1 www.able.co.nz Captions were made with the support of NZ On Air. TVNZ Captioning 2009 Young people from all over the globe are joining up to fight for the future. I'm doing my part. I'm doing my part. I'm doing my part. I'm doing my part, too. ALL LAUGH They're doing their part - are you? Join the mobile infantry and save the world. Service guarantees citizenship. The bugs send another meteor our way, but this time, we're ready. Planetary defences are better than ever. METEOR EXPLODES Klendathu, source of the bug meteor attacks orbits a twin star system whose brutal gravitational forces produce an unlimited supply of bug meteorites in the form of this asteroid belt. To ensure the safety of our solar system, Klendathu must be eliminated. We break now and take you live to Klendathu, where the invasion has begun. 2, 1, you're on. We have just landed here on what camp troopers are calling Big K, with the sixth mobile infantry division. It's an ugly planet, a bug planet. A planet hostile to life... BUG ROARS Ah, ah! Help me! GUNFIRE Ah, ah... GUNFIRE Come on. Go, go, go. Keep moving. Get out of here now! GUNFIRE Rico! Oh God! Oh God! Argh! Rico. Rico. Rico! Pay attention. Sorry Mr Rasczak. Let's sum up. This year we explored the failure of democracy when the social scientists brought our world to the brink of chaos. We talked about the veterans, how they took control, and imposed the stability that has lasted for generations since. You know these facts, but have I taught you anything of value this year? You, why are only citizens allowed to vote? It's a reward, what the Federation gives you for doing federal service. No, no. Something given has no value. When you vote, you are exercising political authority, you are using force, and force, my friends, is violence, the supreme authority from which all other authority is derived. Um, my mother always said violence never solves anything. Really? I wonder what the city fathers of Hiroshima would say about that? You? You? They probably wouldn't say anything. Hiroshima was destroyed. Correct. Naked force has resolved more issues throughout history than any other factor. The contrary opinion that violence never solves anything is wishful thinking at its worst. People who forget that always pay. Rico. What's the moral difference, if any, between a civilian and a citizen? A citizen accepts personal responsibility for the safety of the body politic, defending it with his life. A civilian does not. The exact words of the text, but do you understand it? Do you believe it? I don't know. I don't know. Of course you don't. I doubt anyone here would recognise civic virtue if it reached up and bit you in the arse. BELL RINGS Not here. Come on, let's see if they posted the math final. Rico, are we going to take Tesler? Rico, are we going to take Tesler? We're gonna kill them. First thing the Fleet Academy looks at is your maths scores. Wish me luck. Good job. Your turn. Hold on, I want to talk to Marco. His sister's at Fleet. Marco. Hold on, I want to talk to Marco. His sister's at Fleet. Marco. Hi, Carmen. 35%. Very nice. Look at that. Look at that. MOCK APPLAUSE 35%, ladies and gentlemen. Big numbers. Carl. Carl. Sorry. You haven't done it yet, have you? Don't lie. I'm not in any hurry. I'm not in any hurry. Others are waiting. Did you read her mind? Don't have to. It's pretty clear what she wants. Yeah...but I want Carmen. Yeah...but I want Carmen. Oh, you got it bad. Don't forget about this afternoon. He's always late when he walks you home to fish for a kiss. Get out of here. Marco's sister made pilot. So will you. I mean, imagine flying half a million tonnes of starship. You have got to have nerves of steel. Yeah, you do. Let's see how yours hold up. You may begin. Oh! Come on, it's just a bug. Put your goggles on. Just a bug? We humans like to think we are nature's finest achievement. I'm afraid it just isn't true. The sand beetle is superior in many ways. It reproduces in vast numbers, has no ego, has no fear, doesn't know about death, and so is the perfect selfless member of society. But humans have created art, mathematics and interstellar travel. True, but before you let that go to your head, take the example of the arachnids, a highly evolved insect society. By human standards, they are relatively stupid, but their evolution stretches over millions of years. And now... Here, take this. They can colonise planets by hurling their spore into space. OK, I think we got it. That's the heart. Here's the stomach. (VOMITS) ALL LAUGH Nerves of steel, huh? Don't think about it, just go on instinct. Try to visualise it. I see the ace of spades. You know statistically speaking, you should have accidentally guessed right by now. Try another. So my psychic abilities are zero and I am unlucky. No, luck is not a factor. No one really knows why some people are sensitive and some aren't. Maybe it is a new stage of human evolution. That's why they do these kind of federal studies. What, Cyrano! Shit. Time out. He wants attention. You don't play with him any more. Cyrano! Go bug mom, Cyrano. How do you make him do that? I gave him the impression there's a grub crawling up my mom's leg. He's on a mission to go eat it. Oh, get off my leg! CALLS: Carl! I sure hope you don't do anything like that to me. Don't be afraid, can't do human - yet. ALL CHEER All right. Yeah, yeah! P.A: The score is now 41 to 38. Tigers lead with just 46 remaining. Are you all right? Much better. Now. Hey, your helmet. So what are you doing after the game? Well, everyone is going to the dance, aren't