Brett Greening -- War Pig

WAR PIG

EXT. DESTROYED CITY IN DESERT CANYON - SUNSET

An overhead shot treats us to the distant sun, which is settling on a jagged mountain top. The camera panning down, a puff of wind blows dust and life into a blue flag. Further down, a Vertical-Takeoff-And-Land (VTOL) vehicle is landing. The aircraft looks to be a cross between a boat and a jet, with a roofless transportation area. It is mostly a mechanical grey, but streaks of blue spray paint dot the craft. The back of the jet holds two MERCENARIES in full plate and kevlar body armour, with face masks. They disembark, making a small jump to the ground. The two begin following an enormous tank. The words “WAR PIG” are on the sides in white paint. Those two soldiers are SERGEANT ZALIS and CORPORAL EPSTEIN.

EPSTEIN

Rough ride, eh Sarge? I swear, if they keep making us ride that thing, I’m gonna get arthritis before my granny dies! And she’s old, man--Sir. Ma'am?

Zalis says nothing. Her blue helmet is turning to scan the area. The tank begins to drive off, and the two troops follow.

EPSTEIN

So what’re the parameters of the mission?

Zalis keeps her silence.

EPSTEIN

Is it Sir or Ma'am? You don’t have to be so quiet.

War Pig makes a sudden stop. The troops halt, and pull their assault rifles to eye level. Zalis bangs on the hull of the tank.

ZALIS

Captain?

There is no response. Zalis climbs up the ladder at the side, and looks at Epstein.

ZALIS

Corporal, check the area. You see anything, shoot first. Understood?

Epstein nods. While he continues his search, Zalis opens the top hatch of the tank and hops inside.

INT. TANK - LIGHT FROM CONTROL PANEL

Turning her flashlight on, she discovers that one of the floor plates is missing, exposing the bare earth, and blood covers the tank’s interior. Gunshots start to come from outside. Startled, she leans over on the command console and turns the autopilot for the tank on.

EXT. DESERT CANYON - SUNSET

Zalis crawls out through the hole in the bottom. She sees a MAN IN RAGS dragging the pilot’s corpse away. She fires a single bullet, he drops dead. Zalis rolls out from under the tank and next to Epstein. MEN IN CAMOUFLAGE are shooting at them from atop the hills which surround them. The tank springs online, and begins shooting 50- millimeter grenades at the rag men. Some of the men begin to shoot rockets at the tank. One hits, blowing off a chunk of armour which sends a piece of shrapnel into the back of Epstein’s neck. Zalis pushes him under the tank. Another rocket hits, and the tank’s lights dim but come back strong. Epstein fires from the ground, hitting the last man, and the fighting is concluded. Zalis checks on her comrade.

ZALIS

Corporal!

EPSTEIN

(He coughs blood, struggling to takes his helmet off)

I didn’t forget what we were doing.

ZALIS

I know. I could put you in the tank, and send it back home, but I don’t know how long it’ll take...

EPSTEIN

I won’t make it. We both know that. But I’ve got a present for you, Sergeant.

He points towards a lone ragged man running into the distance.

ZALIS

Paul, don’t call me that. It’s Ma'am.

(She notices the man)

Missed one.

Zalis raises her rifle. Epstein puts his hand on the barrel.

EPSTEIN

Where do you think he’s going?

Zalis lowers her weapon.

EPSTEIN

Now, get out of here, Ma’am. The rags’ll be coming back any minute.

ZALIS

You know I can’t take you, but leaving you here means leaving you to them.

EPSTEIN

Better to go out with a bang, right? I can distract them, but make sure you get inside their home. Set it off. Burn it to the ground.

Zalis pulls out a handgun and puts the barrel to Epstein’s head, then spins the gun and hands it to him. She grabs onto War Pig’s side ladder, and it drives off, with a gigantic NUCLEAR BOMB strapped to the back. Camera pans back to see a DETONATOR in Epstein’s hand, illuminated. The ragged men come back over the hills. Epstein cocks his gun. Cut to black. Roll credits.