 
# The War Journals: Resistance

by

Cory McCoy

3605194506

corylmccoy at gmail

Published by Cory McCoy at Smashwords

Copyright 2013 Cory McCoy
The War Journals: Resistance

by Cory McCoy

V.O. CONNOR

And In the Beginning There was Death...

(pause)

We aren't always given a choice where our path in life takes us, we just have to hope for the best and pray that God equipped us to handle the worst.

My involvement in this conflict began in the shadows of the cascade mountains.

It seems like a century has passed since the war began, still no one fully believes life will one day be better. The hardships have become a way of life. Constantly on the run, always hiding. What happened to that paradise we had hoped our children would grow up in? May 23rd, was the day God abandoned America.

I believe it was Santayana who said, "Those who do not remember their past are condemned to repeat their mistakes|. And so the historians urge us to tell our stories. These professors think that by chronicling our accounts of the war, that we will somehow instill hope in the generations to come.

I have witnessed more deaths than any man can comprehend, taken enough lives to ensure my place in hell. I am responsible for more dead from both sides than any man would dare to claim. In their naivety, these historians believe that my accounts of the conflict may have the power to shape the outcome of this war in our favor.

My name is Connor Jeffries. This is my account of the darkest days our world has ever known. This is the story of our Resistance.

Interior, large department store. A man and a woman are buying alcohol for a party. The man, Connor, is loading the shopping cart with beer.

Liz

But I only have one blender, and you have 10 cases of beer! I need at least three more to keep up

Connor

Well they're only, what, ten dollars here? They've got everything, I bet you could even buy a kid.

Liz

Oh in that case, I'll just have the kid make the drinks. What aisle are indentured servants on?

Connor

Hell if I know, they don't even have aisle numbers here, let's check over by the...

We hear a burst of gunfire In the distance CONNOR stops mid-sentence. He has a beer bottle in his hand.

Connor

Someone's shooting, we need to find some cover.

As CONNOR turns to look for cover, we see a small man in combat gear armed to the teeth coming at the pair. Shots are ringing out everywhere, the store has turned into a battlefield. As the soldier trains his assault rifle on CONNOR and LIZ, CONNOR flings the beer bottle hard at his head. As the shooter staggers back, CONNOR boots him in the ribs knocking him off his feet. There is a sickening crunch, the sound of a few broken ribs. As the shooter writhes, clutching his chest, CONNOR yanks off his helmet, viciously slamming his head into the concrete. We can tell that the shooter is now dead.

A second soldier has heard the frantic screaming and comes running, yelling something in Chinese. CONNOR takes the dead man's rifle as he gets up from the floor. As the second gunman rounds the corner, CONNOR takes him out with one shot.

CONNOR now attempts to survey the situation. People are trying to run and being shot down everywhere we look. They are being massacred by a team of highly trained professionals, dressred like a SWAT team or tactical unit.

CONNOR spots an office by the automotive section, about 60-70 yards away. They will have to run through the open clothing area to get to it.

Connor

I need you to listen, I'm going to get you somewhere safe. You have to trust me and do exactly what I tell you.

LIZ looks terrified, she has no idea what is happening. CONNOR strips the dead man's body armor and puts it on LIZ. The other gunman was too far away to get to, so CONNOR has no kevlar. He takes the first shooter's weapons. Two 9mm pistols, a knife, and a strip of grenades.

CONNOR aims at the shooter's head and realizes he has already killed him. There is a large pool of blood on the floor. CONNOR then takes the man's radio and hands LIZ one of the pistols.

Connor

Take it. If someone comes at you, you shoot them in the head. Don't hesitate. Just pull the trigger, ok?

LIZ

Connor, I'm scared. What the hell is happening?

CONNOR

I don't know, but they're not going to let anyone live to find out. I need you to keep your head down, don't stop moving no matter what. Even if they shoot me, you keep going. We're headed to that office, It'll be safer there. Don't look up just run as fast as you can, ok?

CONNOR shoulders the rifle and grabbed a belt of grenades.

The sixty yards feel like they're crossing the Atlantic Ocean. Time seems to be moving more slowly as bullets and explosions go off around them.

As we start to move across the store it becomes apparent that the gunmen are there for something specific, not just to kill people. We see that the lights are still on and the power has not been cut.

About half way to their destination CONNOR and LIZ begin drawing fire from their right. At least three men have spotted them.

CONNOR

Keep moving!

CONNOR pulls his rifle up to retaliate, hitting one and leaving the others sprawling for cover. CONNOR and LIZ are about 10 yards from the office when a gunman turns the corner, cutting them off. CONNOR is running too fast to stop in time or get his rifle up.

It looks like CONNOR is done for, suddenly a huge man (JIM) rounds the same corner and sends the shooter sprawling with a vicious blow to the head from a baseball bat. CONNOR has dropped into a half slide and slams into the counter. LIZ pulls CONNOR to his feet and walks into the office, thinking CONNOR is following.

Connor

I've got to try and stop this, everyone here is going to die if we don't try something.

LIZ

Connor, you can't just-

CONNOR slams the door shut before LIZ can dissaude him. There is a moment's reprieve in the chaos. CONNOR sizes up the man who just saved his life. The man is huge, he towers above CONNOR. He is well dressed, ethnicity is not as important as his size.

Connor

What's your name?

CONNOR takes the rifle from the dead gunman and hands it to the large man.

Jim

Jim. Listen man, my boy is out there somewhere. He ran off to look at toys before the shooting started. You've got to help me find him.

Connor

Got any combat experience Jim?