you? I don't know. It's my last night as a civilian. Ship off to Terra Scova tomorrow. You're going to the Fleet Academy? That's where I want to go. Come on, number 12, let's play ball. Don't get any ideas about my girlfriend. All is fair in love and war. Johnny. Yeah! ...Perry, fake left. Mutolli, you go long. Rico, flip six three-hole. Got it? Hey, Rico. Hey! What? You're drifting. Flip six three-hole on one. Got it? Just throw me the ball, Diz. Ready? Break! Hut! All right! HOOTER SOUNDS (BLOWS WHISTLE) He's in there. It's over. Who said you could grow up so fast, eh? Mom, don't get mushy. This came for you today. I presume at your request. A lot of my friends are doing Federal Service. A lot of my friends are doing Federal Service. You are not thinking of applying? Have you lost your mind? I would rather take 10 lashes in public square than see you ruin your life. It's a term of service. It's not a career. I just want to get out on my own. See the galaxy for a couple of years. Johnny, people get killed in the Federal Service. Johnny, people get killed in the Federal Service. Who gave you this idea? It's that teacher, isn't it. What's his name? You know the one I'm talking about. Mr Rasczak. Rasczak? Silly name. There should be a law against using a school for recruitment. No, Rasczak doesn't do that at all. He sort of discourages you. Well, that's good, because you are going to Harvard and that's the end of it. It's my decision, not yours. Oh, is that how it is? Wait, Dad and I have a surprise for you that will settle this. Can you guess what it is? No. You wanted to see the galaxy. How about a trip to the outer rings? Zegama Beach? I've always wanted to go there. I've always wanted to go there. Good, good, then it's all settled. ROCK MUSIC Don't go away. I'll be looking for Rasczak. Rico, do you want to dance? Actually, Diz, I promised Carmen. Oh, too bad for her, she's not around. You know, it's sad. After tonight, most of us probably won't see each other again. So, you still going to play for Rio? Yeah, looks like, unless Tokyo lets me start. Anyone who gets you is lucky. Johnny, how come we never got together? Can't we just be friends, Diz? Sure. Look, Diz, I want to talk to Mr Rasczak. Hey, better hurry up if you want to catch him. You're the best. Mr Rasczak. What is it, Rico? I want to thank you. Your class was the best one I had this year. Well, it's not my job to please. I just hope you learned something. I want to join up. I think I got what it takes to be a citizen. Good for you, go find out. Well, my parents are against it. I know it's my choice. I was wondering... what would you do if you were me? Figuring things out for yourself is the only freedom anyone really has. Use that freedom. Make up your own mind, Rico. # No, I have not been to paradise # Watch the days go by... Johnny. This is Xander. This is Xander. Yeah, we know each other from the game. No hard feelings. Oh, none at all - we won. Come on, Carmen. It's the last dance. Maybe I will see you at the Academy. Yeah, who knows? Good luck. Xander's going for pilot, too. You two have so much in common. Johnny Rico, are you jealous? Well, maybe. You don't have to be jealous. Hey, hey, break it up, you two. There's a place for that sort of thing. I've been thinking, and I'm going to do it Carmen, I'm going to go for Federal Service. That's great. Carl and I are signing up tomorrow. Come with us. I will. My father's not home tonight. # All is well # All is well # Talk about and watch the days go by # All is well ALL: ..my own free will, after having been duly advised and warned of the meaning and consequences of this oath enrol in the Federal Service for not less than two years and as much longer as may be required by the needs of the Federation. Fresh meat for the grinder, eh? So how did you kids do? I'm going to be a pilot. Well, good for you. We need all the pilots we can get. Hey, did you get starside R and D? No. I don't believe it. I got games and theory. Games and theory? That's military intelligence. Way to go, Carl. Next time we meet, I'll probably have to salute you. How about you, son? Infantry, sir. Good for you. Mobile infantry made me the man I am today. Let's make a vow. No matter what, we'll always be friends. I'll go for that. Well, chances are we'll never see each other again. We'll be millions of light years away from each other, but, yeah, sure, why not? Resign and that's all there is to it. It'll look bad, but if that's the worst you suffer, that's fine. I won't quit. I'm telling you, you will. You're going on vacation. I am not going on vacation. I want to be a citizen. It's my decision, I made it. You walk out that door, you are cut off, you understand me? All right, that's it, you're cut off! Johnny, why won't you change your mind? Does a citizenship mean that much to you? Well, yeah, sure. Well, yeah, sure. I hope so. I hope you don't ruin your life over some silly girl who wants to look handsome in a uniform. Don't talk about Carmen that way. Johnny! Johnny. You're late. My dad had to help me pack. Suddenly he's afraid he'll never see me again or something. It was sweet, but it took forever. Anyway, I guess I am ready to go. Me too, I'm wearing everything I own. I'm sorry your parents are mad. Who cares? The Federation will give me everything for the next two years. Have you talked to Carl? Yeah, he left this morning. Couldn't say where. Oh, it's exciting going away, but, I'm scared. Aren't you? I'm going to miss you. I'm going to miss you, too. I love you. ANNOUNCEMENT OVER PA That's me. Just, say