square than see you ruin your life. 

JOHNNY
It's a term of service, not a career. I just want to get out on 
my own and see the Galaxy for a couple of years. 

MOTHER
Johnny, people get hurt... people get killed in the Federal 
Service. If something happened to you I don't know what I 
would do... 

FATHER
Who gave you this idea? It's that teacher. What's his 
name? You know the one I mean. 

JOHNNY
Mr. Rasczak. 

FATHER
Rasczak... Silly name. There ought to be a law against 
using a school as a recruiting station!

JOHNNY
No, Mr. Rasczak doesn't do that at all. He sorta 
discourages you really. 

FATHER
Good, because you're going to Harvard, and that's the end 
of it. 

JOHNNY
I'm eighteen. It's my decision. 

FATHER
Oh, is that how it is?

MOTHER
Wait you two. Dad and I have a surprise for you that will 
settle this. Can you guess what it is?

JOHNNY
Uh, no. 

FATHER
A trip to the Outer Rings. Whad'ya think of that?

JOHNNY
Wow! Santori and Zegema Beach, I've always wanted to go 
there. 

MOTHER
Good good, then it's all settled. 

FATHER
A year at Harvard and you'll see this "Federal Service" is 
just menial training for inferior people so they can call 
themselves "citizens" and take airs for the rest of their 
lives. 

JOHNNY
Wait a minute! Carl is doing his Federal and he isn't 
inferior. He's the smartest kid at school!

FATHER
Sorry. Carl's a fine boy... 

Johnny puts on his jacket. 

JOHNNY
I don't know what they teach at Harvard, but I think I'm 
pretty good enough the way I am!

MOTHER
Johnny, please. Calm yourself. 

JOHNNY
Well, that's what you're saying! You're saying that I'm not 
good enough the way I am now!

Johnny stomps out, the transporter goes ZAPPP!

MOTHER
Why did you go and do that? He was all ready to go 
Zegema Beach!

FATHER
Teenagers!


INT. UNI HIGH GYMNASIUM  NIGHT

Everyone at the "Farewell Dance" is dressed up. Rasczak and other TEACHERS chaperon. A 
spotlight finds the BAND LEADER. 

BAND LEADER
Alright, everybody, this is the last dance, so let's turn down 
the lights and make it a slow one. 

The lights go down. Dizzy, dressed pretty, brightens when she sees Johnny standing alone near 
the dance floor. 

DIZZY
Hey, Rico, wanna dance?

JOHNNY
Actually, Diz, I promised Carmen... 

DIZZY
Too bad for her if she's not around. 

Dizzy pulls him onto the floor, holds him close. 

DIZZY
You know, it's sad... Most of us probably won't see each 
other again after tonight. 

There is an invitation here. Johnny doesn't take it. 

JOHNNY
You still gonna play for Brazil?

DIZZY
Looks like, unless Tokyo lets me start. 

JOHNNY
Well, anyone who gets you is lucky. 

DIZZY
How come we never got together?

Dizzy looks at Johnny meaningfully. He's distracted. Carmen crosses the room, stunning in her 
formal. 

JOHNNY
Can't we just be friends, Diz?

DIZZY
Sure. 

JOHNNY
Uh, look, Diz... 

DIZZY
Guess you gotta go. 

JOHNNY
You're the best. 

Johnny heads for Carmen. Dizzy watches jealously as Carmen takes his hand. She looks around 
for someone to dance with. Carl, a nerd in a tux, waves shyly. 


INT. GYMNASIUM  DANCE FLOOR  NIGHT

Carmen and Johnny dance. Johnny wants to kiss her, Carmen playfully avoids. 

JOHNNY
Isn't it great to be in love?

CARMEN
How do I know if this is love?

JOHNNY
It wouldn't be so romantic if we weren't... 

CARL
Outa the way you two!

Carl and Dizzy dance by, Dizzy smiling bravely because Carl is a terrible dancer. Johnny goes 
in for the kiss again. 

CARMEN
Romance is just a vestigial biological response to 
procreation... 

JOHNNY
Aw, you're in love with me... You just dont know it yet. 

Johnny's confidence makes her smile. Johnny moves in to kiss her, but the music ends. Everyone 
applauds. The lights come up and people head for the doors. Johnny sees Rasczak. 

JOHNNY
Wait, I want to talk to Mr. Rasczak. 

CARMEN
I'll meet you outside. 

Johnny heads over to Rasczak. 

JOHNNY
Mister Rasczak?

RASCZAK
What is it, Rico?

JOHNNY
I just wanted to say thanks 'cause History and Moral 
Philosophy was the best class I had this year. 

RASCZAK
(smiling)
Well, it's not really my job to please. Hope you learned 
something. 

JOHNNY
I wanna join up, Mr. Rasczak. I think I have what it take 
to be a citizen. 

RASCZAK
Good for you. Go find out. 

JOHNNY
Well, my parents are against it, and I know it's my choice, 
but I was wondering... What would you do if you were me?

RASCZAK
Figuring things out for yourself is the only freedom anyone 
really has. Use that freedom. Make your own choice, Rico. 


EXT. UNI HIGH GYMNASIUM  NIGHT

Johnny walks out and finds Carmen talking with Zander. He wears the blue uniform of a Fleet 
pilot trainee. Carmen examines his FLEET PIN, a pair of silver wings. 

CARMEN
Johnny, this is Zander. 

ZANDER
Yeah, we know each other from the game. No hard feeling, 
eh, chum?

JOHNNY
None at all... We won. 

CARMEN
Good luck at the academy. 

Zander takes back the wings and pins the to his tunic. 

ZANDER
Always. 


EXT. PROMENADE  NIGHT

Johnny and Carmen walk together along the river holding hands. 

CARMEN
He just got accepted to the Fleet Academy. Isn't that 
great?

JOHNNY
Yeah, sure, I guess. 

CARMEN
No, I mean if he can get in, maybe I have a chance. 

JOHNNY
What are you talking about? We both know you're gonna 
be a pilot. 

CARMEN
Zander is going for pilot, too. 

JOHNNY
You two have so much in common. 

Carmen pulls Johnny to a stop, looks him in the eye. 

CARMEN
Johnny Rico, you're jealous!

JOHNNY
I can't help it. 

CARMEN
He's nothing like you. 

JOHNNY
I don't even know if you're my girl. 

Carmen smiles, leans in close to Johnny. 

CARMEN
Are you the boy for me?

JOHNNY
I'm gonna do it, Carmen. I'm gonna sign up for Federal 
Service. 

They kiss, tentatively, but the passion grows and they break apart, breathless. 

CARMEN
Oh, Johnny... 


EXT. PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION  NIGHT

Johnny and Carmen making out as they wait their turn. There are a few other people around 
including a POLICEMAN. 

CARMEN
Everyone's looking... we shouldn't... 

JOHNNY
Who cares?

CARMEN
You're right. Let's never stop... 

POLICEMAN
Hey, you, there's a place for that!

Without stopping, Johnny pulls Carmen into the flux. ZAPPP!


INT. FEDERAL HOUSING  NIGHT

Johnny and Carmen kissing at her front door. Johnny moves his hand tentatively to Carmen's 
breast. She takes his hand, smiling, puts it under her shirt. 

JOHNNY
I love you, Carmen. 

CARMEN
Shhh... 

She puts her mouth on his and they melt together. The door flies open, and CARMEN'S DAD 
stands there. 

CARMEN'S DAD
Carmen, it's late. Get inside. 

CARMEN
Sorry, Dad. See you, Johnny. 

Carmen ducks inside. Her father looks Johnny over. He carries a terrible battle scar oon his 
face. 

CARMEN'S DAD
I don't want you around Carmen anymore. Get me?

JOHNNY
Maybe Carmen's gonna make her own decisions from now 
on, Mr. Ibanez. 

Carmen's Dad reddens. He'd like to punch Johnny out. 
 
CARMEN'S DAD
Carmen's gonna be a citizen. She don't need you and your 
rich family. The Federation'll give her everything she 
needs. 

CARMEN (O.S.)
Dad, leave him alone... 

Carmen's Dad slams the door in Johnny's face. 


EXT. FEDERAL BUILDING  DAY

Johnny and Carmen meet Carl in front of the induction center where a steady flow of prospective 
citizens file through the main doors. 


INT. LOBBY  DAY

The RECRUITING SERGEANT is missing one arm. He smiles broadly at the three teenagers. 

RECRUITING SERGEANT
Fresh meat for the grinder, eh?

CARL
That's us. Where do we sign?

He turns in his chair to grab the forms. Johnny and his friends see that he is also missing both 
legs. The Recruiting Sergeant catches them looking, smiles even wider. 

RECRUITING SERGEANT
Here and here and here. 

As he signs, Johnny looks at the campaign ribbons on the Recruiting Sergeant's chest. We hear 
MUSIC: "The Mobile Infantery Anthem" plays softly in honor of distant battles. 

RECRUITING SERGEANT
Welcome to the adventure of Federal Service. Follow the 
blue line. 


INT. PROCESSING HALL  DAY

Johnny, Carmen and Carl are routed into different lines, joining other hopeful civilians. A 
COLONEL makes a speech over the loudspeaker. 

COLONEL
There is no guarantee of service. We don't need all of you. 
It costs a great deal to train human beings for useful tasks. 
Many jobs are hazardous to your health. If you are chosen 
and do not wish to serve you may resign at anytime simply 
by completing form 1240/A. Thank you for exercising you 
constitutonal rights. 


INT. CHANGING ROOM  DAY

Johnny and others in the line strip down. The guy in front of Johnny is DON, 18, athletic and 
cheerful. 

DON
They took my sister, they'll take anybody. 


INT. TESTING FACILITY  DAY

Johnny grimaces as a TECHNICIAN installs an INTERFACE PLATE on his side, drawing 
fluids. 

DON
Oh, this is the part that hurts!

A PSYCH OFFICER sits down across from each candidate. 

PSYCH OFFICER
No talking please. I'm going to ask you some questions. 
Please answer all questions truthfully. We'll know if you 
don't. Birthplace?

JOHNNY
Here in Buenos Aires. 

The Psych Officer checks Johnny's response on a meter. 


INT. VARIOUS TESTING STATIONS  DAY

Johnny is poked and prodded, subjected to aural, visual and pharmacological stimuli, and 
scanned from head to toe. 

PSYCH OFFICER (V.O.)
Are your parents currently citizens?

JOHNNY (V.O.)
No, sir. 

PSYCH OFFICER (V.O.)
Which do you think is more important, courage or 
confidence?

JOHNNY (V.O.)
Courage, I guess. 

PSYCH OFFICER (V.O.)
Please complete this sentence. I want to be citizen 
because... 

JOHNNY (V.O.)
I want to be a citizen because... well, because of my girl, 
sir. 


INT. DEBRIEF  DAY

Johnny sits across from a MAJOR who views a list on a monitor Johnny can't see. 

MAJOR
I'm happy to tell you that you've been accepted for Federal 
Service. 

JOHNNY
Wow, that's great. 

MAJOR
Looks like you're quite an athlete. Boy, look at those 
reaction stats. 

The Major clucks his tongue as he highlights the last category on his list: "MOBILE 
INFANTERY"

MAJOR
My job is to dertermine what you're best suited for. 

JOHNNY
I want to be a pilot, sir. 

MAJOR
Sorry, son, no way. Your school records say you don't have 
the math skills. 

Johnny swallows this. He knew it was coming. The Major deletes "Pilot" from the list, then 
several other items. 

MAJOR
That rules out the scientific and engineering applications, 
and I'm afraid we reserve non-military options for 
candidates who are frankly less able-bodied than you are, 
son... 

He turns the monitor around and shows Johnny the list. The only thing left is "MOBILE 
INFANTERY".

MAJOR
It looks like the only thing you're good for is cannon 
fodder. I'm putting you down for the Mobile Infantery. 


INT. AUDITORIUM  DAY

Carmen proudly takes the Federal Service oath with about twenty-five other people, a gleaming 
silver FLEET PIN on her chest. She looks around for Johnny, sees him grinning at her. 

JOHNNY ET AL
... of my own free will, without promise, coercion, or 
inducement, after having been duly advised and warned of 
the meaning and consequence of this oath, do now enroll in 
the Federal Service of the Terran Federation for not less 
than two years and as much longer as may be required by 
the needs of the Service... 


INT. FEDERAL BUILDING  LOBBY  DAY

Johnny and Carmen walk out together happily, hand in hand. 

CARMEN
I wonder where Carl is. You don't suppose...?

JOHNNY
Naw, I made it, Carl made it. 

Just then, Don rushes past, shamefaced, crying. 

JOHNNY
He was in the group with me. I guess he didn't... 

CARMEN
Shhh! Don't make him feel worse. 

The Recruiting Sergeant is getting ready to go home. He's got legs now, and he takes a 
prosthetic arm from its case and snaps it on. He grins when he sees them staring. 

RECRUITING SERGEANT
They put me out front to discourage the weak-hearted, but 
at the end of the day I go home. How'd you kids do?

CARMEN
I'm gonna go for pilot. 

RECRUITING SERGEANT
Good for you. We need every pilot we can get. 

Johnny holds the door for Carmen and the Recruiting Sergeant. Suddenly Carl appears looking a 
little paler than usual. 

CARMEN
Hey, Carl, what's wrong?

JOHNNY
Did you get Starside R&D?

CARL
No. 


EXT. FEDERAL BUILDING  DAY

Johnny and Carmen are stunned. 

JOHNNY
I don't believe it!

CARL
I got Games & Theory. 

Well, everyone's a little impressed by this. 

CARMEN
Games & Theory? That's Military intelligence... Oh, Carl!

JOHNNY
Whoa! Way to go, boy-yo!

RECRUITING SERGEANT
Next time we meet, I'll probably have to salute you. What 
about you, son?

JOHNNY
Infantery, sir. 

The Recruiting Sergeant beams, offers a prosthetic hand. 

RECRUITING SERGEANT
Well, good for you. The Mobile Infantery made me the 
man I am today. 

Just what Johnny wanted to hear. They watch the old Sergeant walk away. MUSIC: "The Mobile 
Infantry Theme". Carmen takes Johnny and Carl by the arm as they walk. 

CARMEN
Let's all make a vow. Let's swear we'll always be friends 
no matter what. 

JOHNNY
I'll go for that. 

CARL
Well, we're gonna be millions of light years away from 
each other, and chances are we'll never see each other 
again, but sure... 

CARMEN
I can't wait to tell my Dad I'm in. He's gonna be so happy!

JOHNNY
My father's probably gonna kill me. 


INT. JOHNNY'S HOUSE  STUDY  NIGHT

Johnny stands sullenly as his Father rages at him. 

FATHER
You'll resign, and that's all there is to it. It might look bad, 
but if that's the worst you suffer... 

JOHNNY
I won't quit!

FATHER
I'm telling you, you will! You're not going back. You're 
going to go on vacation!

JOHNNY
I'm not going on vacation! I want to be a citizen! It's my 
decision. I made it. 

Johnny turns for the door. His father throws his last shot. 

FATHER
You walk out that door, you're cut off, young man... You 
understand me? Alright, THAT'S IT, YOU'RE... 


INT. JOHNNY'S HOUSE  HALLWAY  NIGHT

Johnny walks out, grim, sees his mother, tears in her eyes. 

FATHER (O.S.)
... CUT OFF!

MOTHER
Johnny, why won't you change your mind? Does 
citizenship mean so much to you?

JOHNNY
Well, yeah, sure... 

MOTHER
I hope so. I hope you don't ruin your life over some silly 
little girl who wants to look handsome in a uniform. 

Johnny's face reddens. 

JOHNNY
Don't talk about my girl that way. 

Johnny turns on his heel, heads for the transporter. ZAPPP!


EXT. FEDERAL TRANSPORTATION HUB  DAY

Johnny looks for Carmen among hundreds of young people bound for Federal Service 
destinations. Recruits wear civilian clothes. Everyone else is in uniform. 

P.A. (O.S.)
Outbound group 1380, Ursa Minor and Tyko, now 
transporting at bank 17... 

Now he sees her entering struggling with luggage. Johnny rushes to help her and soon he is 
carrying all her bags. 

JOHNNY
You're late. 

CARMEN
My Dad had to help me pack. Suddenly he's afraid he's 
never gonna see me again or something. It was sweet, but it 
took forever. Anyway, I guess I'm ready to go. 

At the freight station, Carmen enters her Federal I.D. card and gets numbered tags for her bags. 

JOHNNY
Me, too. I'm wearing everything I own. 

Johnny loads them onto a conveyor belt. 