CONNOR is stripping the dead gunman of anything useful, he hands JIM a few clips. CONNOR straps on the kevlar.

Jim

No, none. I know my way around a gun though.

Connor

Good, because these guys want us all dead and you and I are the only ones standing in their way. Something big is going down here, it's like they're trying to secure this place.

As connor looks out the door, we follow his gaze before transitioning to seeing an overhead view of the store and its parking lot. There are dozens of soldiers, their parachutes left on cars where they landed. Patrols are shooting anyone who tries to get in or out.

Connor

My phone can't get a signal, what about you?

Jim

No, it stopped working right after we got here. I tried to call my son, but it wouldn't go through.

Connor

I've got a plan, well more like the seed of a plan. These guys are speaking some kind of oriental dialect, so we have no way of telling what they are saying or if they've located our positions. They can communicate, but we can't. We need to block their radio like they're doing to our phones.

Jim

How the hell are we going to do that?

Connor

See that counter over by the stereos? We're going to lock down the talk button and open up the store's intercom. While I set that up, you're going to turn up those radios as loud as you can on one of the rock stations.

JIM gives CONNOR an incredulous look.

Connor

What? I never said it was a good plan.

Jim

Those little bastards won't know what the hell is happening. Let's do this, boss man.

The counter is about 15 yards away, but there are open aisles on the way to it. CONNOR and JIM have no way of telling if someone is waiting down one of them.

Connor

Run like hell Jim. Don't stop for anything.

As they make a break for the counter, shots ring out a few aisles down, but the pair keep moving. Both men dive over the counter to cover themselves in case one of the gunmen had followed.

TOM

Wh-what in the hell is happening?

A little old man is already hiding behind the counter. He is wearing one of those obnoxious vests with the big thumbs up on the back, indicating he works at the store. His name tag reads TOM.

Connor

Looks to me like a couple dozen little bastards are trying to kill everyone here. You're gonna have to help me out Tom. I need you to turn on that PA for me, we're going to fuck with their heads so we can try to secure the store and save as many people as possible. Oh, and I need a map of the store, do you have one?

TOM nods, he seems terrified by the prospect of drawing the enemies out. TOM frantically searchs through binders under the counter for a marketing schematic, meanwhile CONNOR is securing the phone for the PA using a zip tie he finds under the counter to attach it to the radios.

JIM has set the radios, we hear them blaring in the background. CONNOR takes a quick glance at the map before signalling TOM to turn on the PA.

Radios are blaring over the PA as CONNOR and JIM set off. They are under heavy fire for much of the the way until the gunmen seemed to break off, chasing someone. Seconds later an explosion knocks an entire aisle over just yards away from them.

We hear someone yelling over the music.

Jesse

Come on mother fuckers, I've got more where that came from

We spot JESSE running toward CONNOR and JIM. He is about sixteen, of medium height and mexican/japanese heritage. He is bouncing off of shelves, hopping from one side of the aisle to another like some kind of rabbit on crack.

JESSE's action scenes involve a significant amount of parkour.

Jesse

Hey you guys! HEY, you guys must be the ones taking those fuckers out!

CONNOR grabs JESSE and yanks him into the relative safety of the aisle they're in. Another is leaning over onto it, forming a tent of sorts. CONNOR is visibly angry.

Connor

Are you insane? They're going to swarm us because of that shit, use the gun for Christ's sake.

I don't know how man, my only gun training is on call of duty.

JESSE looks pretty sheepish for a man covered in grenades.

Connor

Come on kid, we need all the help we can get. How many do you think you took out just now?

Jesse

I don't know, the bitches were all over me after I grabbed the grenades off one of the dudes when he wasn't looking. I was hiding in a clothes rack and I jumped out and grabbed 'em. I was like "YOINK!" I hauled ass after that.

Connor

Did you see anything while you were hiding kid? I need an idea of what we're up against.

Jesse

Quit calling me kid, my name is Jesse! I could see the front of the store, there were 6 or 7 by the doors and checkouts. Bodies were everywhere. They killed my mom when we were in line.

JESSE begins sobbing, he is fighting to hold back tears. CONNOR's expression softens.

Connor

You're right, you've killed a man, you aren't a kid anymore.

CONNOR surveys the situation as well as he can from their hiding spot.

Connor

Your mom would be damn proud of you right now. You're a hero Jesse. Listen we need to move, we're headed toward the kid's section. Jim here, his son was supposed to be over there, we need to find him.

The trio begin start to move again. They are heading toward the toy area, which is adjacent to the Outdoor Living. There are guards posted at the exits nearby in case anyone tries to leave through the side doors. The trio stop where the aisles open onto the main alley way. The alley is 10-15 feet across, it is a veritable shooting range.

As CONNOR peers around the corner, a gunman sees him and fires. CONNOR jumps back, almost knocking JIM over. CONNOR turns to tell them to get ready, but JESSE is gone.

Connor

Looks like it's just you and me again Jim, we need to make a break for it. I'll open up on our left you take the right. We only need to cover 10 feet or so and we're across.

Before they can move, we hear a series of explosions toward the outdoor living area. We see JESSE sprinting away down a side aisle, lobbing grenades behind him.

CONNOR and JIM take advantage of the momentary distraction and make a mad dash for the other side. The gunman who had fired is running toward the explosions. He spots CONNOR and tries to start firing, but CONNOR tackles him. CONNOR and the gunman slam into the far side of the aisle. The impact winds CONNOR. As they fall to the floor, Jim clocks gunman with the butt of his rifle and then takes aim as he sprawls out on the floor.

Connor

Don't shoot him!

(Connor is struggling for breath.)