it once, try it on for size. I love you. Don't forget to write. I won't. 1 The fully-automatic Beretta. Who wants to hold it? The fully-automatic Beretta. Who wants to hold it? ALL: Me! Citizen rule: people making a better tomorrow. A murderer was captured this morning and tried today. Guilty. Sentence: death. Execution tonight at six. All net, all channels. Would you like to know more? If you think you're psychic, maybe you are. Federal studies are being conducted in your community. Would you like to know more? Every school kid knows that arachnids are dangerous. However, Mormon extremists disregarded federal warnings and established Port Joe Smith inside the arachnid quarantine zone. Too late, they realised that Dantana had already been chosen by other colonists - arachnids. Would you like to know more? Most of you will not live to be in the mobile infantry. Trouble is, you are not good enough the way you are. Hands at your side. Chin up. I am your senior drill instructor, Career Sergeant Zim. Suck in that gut. Feet together. To think this had to happen to me. What a bunch of apes. No, strike that. You don't rate that good. Never in my life have I seen... Do you think I'm funny? Do I make you laugh, do you think I am a comedian? I'm sorry. I'm sorry. The first and last words out of your stinking holes will be, "Sir". Do you get me? Sir, yes, sir. See that armoury - run around it. Run I said, run, run, run. Keep pace. Move. Any time you think I am being too tough, any time you think I am being unfair, any time you miss your mommy - quit. You sign form 1240A, you grab your gear. You take a stroll down washout lane. Do you get me? Sir, yes sir. Pathetic, I wonder if there's a handful of guts in the whole bunch of you. Now, who here thinks they've got what it takes to knock me down? Sir, I guess maybe I do. Sir. SICKENING CRUNCH Ah! God! Are you all right, son? Sir, yes sir, it's my arm. I think it's broken, sir. Medic. Pain is in your mind. Who's next? Sir, recruit Flores reporting for duty, sir. You specifically requested transfer from Fort Cronkite to this unit? Sir, I heard it was the best, sir. It is the best. But what makes you think you're good enough? That's the kind of gal who makes squad leader. That's my job you're talking about. You know, I'd like to kill that Sergeant Zim. Whoa, improper attitude. They kick you out for talking like that. Bye bye, there you go down washout lane. You either got what it it takes or you don't. There is a line. Wait your turn, Ace. Hey, at ease, little soldier. It's all the same muck. Get in line like everyone else. (LAUGHS) You got some guts for a rich kid. I guess you and me could be buddies. What do you say? I'm honoured. Hey, hey, of course you are. Everybody should have a friend like me. Come on, Ace, back of the line. Back, back, back. Jerk. Tough guy. Hey, Rico, want to sit together? No, thanks, Diz. What's your malfunction, Rico? You are. I joined up to get out on my own and you had to tag along. You think I joined the mobile infantry because of you? Are you saying you didn't? Hi. Forget about it, Ace. You don't stand a chance. What makes you even think you'll make squad leader, Rico? Something I got you don't. Something I got you don't. Rich kids are all the same. It's about who's the best. Hey! (LAUGHS) Third squad. Sir, I don't understand. Who needs a knife in a nuke fight, anyway? All you got to do is push a button, sir. Cease fire. Put your hand on that wall, trooper. Put your hand on that wall. (GRUNTS) The enemy cannot push a button if you disable his hand. Medic! Well, we all have one thing in common. We're all stupid enough to sign up for mobile infantry. Breckinridge, what's your excuse? My family's all farmers. I hate farming. I mean, mobile infantry is a picnic by comparison. Oh, right, so they grow them big and dumb on the farm planet. Oh, right, so they grow them big and dumb on the farm planet. ALL LAUGH Djana, what about you? I am going in for politics, and you got to be a citizen for that, so here I am. You want some responsibility? Yeah. Shujimi, come on, let's keep it going. I got into Harvard, but my father says forget it, it's going to cost an arm and a leg. So if I serve, Federation pays my way. I want to have babies, it's a lot easier to get a licence if you've served. I am going career, officer's training, all the way. Oh, future Sky Marshal. Rico, your turn. Who asked you to be so nosy? What, I'm the bad guy? I'm gonna be a writer. You know, a writer's got a right to be nosey. Hey Flores, you know Rico from Buenos Aires, what's his story? Oh, he's here because of a girl. JEERS Is it you? This is where we live. It's not much, but it's home. Right there, that's my bunk where I dream about you every night. Boot's pretty tough. Sometimes I think I won't make it, but then I think about what you're doing and I try harder. Who knows, they might even make me squad leader. Uh oh. Better pack it in. Write me. Bye. Write me. Orbit in five, Ibanez. First one there gets to fly. Locking it down. Wait, wait. Oh no, not Ibanez again. She's crazy. Ready, go. Deploying wings. How come you're in such a good mood, huh? Because today I get to fly that. 1 Pilot trainee Ibanez reporting for duty, ma'am. Take number two chair, Ibanez. Yes ma'am. Identify. Ibanez 325A clear. What are you doing here? I'm the guy who's going to teach you to fly this crate. Oh, assistant instructor. Should I call you sir? Only when I give you an order. Prepare for departure. It's amazing, us running into each other like this. Maybe it's fate. Maybe not. I heard about this crazy girl coming through the Academy, solid math, a little wild on the stick, but a natural, and when it turned out to be you, I just made sure we would run into each other. All right, Ibanez, take her out. All right, Ibanez, take her out. Yes, ma'am. COMPUTER: All systems go. In simulation, my supervisors could never keep up. Well, this isn't simulation any more, so take her out easy, cadet. Yes, sir. COMPUTER: 5m from object. 