CARMEN
Poor boy. I'm sorry your parents were so mad. 

JOHNNY
Who cares! The Federation'll give me everything I need for 
the next two years, right?

Carmen's already moved to the next line. Johnny follows. 

CARMEN
You talk to Carl?

JOHNNY
He left this morning. He couldn't say where. 

Carmen logs in, enters her destination: "LUNA  TERESHKOVA FLEET ACADEMY". The 
tickets station spits out a pass. 

CARMEN
It's exciting, but it's scary, too isn't it. Going someplace 
new where you don't know anyone. 

Carmen heads toward a bank of transporters. Johnny stops her, takes her by the arms. 

JOHNNY
I'm gonna miss you. 

CARMEN
I'll miss you, too, Johnny. 

JOHNNY
I love you. 

P.A. (O. S.)
Outbound group 948A, Tereshkova, all sections, 
transporting at bank 5. 

CARMEN
Oh, that's me. 

She scans her pass, but Johnny stops her again. 

JOHNNY
Com'on, just say it. Try it on for size. 

CARMEN
Alright, I love you. 

Carmen kisses him, jumps into the transporter. 

JOHNNY
Do you mean it?

CARMEN
I said it. Isn't that enough? Don't forget to write!

ZAPPP! The last thing he sees are her beautiful eyes. 


FROM THE FEDERAL NET  A WORLD THAT WORKS!

People are doing Federal Service jobs all over the known Galaxy. 

OFFICIAL VOICE
From all over the known Galaxy, prospective citizens work 
together to make a better tomorrow! Would you like to 
know more?


CRIME & PUNISHMENT  TONIGHT!

A CRIMINAL stands before a FEDERAL COURT

OFFICIAL VOICE
A murderer was captured and tried today. Sentence: 
DEATH. Tonight at six, all net, all channels. Would you 
like to know more?


NOTICE  ARE YOU PSYCHIC?

A Federal clinic specializing in psychic research. 

OFFICIAL VOICE
If you think you are psychic, maybe you are. Harness your 
unique abilities and take advantage of the many Federal 
benefits available for psychic citizens. Would you like to 
know more?


TRAVEL ADVISORY  INSECT TRAGEDY ON TANGO URILLA

A prefab township sits on the shores of a tranquil alien bay. Then, a "You Are Here" map of the 
Known Universe. 

OFFICIAL VOICE
Disregarding Federal warnings, Mormon extremists 
established Port Joe Smith, a settlement of 300 on Tango 
Urilla, a system just inside the Arachnid Quarantine Zone. 

Archival pictures of a captive two meter ARACHNID WARRIOR, multiple eyes, cutting 
mouthparts and claws. Wary SCIENTISTS keep their distance as it eats a COW. 

OFFICIAL VOICE
Too late they realized the Tango Urilla had already been 
chosen by other colonists  Arachnids!

Now body parts litter the ruined streets of Port Joe Smith. 

OFFICIAL VOICE
The council asks future colonists to obey all official Federal 
warnings. Would you like to know more?


EXT. CAMP CURRIE  PARADE GROUND  DAY

SERGEANT ZIM is 40, astoundingly fit, and like all drill instructors, he carries a small baton. 
He addresses sixty shorn RECRUITS. 

ZIM
The problem with you is that none of you are good enough 
the way you are. 

Johnny stands in formation with his squad, among them: 

BRECKINRIDGE, 18, DJANA'D, 19, KATRINA McINTIRE, 18, ACE LEVY, 18, SHUJUMI, 
18, and KITTEN SMITH, 18. 
 
ZIM
I am your senior drill instructor, Career Sergeant Zim. 
(then)
TO THINK THIS HAD TO HAPPEN TO ME! What a 
bunch of apes. No, strike that. You don't rate that good... 
you sunken-chested, slack-bellied, drooling refugees from 
apron strings! In my whole life I've never seen such a 
disgraceful huddle of momma's spoiled little darlings! Suck 
in those guts! You there, EYES FRONT!

Zim gives Kitten Smith the hairy eyeball. Smith cracks up. 

ZIM
Do you think I'm funny? Do I make you laugh? Do you 
think I'm a comedian?

Kitten Smith shake his head "no", but he can't stifle himself. 

KITTEN SMITH
Sorry...!

ZIM
The first and last words out of your stinking holes will be 
"sir". Do you get me?

KITTEN SMITH
Sir, sorry... sir. 

ZIM
See the armory? Run around it!

Kitten Smith squints. Out in the distance, a tiny building. Zim smacks him on the leg with his 
baton. 

KITTEN SMITH
YEOW!

ZIM
RUN, I SAID. Bronski, keep pace!

Kitten Smith runs. Big CORPORAL BRONSKI, 28, takes out after him, laying a baton across his 
backside every time he slows. 

ZIM
You are now all brothers and sisters in the same family, 
my family, the Mobile Infantery. I will be your mother. I 
will be your father. If you do not please me I will throw you 
out of my family because I hate all slackers and negative 
hackers. Do you get me?

JOHNNY ET AL
Sir, yes, sir!

Zim points at the little WHITE PICKET FENCE leading to a transporter near the front gate. 

ZIM
Anytime you think I'm being to tough, anytime you think 
I'm being unfair... QUIT! Grab your gear and take a stroll 
down "Washout Lane". Get me?

JOHNNY ET AL
Sir, yes, sir!

ZIM
I wonder if there's a handful of guts in the whole bunch. 
Who thinks they've got what it takes to knock me down?

Breckinridge, a big guy from a farm planet, steps forward. 

BRECKINRIDGE
Sir, I guess maybe I do, sir. 

Zim crooks a finger at him. Breckinridge charges. Zim knocks him flat. Breckinridge holds his 
arm, twisted now. 

ZIM
You alright, Breckinridge?

BRECKINRIDGE
Sir, yes, sir. It's my arm. I think it's broken, sir. 

ZIM
MEDIC!

A MEDIC charges up, checks Breckinridge's arm, grins. 

MEDIC
Clean break... Doc'll have him back on active duty by 
tomorrow. 

ZIM
Good. Who's next?

Shujumi steps up, assumes a fighting stance. Zim looks him over. There's not much to him. 
Shujumi attacks Zim, counters his counter, dances out of range. 

DJANA'D
Lookit the little guy go!

Now Zim attacks. Shujumi flip kicks Zim in the head. 

JOHNNY
He's good alright. 

KATRINA
I'll bet he makes squad leader. 

ACE
He'll have to get past me. 

The recruits check Ace out. Zim sweeps Shujumi's legs, puts a knee in the little man's throat. 
Shujumi passes out. 

ZIM
MEDIC!


EXT. OBSTACLE COURSE  DAY

The Recruits tumble a brutal obstacle course using JUMP BOOTS. 

ZIM (V.O.)
Some of you may not make it. 

Djana'd hits a tower and falls to the deck hard, dropping her rifle. She holds her knee, hurt. Zim 
races over to her. 

ZIM
WHY IS THAT WEAPON ON THE GROUND? YOUR 
WEAPON IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN YOU ARE! 
PICK IT UP! PICK IT UP!

Zim begins to kick her because she doesn't move fast enough. 

ZIM (V.O.)
You might think I am unfair. 


EXT. ZERO GRAVITY COMBAT  DAY

The Recruites watch poor Kitten Smith spar with Zim. Kitten Smith whacks Zim across the jaw. 
Zim doesn't even flinch. 

ZIM
Is that all you got? You hit like kitten, Smith! This is a 
punch. 

WHAM! Zim knocks Kitten Smith for a loop. 

ZIM (V.O.)
You will not like me. 


NT. HYPERPHYSICAL TRAINING ENVIRONMENTS  DAY

Zim watches the recruits face simulated 3-D OFF-WORLD FOES. In one room, CYCLOPS 
SOLDIERS of Antilles, in another, red DEATH WALKERS, and in a third, screeching 
ARACHNID WARRIORS. 

ZIM (V.O.)
But if you survive you will thank me because you will be 
born again hard. You will be a new person. You will be a 
Cap Trooper. And then, MAYBE, you'll be good enough... 


EXT. COMBAT KNIFE PRACTICE  DAY

Zim throws a knife, buries the point in a narrow post. 

ZIM (V.O.)
... to serve in my family. 

ACE
Sir, I don't understands who needs a knife in a nuke fight 
anyway... All you gotta do is push a button, sir!

Zim yanks the knife out of the post. 

ZIM
Put your hand on the post, private. 

Ace obeys. Zim throws, sticks his hand to the post. 

ACE
AWK!

ZIM
The enemy cannot push a button if you disable his hand. 
MEDIC!

Zim pays no attention to Ace who remains stuck to the post. A recruit trots up. Johnny stares, 
surprised. It's Dizzy. 

DIZZY
Sir, recruit Flores, reporting for duty, sir. 

She snaps Zim a salute and hands him her orders. 

ZIM
I see you specifically requested transfer from Fort 
Cronkite to this training group... 

Dizzy grins self-consciously at Johnny. 

DIZZY
Sir, I heard it was the best, sir!

ZIM
It is the best... BUT WHAT MAKES YOU THINK 
YOU'RE GOOD ENOUGH? ON YOUR BELLY AND 
GIVE ME FIFTY, RECRUIT!

Dizzy hits the deck and starts doing push-ups, counting off as MEDICS arrive and go to work on 
Ace's hand. 


INT. MESS HALL  DAY

The Recruites line up for mess piled four-square together on a single plate, meat on the bottom, 
ice cream on top. 

ACE
I'd like to disable Zim...!

KATRINA
Improper Attitude! They'll kick you out for talking like 
that... 

DJANA'D
They can kick you out for anything. Improper Conduct, 
Unsatisfactory Performance... 

KITTEN SMITH
Off you go down Washout Lane, bye-bye!

Ace cuts into the front off the mess line. 

ACE
Aw, you either got what it takes or you don't. 

DJANA'D
C'mon Ace, wait your turn!

ACE
At ease, soldier. It's all the same muck. 

JOHNNY
Better get in line like everyone else, Ace. 

Silence. There could be a fight. Zim, standing nearby, watches with interest. Ace opens his hand. 

ACE
You got some guts for a rich kid. I guess you and me could 
be buddies. 

JOHNNY
What an honor... 

ACE
Hey, don't laugh. Everyone oughta have a friend like me!

Ace makes a big friendly show of trading places with Johnny. 

BRECKINRIDGE
Come on, Ace, back off the line! Back off the line!

Now everyone's laughing, pushing Ace to the back of the line. Johnny has his grub. Dizzy comes 
up with her tray. 

DIZZY
Hey, amigo, come chow with me. 

JOHNNY
No thanks, Diz. 

DIZZY
What's your malfunction, Rico?

JOHNNY
You are. I joined up to get out on my own. And you had to 
tag along. 

DIZZY
What? You think I joined the Mobile Infantery because of 
you?

JOHNNY
You saying you didn't?

Johnny turns away. Dizzy watches him go, hurt. 


EXT. OBSTACLE COURSE  DAY

The Recruits tumble down the difficult course in their power suits. At the head of the pack, 
breathing hard, Johnny and Ace race. 

ACE
What makes you think... you'll make... squad leader, Rico?

JOHNNY
Something... I've got... you don't. 

ACE
You rich kids... are all the same!

JOHNNY
It isn't about rich... It's about who's best...!

They come to a trap, prepare to leap. 

DIZZY
Coming through!

Dizzy jumps over them from behind. Johnny and Ace tumble into the mud. They watch, 
chagrined, as Dizzy reaches the end of the course effortlessly. 

ZIM
C'mon, move it, you apes!


INT. SHOWERS  NIGHT

Dizzy enters as the recruits scrub down. 

KITTEN SMITH
We all have one thing in common. We were all stupid 
enough to sign up for Mobile Infanterie. What's your 
excuse, Breckinridge?

BRECKINRIDGE
Well, my family is all farmers. I hate farming. Mobile 
Infantery's pure picnic by comparison. 

KITTEN SMITH
So the grow'em big and dumb on the farm planet, eh? 
Djana'd?

DJANA'D
I'm going in for politics. You gotta be a citizen for that. So 
here I am. 

KITTEN SMITH
C'mon, keep it going... Katrina!

KATRINA
I wanna be a mom. It's easier to get a licence if you've 
served. 

ACE
I'm going career... officer's training. That's why I wanna 
be squad leader. They look for that. 

JOHNNY
Wanting it doesn't make you the best one for the job. 

ACE
Oh, yeah? I don't see anyone else here with the chops to 
lead. 

JOHNNY
Well, maybe you better look again. 

SHUJUMI
Federation's gonna give me a scholarship when my hitch is 
up. I wanna be a neurologist, study brain chemisty and 
associated stimulus... 

Dizzy dresses down. Johnny and all the other guys check her out. She has a fabulous body. Dizzy 
catches Johnny looking. He turns his back as she steps into the shower next to him. 

KITTEN SMITH
Your turn, Rico!

JOHNNY
Aw, who asked you to be so nosey?

KITTEN SMITH
Me, I got plans to be writer, and a writer's got a right to be 
nosey. Flores, you know Rico from Buenos Aires... What's 
his story?

Dizzy uses her hand to divert the shower spray towards Johnny's crotch. 

DIZZY
Well, some say he turned his back on the family fortune to 
be a citizen, others say he did it for a girl... missed a spot 
there, bucko... which is funny because Johnny says I joined 
up to be with him, but why would I do that? He doesn't 
even like me. 

BRECKINRIDGE
Don't look that way to me. 

Everyone looks down at Johnny's crotch, laughing. Johnny blushes, grabs a towel and exits the 
shower. 


INT. BARRACKS  NIGHT  INTO CAMERA

Johnny pans the barracks with a little handcam, neat bunks in a row, other recruits lounging 
around in their skivvies. 

JOHNNY
I know it's not much, but it's home. Over there's my bunk 
where I dream about you every night... 

Ace, Kitten Smith, Shujumi and Breckinridge dance around and moon the camera. 

JOHNNY
Hey, do you mind?

Johnny moves the camera away from the guys. Katrina walks by from the shower with Dizzy, 
mugs into frame. 

KATRINA
Hey, what's going on?

DIZZY
I bet it's that girl I was talking about... Her name's 
Carmen, I think. 

ACE AND THE OTHERS
Carmen! Ooh la la, Carmencita!

KATRINA
Hi, Carmen!

Johnny heads for the door. 

ACE AND THE OTHERS
Hey, where you going? Come back...! He's getting away... 
Grab him...!

The picture goes all screwy, comes up again on: 


EXT. BARRACKS  NIGHT  INTO CAMERA

Johnny talk quietly now outside the barracks door. 

JOHNNY
Boot's pretty tough, and sometimes I think I won't make it, 
but then I imagine you're watching me, and that gives me 
something... I try harder. Thanks to you, I think I might 
have a shot at squad leader. 

The barracks lights go out. Taps plays over the public address. Johnny lowers his voice. 

JOHNNY
Uh-oh, I gotta pack it in. I hope you're having fun, hope 
you're careful. No training accidents for you, eh?
(leaning into camera)
I want to kiss you so badly. I want to feel you next to me, I 


Behind him, someone begins to sing, badly. 

ACE
I love you truly, so truly, dear...!

Ace, the singer, and the other guys peer down from the transom over the door, giggling, 
delighted with themselves. 

PULL BACK TO REVEAL: 


INT. TERESHKOVA FLIGHT ACADEMY  DAY

Carmen watches the end of Johnny's letter. Ace continues to sing. 

ACE
Our love will grow, dear, year by year... 

JOHNNY
Bye! Write me! I'm gonna kill you guys!

The letter ends. Carmen smiles. A BALD CADET PILOT smacks her on the arm as she runs by 
in a sleek blue pressure suit. 

BALD CADET
Orbit in five, Ibanez! First one there gets to fly!

Grinning, Carmen grabs her duffel, takes off after her. 


INT. BOARDING CORRIDOR  DAY

Carmen and the bald cadet race for the hatch past other recruits. 


INT. BOAT  DAY

Carmen gets there first, jumps into the pilot seat. The Bald Pilot takes second seat. 

CARMEN
Looking it down!

Two LATE CADETS duck in through the closing hatch door. 

LATE CADET
Oh no, not Ibanez again, she's crazy!

CARMEN
On my mark, in three, two, one... 


EXT. LUNAR ORBIT

The Boat streaks upward from the lunar floor past orbiting training platforms where CADETS in 
brightly colored pressure suits float against the Earth which hangs beyond the horizon. 

CARMEN (O.S.)
... GO!


INT. BOAT  LUNAR ORBIT

Carmen blasts past a DESTROYER orbiting in dock, zips between CORVETTES and other 
slower fleet traffic in the crowded space lanes of Luna. The two late cadets are terrified. 