Jim

The fuck do you mean don't shoot him? He'll kill us if we don't kill him first.

CONNOR

I know, I know. Hear me out. China has more English speakers than there are Americans. There's a damn good chance this fucker can understand us, if they really are Chinese.

CONNOR rips the ski mask off gunman's face. The gunman is clearly Chinese.

CONNOR

English motherfucker, do you speak it?

CONNOR turns to JIM

Connor

I've always wanted to say that.

We hear explosions in the background. The sprinkler systems start to go off. CONNOR is struggling with the gunman, trying to get him to talk. The gunman spits in CONNOR's face. CONNOR drags the gunman a few feet back, into a corner.

Connor

Do you understand this, asshole?

CONNOR grabs his sidearm and fires a round into his thigh. The gunman screams and cluttches the wound.

GUNMAN

YES! yes! Please don't shoot me again. I tell anything, anything. I promise

Connor

How many are with you and what the hell are you planning?

We hear the GUNMAN in the background as we see glimpses of the forces he is describing to CONNOR. They were Chinese, but they had no idea where they were. Their orders were simple, they would be dropping from a commercial flight passing overhead and taking over the store once they landed in the parking lot. Meanwhile, others who had already been stationed in the U.S. waiting for the attack, had knocked over large trucks in front of the only exits. They had jeeps ready inside a semi as well as a mobile command center disguised as a delivery truck out back.

To avoid detection the Chinese had booked multiple flights, through Air Beijing, headed for major airports with their own soldiers. The PLA flew additional planes only a few hundred feet below the others to avoid radar. There was no indication our government even suspected an attack. CONNOR et al., had killed about a dozen already, which left another twelve to fourteen by various entrances. The soldiers broke position when JESSE had started throwing grenades. They were under strict orders to do as little damage to the store as possible. With it's proximity to the highway and airport, this was to become their base of operations in the area.

GUNMAN

We destroyed all of your army bas-

Another soldier shoots the gunman before he can finish. Jim had been busy with two trying to lock them down and hadn't seen the soldier coming from the other side. CONNOR falls sideways and opens fire on him. He takes the soldier down, but is shot in the left shoulder.

As CONNOR is shooting, background noise should be reduced almost to a silence to let the audience know that the soldiers have taken out the PA system and turned off the sprinklers.

CONNOR

Come on, it's now or never.

CONNOR and JIM begin firing on the two who had distracted JIM previously.

JIM

These guys must be regular grunts, they aren't exactly expert marksmen.

CONNOR

If these are the grunts than where the hell did they send the special forces?

As CONNOR and JIM round a corner toward the bicycles aisle, we notice a pool of blood on the floor near some large boxes. JIM frantically knocks the boxes out of the way, hoping it wasn't his son.

JIM

No, no, no, no, not him! It can't be...

Jim weeps as he holds his dead son in his arms.

CONNOR

I'm sorry Jim, I am so sorry.

(CONNOR looks stunned)

We're gonna get these bastards back. I'll kill every god damn one of them.

Without a word Jim stands up and begins running toward the outdoor area's doors. He had snapped. The man was built like an ox and was drawing heavy fire. He seems to have been hit multiple times, but he does not stop. CONNOR follows JIM across the wet floor as well as he can. CONNOR is taking out the soldiers before they can kill him or JIM.

in the distance, We see what jim is running toward. He has spotted a truck offloading munitions. The truck looks packed, with only a dozen or so crates offloaded. Two men are unloading while a third guards them.

The guard sees JIM and tries to start firing. CONNOR has a line on the guard and takes him out before he could raise his gun. CONNOR keeps firing and hits the unloader nearest the guard.

CONNOR is sprinting furiously, trying to catch JIM. Jesse has seen the commotion and is drawing others in the opposite direction, we hear fighting coming from that way as well.

CONNOR reaches out to grab JIM, who is running headfirst into an unloader's muzzle. CONNOR's feet come out from under him just as he grabs JIM's shirt. CONNOR hits his head hard on the painted concrete floor, losing his grip on JIM as he falls. CONNOR is momentarily dazed.

As CONNOR pulls himself up, we see that he had slipped on a handful of grenade pins strewn across the slick floor. CONNOR flings himself around a corner for cover.

JIM, still running, pulls his pistol and shoots the unloader in the stomach. We see a look of horror on the unloader's face as JIM barrels past, swatting him out of the way. JIM reaches the ramp and throws himself into the trailer full of munitions.

from the parking lot, we get a view of the massive explosion. CONNOR is bunched up with his hands covering his ears as the explosion tears past. We then track up the main alley to the front where jesse has led the soldiers into a fire fight with a few of the living customers. For a moment everyone stops.

As CONNOR regains conciousness, he is pulled to his feet. CONNOR reaches for his pistol, but it is not there. A disoriented CONNOR looks up and sees Jesse and a half dozen more people. They all have weapons and most are covered in blood.

JESSE

Whoa, cool it General!

JESSE surveys the situation.

JESSE

What the hell happened back here?

CONNOR

We found his son. When Jim saw that the boy was dead he snapped and made a beeline for a supply truck they were unloading. I tried to catch him, but the floor was wet. I slipped on grenade pins. The blast damn near brought this whole place down. Who the fuck are these people?

JESSE

They were hiding near the front of the store when I ran those bastards up there. They saw me and came out to help. I threw this guy the gun since I didn't know what to do with it. Dude was taking them out like it was halo!

Jesse points to a gruff looking man in his early fifties or so.

MCDONNELL is in his late fourties to early fifties with peppered hair. He is very gruff.