3m from object. Clear. Don't exceed port speed. Or what? Or they revoke your flight status, and mine. Your career is in my hands. Steady as she goes, number two. Prepare for warp. Yes ma'am. Number one, design for Jupiter orbit. Stardrive in... five, four, ready, steady, go. WARP RIFT WHOOSHES Move, we're going in! Man, they're defending, no way in. Flip six, three-hole. What? Run a flip six, three-hole play and you can score. Cover me. You got it. Now. Thanks, buddy. Bastard. Kid's got some moves. Give him a squad, see what he can do. Someone's got to teach you guys how to play pool. Look at him. Did you ever see anyone so pleased with himself? Well, Zim must have had to choose someone to be his brown-nose. I couldn't have done it without you, Diz. Friends? Friends. Shujimi. Yeah. Rico. Yeah. Breckinridge. Niler. That's all, folks. Hi, Johnny. I'm sorry I haven't written you sooner, but... Rico, you don't deserve that. 'They've really got us going here.' They must have made you squad leader by now and if they haven't, tell them to talk to me. See, all it takes is the love of a good woman. Look at that. Isn't it beautiful? I love it out here. That's also the problem. Because I think I'm going to go career. I want to command a ship of my own. I don't think that's going to leave much room for you and me, Johnny. I know that's not what you wanted to hear. But... I have to follow my heart. I'm sorry. Write me, all right? Write me so I know we'll always be friends. Funny how they want to be friends after they rip your guts out. Yeah. That's what I deserve. What are you talking about? I joined up for her. I wouldn't even be here if it wasn't for her. What are you talking about, you made squad leader on your own. Hey, you still got me to kick around. Fun and games over, children, you will be firing live ammunition in a simulated combat environment. You will exercise extreme caution on my assault course. Do you get me? Sir, yes, sir. Rico, take them out. First fire team with me. Next team in 10 seconds. Maximum score has been 280. I expect you to do better. BUZZER SOUNDS Go. RAPID ELECTRONIC ZAPS Shujimi, stay down. Hey, Breckenridge, clear my line of fire. It's my helmet. It's all screwed up. You'll blow the score. Dumb shit. Diz, stay put. What's the problem? Damn thing's in my way. If something's wrong, it's always you. That's because I'm big and dumb. Medic!! Rico, you are relieved of squad command. Rico, did you give the recruit permission to remove his helmet? Sir, yes, sir. Breckinridge reported a helmet malfunction and I asked him to show it to me, sir. Are you rated to repair the M3 tactical helmet, Rico? Sir, no, sir. Why did you order your man to remove his helmet during a live-fire exercise? Sir, I needed everyone in my squad operational, sir. I wanted to win, sir. Sergeant, we have already lost two recruits over this incident. Do you think there's any possibility of salvaging this man? Yes, sir, I do. All right. We will try administrative punishment. Prisoner halt. Bite down on this, son. It helps. I know. For incompetence of command, for failure to abide by safety regulations during a live-fire exercise. For negligence, which contributed to the death of a teammate. Recruit trainee John Rico is sentenced to administrative punishment. 10 lashes. You may carry out the sentence. One. Two. Three. (MUFFLED ANGUISHED GROANS) Four. Five. Six. Seven. Eight. Nine. 10. COMPUTER: All sections secure. Thanks. You read my mind. Oh, third watch always seems to last forever. I don't know. Depends on who you're spending it with. Something's wrong. There. No, I replotted the course. It's more efficient this way. Three weeks aboard the starship and you think you can lick my maps? Check it. You know, I was talking with Captain Deladier. She said... Don't change the subject. Am I right? Yeah. Yeah, you're right. So what did the captain say? She thinks we should team up officially and crew for her. You and me, huh? We're good together, Carmen. We're way ahead of the curve in every department. I can anticipate you, you know what I want. No, what do you want? There's a gravity field out there. Run a scan. Sensors on. There. Gravity at 225 and rising. Report. Captain we're in the path of an unidentified object moving at high speed. Profile suggests an asteroid, ma'am. Impact, six seconds. Emergency evasion. Three,... two,... fire! Close compartment 21. Where did it come from? It came out of the arachnid quarantine zone, ma'am. Number four, contact Fleet, tell them a loose asteroid's headed their way. Communications are gone, ma'am. Damage assessment. Hull is compromised. We are lucky to be alive, ma'am. Luck didn't have anything to do with it. We have a hell of a flight team. Really stinks, you going. Yeah, well, the mobile infantry will just have to get along without me. I don't get it, Rico, you took your licks. They didn't want you, they would have kicked you out. Hey, I joined up for the wrong reasons, I got a guy killed. I figure that kind of proves I don't have what it takes. Rico. Your call's going through. Take it there. Hello. Oh, Johnny. Hi, Mom. Hi, Mom. Bill, pick