FINAL FANTASY

CRY OF THE PLANET
 

Character Listing for Part 12

 

CLOUD STRIFE

BARRET WALLACE

TIFA LOCKHEART

AERIS GAINSBOROUGH

RED XIII / NANAKI

YUFFIE KISARGI

CAIT SITH

CID HIGHWIND

RUFUS

HEIDEGGER

PALMER

 

GAUTHIER

YEAGER

RADIO OPERATOR

PILOT #1

PILOT #2

CREW #1

CREW #2

CREW #3

MISSION CONTROL (VO)

WUTAI CAPTAIN

ROCKET TOWN BARTENDER

 

SHERA

SANTOS

GODO

GORKI

YUFFIE KISARGI (AGE 5)

PRESIDENT SHINRA

 

Set Listing for Part 12

 

Interiors

 

HANGER

CID’S PLANE

GAUTHIER’S PLANE

CID’S HOME - MAIN ROOM

WUTAI - UNDERGROUND DEFENSE STATION

WUTAI - SHOP

TOWER OF TRIALS - GODO’S CHAMBER

SHINRA TOWER - PRESIDENT’S OFFICE

ROCKET TOWN - BAR

ROCKET - COCKPIT

ROCKET - OXYGEN BAY

 

Exteriors

 

AIRFIELD - SHINRA AIRBASE

WUTAI - STREETS

MOUNT NIBEL - BRIDGE

OPEN WORLD - MOUNT NIBEL

SKY

SHINRA TOWER - HELIPAD

ROCKET TOWN - STREETS

ROCKET TOWN - LAUNCH CENTER

ROCKET - MAINTENANCE PLATFORM

ROCKET - BASE
 

Part 12: The Captain

 

EXT. AIRFIELD - SHINRA AIRBASE - DUSK - FLASHBACK

 

The sky is a HAZY BLUE some semi-thick clouds COVER up the sun. It has just stopped raining and lingering the sky are nearly 30 BATTLE PLANES, all of which are onward toward their target.

 

PAN DOWN to the wet MUD that is now the ground. A FOOT is a dark brown BOOT stomps in it, splashing water and shifting the mud.

 

PAN UP the foot to see a PILOT dressed in uniform. The pilot is clean shaven male with dirty blonde hair. He has an un-lit CIGARETTE in his mouth and a blue SACK over his shoulder. The young charismatic pilot is, CID HIGHWIND.

 

We follow Cid as he walks to his PLANE. He opens the cockpit and throws his stuff inside.

 

PILOT (OS)

Hey Cid!

 

Cid turns around and sees one of his fellow pilots, GAUTHIER walking towards him.

 

GAUTHIER

I wanted to catch ya before you left.

 

CID

(taking the cigarette out of his mouth)

Got a light?

 

GAUTHIER

Sure.

 

Gauthier digs in his pockets and pulls out a BRASS LIGHTER and TOSSES it Cid.

 

CID

(catching the lighter)

Thanks.

 

He LIGHTS his cigarette and tosses the lighter back to him. A beat; then

 

CID

Well?

 

GAUTHIER

I just wanted to wish you luck.

 

CID

Thanks, but I won’t be needing it.

 

He turns around and continues unpacking EQUIPMENT from inside his sack. Gauthier watches. A few beats; then

 

GAUTHIER

You know, a lot of the guys look up to you.

 

CID

(with his back turned)

That’s because I am the best.

 

GAUTHIER

Yes you are which is why you don’t have to worry.

 

Cid turns around to face him.

 

CID

You’re afraid that you’re not coming back from this thing are you?

 

GAUTHIER

Honestly, I don’t think any of us are coming back. Didn’t you read the intelligence reports?

 

CID

Don’t need to. I don’t care about any intelligence reports. My job aint to think, it’s to fly.

 

GAUTHIER

This is a suicide mission, with all due respect. We’re flying into Wutai airspace when they have stockpiles of anti-aircraft artillery.

 

CID

I’ve faced worse situations.

 

Cid empties the final piece of EQUIPMENT from his sack and pulls out a PISTOL. He loads a fresh CLIP in it and holsters the gun on his belt.

 

GAUTHIER

Word is that they were stocked by our competitors. They know our weakness.

 

CID

You want my advice?

 

Gauthier nods.

 

CID

(CONT’D)

Don’t think...just fly. It’s our mission and a mission is damn near the only certain thing in life.

 

GAUTHIER

You’re saying the mission gives us purpose?

 

CID

That’s exactly what I’m saying.

 

They are interrupted by their Commander-in-Chief, PRESIDENT SHINRA as he speaks with a megaphone.

 

PRESIDENT SHINRA (OS)

Soldiers of Shinra, may I have your attention?

 

All the grounded pilots stop what they’re doing and look up at President Shinra, who is standing on an ELEVATED SCAFFOLD over viewing the whole airfield.