MCDONNELL

Staff Sgt McDonnell. You a marine, son?

CONNOR

Semper Fi. Corporal Jeffries, 1st Recon.

MCDONNELL

Good man. You probably saved us all today.

CONNOR

Well sir, today ain't over yet. We need to move. I managed to get some intel out of one of them before the explosion.

CONNOR walks over to the rubble where the truck had been and starts looking around for salvageable weapons.

CONNOR

Anyone else here a vet?

Silence.

CONNOR

Ok, guess not. How many of you can handle a weapon?

All but one of the men respond eagerly.

CONNOR

Alright, look through the crates and on those bodies and find a few guns each. Don't forget extra clips. You'll need 'em before the day is through.

JESSE

Well shit, there cant be more than 2 or 3 left. We've taken out at least two dozen. We've got these fuckers.

MCDONNELL

Slow it down a bit son. It's only a matter of time before they send more in, those two boys we left up front can't hold them off forever.

Employee 1

I've got keys to the lift in the back. We can get it and block the front doors until we figure out what to do.

McDONNEll

Go get it, I'll stay here and see if we can salvage some heavy artillery from the truck.

CONNOR

Alright, you two with me. Jesse you too. After we get the lift, I'm going back for my girlfriend. She's holed up in an office near the back.

CONNOR, JESSE and the two employees move cautiously toward the service doors near the back of the store. They are tense, knowing the remaining soldiers will be waiting for them. CONNOR is looking around for a better route.

Connor

We can't just bust through the doors, they'll pick us off if we do

EMPLOYEE 1

Over here, there's a crawlspace through the tv displays that we can go through. It's dusty but they probably didn't even see it. It comes out behind some boxes.

CONNOR goes through first. We follow him and see that the boxes provide enough cover to get into the warehouse. Using the spotting mirrors, CONNOR sees at least three soldiers. Two are stacking pallets to block the receiving doors and the other is guarding the nearby doors that they almost ran right through.

CONNOR turns to EMPLOYEE 1 and silently gives him directions to get into position. EMPLOYEE 1 quietly climbs the warehouse racks and gets into position to get a clear shot on the man guarding the door. CONNOR sneaks around the rear. On CONNOR's signal EMPLOYEE 1 shoots at the guard. He wasn't as good of a shot as he thought, it takes him half a clip to kill the soldier. CONNOR calmly waits behind the steel rack, biding his time. As the other two soldiers come around the corner CONNOR steps out. They begin backpedaling, forgetting to grab for their guns. CONNOR shoots them both in the head, with his assault rifle, from so close it lifts them off of their feet.

CONNOR

Alright, we're clear. Jesse, after we get LIZ I want you to head up front and see if you can figure out what's going on outside.

As CONNOR is heading back to where he left LIZ, we hear gunshots. CONNOR starts sprinting, only to see a gunman firing at the door of the office LIZ is hiding in. JESSE and the 2nd Employee are following him.

The gunman turns and trains his gun on the three. His first shot kills the Employee. Jesse breaks off to the side to try and help him, sliding on his knees. CONNOR is now alone running head first toward the business end of his rifle. CONNOR is less than ten yards away and moving too fast to pull up his own gun.

We hear a shot. The gunman slumps to the ground. LIZ is standing in the office door shaking. She had taken him out.

CONNOR has too much momentum to stop, he slams into the counter and falls to the ground. We look up from CONNOR's dazed POV to find that she hadn't been alone. There were four others in the office with her. Three kids and a lady, who is bawling while holding the children for dear life.

LIZ

Thank god, its you. I was starting to think you'd never come back.

CONNOR is still on the ground by the counter. He leans back against it, clutching his ribs.

CONNOR

It's ok. I think that was all of them. I sure as fuck hope so anyway. I'm getting really sick of this counter.

LIZ

You're bleeding! What happened?

CONNOR

It's ok, a bullet just grazed me. It didn't know who it was fucking with. I'll be fine, but we need to get everyone to a safe spot.

MOTHER

Where are we going? I don't understand

CONNOR

Yeah, that makes two of us lady.

We're securing the front entrance and the outdoor area, we've got a lift to block the doors. I'd guess there are probably fifty men outside, I think they're setting up a some kind of base here.

The MOTHER walks over to a small window that gives a view of the auto bay. She seems to be in shock. Her voice is emotionless.

Mother

They ran off. They all started shooting and running off earlier, when that one came in. He saw the girls at the door and was going to kill them, but there was an explosion and they all went running that way.

CONNOR tries to make out what is happening outside, but they had closed the bays. Through the narrow service window it looks like there is a fire fight going on. They seem to be distracted for the time being. CONNOR grabs a phone and turns on the PA

CONNOR

Attention Mega Mart shoppers. We seem to be under attack by a force of Chinese soldiers. Do not attempt to leave the building or you will be killed. We have secured most of the store and neutralized most of the fighters inside. Please proceed to the outdoor living area in an orderly fashion. Be careful, there may be more gunman hiding. And as always, thank you for shopping at Mega Mart

The little girls are giggling.

CHILD

Mommy, I wanna talk on the thingy.

Their mother starts scooting them toward Jesse, who is waiting to help escort them back.

CONNOR

Come on hun, I've got a feeling that this is far from over. Stick with those girls, if we draw fire you keep going. I'll hold them off.

The group makes it back without incident. McDonnell has done exceedingly well with the salvaging. He has set up half a dozen tripod mounted machine guns, ready to be moved. From under the rubble they have brought out another half dozen crates of other guns, ammo, rockets, and grenades.