it up, it's Johnny. Johnny. Dad. Where's your uniform? Bill. It's just good to hear from you. How are you, son? It's not really working out for me here, Dad. I was thinking, I was hoping it would be all right if I came home. Of course, you should come home immediately. I'm sorry, I've been an idiot. I'm sorry, I've been an idiot. Don't talk like that. You just come on home. Talk things out. We love you, son. Mmm, my, what's that? Looks like rain. This time of year? Sure is dark. Your transmission has been terminated due to atmospheric interference. Please try your call again later. Well, I'll see ya. Hey, you take that stroll down Washout Lane, you are only proving one thing, Johnny. What's that, Diz? That you don't have what it takes to be a citizen. SQUADS EXERCISE TO SOUND OFF What's going on? Hey, Nick, what's going on? War, we're going to war. The devastation we are seeing is unparalleled. Judging from early estimates, millions dead, a city in ruins. Is that Geneva? Goddamned bugs whacked us, Johnny. The meteor was shot out of orbit by bug plasma that derived from Klendathu, the arachnids' home planet. Nothing lives in what was once called the Latin paradise. Oh, Johnny, that's us. Buenos Aires has been wiped off the earth. That's home. The Federal Council met moments ago and voted unanimously for mobilisation to destroy the arachnid threat. I'll go anywhere. Forget it, Zim, we need you here. I want combat, sir. The only way you see combat is if you bust yourself to Private. Get me? Yes, sir, I get you. Sir. What do you want, Rico? I wish to reconsider my request to drop out, sir. You already signed your 1240A, son. It wouldn't be legal. Major, I know it was wrong. I didn't learn from one mistake and I made another, sir. You made your decision, son. You made your decision, son. Sir, my family, my whole family was in Buenos Aires, sir. Is this your signature, Rico? Is this your signature, Rico? Sir. Yes it is, sir. It doesn't look like it to me. Carry on, Private. Yes, sir. 1 Out of the ashes of Buenos Aires comes first sorrow, then anger. The only good bug is a dead bug. In Geneva, the Federal Council convenes. We must meet the threat with our valour, our blood, indeed, with our very lives to ensure that human civilisation, not insect, dominates this galaxy, now and always. Sky Marshal Dienes announces plans for an offence against Klendathu, source of the bug meteor that destroyed Buenos Aires. Every day, Federal scientists are looking for new ways to kill bugs. Your basic arachnid warrior isn't too smart, but you can blow off a limb,... GUNFIRE ....and it's still 86% combat effective. Here's a tip. Aim for the nerve stem and put it down for good. Everyone is doing their part, are you? The war effort needs your effort, at work, at home, in your community. We now break net and take you live to Fleet Battle Station Ticonderoga, deep inside the arachnid quarantine zone, where the men and women of the Federal Armed Services prepare to attack. ...on two, one ` you're on. No one here in the AQZ knows exactly when the invasion of Klendathu will occur, but everyone is talking about it and the talk says tomorrow. Here is a bunch of MI kids who could eat bugs for lunch. Ah, yum, yum, yum. So, trooper, you're not worried about fighting arachnids? Hey, shoot a nuke down a bug hole, you got a lot of dead bugs. I just hope it's not over before we get some. Some say the bugs are provoked by the intrusion of humans into their natural habitat. That a live and let live policy is preferable to war. Let me tell you something. I'm from Buenos Aires and I say kill them all. Yeah, big bad bugs, hey. Hey, guys, we ought to get tattoos. Yeah, get cut together. What do I want a tattoo for? Oh, what, your skin's too pretty? Johnny. Johnny Rico. Carmen. At ease. I guess I ought to lose the hat when I'm off duty. Hi, Diz. Carmen. My mother was right about you. You look great in a uniform. You look pretty good yourself. So, what do you hear? Do you know anyone who made it out of BA alive? Most of the time I don't think about it - like it happened to someone else. Then it hits me and I can't stop crying. Well, we're still alive. You got to be happy about that. You don't look very happy to see me. You don't look very happy to see me. Should I be? Johnny. It's different now. We're at war. I think what I did was probably best for both of us. Everything copacetic, Lieutenant? Xander, you remember Johnny. Xander and I are on Flight Team now. Yeah, best in the Fleet. I get it. This is the part that's best for both of us. Don't do me any more favours. Johnny, wait. Forget it, Lieutenant. He's mobile infantry. When you're trained to kill, it doesn't pay to be polite. Have you got something to say about the mobile infantry? I think you heard me. Want to make something of it, Private? Not with an officer, no sir. The MI doesn't need stupid troopers. Let's disregard rank. Xander, please. Everybody hear that, rank is not an issue here. Don't do this. What's he going to do? ALL SHOUT Quit it. He's not worth it. Come on. Come on. Forget it, Rico. Mobile infantry and Fleet don't mix. Come on, let's go. Jar heads. Infantry rules. Yeah! God, that hurts. Well, I got something that might hurt just a little bit more, buddy. Oh, yeah, we're going to fight and we're going to win, yeah. ALL CHEER This is the Captain speaking. All personnel prepare for drop. We're at D minus three and counting. We are going in the first wave. Means more bugs for us to kill. You smash the entire area. You kill anything that has more than two legs, you