BALD CADET
Geez, I thought I liked to fly fast!

CARMEN
This is nothing. Today, I get to fly that!

She points. Now visible from behind a host of smaller ships, STARSHIP ATHENA, of older 
design, but impressive. 


INT. ATHENA  COMMAND AND CONTROL  DAY CYCLE

Carmen arrives on the bridge, dark, cramped, all-business. She salutes the instructor, CAPTAIN 
DELADIER, 40s. 

CARMEN
Pilot Trainee Ibanez reporting for duty, ma'am. 

DELADIER
Take the number one chair, Ibanez. Follow all instructions 
of you supervisor. 

CARMEN
Yes, ma'am!

Carmen turns for her station, but stops in her tracks. Her supervisor is Zander Barcalow, now a 
2nd Lieutenant. 

CARMEN
Hey! What are you doing here?

ZANDER
I'm the guy who's gonna teach you to fly this crate. 

Carmen logs on. The ship recognizes her as a pilot trainee. 

CARMEN
Assistant insructor... You must be some kind of a hot stick. 
Should I call you "sir"?

ZANDER
Only when I give you an order. 

DELADIER
Prepare for departure. 

Carmen and Zander go to work. 

CARMEN
It's amazing, us running into each other like this. Maybe 
it's fate. 

ZANDER
Maybe not. I heard about this crazy girl coming through 
the academy, solid math, a little wild on the stick, but a 
natural. When it turned out it was you, I made sure we'd 
run into each other... 

DELADIER
Alright, take her out, Ibanez. 

CARMEN
Yes, ma'am. 

All eyes are on carmen as she grabs the stick. The ship shudders under her hand. She winks at 
Zander. 

CARMEN
In simulation, my supervisors could never keep up. 

ZANDER
This isn't simulation anymore. Take'er out easy, cadet. 

CARMEN
Oh, yes, sir. Vector?

ZANDER
Twenty-five by five, roll seven. And don't exceed port 
speed. 

Carmen rocks the stick, and the view from the bridge spins smoothly away from the dense 
orbiting yards of Luna toward the outer system. 

CARMEN
Or...?

ZANDER
They revoke our flight status. 

CARMEN
Oh, I see... teamwork. 

Carmen jogs past lumbering freighters. Zander's impressed. 

DELADIER
Steady as she goes, number one. Prepare for warp. 
Number two, design for Jupiter orbit. 

ZANDER
Yes, ma'am. Star drive in three... two... one... 

Space appears to bend. Zander and Carmen share a smile. They blur together, becoming one, 
then: WHAM!


EXT. LUNA  STARSHIP ATHENA

Disappears in a flash of blinding light. 


EXT. WAR GAMES COURSE  DAY

The Recruits have been divided into two teams. RED TEAM includes Ace, Katrina, 
Breckinridge, and Djana'd. Johnny, Shujumi, Kitten Smith, and Dizzy are part of BLUE TEAM. 

ZIM
The object of this exercise is to capture your enemy's flag 
before your enemy captures yours. 

Bronski passes out Morita SmartRifles. 

ZIM
These weapons have been modified for this exercise. If 
your enemy hits you, your suit will fail. You will be unable 
to move. You will be as good as dead. 


EXT. WAR GAMES COURSE  LATER

Djana'd bumps the magnification of her heads up display to survey Blue Team's flag guarded by 
two recruits. She jumps down to joining other Red Team members on the move. 

DJANA'D
It's right over the next ridge... Only two guards. 

Johnny, Kitten Smith, and Dizzy open fire from athicket as they pass. Djana'd and the others 
collapse as their suits fail, Djana'd laughing because playing at war seems funny. 

KITTEN SMITH
You are now prisoners of the Blue Team. Tell us your 
plans or die!

DJANA'D
Oh no! Name, rank, and mind your own business is all you 
get from me!


EXT. RED TEAM FLAG  DAY

Red Team opens fire as the Blue Team appears. Shujumi and other Blue Team members go down 
in an ambush led by Breckinridge. Johnny dives for cover, and finds himself sharing it with 
Dizzy. 

KITTEN SMITH
I'm going in! Let's go!

Kitten Smith makes a run for the flag with a rifle team. Ace and Katrina open fire from two new 
hidden Red Team positions, taking Kitten and his team down with a cross fire. 

JOHNNY
Man, they're defended... no way in. 

DIZZY
Flip six, three hole. 

JOHNNY
What?

DIZZY
High school... remember? Run a flip six, three hole play, 
and you might score... 

Johnny looks at the course in a new way, nods. 

JOHNNY
Cover me. 

DIZZY
You got it. 

Johnny tumbles open ground, vaults into the air. Dizzy takes out Breckinridge as he rises to fire. 
Johnny lands, knocks out Katrina, then Ace. He picks up Ace's fallen Morita. 

JOHNNY
Thanks, pal. 


EXT. OBSERVATION TOWER  DAY

Zim and CORPORAL BRONSKI watch Johnny firing both Moritas simultanously and taking out 
the remaining Red Team defenders. He grabs the Red Team flag and hurls it into the air like 
spear. 

ZIM
Kid's got some moves... 


INT. AIRBORNE SKIMMER  DAY

The Recruits line up in the door of a SKIMMER, the military's standard utility aircraft, to 
practice drops from altitude. 

ZIM
Smith, GO! McIntire, GO! Flores, GO! Rico, I'm making 
you sqaud leader!

JOHNNY
Sir, thank you, sir!

ZIM
Don't stand there dumb... GO!

Johnny jumps, plummeting toward the earth. 

JOHNNY
YEEEE-Haaaaaaaaaaaaa...!

Next in line, Ace scowls. 


INT. BARRACKS  NIGHT

The Recruits have some free time. Johnny makes a big show of polishing the chevrons that 
designate him as Squad Leader. 

KITTEN SMITH
Look at him. Do you think anyone has ever been so pleased 
with himself?

ACE
Zim hadda choose someone to be his brown nose, I guess. 

JOHNNY
I just want you guys to know that I'll never do anything 
that I haven't asked you to do first. 

Johnny approaches Dizzy. 

JOHNNY
Couldn't've done it without you, Diz. Friends?

Dizzy smiles, shakes. 

DIZZY
Yeah, sure... friends. 

Bronski walks through with the mail. 

BRONSKI
Levy... Shujumi... Rico. 

Johnny grabs the E-disk, pops it into his handcam. The Fleet Mail logo appears: "APPROVED 
MESSAGE"

JOHNNY
Bet it's from my girl. 

Johnny's pals gather for a look. Carmen appears, dressed down to skivvies, in her quarters 
aboard starship Athena. 

CARMEN
Hi, Johnny, I would've written sooner, but they've really 
got us going every moment here. 

ACE
Yeow, Rico, you don't deserve that!

JOHNNY
Shhhh...!

CARMEN
I'm glad you're doing so well. If they haven't made you 
squad leader by now, I'm sure you will. 

Johnny holds up his squad leader chevrons victoriously. 

JOHNNY
All it takes is the love of a good woman... 

The image changes abruptly. Now Carmen's wearing a trim blue flight suit. She stands the 
camera on Athena's gunnery deck. Outside, the rings of Saturn sparkle in bright solar light. 

CARMEN
Look at that. Isn't it beautiful? I had to show you. It's great 
to be out here on my own. I'm just not some little girl from 
Buenos Aires anymore. I'm gonna be a starship pilot, and 
I'm gonna see the universe... 
(she sighs)
And that's also the problem because I don't really want to 
get married, Johnny. I don't want to have kids. I want a 
command, a ship of my own, and you know, I don't think 
that's gonna leave a lot of room for you and me. 

Johnny is stunned. All the other recruits suddenly seem to have something else to do. 

CARMEN
I know that's not what you wanted to hear... but I have to 
follow my heart. I'm sorry. I'm afraid you'll hate me, and I 
couldn't stand that. Write me, alright? Write me, so I'll 
know that we'll always be friends. 

The Fleet Mail logo appears again: "END OF MESSAGE". Johnny shuts the handcam off. Ace 
puts a hand on his shoulder. 

ACE
Funny how they always want to be your friends after they 
kick your guts out. 

JOHNNY
It's what I deserve. 

ACE
Whad'ya talkin about?

JOHNNY
I joined up for her. I wouldn't even be here if it wasn't for 
her. I'm a fool. 

ACE
You made squad leader on your own, and, hey, you still got 
me to kick around. 

Johnny smiles in spite of himself. 

JOHNNY
Thanks, Ace. 

Johnny turns for the door, flipping the chevrons like a coin. Dizzy watches him leave. She'd so 
like to comfort him. 


EXT. LIVE FIRE COMBAT RANGE  DAY

The Recruits arm their Marauder power suits. Zim and Bronski wear Command model suits with 
rank designations. Johnny checks weapons, scans the electronics on each squad member's power 
suit. 

ZIM
With the Marauder's visual capabilities, all you have to do 
is look at something to hit it, so you will exercise 
EXTREME CARE on my firing line. Do you get me?

RECRUITS
Sir, yes, sir!

ZIM
The live firing combat range is the closest simulation of 
actual combat we can provide. If you do not hit your 
target, it will shoot you... 

Fifty blackened AUTOMATED TARGET DRONES fitted with pulse guns are presently visible 
along a gauntlet of low walls, gullies, and three-story building facades. 

ZIM
The Marauder power suit will prevent serious injury, but if 
you are hit, you will be non-operational and your team 
score will suffer accordingly. Rico, has each member of 
your squad completed a weapons safety check?

JOHNNY
Sir, yes, sir!

On a signal from Zim, the Live Fire Combat Range comes to life as the target drones take cover 
and disappear from view. 

ZIM
Perfect score for this exercise is 300. B company came 
through last week with 285. I expect you to do better. 


EXT. LIVE FIRE COMBAT RANGE  DAY

The Recruits take out the target drones as they appear. Halfway through the course, a recruit 
takes a hit and goes down, immobilized. Djana'd has a clear shot, but Breckinridge gets in her 
way. 

DJANA'D
You're in my line of fire, Breckinridge

Before the others can react, a second drone appears. 

JOHNNY
CROSSFIRE! EVERYBODY DOWN!

Everyone kisses dirt. Pulses from the two drones fly thick overhead. Shujumi rises to fire, a 
round slams him back to the ground. Johnny and Djana'd knock out the two drones. 

JOHNNY
Alright, no more screw ups. Ace takes point. Diz, you and 
Kitten Smith cover the flanks. Djana'd, you're rear guard. 
Move out. 

The squad resumes its advance. Breckinridge bangs on his helmet. There is something wrong 
with his "head up" display. 

JOHNNY
What's the problem?

BRECKINRIDGE
Dunno. Display's fritzed. 

DJANA'D
Lose another rifle, we're gonna mess up our score... 

JOHNNY
Let me see. 

Breckinridge takes off helmet, hands it to Johnny. Djana'd turns on Breckinridge. Her "head up" 
zeroes him. 

DJANA'D
How come when something goes wrong, it's always you, 
Breckinridge?

That's when Djana'd trips on a loose stone. She fumbles her rifle and it discharges. The round 
tears the top of Breckinridge's head off. The Recruits stare in horror. 

JOHNNY
Oh, God... uh... MEDIC!

Zim arrives with Bronski on the bounce. 

ZIM
Rico, you are relieved of squad command. Levy, McIntire 
you will escort private Rico to the C.O.'s Office. 

The Recruits watch Johnny leave, stare aghast at their dead comrade. No one looks at Djana'd, 
who stands alone sobbing. 


INT. C.O.'S OFFICE  DAY

Johnny stands before the C.O. braced by Katrina and Ace. Zim and the C.O. are both saddened 
by the proceedings. 

C.O. 
Rico, did you give the recruit permission to remove his 
helmet?

JOHNNY
Sir, yes, sir. Breckinridge reported a helmet malfunction, 
and I asked him to show it to me, sir. 

C.O. 
Are you rated to repair a Marauder power suit, Rico?

JOHNNY
Sir, no, sir. 

C.O. 
Then why did you order your man to remove his helmet 
during a live fire exercise?

JOHNNY
Sir, I needed everyone in my squad operational, sir... I... I 
wanted to win, sir. 

C.O. 
(sigh)
You disobeyed safety regulation 21-404. You may, of 
course, demand trial by court martial. 

JOHNNY
Sir, no, sir!

C.O. 
Do you freely admit to the charges made against you?

JOHNNY
Sir... I guess I do, sir. 

Zim looks out the window. Djana'd, dressed for travel, in civilian clothes, crying as she heads off 
down Washout Lane. 

C.O. 
Sergeant, we've lost two recruits over this incident 
already... is there any possibility of salvaging this man?

Zim
I believe so, sir. 

C.O. 
Alright. We'll try administrative punishment. Until then 
you are confined to your quarters, Rico. 


INT. BARRACKS  SUNSET

Johnny looks out the window to the parade ground where a POST has been erected. The Recruits 
look up as Zim enters. 

ZIM
Alright, let's go, Rico. 

Johnny takes off his shirt. Ace who now holds the chevrons of squad leader, watches, feels bad 
for his pal. 


EXT. PARADE GROUND  SUNSET

The Recruits stand with recruits from other platoons. Johnny is led to the post and strung up as 
the C.O. reads the charge. 

C.O. 
For incompetence of command, for failure to abide by 
safety regulations in a live fire exercise, for negligence 
which contributed to the death of a teammate... 

Zim steps up to Johnny, offers him a red rubber mouthpiece. 

ZIM
Bite on this. It helps. I know. 

C.O. 
... recruit trainee John Rico is sentenced to administrative 
punishment. Ten lashes. 

Johnny takes it in his mouth. His tear away shirt is torn away. Johnny stands at the post alone. 
Corporal Bronski, a big man with an unhappy task, unrolls his whip. 

C.O. 
You may carry out the sentence. 

BRONSKI
One. 

CRACK! Johnny's face wrenched by pain, spontaneous tears, a terrible sound stifled by the 
bright red mouthpiece. 

BRONSKI
Two. 

CRACK! Again. Dizzy flinches for Johnny. 

BRONSKI
Three. 

CRACK! Ace looks away. 

BRONSKI
Four. 

CRACK! Zim watches without any apparent emotion. 

BRONSKI
Five. 

CRACK! Johnny faints, sagging against his tether. 

FADE OUT


EXT. OUTER SYSTEM

STARSHIP ATHENA cruises past, 600,000 metric tons of star class destroyer, FIGHTERS and 
LANDING BOATS lining her open hangar deck. 


INT. ATHENA  COMMAND AND CONTROL  NIGHT CYCLE

Carmen works alone on the empty bridge. She yawns. Zander brings coffee for himself and 
Carmen. 

CARMEN
Thanks. You read my mind. Third watch always seems to 
last forever. 

ZANDER
Oh, I don't know... Depends on who you are spending it 
with. 

He caresses her hair. She kisses his hand. Zander notices the plot map. 

ZANDER
Profile's wrong... there. 

CARMEN
No, I replotted the course. It's more efficient this way. 

ZANDER
Three weeks aboard a starship and you know it all, huh?

CARMEN
Hey, check it. 

Zander slides into his chair, runs a check. 

ZANDER
You know I was talking to Captain, Deladier, and she 
said... 

CARMEN
Don't change the subject. Am I right?

ZANDER
Well, whad'ya know... 

CARMEN
Don't mess with the boss. So what'd the captain say?

ZANDER
She got a command... and she thinks we oughta team up 
officially and crew for her. She thinks we're good together. 

CARMEN
You and me, huh?

Zander turns his chair so they are very close, moves a finger along her hand, up her arm and 
playfully around her breasts. 

ZANDER
I have a feeling about us. We're good together, way ahead 
of the curve in every department. I seem to be able to 
anticipate your needs. You know what I want... 

Carmen grabs him between his legs. 

CARMEN
No, what do you want?

Zander pulls her to him and they kiss passionately. She breaks it off, gets serious for a moment. 

CARMEN
I want to be part of the best flight team in the Fleet... 

ZANDER
Me, too... Day and Night Cycle. 

They start to caress again when suddenly ALARMS sound. Captain Deladier appears on the hot 
screen, still waking up. 

DELADIER
Report. 

ZANDER
Captain, we are in the path of an unidentified object 
moving at near light speed... 

Carmen and Zander frantically check their displays. 

CARMEN
WHERE IS IT?

ZANDER
THERE! GRAVITY FIELD... IT'S BIG!

CARMEN
It looks like an... asteroid. 

DELADIER
In this part of the system?