 

A beat; then

 

PRESIDENT SHINRA

(through megaphone)

Today is the day you march into battle! You fight those you threaten us and our way of life.

 

A beat.

 

PRESIDENT SHINRA

(CONT’D)

Our enemy is across the ocean...an ocean that was once a gateway to peace has now become a highway for death and destruction! Shinra has worked for years to unite the world. All have been cooperative except one. That ‘one’ is our enemy. That ‘one’ thought it honorable to declare war on us! If they want war, then they will get it from the best...Shinra!

 

The pilots all CHEER. We focus on Cid, who isn’t cheering. Instead he leans against his plane smoking his cigarette.

 

PRESIDENT SHINRA

(CONT’D)

As I look at the men in front of me, I do not see soldiers or pilots. No. Instead I see men. And though wars may be fought with weapons...they are won by men.

 

A beat.

 

PRESIDENT SHINRA

(CONT’D)

All I was trying to do was reach a greater peace with the world. Our enemy refused! That is when it dawned on me, if you want peace...you must prepare for war. Because the only peace that has ever existed has come from war!

 

The pilots cheer again.

 

PRESIDENT SHINRA

(over all the cheering)

May the power of Ancients guide you on your mission! Good luck!

 

President Shinra steps down from the scaffold while all the pilots start getting in their planes.

 

CID - GAUTHIER

 

Cid calmly starts to get inside the cockpit of his plane, where as Gauthier is extremely hyped.

 

GAUTHIER

Hey Cid.

 

CID

(inside his plane)

Yeah?

 

GAUTHIER

I’ll see ya on the other side.

 

Cid nods and the pilot excitedly run off towards his plane.

 

INT. CID’S PLANE - DUSK - FLASHBACK

 

Cid shuts and locks the cockpit. He sits there briefly and stares a PICTURE he had placed there earlier. The picture is that of an open FIELD at NIGHT with the STARS in the sky.

 

Cid sighs and STARTS the plane’s engines.

 

EXT. AIRFIELD - SHINRA AIRBASE - DUSK - FLASHBACK

 

We watch as Cid’s plane slowly starts to move into the traffic of planes. He looks to the right and sees Gauthier inside of his plane. Gauthier gives Cid a THUMBS UP. Cid nods and pulls out onto the RUNWAY.

 

EXT. SKY - DUSK - FLASHBACK

 

We see nearly 40 planes in air all in a cluster formation.

 

INT. CID’S PLANE - DUSK - FLASHBACK

 

Cid pulls down his GOGGLES and grabs the steering stick inside his plane. He then presses the intercom button on the counsel in front of him.

 

 

 

CID

(to the other pilots)

This is Warbird One.

 

PILOT #1 (VO)

(through intercom)

Roger, Warbird One. This is Warbird Three.

 

CID

(to the pilots)

Get in your formations. I want the gunners in front and the bombers in back. Over.

 

PILOT #1 (VO)

(through intercom)

I copy, Warbird One.

(to other pilots)

You heard the Captain, boys. Let’s get to ready to smoke some of those Wutai bastards.

 

GAUTHIER (VO)

(through intercom)

I’m ready and waiting, sir. Over.

 

CID

(into intercom)

Don’t get cocky. We got work to do. Let’s do it.

 

EXT. SKY - DUSK - FLASHBACK

 

We see the plane form into groups of five, two gunner planes in the front, two gunner planes in the back, and one bomber plane in the center.

 

CID (VO)

(through intercom)

Just ride steady, boys. Wait for my orders.

 

PILOT #1 (VO)

(through intercom)

Roger that, Warbird One.

 

EXT. WUTAI - DUSK - FLASHBACK

 

TRANSITION SHOT of Wutai.

 

It is a beautiful village surrounded by tan mountains. The mountains have the Wutai gods carved in them. The architecture is oriental and a clear river runs through the village.

 

INT. WUTAI - UNDERGROUND DEFENSE STATION - DUSK - FLASHBACK

 

Numerous Wutai VILLAGERS are in the underground defense center, each of them checking various things. In control is GORKI a tall man with Asian features and firstborn son of Godo.

 

As Gorki stands staring at the workers, one of the RADIO OPERATORS gets a strange look on his face as he listens through HEADPHONES.

 

The radio operator SHOOTS himself up and runs over to Gorki. He has important and vital news.

 

RADIO OPERATOR

(out of breath)

Commander, Gorki...

 

GORKI

What is it?

 

RADIO OPERATOR

They’re coming!

 

GORKI

(worried)

Who?

 

RADIO OPERATOR

Shinra has a fleet of planes coming in.

 

GORKI

Shit! How big?

 

RADIO OPERATOR

They’re looking to end the war right here, sir.

 

GORKI

You are sure about this?

 

 

RADIO OPERATOR

Yes, sir. Our ground spies spotted them.

 

GORKI

How long until they get here.