get me? ALL: We get you, sir. MAJESTIC MUSIC CLANGS TROOP CARRIERS SCREAM Plasma, ma'am, from the planet. Bug batteries. According to military intelligence it will be random and light. Drop status? Drop is 35% complete, ma'am. Steady as she goes, number two. (SICKLY GASP) Remember your training, and you will make it back alive. Whooo-hoo! BOOM! This isn't random or light. Someone made a mistake. That's it. We're empty, ma'am. BOOM! Someone made a big goddamn mistake. Break for high orbit. Go, go, go. LASER GUNFIRE TROOPS SHOUT AND YELL Rockets on. Rockets on. Troops, move up. HEAVY THUDS BUGS CHITTER PLASMA WHOOSHES Nuke 'em. Levy, Rico. Set. Fire. BOOM! Follow me. Let's go. YELLS: Fourth platoon. Drop flank. Spread out. First and second squad follow me. You, cover. The rest with me. SCREECHES Fire. GUNFIRE (SCREAMS) Here they come! Ace, what are we doing? Ah, I don't know. SCREECHES I don't know. Kill them, kill them all. RAPID GUNFIRE Come on! GUNFIRE Come on, you want some? Here's some. Yeah. Kick some ass. Oh my God! Oh my God! Shujimi. No, no. Let's get out of here! Fall back! (SCREAMS) (TERRIFIED SCREAMS) GUNFIRE What's going on? You got comms? You got comms? It's a general retreat. Back to the boat. TV REPORTER: ..with the fifth mobile infantry. It's an ugly planet, a bug planet, a planet hostile to life... MENACING GROWL MENACING GROWL Argh. Help me! (AGONISED SCREAMS) GUNFIRE Come on. Go, go, go. Get out of here now. GUNFIRE Nooo! Aargh! (AGONISED GROANS) 1 Crisis for human kind. Fleet officials admit they underestimated the arachnids' defensive capability. Accepting responsibility for Klendathu, Sky Marshal Dienes resigns. His successor, Sky Marshal Tahat Meru outlines her new strategy. To fight the bug, we must understand the bug. We can ill afford another Klendathu. Would you like to know more? Federal scientists struggle to explain the intelligent military actions of the arachnids. When a colony reaches a certain size, 300 generations or so, it gets smarter. Insects with intelligence, have you ever met one? I can't believe I am hearing this nonsense. Will you just wait... This is the most ridiculous conversation... Maybe there is some kind of bug we haven't seen yet, a leadership caste, a hive brain. Brain, bugs! Frankly, I find the idea of a bug that thinks offensive. Ticonderoga, this is Roger Young requesting approach vector. Affirmative Roger Young. 1009 52. Welcome back. My God. How could this happen? We thought we were smarter than the bugs. CRIES OF PAIN It's strange. There's almost no wounded at all. Bugs don't take prisoners. Oh no. Carmen. There he is. Let's wake him up. SHOUTS: Hey, Johnny. Hey! Hey, Rico. Hey, Johnny! Hey, Rico! Wake up! What are you doing, fish boy? Hey, look. You're dead. Killed in action. (CHUCKLES) Three more days. And you're out. Three days. Good as new. See you later. Bye. So what do you hear about our new unit? Roughnecks killed more bugs than any other outfit on Big K. Their lieutenant's a real nut buster. Who's top kick? You want the job, huh? I wouldn't mind. I would. Just doing my part. Orders. Yours? Where have you been besides Big K? Outer rings, Zegama Beach. Zegama Beach. I always wanted to go there. Good luck. It's not there any more. So I hear your lieutenant's a real nut buster. Ugh! No one talks about the lieutenant that way. He saved my life. Mine, too. Same for me. Me, too. Well, sounds like he's quite a guy. Who do you think saved your ass? Standby. Attention on deck. STRIDENT MUSIC This is for you new people. I only have one rule. Everyone fights, no one quits. You don't do your job, I'll shoot you. You get me? ALL: We get you, sir. Welcome to the Roughecks. Rasczak's Roughnecks. ALL: Huh! At ease. Listen up. Got a new Sky Marshal and a new battle plan. We're going to clean out the system's outlying Klendathu one planet at a time before we hit Tangoo Urella. After Fleet glasses the planet, MI mops up. Carry on. SCREECHES BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! ARACHNIDS SCREECH All right. Spread out. Fire teams, you locate a bug hole, nuke it. Watkins, take out Flores and Rico. Copy that. Move out. Fourth platoon, we're going for that ridge. Levy, with me. No, I'm in East Block, I'm going with Rico. Shut up and follow me. ARACNID SHRIEKS GUNFIRE HOWLS OF PAIN How do you like that, you culture-sucking sack of maggot puke?! Watkins, he's dead! Ain't much to look at after you scrape them off your boot. Bug hole. There. GUNFIRE SCREECHES Nuke 'em. Rico. YELLS: Fire in the hole. BOOM! RADIO: We're under heavy attack. Urgent M4, get over here! Move. You got a bug problem, ma'am? Oh stow it, trooper. GUNFIRE THUNDEROUS CRACK Tanker! DEEP-THROATED ROAR Oh, shit! Come on, move. MENACING SHRIEK Get down. (SCREAMS) Come on. GUNFIRE GRENADE CHIMES BOOM! ALL CHEER Come on. Call for retrieval. Medic. Nice moves. Where did you learn how to do that, soldier? Back in school, sir. Don't you remember, I was captain of the team. Rico. Sir. I need a corporal. You're it until you're dead, or until I find somebody better. Thank you, sir. All right, saddle up. Way to go, Corporal. I need a squad leader. Oh, no. No, I've been there and blew it. I'm just here to fight. What about it, Diz? Looks like I'm your girl, sir. ALL: Hoo-ha! TROOPS CHATTER LOUDLY Listen up. I expect the best. And I give the best. Here's the beer. Here's the beer. CHEERS Here's the entertainment. Here's the entertainment. CHEERS Have fun. That's an order. CHEERS PLAYS A ROLLICKING TUNE Rico. You kill bugs good. Thanks. You knew the lieutenant before the war. What