Carmen and Zander see it through the front screens: A huge ASTEROID tumbles directly 
towards them at terrific speed. 

ZANDER
Sweet Jesus...!

Carmen breaks glass that reads "EMERGENCY RETROS", arms the switch within and fires the 
rockets. 


EXT. OUTER SYSTEM

Starship Athena torques to one side. The asteroid grazes the ship, cutting a huge gash in 
Athena's hull. Ice and rock travelling in its wake shreds COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT. 


INT. COMMAND AND CONTROL  NIGHT CYCLE

Carmen and Zander brace themselves as diamond hard particles pound the front screens. The 
ship continues to tumble. 


EXT. ATHENA  FLIGHT DECK

A Fighter loses it's mooring, tumbling into other craft, explosions ripping the deck. 


INT. ATHENA -VARIOUS  NIGHT CYCLE

CREWMEN are sucked into space. Others hang on frantically as automatic doors seal Athena's 
wound and their fates. 


INT. COMMAND AND CONTROL  NIGHT CYCLE

CAPTAIN DELADIER arrives on the bridge, now crowded as other FLIGHT OFFICERS rush to 
their stations. Zander's going through star charts. 

DELADIER
Where'd it come from?

ZANDER
Trajectory indicates it came out of the Arachnid 
Quarantine Zone. 

DELADIER
Number 4, contact Fleet and tell'em there's a loose asteroid 
headed their way. 

COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER
Communications are down, ma'am. 

DELADIER
Engineering. Damage assessment. 

ENGINEERING OFFICER
Hull's compromised. We're lucky to be alive, ma'am. 

Deladier notices Carmen staring at a monitor, stunned. A DEAD CAP TROOPER trails in the 
wreckage of the flight deck. 

DELADIER
Good work, Number 1. You'll do. 

CARMEN
Thank you, ma'am. 


INT. BARRACK'S  DAY

Johnny wears his civilian clothes, packs as the other recruits get ready for the day's training. No 
one says anything. He moves stiffly, careful of his back. 

DIZZY
It stinks, you goin. 

JOHNNY
I don't stay where I'm not wanted. 

DIZZY
If they didn't want you, they woulda kicked you out, amigo. 

JOHNNY
Hey, they humiliated me in front of everyone! I'm just 
supposed to take it, huh? Well, I'm not gonna, and I guess 
that proves I just can't cut it. 

Corporal Bronski leans in, impassive. 

BRONSKI
Your call's going through, Rico. Take it there. 

A nearby VU-PHONE lights up. The screen flashes: "RINGING". His mother appears when she 
picks up the other end. 

MOTHER
Hello... Oh, Johnny...!

JOHNNY
Hi, mom. 

MOTHER
Bill... pick up... it's Johnny! You little rat. You haven't 
called, you haven't written. It's been so lonely here without 
you... 

The screen splits as Johnny's father activates an extension. 

FATHER
Johnny! Where's your uniform...?

Johnny's mother makes a face to shut him up. 

FATHER
Well, it's just good to hear from you. What's up, son?

JOHNNY
It's not really working out for me here, dad. I was 
thinking... I was hoping it would be alright if I came home. 

MOTHER
Well, of course you should come home immediately!

JOHNNY
I've made a mess of things. I've been so stupid... 

FATHER
Don't talk like that. Get yourself home as fast as you can. 

MOTHER
We'll all have dinner. I'll fix your favorite. 

FATHER
Yeah! We'll talk it out and have a good glass of wine... 
and... well, we love you, son. 

The sky in Buenos Aires seems to darken perceptively. Johnny's mother looks out the window. 

MOTHER
Oh, my, what's that?

FATHER
Looks like rain. 

MOTHER
This time of the year...?

The transmission ends abruptly. A phone company logo appears: "TRANSMISSION 
TERMINATED"

VU-PHONE VOICE
Your transmission has been terminated due to atmospheric 
interference. Please try your call again later. 

Johnny zips his duffel, hefts it gingerly over his shoulder. 

JOHNNY
Well, see ya. 

DIZZY
You take the stroll down Washout Lane, you're only 
proving one thing, Johnny. 

JOHNNY
What's that, Diz?

DIZZY
That you don't have what it takes to be a citizen!

Dizzy turns on her heel and marches away. 


INT. THE C.O.'S OFFICE  DAY

Johnny signs form 1240/A. Zim stands as witness. 

C.O. 
Now you, Sergeant. 

Zim signs bitterly. The C.O. sighs. 

C.O. 
That's it, son. You can go. 

The C.O. and Zim turn to other things. Johnny picks up his duffel and heads out the door. 


EXT. PARADE GROUND  DAY

Johnny walks alone, sad. A skimmer hums by overhead and he looks after it. Out across the 
parade ground he sees the gunt of Marauder power suits as recruits tumble the obstacle course. 


EXT. WASHOUT LANE  DAY

Johnny reaches the little white fence that leads to the transporter. He turns back for one last look 
and notices people running to the Communications shack. Kitten Smith runs by. 

JOHNNY
Hey, Kitten, what's going on?

KITTEN
It's war!


EXT. COMMUNICATION  DAY

Johnny joins others to see what's on the Federal Net. Recruits, non-coms, and officers gather 
without any sense of military decorum. People cry openly, among them Corporal Bronski. 

OFFICIAL VOICE
... early estimates. Millions dead, a city in ruins... 

On screen, the smoldering ruins of what was once a huge city. 

JOHNNY
Oh, jeez, is that Geneva?

KATRINA
Goddam bugs whacked us, Johnny. 

OFFICIAL VOICE
... Buenos Aires has been wiped of the Earth. Nothing lives 
in what was once called the Latin Paradise... 

Johnny is horrified. Dizzy is suddenly standing next to him. 

DIZZY
Aw, Johnny, geez... It's home. 

OFFICIAL VOICE
The Federal Court met moments ago and voted 
unanimously for mobilization to destroy the Arachnid 
threat. 

Johnny sets his jaw, turns and runs for the C.O.'s office. 


INT. C.O.'S OFFICE  DAY

The C.O. and Zim and other staffers watch the grim news unfold. Animation illustrates the insect 
treachery. 

OFFICIAL VOICE
The meteor derived from here, near Klendathu, in the 
Arachnid's home system... 

ZIM
I'm serious, sir. I'll go anywhere. I want combat. 

C.O. 
Forget it, Zim. We're gonna need you here. The only way 
you'll get a combat assignment is if you bust yourself to 
private. You get me?

ZIM
Yes, sir, I get you. 

C.O. 
What can I do for you, Rico?

JOHNNY
Sir, I wish to reconsider my request to drop out, sir. 

C.O. 
Sorry, son. I can't do it. You signed the 1240/A. It would be 
illegal. 

JOHNNY
Sir, I know it was wrong. I didn't learn from one mistake 
and I made another, sir. 
(then)
Sir, my family... my whole family was in Buenos Aires, sir. 

Zim picks up Johnny's 1240/A off the C.O.'s desk. 

ZIM
Is that your signature, Rico?

JOHNNY
Sir, yes it is, sir. 

ZIM
Doesn't look like it to me. 

Zim gives the C.O. a look. The C.O. shrugs, turns away, watching the news of the coming war. 
Zim tears up the 1240/A. 

ZIM
Get outta here, private. 


FROM THE FEDERAL NET  HUMANKIND GOES TO WAR!

Actual pictures of Buenos Aires: SURVIVORS pick through rubble, people wail, kids play tag in 
the ruins. 

OFFICIAL VOICE
Out of the ashes of Buenos Aires comes first sorrow, then 
ANGER!

ANGRY PERSON
The only good bug is a dead bug!

OFFICIAL VOICE
Would you like to know more?


COMBAT  VICTORY ON DANTANA!

A wounded CAP TROOPER, grim smile, flashes "V" for victory as his weary comrades carry him 
off the field. 

OFFICIAL VOICE
Cap Troopers establish a foothold on Dantana, a planet 
system at the outer edge of the Arachnid Quarantine Zone. 
Casualties are high, but casualties won't stop the Mobile 
Infantery! Would you like to know more?


HOME FRONT  KIDS KILL BUGS AND MOM IS GLAD!

MOM smiles as her CUTE KIDS stomp insects in the garden. FACTORY WORKERS turn out 
ordnance. PEOPLE line up to enlist. 

OFFICIAL VOICE
Everyone's doing their share. Are you? The war effort 
needs your effort at work, at home, in your community. 
Would you like to know more?


LEADERSHIP  SKY MARSHALL ANNOUNCES OFFENSIVE!

SKY MARSHALL DIENES, 72, addresses the FEDERAL COUNCIL. 

SKY MARSHALL DIENES
We are a generation commanded by fate to defend 
humankind! We must meet the threat with our valor, our 
blood, with our very lives, to insure that human 
civilization, not insect, dominates this galaxy now and 
always. 

The council rises to its feet for a standing ovation. 

OFFICIAL VOICE
Sky Marshall Dienes announces plans for an offensive 
against Klendathu, source of the bug meteor that destroyed 
Buenos Aires. 


LIVE BROADCAST  AQZ

FLEET BATTLE STATION TICONDEROGA is a sprawling pre-fab structure covering several 
square kilometers of space where STARSHIPS are stacked in berths. Super title: 
"COUNTDOWN TO VICTORY"

OFFICIAL VOICE
We now break net and take you live to Fleet Battle Station 
Ticonderoga deep inside the Arachnid Quarantine Zone. 


INT. BATTLE STATION  NIGHT CYCLE

The camera follows the Net Correspondentas he works a corridor crowded with MOBILE 
INFANTERY and FLEET PERSONNEL. 

NET CORRESPONDENT
No one here in the AQZ knows when the invasion of 
Kendathu will occur, but everyone's talking about it, and 
the talk says tomorrow!

Newly minted cap troopers Johnny, Dizzy, Ace, and Kitten Smith happen along. 

NET CORRESPONDENT
Here's a bunch of M.I. kids who look like they eat bugs for 
lunch!

DIZZY
Yum, yum yum...!

NET CORRESPONDENT
So you're not to worried about fighting the Arachnids...?

ACE
Hey, shoot a nuke down a bug hole, lotta dead bugs, am I 
right?

KITTEN SMITH
I just hope it's not over before we get in it!

NET CORRESPONDENT
Some say the bugs were provoked by human attempts to 
colonize within the AQZ, that a "live and let live" policy is 
preferable to war with the bugs... 

JOHNNY
Yeah, well, I'm from Buenos Aires, and I say kill 'em all!


INT. RECREATION DECK  NIGHT CYCLE

Johnny and his friends drink at a crowded bar. Around the room there's singing and dancing, a 
mad sort of revelry bred of fear and excitement, but nearby a VETERAN drinks alone. 

KITTEN SMITH
That guy's been in it. 

JOHNNY
How can you tell?

KITTEN SMITH
The eyes. He's got the 1000 meters stare. 

He's hard and humorless, all wised up. Ace admires his LASER CUT TATTOOS. Dizzy eyes his 
skull and crossbone earring. 

ACE
Great scars. 

DIZZY
I like the jewelry. Hey, amigo, where can I get an earring 
like yours?

VETERAN
Port Joe Smith, Outer Rings, Dantana... Every time I come 
back from a drop, my gunny gives me a bone. I got three 
now. You don't see a lot of guys with three. 

JOHNNY
What's it like... combat?

VETERAN
I guess it's not so bad. I mean as long as you don't get any 
on you. 

KITTEN SMITH
Get any what on you?

VETERAN
Oh, you'll know when it happens. See you on the bounce. 

The veteran pays his tab and heads out. 

ACE
I say we all go to the laser parlor and get cut together. 

JOHNNY
What do I want with a scar?

DIZZY
What, your skin's too pretty? C'mon, everyone's doing it!

CARMEN (V.O.)
Hey Johnny! Johnny Rico!

Johnny looks up and sees Carmen. She looks great in uniform with the hat and the lieutenant's 
bars on her shoulders. 

JOHNNY
Carmen...?

Johnny remembers himself, snaps to attention, salutes. Dizzy and the others follow suit. Carmen 
salutes back, sheepish. 

CARMEN
Oh... at ease. Guess I oughta lose the hat when I'm off duty, 
eh?

Dizzy, disgusted, turns back to Ace and Kitten Smith. Carmen tucks her hat under her arm. Her 
hair is very short. 

JOHNNY
What happened to your hair?

CARMEN
What do you think? Everyone did it when we got our 
wings. You don't like it, do you?

JOHNNY
It's alright, I guess. You hear from anyone made it out of 
B.A. alive?

Carmen shakes her head, sadly. 

CARMEN
It's funny. Sometimes I forget. Then it hits me, and I can't 
stop crying. 

JOHNNY
I try just to be happy I'm still alive. 

CARMEN
You don't look very happy to see me. 

JOHNNY
Should I be?

CARMEN
Johnny... Life is so different from the way it was. One day 
you'll see what I did was best for both of us. 

Zander leaves a group of FLEET OFFICERS to join them. 

ZANDER
Everything coposetic, Lieutenant?

CARMEN
Zander, you remember Johnny? Zander and I are a flight 
team now. 

Zander puts his arm around Carmen, gives her a squeeze. 

ZANDER
Best in the Fleet!

JOHNNY
I get it. This is the part that's best for both of us. Don't do 
me anymore favors, eh?

Johnny turns to leave. 

CARMEN
Johnny, wait... 

ZANDER
Forget it, Carmen. The Mobile Infantry does a thankless, 
dirty job, so they naturally tend to be short-tempered, 
thoughtless and rude. 

Johnny turns back to face Zander. 

JOHNNY
You got something to say about the Mobile Infantry?

ZANDER
You heard me. Wanna make something out of it, private?

JOHNNY
Not with an officer, no, sir. The M.I. doesn't mint stupid 
cap troopers. 

Everyone can see what's about to happen. A circle is forming, Fleet on one side, Mobile Infantry 
on the other. 

ZANDER
Let's disregard rank... Everybody hear that? Rank is not 
an issue here. 

CARMEN
Zander, please... Let's go!

Zander takes off his hat. 

ZANDER
It's alright. What's he gonna do?

WHAM! Johnny punches him right in the nose. Zander goes down, bleeding. Ace and Kitten 
Smith grab Johnny. 

ACE
Whoa, easy there, buddy... Nice punch. 

Zander staggers to his feet, ready to fight, but Fleet Officers pull him back. Carmen looks at 
Johnny, the hate in his eye, the blood on his fist. 

CARMEN
What's wrong with you?

JOHNNY
Hey, it's just a vestigial response to procreation... bitch. 

Carmen turns away, stung. Johnny immediately regrets. Dizzy, for her part, couldn't be happier. 

DIZZY
Forget it, Johnny. Cap Troopers and Fleet weren't meant 
to mix!


INT. LASER PARLOR  NIGHT CYCLE

Johnny grinds his teeth as a laser mounted on a robot arm finishes slicing anint ricate pattern 
into his arm. 

JOHNNY
It hurts...!

Dizzy, Ace, and Kitten Smith watch, grinning, passing a bottle. Ace pours booze directly into the 
fresh wound. 

ACE
No, this hurts. 

JOHNNY
YAAAAAAAA!

KITTEN SMITH
Well, here's to it! We're gonna fightn, and we're gonna 
win!

They put their arms side by side. Each has a similar scar: Lightning bolts on a shield and the 
words: "DEATH FROM ABOVE" 

ACE
Mobile Infantry rules!

JOHNNY
Death to all bugs!

DIZZY
Don't get any on you!


EXT. KLENDATHU  FROM SPACE

FLEET STARSHIPS of every class maneuver in tight orbit around the orange planet. The 
"Mobile Infantry Anthem" plays loke Holst, pounding and relentless. The invasion has begun!


INT. BULL RUN  DROP ROOM

Johnny and his platoon, wearing fully armed MARAUDER POWER SUITS, wait to drop with 
other cap troopers. Their mood is grim. LIEUTENANT WILLY, 35, easy-going and confident, 
enters. 

ACE
Officer on deck!

Everyone snaps to attention. 

LT. WILLY
At ease. Alright... we got hot poop straight from the top: 
Willy's Wildcats is in with the first wave. Means more 
bugs for us to kill... 

This does nothing to break the tension. Lt. Willy reassures. 

LT. WILLY
Now if you follow orders and remember your training, I 
guarantee you'll make it back alive. Any questions?

There are none. 

LT. WILLY
Alright... next we got a little last minute briefing from 
Military intelligence I think you're gonna like... 

The briefing plays on "head up" displays and the ready room screens. A captive BUG 
WARRIOR clicks and shrieks as FEDERAL SCIENTISTS torture it. The troopers cheer. 