MCDONNELL is grinning as they enter the makeshift fort, crates stacked three high for cover.

MCDONNELL

Ain't they purdy? I reckon we got enough ammo here to hold them off for weeks

CONNOR is looking around at the ragtag group of survivors. There are about two dozen in all.

CONNOR

Good, we may need to. You, come here. Yeah, you.

MANAGER

Yes sir?

CONNOR

Nice sweater vest. I need roof access and any men you have that can handle a gun. Oh, and grab a pair of binoculars for everyone.

The manager hurries off to find volunteers

MCDONNELL

You're in charge here General. Listen I'm just an old jar head. I'm way too old for this runnin' and gunnin' shit. I've got my daughter to think of. So why don't you take the men and do what you've got to. I'll stay here with the civilians and see about patchin' 'em up.

CONNOR

Listen up, we may have stopped the two dozen or so Chinese soldiers who were sent in to secure this shit hole, but there are dozens more outside. Right now they seem to be engaged in a fire fight with who ever is trying to break through to help us. I say we go cause some fuckin' trouble.

These men picked this place for a reason, it's easily defendable and they can nonchalantly pick off anyone who tries to break throug, like it isn't a motherfucking thing. It's a joke how easy it'll be to defend this bitch. Good thing we're on the inside.

I need as many strong guys as I can get. Anyone who can handle a gun. If you're a vet, even better. Don't much care what you've got between your legs on that note.

We're going to take most of this ammunition up to the roof. We'll be setting it up around the perimeter.

We're going to give these boys hell. If these stupid fucks were their A-Team then the ones outside are sure as hell not as thoroughly trained. This bunch of grunts won't be expecting us from above. I'm counting on them panicking.

We got a man up front operating the lift, he could use some help blocking the front entrance. No one gets in this monstrosity of capitalism until these boys have picked off every single son of a bitch that's outside waiting to kill us. It's time we take the offensive.

Alright ladies, cowboy up!

JESSE

Hell yeah!

CONNOR pulls a machine gun off of it's tripod and hoists the gun onto his shoulders. Most of these people have no formal combat training, but they are mad and ready to fight back. They are determined not to be the victims any longer.

Ext. Rooftop - dusk

You can see for miles standing up there. The Chinese have picked this place as a base of operations because It was ideal for not only it's natural defenses, like the layout of the land around it, but also for the simple fact that the place was built like a fort. snipers can defend the place in all directions, for years if you had to. Once properly set up, No one would stand a chance of getting close.

Luckily they had not gotten that far. All hell has broken loose outside. The military has not responded, but it looks like every cop in the precinct had.

The police officers are unprepared for what was waiting for them. The Chinese army has set up a solid perimeter, All access is blocked from one light to another and they have jeeps patrolling the outside walls.

CONNOR sends the boys to scout around to see what they are up against, while he attempts to survey the damage in the outlying areas. The sun is beginning to set, the sky a blazing red. Smoke is billowing from the nearby airport. It looks like they had crashed planes into the parking garage in order to block access to it from the road.

There are dozens of military vehicles with the People's Liberation Army symbol on them. That red and yellow star is unmistakeable. Meanwhile, three planes are circling waiting to land. The Chinese now controll the airport. Seemingly normal civilian planes are offloading troops, tanks, and god knows what else. It is evident that the attacks were coordinated and began at the same time.

CONNOR

I'll kill any man who pulls their trigger before I give the word, got it? We're runnin' recon at this point. Keep your head down, don't let anyone see you. Scout every inch of this store. We might have an advantage, but we have to do this right.

CONNOR is so busy trying to get a picture of the size of the invasion, that he doesn't notice a teenage kid come running up to behind him.

KID

Sir? Mr Jeffries, sir? Are you Mr. Jeffries sir?

Connor

What the hell are you doing up here kid?

Kid

We've got a problem sir, there's a middle eastern guy in there and some of the older guys keep saying he's an Al Qaeda. I don't even know what that is. They're yelling and shoving and being jerkfaces.

CONNOR

Slow down, slow down.What are they doing?

KID

They were gonna shoot him, but a little kid ran out and said it was his dad. The old army guy said he's gonna shoot the other guys if they don't leave him be. And he's got a big ol' gun and is all like 'GRRR' at them like my mean old neighbor.

Connor

Ok, ill be right down. Get your butt back inside.

Kid

Hurry they said they ain't gonna listen to nobody but you!

Int. Department store-garden area

CONNOR arrives to find McDonnell engaged with an old red neck, standing there with guns pointed at each others heads. We see a much larger crowd, with many injured people lying nearby. A woman in scrubs is tending to those that she can.

CONNOR

That's enough! You're scaring these kids, you dumb sack of shit. Dont you think they've been through enough already?

OMAR

Please sir, we were shopping just like the rest of you. I've lived here for over twenty years, my children were all born in Portland.

CONNOR

You're gonna show this monosyllabic yokel your ID and he's gonna calm the fuck down, unless he wants me to take him up top and teach his ass to fly. Got it?

OMAR

Yes, of course. You see, I live right down the street. These are my children. This is my wife. My oldest boy is in the army, see?

Connor

Now I want you to listen to me. All of you. If we can't trust each other, we are as good as dead, you got that? Our enemy is the Chinese army, this is not an isolated incident, the airport has been completely taken over. The good news is, they're stuck outside being distracted by the police for the time being.

CONNOR

Ma'am are you a doctor?

Sarah

No, no I'm an EMT. I really don't have time to chit chat.

Connor

Understood. Just tell me what you need. I'll have some of these kids head over to the pharmacy and see what they can find. You just tell them what to bring you.