was he like? He was a teacher, kind of like he knew it all. He always had this little smile. Yeah, well, he don't smile much any more. Yeah, well, I guess your bottle fills up real quick when your kids get smeared. Come on, Corporal. I don't do that any more. I remember when you used to dance. Do I have to pull rank? Excuse me, sir. Rico. You once asked me for advice. Want some now? Yes, sir. Lieutenant, HQ's on the com. Never pass up a good thing. Watkins, beer? SLOW MUSIC PLAYS So, Rico, what are you doing after the dance? What's so funny? You know, just the way things work out. We finally got together, Diz. I love you, Johnny. MAN: Rico. We're moving out. A distress call from General Owen. Get your shit wired and report in 10. Yes, sir. Who's that with you? Flores, sir. Make it 20 minutes. Yes, sir. (LAUGHS) 20 minutes. We can do it. Whiskey Outpost, do you copy? This is Roughneck 20 on tack three. Come in, please. Whiskey Outpost, this is Roughneck 20 on tack three. Any contact with General Owen? No, sir. Not even the transponder signal. It's these canyons. Go to higher ground, son. Whiskey Outpost, Whiskey Outpost, this is Roughneck 20 on... (GASPS) (SCREAMS) (AGONISED SCREAM) Soldier, your weapon. Help me! LOUD SHRIEK I'd expect anyone in this unit to do the same for me. Rico. Sir. You're Acting Sergeant. Move 'em out. You heard the Lieutenant. Saddle up. Jeez, someone really humped the bunk. Watkins. Sir. Secure this compound, police these bodies. Yes, sir. Give me three, up on the tower, now. Aye-aye. OP, there. OP, there. Tower two. Police these bodies. Phew! Stinks in there. Rico. Yes, sir. We need retrieval. This place crawls. Get Communications and an uplink. Yes, sir. Diz, check it out. Main group with me. Oh shit. Lieutenant. Dirty bugs, came in right when they were having chow. Ugh. Yeah, this is where they got in. Lieutenant, I think you're gonna want to see this. What you got, Flores? God I hate this place. What does that look like to you, Rico? Looks like a bug was in his brain, sir. They sucked his brains out. Open that. (SCREAMS) Officer on the deck. Pick up the General. SCREAMS: We better get out of here. General. Sir. Thank God for you, all of you. You're all going to be heroes, every last one of you. Close that hole. Yes, sir. I had to evade capture. The security of the Federation was at stake. Fire in the hole! I have operational knowledge of what we're up to out here. Flores, I need that uplink. I'm working on it, sir. See, they get in your mind. Look, they did it to Farley. They got into his mind. They make you do things. They made Farley call Headquarters. The distress call was a trap. They're just like us. They want to know what makes us tick. They want to know us so they can kill us. Prepare for attack. Repeat - we're gonna be attacked. Where's the retrieval? Mayday, mayday. This is Roughneck 20 to Battle Group, do you read? Oh, God. We're going to die! Don't you understand? We're all going to die. THWACK Control yourself, General. I can't, I can't. I wish you'd just shoot me. He's just a little out of his mind, sir. Bugs!! Bugs! Warm it all up, everything you got. Come on, you apes, you want to live forever? 1 SCREECHES Fire at will! GUNFIRE Incoming! Oh, oh. No. No. Argh! Rico, where's my communication? Diz, get us on the uplink. Give me a minute. We don't have a minute. DIZ: Battle Group, Roughneck 20. RADIO: Roger Young, go ahead. We're under attack, sir. But Planet P is clear. This place crawls - we need pick-up. What's your position? Come down on this transmission. The outpost, that's crazy. I hope you have a crazy pilot. Out. HIGH-PITCHED SHRIEKS GUNFIRE Lieutenant, boat coming down, sir. Fall back into the compound. Fall back. (SCREAMS) Give 'em all what you got. Running low. I'm out. I'm out. Here, make 'em count. GUNFIRE Cover fire. Fall back. Move, move, move. Fall back to the boat. GUNFIRE Agh! Oh, my God. (SCREAMS) Rico. Rico, you know what to do. Yes, sir. Do it, Rico. GUNSHOT MONSTROUS SHRIEK GULPS BOOM! (WHOOPS) Dizzy! ARACHNID GROWLS No! Ace, help me. Hold her down. Move. Get her into the boat. Come on, Diz, don't die on me. Get her out. Let's go, let's go. Let's go. Get aboard. Tower, let's go. Let's move it, tower. Come on. Lift off! (GASPS) Johnny, I'm dying. I'm dying. No, You're going to be all right, Diz. It's all right, because I got to have you. (GASPS) Johnny, don't let me go. John, John...(COUGHS) RADIO: This is Ground Control... 59 227. I think you should know, your friend Rico is back there. Get on to Com and tell Fleet to blast that rock. On whose authority, Corporal? On whose authority, Corporal? That would be mine, sir. I assume command of the mission. Roger Young, we have an official request by the Mobile Infantry to commence bombardment of Planet P. I thought you were dead. I'm not, but a lot of my troopers are. Negative on your request, Deruder. The Sky Marshal has other plans for Planet P. Welcome back. MI does the dying, Fleet just does the flying. Hold on, something's up. The Fleet's mobilised for a big operation. Attention on deck. Once somebody asked me if I knew the difference between a citizen and a civilian. I can tell you now. A citizen has the courage to make the safety of the human race their personal responsibility. Dizzy was my friend. She was a soldier. But more than that, she was a citizen of the Federation. Present arms. Order arms. Left face. Officer on deck. Carry on. Burial detail, dismissed. At ease. How are you, Carl? Carmen, good. Johnny, I'm sorry it had to be your unit on P. That mission had a very low