OFFICIAL VOICE
Everyday Federal scientists are looking for new ways to 
kill bugs and you can help... 

The head scientists turns and speaks to camera. It's Carl. Johnny and Dizzy share an amazed 
grin, noticing a difference in their old friend, something that speaks of... authority. 

CARL
To defeat the enemy, we must know the enemy. Take for 
instance your basic Arachnid warrior. Minimal IQ, 
armored, completely lethal. You can blow a limb off... 

Carl picks up a pulse gun and blows one of the bugs legs off. The insect screams. 

CARL
... and it's still 86% combat effective. But here's a tip: Aim 
for the nerve stem and put it down for good. 

Carl fires again. The bug kicks and squeals as it dies. Carl tosses the pulse gun aside. 

CARL
Now while you are out killing bugs, we want you to be our 
eyes and ears. The bugs use some kind of plasma burst to 
divert meteors and aim them toward Earth. We need to 
know how they do this. If you encounter any plasma, 
report it immediately to your superior. Good luck and good 
hunting!

The briefing ends as klaxons sound. 

P.A. (O.S.)
This is the Captain speaking. All personnel prepare for 
drop. We are at D minus three and counting. 

LT. WILLY
Move out!

Johnny and the other troopers climb into capsules on the port track. Dizzy gives him "thumbs 
up". The capsule seals as it moves with the others down the firing tube. 


INT. CAPSULE

Johnny gets the shakes as the capsule bumps and booms toward the firing tube. Lt. Willy appears 
on the "head up" display. 

LT. WILLY
Smash the entire area, kill anything that has more'n a 
couple legs, and don't any of you loafers come back aboard 
with unexpended bombs. Get me?

JOHNNY ET AL
Yes, sir!

FIRE CONTROL (O.S.)
Five seconds... 

Sweat rolls down his face, hyperventilation... WHAM!


EXT. SPACE  KLENDATHU ORBIT

SILVER CAPSULES stream toward Klendathu from the rear tubes starships of Bull Run. We 
move down the line past Mannerheim, Dauntless, George Marshall, and Yamamoto to the 
RODGER YOUNG. 


INT. RODGER YOUNG  COMMAND AND CONTROL

Carmen holds Rodger Young in tight maneuver. Suddenly, a burst of BLUE BUG PLASMA rips 
past the starboard bow. 

CARMEN
Plasma, ma'am... from the planet. 

DELADIER
Bug Batteries... According to Military intelligence, it'll be 
random and light. Drop status?

ZANDER
Drop is 35% complete, ma'am. 

Two more bursts of bug plasma streak past. 

DELADIER
Steady as she goes, Number 1. 


EXT. KLENDATHU  HIGH ATMOSPERE  NIGHT

The Capsules burn when they hit atmosphere, outer skin tearing away in big silver sheets. 


INT. CAPSULE  NIGHT

Johnny takes in ENTRY DATA from the heads up display. 

GUIDANCE COMPUTER (V.O.)
... surface in twenty-five seconds... LZ has been identified... 
beacon is in place... 


INT. RODGER YOUNG  COMMAND AND CONTROL

Carmen watches nervously as deadly bursts of bug plasma fill the heavens around the battle 
group. Below, the surface of Klendathu fairly bistles with outgoing defensive fire. 

DELADIER
This isn't random or light. Someone made a mistake...!

ZANDER
That's it, we're empty ma'am!

Out the front screens, a blast from below hits George Marshall amidships and it reels into 
Yamamoto. Both starships begin to burn. 

DELADIER
Someone made a big goddam mistake! Get us out of here, 
Number 1!

Carmen dodges past burning ships, avoids collision with Dauntless, and then  KA-WHAM!  
they're hit. Carmen flies out of her station and into CAMERA hard. 


EXT. KLENDATHU  CLOUD LAYER  NIGHT

The second skin tears away. Johnny is sitting on air. 

GUIDANCE COMPUTER (V.O.)
... surface in fifteen seconds... deploying chute now... 

The chute pops. Across the sky, lit by outgoing bug plasma, he can see hundreds of cap troopers 
in ordered rows drifting down into the cloud layer. It's quiet in the clouds, then: 


EXT. KLENDATHU  NIGHT  FROM THE AIR

Johnny looks down as he passes out of the clouds and sees the battlefield. Plasma blasts explode 
into the sky. THOUSANDS OF BUGS boil out of the ground to defend against the invader. 

GUIDANCE COMPUTER (V.O.)
... surface in five... four... three... 

Johnny burns his chute off, drops the last hundred feet and lands on the bounce. 


EXT. KLENDATHU  NIGHT  JOHNNY'S POV

The FLASH PULSE of bug batteries, screaming voices on the com, concussions shaking the 
ground. None of it compares to the sound of his own racing HEARTBEAT. Lieutenant Willy 
shouts. 

LIEUTENANT WILLY
Up there on the ridge! We'll nuke those bug positions from 
theAAAAAAAA!

A HOPPER (an airborne Arachnid warrior with powerful rear legs and "pop out" wings for 
gliding) lands on Lieutenant Willy and cracks his head like a nut. 

ACE
KILL IT!

Johnny and Ace open fire, backing away. Pulse rounds tear it apart, bug guts gushing. 

JOHNNY
Lieutenant's bought the farm. Where's the Sarge...?

ACE
I didn't see him!

Now comes a flood of WORKERS building ever advancing fortifications, and with them, 
hundreds of deadly ARACHNID WARRIORS. 

KITTEN SMITH
Here they come...!

DIZZY
Ace, what're we doing?

ACE
I uh... uh... 

Dizzy and the others open fire simultaneously. The whole area goes white hot in the magnesium 
flash of so many pulse cannons. Shujumi fires wildly at advancing insects. 

SHUJUMI
You want some? Here's some! C'MON!

JOHNNY
Don't waste your ammo on the workers!

Shujumi can't hear. A warrior finds him, rips his leg off, hurls him back into the waiting jaws of 
the oncoming bugs. 

SHUJUMI
AAAAAAAAAAAA!

He fights, screaming. A claw reaches for his face, ripping the top of his head off. 

KATRINA
Let's get out of here!

Now the ground opens behind her and a huge (6 meters) TANKER BUG lumbers out of the 
ground, it's funnel-shaped snout extruding above multiple eyes. 

DIZZY
Look out!

The tanker bug sprays and hits Katrina. She screams, as her legs melt out from under her. 

KATRINA
AAAAAAAAAAAAA!

Warriors converge to feed on her. Ace wants to help her, but Johnny blocks him. 

JOHNNY
C'mon, Katrina was right. We gotta get out of here!


EXT. KLENDATHU  NIGHT

Johnny and the other survivors on the bounce. The entire surface of Klendathu seems to be 
churning with insects as more and more bugs come to the surface to repel the invasion. 

JOHNNY
It's a general retreat! The boats are coming down. 

They come to the rear lines where the Net Correspondent and his CAMERAMAN are doing live 
coverage of the invasion. 

NET CORRESPONDENT
We've just landed here on what cap troopers are calling 
the "Big K" with the 6th Mobile Infantry Division. It's an 
ugly planet, a bug planet, a planet hostile to life as we 
know IGKKKKK!

The Correspondent is cut in half by a warrior. Johnny blows it away. 

JOHNNY
C'mon, let's go! ON THE BOUNCE!

The cap troopers move out. Kitten Smith looks up as a purple beacon streaks across the sky. 

KITTEN SMITH
I can see the beacon...!

ACE
Retrieval!

A hopper pounces on Kitten Smith, and he goes down screaming. 

JOHNNY
KITTEN!

Johnny touches down, stares in horror as Kitten Smith's head rolls past his feet. Johnny opens up 
with his pulse cannon. The hopper attacks, puts a claw right through Johnny's thigh. 

JOHNNY
AAAAAAAAAAAAA!

Crushing jaws close around him, crushing, cutting his flesh. Johnny brings the muzzle of the 
pulse gun under the hopper's nerve stem and SPLAT! blows its head apart. 

DIZZY
Johnny! JOHNNY! WHERE ARE YOU? JOHNNY! 
Johnny...!

But Dizzy can't find Johnny, and soon she's lost in the smoke. Johnny looks down at the terrible 
hole in his leg where bright arterial blood gushes. 

JOHNNY
Medic... MEDIC...!

Now two more Arachnid warriors close in on him through the enveloping smoke. He fires his 
pulse rifle empty, and dropping it, crawls desperately, dragging his useless leg. 

JOHNNY
Oh, God... Oh, God, help me... please help me...!

A third Arachnid warrior rears up in front of him, deadly jaws slashing down toward him, when 
suddenly it is blown to pieces in the blinding blast of a point-blank pulse cannon. 

VOICE (O.S.)
Take my hand!

Johnny reaches out. A STEEL HAND takes his, dragging him back as bugs attack. His 
rescuers's pulse cannon thunders overhead. Bug parts fly as insects swarm in for the kill. 

FADE OUT


FROM THE FEDERAL NET  100, 000 DEAD IN ONE HOUR!

Actual pictures of the battlefield, man and insect lying dead together on the blood drenched 
plains of Klendathu. 

OFFICIAL VOICE
Crsisis for Humankind! Fleet official admit they 
underestimated the Arachnid's defensive capability. Would 
you like to know more?


SKY MARSHALL RESIGNS!

Retiring Sky Marshall Dienes salutes incoming SKY MARSHALL TEHAT MERU, 75, bfore a 
gathering of the Federal Council. 

OFFICIAL VOICE
Accepting responsibility for Klendathu, Sky Marshall 
Dienes resigns. His successor, Sky Marshall Tahat Meru, 
outlines her new strategy. 

SKY MARSHALL MERU
Until we understand the bug better, we must proceed with 
caution... We can ill afford another Klendathu. 


SCIENTISTS SUSPECT MYSTERIOUS BRAIN BUGS!

FEDERAL SCIENTISTS display an organizational chart of the Arachnid species topped by a 
QUESTION MARK. 

OFFICIAL VOICE
To explain the intelligent military actions of the Arachnids, 
Federal Scientists postulate the existence of a leadership 
caste... BRAIN BUGS!


SOMETIMES LOVED ONES DIE FOR A GOOD REASON!

Names scroll by designated KIA, WIA, and MIA accordingly. 

OFFICIAL VOICE
Families of those who have died or become incapacitated 
by Federal Service are entitled to benefits! If you see the 
name of a loved one, please do not call. A Federation 
official will call you. Would you like to know more?


EXT. FLEET BATTLE STATION TICONDEROGA

The Rodger Young limps to port, a huge chunk ripped out of its mid-section. Although stable, she 
flies inverted. 

CARMEN (O.S.)
Ticonderoga, this is Rodger Young requesting approach 
vector... 

TICONDEROGA C&C (O.S.)
Affirmative, Rodger Young... one zero zero niner five 
two... welcome back. 


INT. RODGER YOUNG  COMMAND AND CONTROL

Zander and Carmen stare at the BATTLE-SCARED STARSHIPS and BURNT-OUT HULKS 
that line the docks of Ticonderoga. 

CARMEN
You know, we're lucky to be alive. 

A bloody bandage wraps Carmen's head. Zander nods grimly. 


INT. RODGER YOUNG  GANGWAY

The DEAD BODIES of CREWMEN and CAP TROOPERS are being off-loaded via conveyer 
belt. Zander and Carmen make their way up the steep companionway beside the ghastly conveyer 
belt. 

ZANDER
Give me hand, willya?

Carmen takes his hand. Zander kisses her. 

ZANDER
I was thinking. Maybe we should get married, Carmen. 

CARMEN
You weren't thinking... you were dreaming!

ZANDER
If we're gonna be a team, why not be a real team?

CARMEN
There's a war on. I want a command, I want my own ship, 
you do, too... 

ZANDER
So?

CARMEN
So who's got time to get married?

Carmen lets his hand go and leaps through the hatch. Zander falls back onto the conveyer belt, 
finds himself eyeball-to-eyeball with a horribly maimed trooper, scrambles to get off. 


INT. BATTLE STATION TICONDEROGA  COMMON AREA

Zander joins Carmen in the crowded common area where dead bodies compete for space with 
wounded awaiting triage. Survivors watch casualty lists scroll on a Federal Net terminal. 

ZANDER
Fleet encourages marriages among flight officers. You'd 
probably get a promotion out of it. 

CARMEN
Funny... 

ZANDER
I'm not kidding. Marriage is 

CARMEN
No, funny there's almost no wounded at all. 

ZANDER
Hey, bugs don't take prisoners. 

Carmen looks at the words at the Net terminal: "WOULD YOU LIKE TO KNOW MORE?" She 
bites her lip, enters Johnny's name. In an instant, she has the news: "RICO, JOHN D.  KIA"

CARMEN
Oh no. 

Tears fill her eyes. 

ZANDER
Carmen...?

CARMEN
Excuse me...!

She rushes away. Zander looks at Johnny's name on the screen, shrugs, presses the "ERASE" 
button. 


INT. TICONDEROGA  CORRIDOR

Zander finds Carmen, sagging against a wall, weeping. 

ZANDER
I'm sorry, Carmen. 

CARMEN
Please, I... Everybody's lost someone by now. This 
shouldn't be any different... 

Zander puts an arm around her. She holds on tight. 

CARMEN
No, I... Oh, Zander, I'm a fool. 

ZANDER
You're upset, that's alright. 

Zander kisses her hair. Tears roll down her face. 

CARMEN
No, don't you see? No one can wait for anything anymore... 
You're right... We should get married... 

Zander holds Carmen as she sobs, feeling lucky. 

DISSOLVE TO: 


INT. STASIS TANK  DAY CYCLE

JOHNNY'S BODY floats, suspended in fluid, mouth hanging open, his skin white as death. A low 
underwater KNOCKING wakes him. He opens his eyes and sees Ace and Dizzy outside the tank. 

Ace holds up a KIA list, pointing at Johnny's name, laughing: "Rico, John V  KIA". Their voices 
are distant and garbled. Dizzy cups her hands against the side of the tank. 

DIZZY
Two more days. 

Johnny's wounds are now mostly scars except for his leg where delicate robotic arms culture 
layers of new tissue. Johnny gives a weak thumbs up. The knocking sound continues. 

Johnny turns. A STEEL HAND taps the side of the tank. Johnny grins, astonished. The man 
wearing it is his former high school teacher, now a Lieutenant, Jean Rasczak. 


EXT. SPACE  AQZ

A BATTLE GROUP consisting of STARSHIPS, their TENDER, FREIGHTERS and other 
SUPPLY CRAFT. 


INT. TROOP TRANSPORT  M.I. QUARTERS

Johnny stows his gear along with Ace and Dizzy. Across the room, a collection of battle-
hardened vets check out the newcomers. 

ACE
Dizzy says you two knew this Rasczak character in Buenos 
Aires... 

JOHNNY
He was our teacher... He was great. 

ACE
Yeah, well, I hear he's a real nutbuster. 

DIZZY
The Roughnecks killed more bugs than any other outfit in 
2nd Brigade... Only took 15% casualties on Big K. 

They size up the Roughnecks. There are scars, power prosthetics, and one, big SUGAR 
WATKINS, 26, wears a bug claw on a chain around his neck. 

JOHNNY
Seeing as how we're about all that's left of 1st Brigade, 
you'd have to call that an improvement. 
(to Sugar Watkins)
You top kick?

SUGAR WATKINS
Are you kidding? They always get killed. You want the 
job?

JOHNNY
I wouldn't mind. 

CORPORAL BIRDIE, 24, turns, gives Johnny the once over. 

BIRDIE
I would. Nice earring. 

Dizzy looks her over. Not too big, but she's tough. 

DIZZY
Where you been besides Big K?

BIRDIE
Outer rings. Zegema Beach. 

JOHNNY
I always wanted to go to Zegema Beach. 

SUGAR WATKINS
Good luck. It's not there anymore. 

ACE
Is your Lieutenant as bad as they say?

Birdie belts him, and Ace goes down. 

BIRDIE
No one talks about the Lieutenant that way. He saved my 
life!

Ace jumps up, ready to fight, but other Roughnecks block him. 

SUGAR WATKINS
Mine, too. 

OTHER ROUGHNECKS
Same for me... me, too... 

Johnny and Dizzy shrug. Ace's on his own. 

ACE
Sounds like he is quite a guy. 

SERGEANT GILLESPIE, 28, steps into the room. 

GILLESPIE
Attention!

Everyone snaps to. Rasczak enters. 

RASCZAK
This is for you new people. I only have two rules. Rule one, 
everyone fights. Rule two, no one quits. If you don't do 
your job, I'll kill you myself. Do you get me?