Sarah

These people need a hospital

Connor

I'm fresh out of those. For now, why don't you have one of them grab some paper and make a list.

CONNOR leans in close to whisper

Connor

We're going to have to move soon. There's no way we can hold this place once their reinforcements break past the airport. We need to do whatever it takes to get these people mobile enough to make a break for some vehicles. I know you can do this.

A teenage girl runs over, pulling a notepad from her purse. The EMT begins relaying the supplies to her, occasionally stopping to spell something out. CONNOR spots an injured man in a lab coat, his relief is palpable when he realizes this is the pharmacist. He is pretty badly injured, but he gives Liz his keys to get in and find whatever medicine the EMT might need.

Connor

Hey bud, I need your help. These people need it, ok? I know it's unethical, but we have to get into that pharmacy to help you and the others.

As CONNOR turns to leave, Liz pulled him to the side to find out exactly what he has seen.

Connor

It's bad LIZ, it's really bad. This is an all out invasion, we're at war. You can't tell them that though, they might lose heart.

LIZ looks like someone has just kicked her puppy. CONNOR wraps his arms around her.

LIZ

Be careful, I love you.

CONNOR

I love you too hun. Hey, see if you can get someone to find me an fm radio and bring me a report of what's going on if you can. Make sure you let them know to keep it on the downlow. They don't need to know how bad it really is until we get out of here.

Ext- rooftop. Dusk

Once connor is back up top, the boys start relaying information to him. Most of it was what we have already seen, but one of the boys has found out something crucial. He drags connor over to the edge of the building, both keeping low to where he has been watching a fed ex truck out back. We see that the enemy has set guards around it. After a few moments of watching, a high ranking man walks out. While the door is open we are able to get a look at the inside. It isn't a delivery truck at all. This is their mobile command center.

We cut to news reports detailing the state of the attacks. we see Various cities across world in various states of devastation.

Reporter

This is insanity. The entire country is under attack! The Chinese army has somehow disabled most of the military and are slaughtering anyone who gets close to them. Mayor Adams has ordered an evacuation of the entire metro area.

Here's what we know so far; Some kind of chemical agent was released at military bases all over the country. The Marine Corps have engaged in a fierce battle to keep control of the San Diego airport. It's almost entirely recruits from the boot camp fighting at this point.

D.C. is believed to have been completely destroyed. First reports indicated that the White House, The Capitol building with all of congress in session, and the Pentagon were all attacked almost simultaneously. We have no information on the President or his Cabinet at this time. Air force One and Marine One were both shot down earlier today

Communication is sporadic at best, internet service is almost non existent. The AP tells us that virtually every major city within 300 miles of either coast are under siege. Mexico and Canada have been attacked as well. It seems we are on our own now.

This is Mike Adams with KLTV Portland, we will attempt to continue updates as long as we safely can.

Int - department store. Garden area

Once back inside, Connor has decided to relay as much info as he deems appropriate to the adults who are capable of moving on their own.

Panic is beginning to set in for the survivors. No one has to say it, but they all know that they don't have much time before the Chinese outside decided to move in.

Connor

We're going to have to get out of here. There are 60 or so of us trapped in here, maybe 15 of you can handle a weapon. When we make our move, we need to be ninja quick. No hesitation or we're all dead. Right quick, real fast, and in a big ol' god damn hurry, got it? I would guess we have maybe an hour and thirty, forty five minutes before reinforcements arrive if we move on these guys.

Mother from office

We're never going to get out of here alive. They'll probably kill us as soon as they're done with the cops

Connor

She's right, but we already know that. They are going to kill us soon. If we don't try to make our way out of here they're going to kill every single one of us, including your children. So I need you all to do the impossible and pull yourselves together, we need to act fast.

OMAR

How are we going to make it past them?

Connor

There's an RV about 20 yards from the front of the store, once we get a chance we need to get everyone who can't fight into it. We'll have to drop the trailer with the dirtbikes, hopefully the keys will be in the RV. The others will move to military vehicles if any are left. Does anyone have a four wheel drive vehicle?

JESSE

My mom's car. It's a Subaru rally edition, I'll go get the keys.

JESSE is nearly breaking down, as the realization that she was dead finally hits him. LIZ puts her arm around his shoulder.

JESSE

I'll go with you sweety.

As we wait for Jesse and Liz to return, CONNOR goes over the plan to escape with the others. It is risky, McDonnell isn't sure if it will work. CONNOR doesnt seem 100% sure either. If we didn't move fast enough everyone on the roof would be dead and the people inside left defenseless.

MCDONNELL

You don't leave much room for error, do you son?

CONNOR

No, I really haven't. We've got to make these people believe they can do this or we'll never pull it off.

MCDONNELL

They're civilians. Almost every single one of them.

Connor

I need you to be strong. Stronger than anyone should ever have to be. Some of you can barely maintain your composure. I don't fault you for being afraid. MCDONNELL is right, you aren't soldiers, you're poor scared soccer moms and dad's with corner offices. You didn't choose to fight for your country and I'm not asking you to now. I need you to fight for yourself. For your friends, for your children, and for the people here who can't get out of here without you.

MCDONNELL

Your heard the General. Those men outside want to kill us, let's make it a bit more difficult for them.

(To CONNOR)

I'll do my best, but you said it yourself, warriors they are not.

CONNOR

And we're two jarheads who've been away from the field longer than we were ever in it. I need you Sargeant. What do you say, will you do me the honor of dying with me?

MCDONNELL

I'm your man, whatever you need. I've seen enough death for one day though.