 

RADIO OPERATOR

(shaking his head)

Ten...twenty minutes tops.

 

GORKI

Sound the alarm. I want all soldiers to arms and the women and children hiding.

 

RADIO OPERATOR

Yes, sir.

 

GORKI

I’m going to warn my father.

 

Gorki storms out of the room. Meanwhile the radio operator runs over to a counsel and presses a LARGE RED BUTTON. The loud ALARM goes off.

 

EXT. WUTAI - DUSK - FLASHBACK

 

The BUZZING ALARM echoes throughout the town. We see women grabbing their children and running inside as well as WUTAI SOLDIERS running out and taking position.

 

INT. TOWER OF TRIALS - GODO’S CHAMBER - DUSK - FLASHBACK

 

Gorki BURSTS into Godo’s chamber in the Tower of Trials. Two WUTAI SOLDIERS stand guarding Godo.

 

GORKI

Father, you must hide!

 

GODO

Why has the alarm been tripped? Is Shinra coming?

 

GORKI

(nodding)

A huge fleet, father. I am unsure if we can survive this one.

 

GODO

We must try.

 

GORKI

(nodding)

I understand your decision. What of the family?

 

GODO

Take Staniv and Yuffie with you. I will take Chekov.

 

GORKI

All due respect, I wish to fight.

 

GODO

I will not allow my family to be sacrificed in this war. You will hide, my son.

 

GORKI

No. So many families have already been sacrificed. Those were families better than ours. I will fight.

 

Godo sighs.

 

GODO

Very well, son. May the gods protect you while you fight.

 

Gorki bows and leaves the chamber. Godo stands up and the two guards escort him through a BACK DOOR.

 

EXT. SKY - DUSK - FLASHBACK

 

PLANE’S POV: We see the plane’s cut through the clouds. As the final cloud is passed we see a bird’s eye view of Wutai.

 

INT. CID’S PLANE - DUSK - FLASHBACK

 

Cid looks outside and sees Wutai down below.

 

CID

(into intercom)

There they are, boys. Fire on my order.

 

GAUTHIER (VO)

(through intercom)

Wait!

 

INT. GAUTHIER’S PLANE - DUSK - FLASHBACK

 

Gauthier looks out from his plane at Wutai. He jaw is dropped.

 

CID (VO)

(through the intercom)

Warbird Six, what’s the problem?

 

GAUTHIER

(into the intercom)

Where’s their artillery!?

 

CID (VO)

(through the intercom)

Fuck the artillery! We got a mission to do!

 

CUT TO:

 

INT. CID’S PLANE - DUSK - FLASHBACK

 

GAUTHIER (VO)

(through the intercom)

No! I am not killing innocent people over false intelligence.

 

CID

(into the intercom)

Dammit, Gauthier!

 

GAUTHIER (VO)

(through the intercom)

I won’t fire a single round! Not until I’m threatened!

 

Cid SLAMS fist against the wall of the cockpit in anger.

 

CID

(into the intercom)

Warbird Six, you will follow orders or be Court Marshaled by Shinra.

 

GAUTHIER (VO)

(through the intercom)

Let them do to me as they will. They lied. There are no fucking stockpiles!

(to his fleet)

Fleet, this is your commander Warbird Six, I am ordering you to turn around.

 

CID

(into the intercom)

Gauthier, don’t do this to me!

 

CUT TO:

 

INT. GAUTHIER’S PLANE - DUSK - FLASHBACK

 

GAUTHIER

(into the intercom)

I’m sorry, Cid. I won’t be pawn in massacre like you’re about to do.

 

A beat.

 

GAUTHIER

(to his fleet)

Fleet, I’m ordering you to pull back.

 

CUT TO:

 

INT. CID’S PANE - DUSK - FLASHBACK

 

CID

(angry; into the intercom)

Gauthier, you will abort that order!

 

PILOT #1 (VO)

(through the intercom)

We’re closing in on Wutai, sir.

 

GAUTHIER (VO)

(through the intercom)

I don’t answer to you anymore, Captain. I thought you were a man of morals. There are no anti-aircraft stockpiles down there. Shinra lied to us!

 

Cid sighs.

 

CID

(to Gauthier)

You’re forcing me to make a very bad decision, Gauthier. I’ll ask you one last time to abort that order.

 

A beat...No answer.

 

CID

Gauthier?

 

PILOT #1 (VO)

(through the intercom)

He’s disabled his intercom, sir.

 

CID

Fuck!

 

EXT. SKY - DUSK - FLASHBACK

 

We see Gauthier and his fleet start to turn around. Meanwhile Cid’s plane breaks away from his formation.

 

INT. CID’S PLANE - DUSK - FLASHBACK

 

PILOT #1 (VO)

(through the intercom)

Sir, what are you doing?

 

CID

(into the intercom)

I’m stopping Gauthier.