JOHNNY, DIZZY AND ACE
We get you, sir!

He points at Johnny's earring with his steel hand. 

RASCZAK
Get rid of the jewelry. I hate it. Welcome to the 
Roughnecks. 

BIRDIE
Rasczak's Roughnecks!

The Roughnecks cheer. Rasczak smiles vaguely. 

RASCZAK
Alright. There's a new Sky Marshall and a new plan. 
We're gonna clean out the systems outlying Klendathu one 
planet at a time. Tomorrow we hit Tango Urilla. After 
Fleet glasses the planet, M. I. mops up. 


EXT. TANGO URILLA  DAY

BUG WARRIORS stand sentry on earthworks that tower the entrance to their colony where an 
endless line of WORKERS enter bearing foodstuff appropriate to this exotic jungle planet. 

A distant sound. A warrior looks up, curious. Suddenly a FORMATION OF TAC FIGHTERS 
screams down from high orbit and a white hot nuclear firestorm burns consumes the landscape. 

Bugs scream as they twist and kick in the wall of flame. Heat melts the dirt into dark glass. Ash 
turns the sky red. The out of the smoke come Rasczak and his Roughnecks. 

RASCZAK
Spread out, teams of three. When you locate a bug hole, 
secure it, gas it, and close it. 


EXT. TANGO URILLA  FLATS  DAY

TAC FIGHTERS streak by overhead. On the ground, Johnny, Dizzy and Ace are on the bounce. 
Ace spots a bug hole where workers and warriors have broken through the glassed surface. 

ACE
There. 

Rockets take out warriors. Bug guts go flying. Dizzy sets workers on fire. Johnny and Ace step 
over burning bug carcasses to the rim of the hole and fire their gas rounds. 

JOHNNY
Fire in the hole!

Johnny drops an H.E. round, and they're in the air when the explosion collapses the entrance to 
the bug city. 

BIRDIE (O.S.)
You new guys over there... WE could use some help... 


EXT. TANGO URILLA  MOUNTAINS

BUGS boil out of the ground. Birdie, Sugar Watkins and other Roughnecks are about to be 
overrun when Johnny touches down with Ace and Dizzy. 

JOHNNY
Looks like you've got a little bug problem, ma'am... 

BIRDIE
Stop it, trooper. Give it everything you've got!

The cao troopers let the bugs have it, but the insects keep coming, the living crawling over the 
dead, and now, trudging up out of the ground, comes a TANKER BUG. 

JOHNNY
WATCH OUT!

The tanker bug starts to spray, creating a toxic perimeter around the hole. Rasczak arrives just 
as Birdie takes a chemical hit, falling to ground minus an arm, screaming. 

BIRDIE
AAAAAAAAAAAAA!

Johnny jumps, landing behind the tanker bug in the mouth of the hole. It turns with surprising 
speed. Johnny flips up onto its back, cracks its armor with his pulse cannon. 

RASCZAK
Sugar, in for pick up!

Rasczak and Sugar Watkins pull Birdie to safety. Johnny fires a rocket into the hole he's made in 
the tanker bug's back, and jumps clear. KA-WHAP! The big bug explodes. 

RASCZAK
Gas that hole and close it!

The Roughnecks fire gas rockets into the bug hole. Johnny touches down beside Rasczak. 

RASCZAK
Where'd you learn to do that, soldier?

JOHNNY
Uni High Tigers, sir. Don't you remember? I was captain 
of the team. 

RASCZAK
I'm not interested in nostalgia, Rico, I need a corporal. 
You're it until you're dead or I find someone better. 

Rasczak turns away, gives Birdie prosthetic thumps up as she is carried past to meet an arriving 
skimmer. 

RASCZAK
Don't worry, Birdie, your next arm comes with a factory 
guarantee!

Dizzy and Ace gather around Johnny, clap him on the back. 

DIZZY
Way to go, amigo!

JOHNNY
I'm gonna need a squad leader. 

ACE
No way. Big K taught me I ain't executive material. 

JOHNNY
What about it, Diz?

DIZZY
(a snappy salute)
Looks like I'm your girl, sir. 

Tac Fighters reel by over head. WOMP! Suddenly, BUG PLASMA shoots skyward from the 
flatlands below. Several Tac Fighters are blown out of the air. Flaming debris rains down. 

RASCZAK
Saddle up, Roughnecks. That's our trash!

Roughnecks head out on the bounce. 


EXT. TANGO URILLA  RIDGE  DAY

Johnny and the others look down a sheer cliff on the bug battery, a charred circular pit some ten 
meters across. Inside, something is moving. 

JOHNNY
What kind of stinkin' bug is that?

Johnny jumps the magnification on his "head up". Down in the pit, a giant translucent PLASMA 
BUG rears out of one of the subterranean tunnels that ring the battery. 

SUGAR WATKINS
You never seen how they do it before?

Johnny shakes his head. Swollen BREEDER BUGS gather around the plasma bug to inject it 
with their catalytic jelly. 

ACE
Agghh! It's making me sick...!

The plasma bug writhes in pain and begins to swell, color changing from yellow to blue in 
accordance with some violent internal chemical reaction. 

SUGAR WATKINS
It's gonna pop!

WOMP! The plasma bug explodes in its cauldron. A blast of bug plasma streaks past them 
towards the heavens. Now a new plasma bug crawls into the pit to begin the cycle anew. 

GILLESPIE
Sir, look!

Sergeant Gillespie points. A hole opens near the battery and dozens of warriors rampage out of 
the ground and up the cliff face toward the Roughneck position. 

RASCZAK
We must be right over the colony. Let's get some air 
support, eh?

GILLESPIE
Yes, sir! Fleet, this is Roughneck patrol, over...?

Rasczak moves off down the line giving orders. 

RASCZAK
Corporal, I want pulse cannons there and there! Rifle 
teams, spread out along the ridge! Sugar, bring up that 
flame thrower!

GILLESPIE
Fleet's pulling the battle group back to safe distance... 
They'd like us to knock out those batteries, sir. 

RASCZAK
They'd rather spend our lives than risk their ships. Who's 
got the nuke? 

DIZZY
That'd be me, sir. 

RASCZAK
Heat it up. 

Dizzy activates a tactical nuke. It makes a distinctive HIGHPITCHED SQUEAL. 

RASCZAK
Roughnecks, you may fire at will. 

The Roughnecks open fire. Bugs are blown to pieces but they keep climbing. A warrior breeches 
their line. Sugar Watkins torches it. The nuke's ready light flashes. 

DIZZY
I'm hot, sir!

RASCZAK
FIRE! BLAST SHIELDS DOWN!

Johnny blows a warrior away from the edge. Dizzy leans over and fires. The rocket streaks down 
toward the battery. 

RASCZAK
HIT THE DIRT!

An explosion in the two kiloton range turns the world black and white. When color returns 
Johnny and the others look down on the smoldering crater which was once the bug battery. 

GILLESPIE
Now comes the part I hate the most. 

JOHNNY
What's that?

GILLESPIE
We go down into the colony and make sure all the queens 
are dead. 


INT. TUNNELS  DAY

The Roughnecks fight their way down gassed-out tunnels into bug city. They meet warriors at 
every turn and kill them. Helmet lamps make weird shadows of dead bugs piled everywhere 
along the way. 

SUGAR WATKINS
You knew the Lieutenant before the war... What was he 
like?

JOHNNY
He was a teacher, kind of a know it all... Always had this 
little smile. 

SUGAR WATKINS
Geez, I don't think I've ever seen him smile. 

JOHNNY
Must fill your bottle up real quick when your wife and kids 
get smeared. 

Johnny joins Rasczak, Ace and Dizzy and they blow away several warriors guarding the entrance 
of a large chamber. 


INT. BUG NURSERY  DAY

The QUEENS are eight meters long with corpulent bodies and tiny heads. Only one survives, 
and though she is herself dying, her abdomen, rippled by life within, continues to undulate. 

JOHNNY
All dead except one, sir. 

RASCZAK
Kill the bitch. 

JOHNNY
Yes, sir. 

Johnny signals. Dizzy's pulse cannon rips open the dying queen. Thousands of wriggling 
premature bugs come spilling out. Horrified, knee-deep Roughnecks set them afire. 


EXT. TANGO URILLA  BASE CAMP  DAY

FLEET ENGINEERS unload PRE-FAB BARRACKS from HERCULES CARGO BOATS. 
Roughnecks eat. Rasczak stands, banging a spoon on his mess kit. 

RASCZAK
Tango Urilla is now bug free. Means the Roughnecks have 
killed a helluva lotta bugs...!

Roughnecks cheer. Rasczak kicks open a CARGO MODULE. Beer kegs rool out. He kicks open 
a second module. Inside, musical instruments. Ace picks up a violin. 

RASCZAK
I expect the best, but I give the best. Have some fun. That's 
an order!


EXT. BASE CAMP  NIGHT  LATER

Ace leads a little quartet, plays a sweet fiddle. Roughnecks laugh and dance. Dizzy tries to pull 
Johnny into the fun. 

DIZZY
C'mon... 

JOHNNY
Nah, I don't do that anymore... 

DIZZY
You used to dance... 

JOHNNY
I said no. Want me to pull rank?

DIZZY
Well, excuse me, sir... 

Dizzy heads back to the others. Johnny turns and finds Rasczak regarding him with an odd, sad 
smile. 

RASCZAK
You asked me some advice once, Rico. Want some now?

JOHNNY
Yes, sir... 

RASCZAK
Never pass up a good thing, eh?

Gillespie appears. 

GILLESPIE
Lieutenant, Brigade's on the com... 

Rasczak heads away. Johnny joins Dizzy. 

JOHNNY
Hey, Diz... 

DIZZY
What?

Johnny takes her hand, bows impishly. 

JOHNNY
May I have the honor?

He pulls her out among the others and they begin to dance. Ace watches with a grin, puts some 
spirit in his fiddle. 


INT. COMMUNICATIONS  NIGHT

Rasczak is in holo conference with an INTELLIGENCE OFFICER.

INTELLIGENCE OFFICER
At 0821 we received a distress call from Planet P, priority 
code, requesting reinforcement... 

RASCZAK
I thought 4th brigade cleaned out P. 

INTELLIGENCE OFFICER
Owen reported the eradication of a low generation colony 
a month ago. That's why MICOM wants onsite assessment. 

RASCZAK
Sounds more like some idiot at Military Intelligence 
Command wants to get me and my cap troopers killed... 

The Intelligence Officer reddens. 

INTELLIGENCE OFFICER
Take your group down to P and have a look see. Leave the 
thinking to us, Lieutenant. That's not your job. 

RASCZAK
My job is to protect the lives of my soldiers so they can kill 
bugs, Major, and if you're walking me into a trap 

INTELLIGENCE OFFICER
Bugs don't lay traps... They aren't intelligent! Unlike you, 
they're stupid enough to follow orders!

VOICE (O.S.)
That'll be all, Major. Dismissed. 

The Intelligence Officer disappears abruptly. A new hologram appears. Rasczak's jaw drops. It's 
his former student Carl Jenkins, now a Colonel, weary and pissed off. 

CARL
This conference is over. Do your duty, Lieutenant. That's 
an order. 

Rasczak recovers, salutes stiffly. 

RASCZAK
Yes, sir. 


INT. PRE-FAB SLEEPING UNIT  DAY

Johnny and Dizzy are making love. The door pops open. Rasczak stands there. Dizzy ducks under 
the covers. Johnny manages a salute. 

RASCZAK
Corporal, the Roughnecks are moving out for Planet P 
immediately. Get yourself squared away and report to 
Gillespie for logistics. 

JOHNNY
Yes, sir!

RASCZAK
Who's that with you?

Dizzy shows herself, grinning. 

RASCZAK
Report in ten minutes. 

Rasczak slams the door shut on them. They fall back into one another's arms, laughing as they 
resume lovemaking. 

DIZZY
Planet P? What kind of name is that?

JOHNNY
They ran out of names a long time ago in this part of the 
galaxy. 


EXT. PLANET P  BAD LANDS  DAY

The Roughnecks move through canyons of towering wind-carved rock formations. Gillespie 
carries the communications package. 

GILLESPIE
I don't understand it, Lieutenant. It's not getting anything 
from 4th Brigade... not even their transponder. 

RASCZAK
Keep trying, Sergeant. 


EXT. CANYON FLOOR  CONTINUING  DAY

The Roughnecks walk in a column far below. Something is watching from the above... HOPPERS, 
lots of them, moving from rock to rock for better position. 


EXT. CANYON FLOOR  CONTINUING  DAY

Ace sees something out of the corner of his eye. 

JOHNNY
BUGS...!

The hoppers hit. Several Roughnecks go down. Everyone opens up. Dive-bombing bugs are 
blown to bits. Roughnecks set them on fire when they hit the ground. 

DIZZY
Johnny, watch out!

A burning bug hurls itself at Johnny. Johnny jumps out of the way as Dizzy fires, blowing it 
apart. The deadly hoppers seem to be everywhere above them in the rocks. 

RASCZAK
LET'S GO! ON THE BOUNCE!


EXT. FLAT LANDS  DAY

The Roughnecks move out into the open. In the distance they see 4th Brigade HQ, a walled 
compound and partially constructed landing pad. 

RASCZAK
Gillespie, put in call for retrieval. We're off this rock. 
Gillespie, do you read me?

GILLESPIE
AAAAAAAAAAA!

Two hoppers are pulling Gillespie up into the rocks where other bugs join to feast. 

RASCZAK
Throw a rifle!

Dizzy tosses her Morita to Rasczak. Gillespie writhes in the hopper's claws. Rasczak fires, killing 
Gillespie. 

RASCZAK
I expect any one here to do the same for me... Rico, 
Watkins, Flores, Levy prepare for rear guard action. The 
rest of you make for 4th Brigade. 

Johnny and the others cover the Roughneck retreat as hoppers soar down on the flat lands from 
the canyon walls. 

RASCZAK
FIRE...!

Johnny and the others blast bugs out of the air. 

RASCZAK
FALL BACK 100 METERS...!

A second wave of hoppers come in. 

RASCZAK
AND FIRE...!

For now, the sky is clear. 

RASCZAK
4TH BRIGADE HQ! ON THE BOUNCE!


EXT. 4TH BRIGADE HQ  DAY

The OUTPOST is 50 meters by 100, standard issue pre-fab. The Roughnecks land on the 
compound wall. Inside, WORKER BUGS graze on the remains of 200 dead cap troopers strewn 
over the complex. 

RASCZAK
Jeez, Command really humped the bunk on this one... 

Rasczak turns away. Roughnecks engage in the sport of methodically killing the workers. 

RASCZAK
Rico, you're acting Sergeant now. My last Sergeant lost the 
com pack. Put together a search team and find the radio 
shack. We need retrieval. 

JOHNNY
Yes, sir. 


INT. 4TH BRIGADE HQ  OFFICE COMPLEX  DAY

Johnny surveys the aftermath of the last stand with Rasczak, insect and human dead everywhere. 

DIZZY (O.S.)
It's here, sir. 


INT. COMMINICATIONS  DAY

Rasczak and Johnny enter the radio room. A DEAD MAJOR is slumped over the console with 
hole in the back of his head. Johnny checks the equipment. It' dead, too. 

JOHNNY
Diz, see what you can do. 

DIZZY
I'm on it!

Dizzy goes to work. Rasczak checks the wound in the back of the dead major's head. 

RASCZAK
What's that look like to you, Rico?

JOHNNY
Looks like a bug was in his brain, sir. 

ACE (O.S.)
Lieutenant, I think you're gonna wanna see this, sir. 


INT. MESS HALL  DAY

A BUG HOLE in the middle of the floor is surrounded by carnage. 

ACE
Dirty bugs came in right when they were having chow!

RASCZAK
Gas that hole and seal it. 

Then they hear a sound. Tap tap tap. Rasczak signals for quiet. Tap tap tap tap. It's coming from 
the kitchen. 


INT. KITCHEN  DAY

The Roughnecks enter cautiously. The noise is coming from a freezer. Ace stands ready to fire. 
Johnny levers open the door, jumps back as GENERAL OWEN, 60, tumbles out face first. 

ACE
Officer on the deck, sir. 

RASCZAK
Pick up the general!

Roughnecks prop him up. General Owen tries to talk, but no words come out. Rasczak bends 
down to listen. 

GENERAL OWEN
Get out... you gotta get me out...!

RASCZAK
General Owen, sir?

The old man grins, hugely relieved. 

GENERAL OWEN
At ease, Lieutenant. Thank God for you, for all of you... 
this is grand... so where's the boat?