CONNOR

You get these people ready. I'm gonna go return the favor.

Ext. rooftop-department store

Back up top, The sun has almost set. A thick haze of smoke hangs in the blazing red sky. We see guns set up at different points all around the perimeter. Connor is watching the mobile command unit with a pair of binoculars. We see homes burning in the distance. The parking lot and the airport are battlefields.

Connor

On my signal, not a moment before.

JESSE

That's gonna be one hell of a fuckin signal.

The men on the roof have trained their weapons on expected targets, who have no idea they are being watched from above.

As CONNOR lays in wait, he tries hard not to concentrate on the fires that have popped up as far as the eye can see. People all over the city are dying, their homes being burnt to the ground. CONNOR picks up an RPG and we watch through it's scope. CONNOR has trained the missile on the Mobile Command Center.

The world begins to slow down as the truck's door begins to open, CONNOR inhales slowly steadying his aim. We can see the Chinese officer starting to exit the vehicle. Another second, waiting for the door to be opened by another foot. All time on earth slowed down in that moment. Finally we see the Chinese Officer exiting the truck, the doorway fully open.

CONNOR pulls the trigger. We follow the rocket as it screams out of the chamber, the officer hears it fire but can't move fast enough. He trips and falls at the foot of the truck. The rocket flies within inches of his horrified face. The entire world is just the two of them, each watching the rocket, waiting for the inevitable.

CONNOR's aim had been perfect. The rocket makes contact inside the vehicle, the explosion lifting the truck off of the ground. A moment later there is nothing left of the officer's body. The truck is on it's side, a smoking hull. CONNOR screams into his radio.

Connor

FIRE! FIRE!! Mow these bastards down!

Eight turret mounted machine guns scream, sending forth death from all corners of the besieged store. JESSE and three others are hurling grenades at those to close to be hit by the machine guns.

Two minutes pass and almost all soldiers in the immediate proximity are dead, they don't have time to even fight back. Less than ten are still alive, using cars for cover. Trying in vain to return fire.

CONNOR runs toward a line of rocket launchers that he has set aside for stragglers.

Connor

Everyone down now! We're moving people! I'm right behind. Get your asses down or I'll throw you over the edge, goddamnit.

EXT. PARKING LOT

We move to just outside the front doors. McDonnell has everyone ready to move.

MCDONNELL, CONNOR, and JESSE come running out first. Behind them, the other armed and able bodied people have formed a wall around the injured who are being carried or helped along. They are taking some fire from the few soldiers who had hidden.

CONNOR yanks the redneck back into formation as they move toward the RV. A bullet shatters a car's window where we had been running ahead. As they file everyone in, CONNOR signals to his fighters. They break off to return fire using the cars for cover. JESSE lobs grenades toward a nearby mortar setup in order to make sure none of them could fire a rocket or mortar at the people in the RV.

LIZ and the EMT are frantically tearing through every nook and cranny looking for the keys to the bikes and the RV. They are in luck, the keys are all inside. Unfortunately the owner hadn't been so lucky. LIZ finds the keys on his dead body where he had hid in the tiny bathroom. MCDONNELL is ready to drive the RV as soon as the trailer is detached.

Connor

Get that trailer loose now! If you can't find the keys forget it.

LIZ

Got it!

LIZ throws CONNOR the keys.

CONNOR

Alright, who can handle a bike?

Redneck.

We can. I'll take care of it sir, I won't fuck up.

CONNOR loses six men while trying to secure some jeeps, but all of the Chinese are now dead. There is still a firefight going on between Police/SWAT and the PLA at the road.

CONNOR has formed a convoy with a Humvee in front and the two dirt bikes directly behind it. CONNOR is up top on the Humvee's machine gun. OMAR is driving. JESSE is in his mother's car ready to break away and lead the Chinese off in the opposite direction of the dirt bikes if needed.

Connor

We're gonna have to punch a hole

The convoy begins moving. CONNOR begins shooting at the spot he needs OMAR to squeeze through. The police are momentarily relieved as the convoy starts to break free. CONNOR takes out the soldiers nearby. All the rest of the military guarding the perimeter are panicking, unsure of what is happening. The Police/SWAT take advantage and are finally able to break the main lines.

As they head toward their escape route, some of the Chinese break off and began firing on them. CONNOR and the Jeeps in the rear are able to shut them down, but not before MCDONNELL takes a bullet to his throat. LIZ grabs the wheel, attempting to keep the RV from crashing while the EMT tries to get MCDONNELL out of the chair to help him. LIZ is struggling with the wheel, obviously unfamiliar with a vehicle so large.

Suddenly, the dirt bikes break off heading away from the battle as planned. The first rider is hit by a grenade, causing the other two to crash. Chinese soldiers swarmed them, emptying their clips as they laid helplessly on the pavement, trying to fire back.

The jeeps in the rear are slamming over the curb and sidewalk, only losing one of the four jeeps in the process. When all of the jeeps are through, they reformed the caravan around the RV to protect it. Men are firing from the jeeps on both sides. CONNOR has swung his gun around and takes out a weapons cache behind two trucks. They are finally free of the blockade.

Ext. Road heading through suburbs.

As the makeshift convoy inches toward the hospital, pockets of fighting can be heard in all directions. Mount Hood can barely be seen past the smoke billowing over Portland. The roads are clogged with people trying to flee the city, anyone not already on the road is hiding or packing essentials into their car. It is nearly impossible to get past a gas station. The convoy has to drive on a median as people are fighting to fill their tanks.

The morally ambiguous have already begun looting. Who knows what the hell they were going to do with the merchandise they stole.