survival probability. The bugs laid a trap for us, didn't they? Elegant proof of intelligence, isn't it? We thought there might be a brain bug on P. You knew and you sent them, anyway? We couldn't afford to launch an operation if there wasn't one. You don't approve, well, too bad. We're in this for the species. It's simple numbers. They have more and every day I have to make decisions that sends hundreds like you to their deaths. Didn't they tell you, Colonel, that's what the Mobile Infantry's good for. I hope you're ready for more. We're going back to P, to capture that brain. The Roughnecks are always ready, sir. I hear they need a new lieutenant. Want the job? I'll take it, until I get killed or you find someone better. RADIO: Attention, all personnel report to unit... Well. ...prepare for drop in 75 minutes. Take care of yourself, Johnny. Take care of yourself, Johnny. I'll see you again. 1 Officer on deck. Who are all these kids? We got reinforced. Most of them are fresh out of boot. We're the old men, Ace. This is for all you new people. I only have one rule. Everyone fights. No one quits. Don't do your job, I'll kill you myself. Do you get me? Do you get me? ALL: We get you, sir. Welcome to the Roughnecks. Rico's Roughnecks. ALL: Hoo-ah. Today we're going to pay a visit to Bug City. We're looking for a bug no one has ever seen before, some kind of smart bug. And it probably knows we're coming. Saddle up. Evasive action. Get us clear for warp, Number two. Clear in five, four... Proceeding stardrive in - five. BOOM! SCREAMS This is Roger Young, we're going down. Repeat, we're going down. Get out. Abandon ship. Come on. Go. Xander. Here. We have to get to the rescue deck. Come on. (SCREAMS) Abandon ship. That's an... She's dead, Carmen. She's dead. BOOM! Here. Follow me. Ready. BOOM! Lifeboat Bravo 63 - two aboard. Scout for a landing zone. Checking terrain. Here. Can you handle that? Piece of cake. RADIO: We've lost the Roger Young. Fleet command, we have confirmation. The Roger Young is down. Oh, Johnny. Oh...Johnny. Roger Young just burned up. It's on the rescue net. Any survivors? Well, they're getting tarred up there pretty bad. Bravo 63 - two aboard. Is anyone receiving? Affirmative. This is Roughneck 20. You're breaking up. Say again. Carmen. Say again, I'm losing you. YELLS: Carmen. Prepare for landing. In three, two, one. Fire. Carmen? Hey, you OK? Uh-huh. Get out. Get out. RADIO: This is Roughneck 20, are you receiving? Over. Johnny, is that you? Yeah, hey, it's me. What's your position and situation? We're in Bug City, 20 metres underground. Position: south 42, east 118. Situation is... I repeat, south 42, east 118. ARACHNID GROWLS Carmen. SCREECHES Situation is extremely hostile. GUNFIRE I need a squad to pull 'em out. Direction? Three clicks south by south-west. GUNFIRE SCREECHES Look out! (AGONISED SCREAM) Aargh! What do you want to do? You heard the Lieutenant. Rescue party. Third squad, come with me. Cancel that. You know as well as I do, she's already dead. Sorry, buddy. Roughnecks. Let's move. SCREECHES (SCREAMS) Argh, why don't they kill us? Argh. They want us alive. We should go this way. A Company's that way. Yeah, but Carmen's down there. I hate to be rude, buddy. Word has it she's dead. She's still alive. How do you know? I don't know how I know, but I know. Listen, you got command, but going off mission, that's a serious offence. Yeah, I think they hang you for that. Roughneck 20, proceed on mission. I need two volunteers. SCREECHES LOW GUTTURAL GROWLS One day, someone like me is going to kill you and your whole fucking race. (SCREAMS) (GROANS) SCREECHES You know what this is? Sure you do. You're some kind of big, fat smart bug, aren't you? Come on. This is Roughneck 20, brain bug sighted west of grid five. Run! GUNFIRE Give me the nuke. You trying to be a hero, Watkins? Trying to kill some bug, sir. Get out of here. Get out of here. Move. You like that? Want any more? Like that, like that, like that? Want any more? BOOM! CRASH! Come on, Carmen. CHEERS We did it! CHEERS What's going on? We got it. CHEERS GROWLS What's it thinking, Colonel? BUG GROANS It's afraid. It's afraid! It's afraid! CHEERS Carl. Carl, hey. Well, look who's here. You made it. It was you, wasn't it? You told me how to find Carmen. Well, that's classified. You know, whenever the three of us are together, I feel like things just might work out. 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 will all be over and never will we forget that this was the moment. This is when it turned. And it wasn't the mighty Fleet, it wasn't some fancy new weapon. CHEERS It was a drill instructor named Zim who captured a brain. Zim? He got him, yeah. Zim. Zim got the bug. Zim got the bug, man. Good job, Sergeant. Thank you, sir. That would be Private, sir. Carry on, Private. Yes, sir. CHEERS What mysteries will the brain bug reveal? Federal scientists are working around the clock to probe its secrets. Once we understand the bug, we will defeat it. We have the ships. We have the weapons. We need soldiers. Soldiers like Lieutenant Stack Lumbrieser... Within target area now, Captain. ...and Captain Carmen Ibanez. This is the Captain speaking. All personnel prepare for drop. Soldiers like Private Ace Levy, and Lieutenant John Rico. Come on, you apes, you want to live forever? We need you all. Service guarantees citizenship. TRIUMPHANT MUSIC SEVEN NETWORK CAPTIONING SUBTITLED AT THE SEVEN NETWORK BY: Tony Jones, Colleen Montague www.able.co.nz Captions were made with the support of NZ On Air. TVNZ Captioning 2009