INT. COMMUNICATIONS  HALLWAY  DAY

Johnny and Rasczak help the old General, now wrapped in a blanket, rambling. 

GENERAL OWEN
I was forced to hide, of course. The security of the 
Federation in this theater of operations was at stake!

JOHNNY
Diz, what's with the uplink?

Dizzy looks up from where she is working on the radio controls. 

DIZZY
Workin on it...!

GENERAL OWEN
They get in your mind... they make you do things! Look 
here... They did it to Farley...!

He points at the hole of the dead major's head. 

RASCZAK
The distress call... The bugs wanted us to rescue you...!

GENERAL OWEN
Oh, you can be sure of it! They were biding their time... 
waiting for the most opportune moment!

Rasczak's lost interest in the general. He's on the com. 

RASCZAK
To all Roughnecks, this is Rasczak. Prepare for attack. 
Repeat. We are going to be attacked...!

GENERAL OWEN
They weren't gonna do it to me. Oh no! I know too many 
secrets!

Rasczak looks at General Owen with contempt. 

SUGAR WATKINS (O.S.)
Fire in the hole!

An explosion in the mess hall closes the bug hole. 


EXT. OFFICE COMPLEX  DAY

GENERAL OWEN blinks as he steps out into the light. Roughnecks snap to attention. General 
Owen looks at the carnage that was once his command and begins to keen, collapsing to his 
knees. 

GENERAL OWEN
Oh God...! My soldiers...! All of my boys and girls...!

The Roughnecks are shocked. They've never seen a general break down before. Lieutenant 
Rasczak slaps Owen hard. 

LT. RASCZAK
Shut up! Your soldier's dead and you're not!

GENERAL OWEN
I know... I wish you'd shoot me... 

LT. RASCZAK
I oughta!

And it looks like Rasczak just might, but just then Ace touches down next to Johnny and Rasczak. 

ACE
Lieutenant, we got trouble!


EXT. RAMPARTS  DAY

Rasczak and Johnny join other stunned Roughnecks to see THOUSANDS OF BUGS on the 
march from every direction. Bug batteries open up in the distance. 

RASCZAK
Warm it all up! Everything you got! Levy, collect the big 
guns from the towers. Watkins, put General Owen with the 
wounded. Rico, where's my communications?

JOHNNY
What's going on, Diz?

DIZZY (O.S.)
I got power! Gimme a minute!

Johnny runs for the communications room. 

JOHNNY
We don't have a minute!


INT. COMMUNICATIONS  DAY

Dizzy has the board up. Outside the battle has begun. Nukes go  WOMP!  and pulse guns 
chatter. 

DIZZY
What frequency?

JOHNNY
All bands. 

DIZZY
Roughneck patrol to battle group... Roughneck patrol to 
battle group... 

RODGER YOUNG (O.S.)
This is Rodger Young... What's going on down there? 
We're taking plasma! We have Orion P-11 as clear!

JOHNNY
SHUT UP, SIR! We need pick up now!

RODGER YOUNG (O.S.)
What is your position?

JOHNNY
Landing zone is extremely hostile. Come down on this 
transmission!

RODGER YOUNG (O.S.)
Inside 4th brigade compound? That's crazy!

JOHNNY
Then I hope you have a crazy pilot! Keep the line open, 
Dizzy!

Johnny races out the door. 


EXT. 4TH BRIGADE HQ  DAY

The COMPOUND is white hot as Roughnecks on the walls unload nukes. Johnny crosses the 
compound, lands next to Rasczak on the wall. 

JOHNNY
Boat coming down, sir!

The Roughnecks stop firing as they run out of nukes. 

ROUGHNECKS
I'm empty... all nuked out... Me, too!

Johnny scans the battlefield. Nukes have turned the surface into dark glass. Now, out of the 
smoke, come the bugs, steaming glass cracking beneath millions of marching feet. 

ACE
Jeez, we musta killed a million already...!

JOHNNY
Not enough, I guess. 

Sugar Watkins sees Genera Owen in the compound below, stumbling aimlessly among his dead 
soldiers. 

SUGAR WATKINS
General! GENERAL, stay with the wounded... Sir, the 
general...!

RASCZAK
Ah, the hell with him... 

Hoppers sweep into the compound. The Roughnecks open fire. General Owen make easy pickings 
for ones that get through. 

RASCZAK
Fall back... form a circle! If no living bug comes over that 
wall, we cannot be harmed. 

Dizzy arrives on thr bounce as the Roughnecks fall back into the compound. Bugs pile in over 
the walls. The circle affords them 360 degrees of kill zone. 

RASCZAK
Rico, Flores, Watkins, Levy! We control the sky until 
retrieval!

JOHNNY ET AL
Yes, sir!

Rasczak, Sugar Watkins, Johnny and Dizzy stand back-to-back in the center of the circle, 
sweeping the skies with the heavy guns from the towers. Hoppers are blown to pieces. 

ACE
Getting low here, sir!

DIZZY
300 rounds and counting, sir!

RASCZAK
Make every shot count!

Johnny looks up. A RETRIEVAL BOAT hurtles down through bursts of bug plasma, takes a 
grazing hit, rights itself with retros and lands within the circle. Roughnecks cheer, saved!

RASCZAK
Sergeant, secure the boat!

JOHNNY
Yes, sir!

Roughnecks move to protect the boat. The hatch blows open. 

RASCZAK
Board the wounded!

Dead bugs ring the compound walls, forming ramps for living insect soldiers to enter the 
compound in greater numbers. 

RASCZAK
Move to retrieval on my command! First group, now...!

The circle shrinks as Roughnecks fall back and board the boat. More and more bugs pile in over 
the compound walls. 

RASCZAK
Alright, Flores! Levy! Rico...!

Suddenly, the ground collapses under Rasczak. He falls in to his waist, vomits blood as 
something chews on him from below. 

RASCZAK
AAAAAAAAAAAA!

JOHNNY
Cover us, Ace!

Ace and the others fire from the boat. Johnny and Dizzy fire at the ground around Rasczak. 
Rasczak stops screaming. They try to pull him free. 

JOHNNY
Hit your jets, sir!

RASCZAK
I can't My legs are gone... Get on the boat... 

The compound wall collapses. A wave of bugs charges in. 

RASCZAK
Rico, tell'em to glass this goddam planet. I've never seen so 
many bugs upstairs at the same time... 

JOHNNY
We're not leaving you here, sir!

Weakly, Rasczak picks up his pulse gun, checks the power. 

RASCZAK
This is my farm. Get on the boat, NOW! That's an order, 
Sergeant. 

JOHNNY
Give'em hell, sir!

Johnny and Dizzy run for the boat. Rasczak opens fire, picking his shots, but soon the bugs are 
all over him. 

RASCZAK
C'mon you sons of bitches! There's no bug alive can kill a 
real mAAAAAAA!

At the boat, Dizzy turns to look back at Rasczak. A hopper swoops down on Dizzy, it's claws 
ripping into her abdomen. 

DIZZY
AAAAAAA! GET IT OFF ME GET IT OFF GET IT OFF 
GET IT AAAAAAAAAA!

Johnny blows the bug off her back. Blood sprays from a deep gash in her neck. Johnny picks her 
up, tries to stop the blood with his hand. The life is leaving her eyes. 

JOHNNY
Hang on, Diz... don't die on me... 

A TANKER BUG breaches the broken wall. Ace jumps out to help his friends. The hatch closes 
just as the tanker bug sprays. The boat blasts off, dripping metal. 


INT. CARGO BAY  DAY

Johnny holds Dizzy in his arms, drenched in her blood, fighting G-forces as the boats heads for 
orbit. 

DIZZY
I bought the farm, didn't I, Johnny?

JOHNNY
No, you're gonna be alright, Diz!

DIZZY
It's alright 'cause I got to have you, Johnny... 

MEDICS push Johnny aside, go to work on Dizzy. 


INT. BOAT  COCKPIT  DAY

Johnny slams into the cockpit. Out the front screen, violent bursts of BUG PLASMA fill the sky 
as they break atmosphere. 

JOHNNY
Get on the com and tell Fleet to glass that rock...!

The co-pilot turns around. It's Zander. His eyes narrow. 

ZANDER
On whose authority, Corporal?

JOHNNY
This would be mine, sir. Acting Sergeant John Rico. I've 
assumed command on this mission. 

The pilot turns around. It's Carmen. 

CARMEN
Johnny...! I thought you were dead!

JOHNNY
I'm not, but a lot of my soldiers are. Glass the planet!

Johnny leaves. Carmen punches up Fleet Command. 

CARMEN
Rodger Young, this is inbound shuttle De Ruyter with an 
official request from the Mobile Infantry to bombard 
Planet P-11... 


INT. BOAT  CARGO BAY  DAY

Johnny returns to Dizzy's side as the medics struggle to save her. Blood pours out of her mouth. 
Her body thrashes. 

DIZZY
JOHNNY HEH HEH CAN'T HEH BREATHE GOD 
JOHNNY CAN'T HEH HEH HEH HEH...!

Dizzy dies. A Medic slaps her. Her head lolls, mouth open, eyes blank. They drop her and move 
on to the next casualty. Johnny sits there, stunned. Carmen enters from the cockpit. 

CARMEN
Negative on your request. Fleet Command has the battle 
group on standby... 

Carmen sees Dizzy lying dead on the deck. 

CARMEN
... I'm sorry. 

JOHNNY
We gotta choke on the mud and the blood and Fleet can't 
be bothered to spit. 

CARMEN
No, I think something's up. The Sky Marshall's here. 

She points out for a viewing port. Johnny looks. Fifteen battle groups, 100 ships strong, lay off 
Planet P, all of them dwarfed by the Sky Marshall's flagship, Buenos Aires. 

CARMEN
I thought you were KIA, Johnny... 

JOHNNY
That was just a mix up. 

CARMEN
You look so... I don't know, you look like you've really 
been in it. 

JOHNNY
What happened to your eye?

Carmen touches the scar over her eye. 

CARMEN
Almost got knocked out of the sky over Big K. 

JOHNNY
I like it. It's kinda... you. 


EXT. BATTLE GROUP  ORION SYSTEM

The BOAT lands on the flight deck of the Rodger Young in the midst of the flotilla. 


INT. OFFICERS QUARTERS  DAY CYCLE

Zander enters, watches Carmen dress. She hums as she checks herself in the mirror, touches thr 
scar over her eye, smiles. 

ZANDER
Where are you going?

CARMEN
A funeral. 

ZANDER
That girl who died on the way up... his girl?

CARMEN
Yeah. 

ZANDER
How do you feel about him now?

CARMEN
I don't know, Zander. 

ZANDER
I do. 


INT. RODGER YOUNG  GUNNERY DECK

Carmen enters as Johnny speaks. Dizzy is laid out in dress gray. The surviving Roughnecks have 
gathered to pay final respects. 

JOHNNY
Dizzy bought the farm. She was my good friend, and 
friends are the best luck anyone gets... But in war, we must 
go on without our friends. We take with us their memory, 
and we are left to wonder if there is meaning in their 
death. Let me tell you what it is: Dizzy bough the farm so 
we can keep on fighting. 

Several INTELLIGENCE OFFICERS march into the bay. 

JOHNNY
Officer on deck!

Everyone snaps to attention. Colonel Carl Jenkins strides into the room. His eyes are hollow, 
and he looks grim. He returns Johnny's salute, nods to Carmen. 

CARL
Please continue, Sergeant. 

JOHNNY
Dizzy wouldn't want our tears. She'd want us to remember 
her... with a vengeance. So go out and kill a bug for Dizzy. 
Kill as many as you can. You are her revenge, and every 
bug you kill honors her death. 

Johnny nods to the GUNNERY CREW. They load Dizzy's body into a tube. Johnny steps back, 
salutes Dizzy. Everyone salutes. 

JOHNNY
Womb to tomb, cap trooper!

ROUGHNECKS
Womb to tomb!

The CREW CHIEF fires the tube. Out the viewports, A PULSE OF LIGHT disperses into space. 
The Roughnecks file out. Carl approaches. Carmen takes Johnny and Carl by the hand. 

CARMEN
Well, look at this. The three of us back together again. 

JOHNNY
How are you, Carl?

CARL
Johnny, I'm sorry it had to be your unit on Planet P. That 
mission had a very low survival probability... 

JOHNNY
Bugs laid a trap, didn't they?

CARL
Elegant proof of intelligence, isn't it? We thought there 
might be a brain on P. 

CARMEN
You knew and you sent them anyway?

CARL
A colony has to reach a certain size before it produces a 
Brain... we think 300 generations. Woulda too expensive to 
launch an operation if there wasn't a Brain... 

Carl sees the way Carmen is looking at him, like he's a bug. 

CARL
You don't approve. Well, too bad. We're in this for the 
species, boys and girls. It's simple numbers, they have 
more, and everyday I have to make decisions that send 
hundreds of people like you to their deaths. 

JOHNNY
Didn't they tell you, Colonel? That's what cap troopers are 
good for. 

Carl allows himself a tiny smile. 

CARL
Hope you're ready for more. We're going back to P to 
capture that Brain. 

JOHNNY
The Roughnecks are always ready, sir. 

CARL
I hear they need a new Lieutenant... Want the job?

JOHNNY
I'll take it... until I get killed or you find someone better. 

KLAXONS sound. Suddenly, everyone has someplace to go. 

CARMEN
Hope you get your Brain Bug, Carl. 

CARL
It's good to see you two. It reminds me of the way things 
were before... 

Carl turns abruptly and heads away. His entourage follows. 

CARMEN
Take care, willya Johnny?

JOHNNY
See you on the bounce!


INT. RODGER YOUNG  COMMAND & CONTROL

Carmen steps onto the bridge. There's a new NUMBER 2 sitting in Zander's chair. She's right 
out of Tereshkova, and she looks scared. Carmen turns to Captain Deladier. 

CARMEN
Where's Lieutenant Barcalow?

DELADIER
He requested a combat assignment. There's always a need 
for experienced pilots on the ground. I had no choice but to 
let him go... He said you'd understand. 

Carmen bites her lip, takes first chair. Deladier feels bad for her, knows she's made a painful 
decision. 


INT. RODGER YOUNG  DROP ROOM

Roughnecks are suiting up. Ace enters. 

ACE
Officer on the deck!

Roughnecks fall in. Johnny steps into the room. There are many new and much younger faces. 

JOHNNY
I only have two rules. Rule one, everyone fights. Rule two, 
no one quits. If you don't do your job, I'll kill you myself. 
Do you get me?

ROUGHNECKS
We get you, sir!

JOHNNY
(to Ace, sotto voce)
Who're all these kids?

ACE
We got reinforced. Most of'em just got outa boot... 

JOHNNY
We're the old men, Ace. 


EXT. PLANET P  4TH BRIGADE HQ  DAY

CARGO SHIPS have landed. Cap troopers set fire to huge piles of dead bugs. BULLDOZERS 
push bodies into a mass grave, among them Rasczak. Johnny walks past with his team. 

JOHNNY
We'll take this high ground. Lookouts there and therte and 
up there. If the bugs come upstairs in this neighbor-hood, 
we'll be the first to know. 

ACE
Got it. Fleet tactical wants to know where they can deploy 
the skimmers. 

JOHNNY
Down there on the flats, eh? Listen up, Roughnecks! Our 
primary objective is to assist our friends from the Fleet... 

Roughnecks boo. 

JOHNNY
Alright, cut it out. We will deploy from skimmers in teams 
of six. If the bugs open up a battery, we put it out of 
business. Any questions?

A HERCULES CARGO BOAT hurtles out of the sky and lands on the high ground Johnny has 
intended forb his H.Q. Johnny scowls, marches over to the boat and confronts a FLEET 
OFFICER. 

JOHNNY
Would'ya mind moving your boat?

FLEET OFFICER
Better talk to the boss. 

The cargo bays open to deploy FLEET SKIMMERS. Zander jumps down to oversee the 
operation. 

JOHNNY
You're standing on my H.Q., Lieutenant!

ZANDER 
This is a Fleet-driven operation, son, and the Fleet thinks 
my boat will be safer on the high ground. You can have 
everything else, eh?

JOHNNY
You heard the Sky Marshall... Move it all down -

Suddenly, in the distance, bug batteries open fire, not one but twenty. Zander and Johnny share a 
look of concern. 

ZANDER
Rodger Young, prepare to receive outgoing fire...!
(to his crew chief)
I'll take the first group. 

JOHNNY
Saddle up, boys, that's our trash!


EXT. SPACE  PLANET P ORBIT

Bug plasma begins to take a toll on the battle group as the orbiting ships lay their eggs. Cap 
Troopers are sliced as they drop. 


EXT. RODGER YOUNG  BRIDGE

Captain Deladier turns to Carmen. 

DELADIER
Evasive action!

Carmen dodges other starships, turns to her new number 2. 

CARMEN
Prepare for warp!

NEW NUMBER 2
Yes, ma'am! Warp in 5... 4... 3...!

KA-WHAM! The Rodger Young takes a direct hit. 


EXT. RODGER YOUNG  PLANET P ORBIT

The Rodger Young is cut in two. The rear section explodes, the forward section begins to burn 
towards the bridge. 


INT. RODGER YOUNG  BRIDGE

Captain Deladier calmly evacuates the bridge. Power fails and so does the gravity. 

CARMEN
This is Rodger Young, we're going down... Repeat, this is 
Rodger Young, we're going down...!

DELADIER
Ibanez... LET'S GO!


INT. RODGER YOUNG  ESCAPE CORRIDOR

Carmen and Captain Deladier run for the lifepods. An explosion flips the corridor. Captain 
Deladier's leg is crushed when an airlock closes on her. 

DELADIER
AAAAAAAAAAA!

Carmen hits the release, pulls her free. Deladier pushes Carmen away. 

DELADIER
Leave me, Lieutenant! That's an order!

CARMEN
No way, ma'am!


INT. RODGER YOUNG  LIFE POD BAY

Carmen pushes into the chaotic life pod bay. PANICKED CREW shoving, screaming, fighting. 
The ship pitches. They tumble, landing near a pod. Carmen jumps for it, pulls Deladier in after. 


EXT. RODGER YOUNG  PLANET P ORBIT

The Rodger Young disintegrates as lifepods shoot away toward the planet. 


INT. LIFEPOD  PLANET P ORBIT

Carmen navigates through a graveyard of floating wreckage, dead cap troopers, someone's 
trombone. She sets her beacon and the pod plummets downward. 

CARMEN
Mayday, mayday! This is Lieutenant Carmen Ibanez in 
lifepod RY63... I'm going in... 


EXT. PLANET P  BASE CAMP  DAY

Roughnecks board the Skimmers. Zander approaches Johnny, upset. 

JOHNNY
What's your problem now, Lieutenant?

ZANDER 
The Rodger Young just burned up... 

Johnny's face falls. 

JOHNNY
Any survivors?

Zander points. Far in the distance, a glowing pod plummets toward the planet. Johnny tracks it 
on his "head up". 


INT. LIFEPOD  ATMOSPHERE  DAY

Carmen is shaken violently as the pod hits atmosphere. 


EXT. PLANET P  DAY

CARMEN'S POD hits and goes straight through the crust of Planet P. 


INT. BUG CITY TUNNELS  DAY

The pod comes to rest. Carmen blows the hatch, pulls Deladier out, grabs a Morita pulse rifle. 
Tunnels lead in every direction. 

CARMEN
This is Lieutenant Carmen Ibanez. Is anyone receiving?


EXT. BASE CAMP  DAY

Johnny grabs the handset from Ace. 

JOHNNY (O.S.)
Affirmative! Carmen, this is Roughneck base camp... What 
is your present location?


INT. BUG CITY TUNNELS  DAY

Carmen sees a warrior coming at her from out of the shadows. Carmen fires a burst and kills it. 
Now there are two. Carmen backs up firing, but there are too many. 

CARMEN
My present location is 42 degrees South by 176 degrees 
East... situation is extremely hostile... I... AAAAAAAAA!

They have her. She puts the barrel of the Morita in her mouth, but a claw cut her trigger finger 
off at the knuckle. 


EXT. PLANET P  ROUGHNECK BASE CAMP  DAY

Johnny and Zander are horrified by what they hear. 

CARMEN (O.S.)
AAAAAAAAAAAAAA!

JOHNNY
We've gotta go get her!

ZANDER
You know as well as I do she's probably already dead. 

Johnny knows it's true, swallows bitterly, turns away. That's when he sees it. Nearby, the ground 
shifts, a claw breaks through, a hole opens up and bugs boil up out of the ground. 

SUGAR WATKINS
Here they come!

They turn and see a second bug hole open up. 

JOHNNY
We're outta here. Lieutenant, get your men into the 
skimmers. This real estate's about to go buggy. 

ZANDER
Hey, just calm down, I'm giving the orders here-

The entire area underneath the base camp collapses to form a huge new canyon. The Hercules 
boat topples, crushing Skimmers and unfortunate Fleet personnel. 


EXT. NEW CANYON  DAY

Johnny and the surviving Roughnecks pick themselves up. The are now 30 meters below the 
planet's surface. Above them, bugs line the wide rim of the newly formed canyon. 

JOHNNY
Form a perimeter!

Through the dust, exposed bug tunnels can be seen in the canyon walls and piling out of them by 
the score, deadly Arachnid warriors. Johnny throws Zander a pulse cannon. 

JOHNNY
Make yourself useful, fly boy... PREPARE TO REPEL 
BUGS!

The Roughnecks open fire at the charging bug horde. Warriors are blown to pieces. Gas 
grenades fly and H. E. rounds close tunnels. A maimed warrior gets through and heads for 
Zander. 

ZANDER
AAAAAAAAAAA!

Johnny and Ace team up to blow it away. Zander takes a deep breath, looks around, impressed. 
The Roughnecks have killed a great many bugs. 

JOHNNY
Ace, get on the com. Tell Fleet we need retrieval... Sugar, 
salvage some armor and suit up Lieutenant Barcalow. 

Sugar Watkins tosses a bloody jump boot his way. 

ZANDER
Thanks. 

ACE
Fleet Command says retrieval's no go. The battle group's 
at safe distance... and we got another problem. 

Ace points out a Tanker bug that's been brought up to the rim. Johnny sees another. 

JOHNNY
Looks like they're gonna hose us down... 

Johnny chews on this. 

JOHNNY
Alright... Listen up, Roughnecks. We're gonna head west 
down through bug city, pick up any Rodger Young 
survivors we run across, and join A Company. Get me?

ROUGHNECKS
We get you, sir!

Zander, awkward in a power suit, confronts Johnny. 

ZANDER
What do you think you're doing?

JOHNNY
I'm gonna save Carmen. 

ZANDER
That would mean a complete disregard for the mission 
objective. They hang you for that, Rico. 

JOHNNY
Yeah, that's right. 

Johnny and Zander stare each other down. 

ZANDER
Let's go. 

JOHNNY
Move out. 

Johnny starts for the gaping mouth of an exposed bug tunnel and the others fall in behind him. 

ACE
Bug hunt!

ROUGHNECKS
BUG HUNT!


INT. TUNNEL  DAY

Johnny leads his deadly force through enemy territory. The Roughnecks kill everything that gets 
in their way. Zander lends his inexperienced hand. 

JOHNNY
Mr. Barcalow, save power, don't waste it on workers... 
Ace, tell Aardvark we're on our way... 

ACE
Yes, sir!

Warriors appear in the tunnel behind them. 

JOHNNY
Sugar, close the tunnel...!

SUGAR
Fire in the hole!

Sugar Watkins fires an H. E. round and seals the tunnel. 


INT. BUG CITY  FEEDING PIT  DAY

Carmen opens her eyes. She can hear BUGS CLICKING. She's in a pit filled with human dead. 
A nearby carcass wears a uniform from 4th Brigade Off in the dark she hears HUMAN 
MOANING. 

She crawls over rotting corpses toward the sound. The moaning turns to SCREAMING. It's 
coming from outside the pit. She pulls herself up to peer over the edge. 


INT. BUG CITY  THE ROYAL COURT  DAY

Carmen sees hundred of bugs at work, WARRIORS, WORKERS and dozens of small (2 meters) 
CHARIOT BUGS. A worker walks pas, stepping on her, but pays her no attention. 

She sees the source of the screaming: Captain Deladier is hold between two warriors, and she's 
screaming because of what she sees,

DELADIER
NAAAAAAAA...! OH PLEASE... 

The BRAIN BUG is huge (5 meters) and pulpy. I has vestigial legs that cannot support its 
weight, and so it must be moved by a shifting carpet of chariot bugs. 

DELADIER
... OH GOD AAAAAAAAAAAAA...!

A thorn-like PALP unfolds out of the brain bug and strikes, driving deep into Deladier's head 
and sucks her brains out. 

DELADIER
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!

Carmen watches horrified as Deladier dies. The suddenly a warrior grabs her from above and 
drags her out of the pit. She screams as its claws slice into her limbs. 

CARMEN
AAAAAAAAAAAAAA!

Now the brain bug comes for her. She sees the palp unfold, the thorn-like spike coming toward 
her. Carmen is no longer looking for escape. All she wants to do is die. 

Suddenly, every bug in the chamber stops as though to listen. Carmen hears it. A HIGH-
PITCHED SQUEAL, getting louder. Johnny enters the chamber alone. 

The warriors move toward him. He holds up a NUKE, source of the high-pitched tone. The ready 
light flashes. The Brain Bug emits a series of harsh clicks. The warriors freeze. 

JOHNNY
You know what this is...?

Johnny makes an explosive sound. The Brain Bug slowly withdraws its palp. 

JOHNNY
Sure you do... You're a big fat smart bug, aren't you?

Johnny moves toward Carmen. The Brain Bug's multiple eyes track him. The warriors holding 
Carmen threaten. Johnny turns on the brain bug, his finger on the nuke's trigger. 

JOHNNY
I'll take you with me. 

The Brain Bug clicks. The warriors back off. Carmen collapses. Johnny reaches for her. 

JOHNNY
Take my hand!

Chariot bugs move the Brain Bug down a hole. Workers seal the hole behind it with amazing 
speed. Johnny drags Carmen back toward the tunnel he entered from. The warriors charge. 

JOHNNY
Roughnecks... NOW!

Johnny throws himself on top of Carmen as the Roughnecks burst into the chamber, guns 
blazing. The fight is furious, point. blank, deadly to bug and Roughneck alike. 

Sugar Watkins screams as a warrior rips his arm off. Zander takes a claw through the gut. 

ZANDER
AAAAAAAAAAAAA!

He blows it away, sees his intestines hanging out of the wound, shoves them back inside and 
keeps on fighting. A warrior rears up over Johnny and Carmen. 

JOHNNY
Weapon!

Ace throws him a Morita. Johnny catches it, pumps three rounds into the bug's nerve stem. He 
struggles out from under the dead warrior. Every bug in the chamber is dead. 

JOHNNY
Are you hurt?

Carmen throws her arms around Johnny. 

CARMEN
Johnny...!

Zander takes this in. Carmen sees him, then his wound. 

CARMEN
Zander...! Oh, you're hurt. 

Ace takes a look at his wound, makes a face. 

ACE
Ah geez... 

Zander pushes him away, struggles to his feet. 

JOHNNY
Can you walk?

ZANDER
(clenched teeth)
Not a problem. 

JOHNNY
Let's get some armor on her, and the we'll get outta this 
stinkin bug hole!

Various components are gladly passed forward. Johnny and Ace help her putting it on. 

CARMEN
I thought I was dead. Lucky for me you jokers showed up, 
eh?

ZANDER
It wasn't luck. Rico ignored the mission objective to rescue 
you... 

CARMEN
Is it true?

JOHNNY
Yeah, if I live through this, they'll probably hang me. Now 
com'on, let's move out!


INT. BUG CITY TUNNELS  DAY

The Roughnecks double-time it, racing for the surface. They come to a fork. 

CARMEN
Which way?

JOHNNY
Up. We gotta be near A Company by now. 

The tunnel floor drops out. FIVE ROUGHNECKS disappear into the hole. WARRIORS climb up 
into the tunnel. 

JOHNNY
FALL BACK!

The Roughnecks back up fast, shooting. Zander staggers, collapses. Johnny drops to his side, 
rolls him over. 

JOHNNY
How bad are you, pal?

ZANDER
Been better, buddy. 

Johnny sees warriors coming up into the tunnel by the score. 

JOHNNY
Alright, we're gonna carry you... 

ZANDER
Nah, I figure you folks oughta get upstairs before it's too 
late... Gimmee the nuke. 

Zander checks his pulse cannon's available power. 

JOHNNY
Don't be a hero... 

ZANDER
This is my farm. Now c'mon, give me what you got and get 
out of here... 

Johnny nods, hands him the nuke. Carmen sees what's happening. 

CARMEN
Zander, what are you doing?

ZANDER
Just giving you something to remember me by, baby. 

CARMEN
Zander, no...!

He grabs her and kisses her. Johnny drags Carmen away. Zander opens fire as the first warriors 
reach his position. 


INT. BUG CITY  INCLINED TUNNEL  DAY

Johnny and Carmen race desperately for the surface. They hear the chatter of Zander's pulse 
cannon and the screams of dying bugs. 

JOHNNY
GO. GO GO GO GO...!

Tears stream down from Carmen's face. 


EXT. PLANET P  DAY

Johnny and Carmen and the surviving Roughnecks make it to the surface. WOMP! A 
subterranean nuclear explosion blows a column of earth and stone Into the air. 


EXT. PLANET P  A COMPANY BASE CAMP

Johnny and the others enter A Company's perimeter. No one notices their arrival because 
everyone's gathered in a big circle watching the Brain Bug. 

CARMEN
Look... they got it. 

Several of its delicate legs were apparently broken during the capture. Carl approaches it 
without fear, puts his hand on the thing. 

GENERAL
What's it thinking, Colonel?

Carl smiles in a cruel way. 

CARL
It's afraid. 

Johnny and Carmen approach the General. 

JOHNNY
Sir, I'd like to turn myself in. Dereliction of duty by an 
officer during wartime. 

GENERAL
And you freely admit to it?

JOHNNY
Yes, sir. 

GENERAL
Is what this man says true, Lieutenant?

CARMEN
To the best of my understanding, it is, sir. 

The General sighs, turns to his AIDE. 

GENERAL
Round up a field court martial, willya?

Carl steps in. 

CARL
It's alright, sir. Acting Lieutenant Rico was under my 
orders... psi-orders. 

The General smiles, relieved. 

MAJOR
Oh, I see. Well, that's completely different. That's 
classified. 

The General heads away. Carl winks at his friends. 

JOHNNY
You always told me you couldn't do human... 

CARL
I can't... but like I told you, it's a number's game. The 
Federation needs all the pilots it can get... 

CARMEN
I don't know why, but every time the three of us are 
together I feel like everything's gonna be alright. 

CARL
I hope you're right, Carmen. We've got one of their brains 
now. Pretty soon we'll know how they think, and then we'll 
know how to beat them. One day it'll be over, and 
everyone will forget that this was the moment. This is when 
it turned. And it wasn't the mighty Fleet, it wasn't any 
fancy new weapon, it was a cap trooper named Zim who 
captured a brain... 

JOHNNY
Zim...?

Johnny sees a knot of soldiers around Zim, who is smiling, self-conscious and admirers shake his 
hand, pound his back. Johnny rushes to congratulate him. 

JOHNNY
Hey, Sergeant Zim. Good job!

Zim turns, gives Johnny a wry look. He wears the single stripes of a private. 

ZIM
Thank you, sir. 

Zim snaps to attention, salutes. Johnny has to smile. 

JOHNNY
Carry on, private!


FROM THE FEDERAL NET  AND SO THE WAR GOES ON!

Starships parked row-by-row in the floating yards above Luna. Meanwhile, at Camp Currie, cap 
troopers train. 

OFFICIAL VOICE
Armed with more soldiers, more ships, and with a unity 
unmatched in all of human history, the Federation marches 
on!


TECHNOLOGY  NEW WEAPONS!

Federation scientists are hard at work. 

OFFICIAL VOICE
Better gas to kill bugs with and, soon, the capacity to crack 
a planet in half with just one bomb!


ENLIST NOW!

Proud YOUNG PEOPLE in uniform, the bloom of human evolution. 

OFFICIAL VOICE
Citizenship now guaranteed to all able applicants. Put your 
plans on hold to fight for the future! Protect your 
continued right to evolve! Would you like to know more?


INT. STARSHIP SPARTA  THE BRIDGE

Captain Carmen Ibanez stands on the bridge of a brand new starship, the Sparta. 

CARMEN
We're over the target area now, Lieutenant!


INT. SPARTA  DROP ROOM

Lieutenant Johnny Rico looks his Roughnecks over before the drop. 

JOHNNY
Saddle up, Roughnecks!

ACE
You heard the Lieutenant! On the bounce, troopers!

One thing's for sure: They'll keep fighting, and they'll win!



THE END