Ext. hospital/parking garage

Dusk has begun to set over this unlikely war zone by the time the convoy pulls into the parking lot of the ER. The police have set up a blockade with the few officers they could spare. The cops seem to have assumed the worst when they see a convoy with PLA vehicles rolling toward them. They don't fire, but all five take cover and train their weapons at the Humvee.

CONNOR hops down from the Humvee and walks up to an officer.

CONNOR

We've got at least fifteen injured civilians in that RV, some of them don't have much time left

COP

How the hell did you manage to get their jeeps?

CONNOR

We fought our way out of the Mega-Mart, they're trying to set up some kind of base there.

COP

No shit. I heard dispatch say that the Chinese were taking fire from the roof, that was you guys?

Connor

Yes sir. We managed to take out about two dozen Chinese inside and then made a break for it. Listen, I've got one EMT in there tending to people who could die any second, are you going to let us through or not?

The cop's face turns bright red.

Cop

Yeah, of course. I don't know if bringing their vehicles in here is such a good idea though.

Connor

We'll get them into the parking garage after we remove the guns from the back, you guys could probably use some better fire power out here in case we were followed. I'll send some men back out as soon as I can.

With that, the police pull the barrier to the side to let them pass.

INT. HOSPITAL TRIAGE

It is chaos inside, people are lying all over the triage room, some with gun shot wounds and others suffering from panic attacks.

Sarah leaves to try and find some help. She seems to know some of the doctors and nurses. CONNOR is helping to stabilize MCDONNELL. CONNOR has carried him out of the RV while LIZ is applying pressure to his neck. MCDONNELL seems so feeble being cradled in CONNOR's arms.

Sarah

They're only allowing surgery on patients who are going to die without it. I need some help getting them organized enough to come in. There are three free rolling beds, we can each take one out and start bringing people in. Let's get him onto this bed so the nurses can prep him for surgery.

Ext. hospital/parking garage

JESSE and some of the guys are waiting to help as soon as got back outside.

JESSE runs up to SARAH, looking panicked.

JESSE

Sarah... umm, i think... that lady with the little girls... can you come here?

SARAh

Jesse, why dont you take the girls inside ok?

(to the girls)

Listen girls, we need to try and help mommy, go with Jesse ok? He's in charge now.

CONNOR heads back out to help the others after MCDONNELL is wheeled away.

CONNOR

What's going on back there?

SARAH

She's gone. Let's get her in, we can try to revive her, but I don't think it'll do any good. Those poor babies....

After everyone is safely inside Liz, Jesse, and CONNOR head back to the RV to move it.

CONNOR starts the RV and pulls into the garage. We can see that the police have already set up the machine guns at their blockade. They look more confident already.

CONNOR

Hun, why don't you take a look around and see if you can find anything we can use

LIZ

Wow, these people were set. They've got maps of every National Park and Forest in the country. Not to mention, what looks like six months worth of freeze-dried food. CONNOR, I think this laptop has a satellite feed. It's pretty heavy duty.

Connor

No shit? See if you can get it running. We need to know just how bad this attack is.

LIZ

CNN is down, so is MSNBC. I cant find any news sites that are working, yet these idiots are still updating their facebook.

Connor

Try AP or BBC, they may have some updates from overseas. They must know something overseas.

CONNOR shuts off the RV as he parks it at the back of the garage, blocking the view of the jeeps. LIZ motions for him to look at the computer.

Liz

Hun, you need to see this. They're calling it World War III. It's not just us, the entire east and west coasts are being attacked.

We move to a streaming video of a news broadcast. We see fighting in the streets as landmarks fall to ruin in the background.

She wasn't lying, the entire world is at war. Reports of attacks by the Chinese are coming in from every major city within 200 miles of each seaboard. Even worse, are the reports indicating that somehow they have crippled the entire military's ability to mobilize. Hundreds of military bases have been hit with some kind of chemical attack. They are suffering massive casualties without a single shot being fired. The pentagon reported that Ft Hood, the nation's largest base was the first to be hit and it is believed that there are little or no survivors. Within hours hundreds more were hit, the soldiers didn't have time to evacuate and many couldn't get to their gas masks.

In every major city, the Chinese have encountered some degree of resistance from civilians and paramilitary both. Most have surrendered, but there is still hope. Seattle has managed to completely fend off the PLA and the USMC boot camp in San Diego has successfully regained control over the airport next to it. New York was heavily engaged with the PLA attacking all three major airports outside of NYC. NYC, home to the largest police force in the country, is doing well containing the Chinese at the airports. They had not broken through to the city yet and it looks like they won't be able to. Reports are showing that the PLA is mobilizing toward New York from Boston, which had been taken within two hours of the first attack.

D.C. is all but destroyed, the casualties are estimated at well over a million for the metro area near the Capital alone. Every major state building had been destroyed in simultaneous attacks, hundreds of large trucks had been used as mobile bombs. In most cities, the PLA is still facing pockets of fighters, but have began establishing a military lockdown of all major highways. Reports indicated that they aren't killing civilians if they didn't have to.

As bad as the attacks on the United States are, we were probably better off than some of the others countries around the world. Russia had begun an all out assault on former USSR territories in an apparent attempt to reclaim their former land. The EU issued a unanimous declaration of war toward China and Russia. The UN security council had begun mobilizing all available troops to the closest cities that were under siege.

India had launched an offensive against China only to be rerouted by Pakistani forces. About 100,000 troops remaining in Afghanistan were headed to rendezvous with Indian forces, but the Chinese had already set up a massive guard along their southern border in anticipation. Japan and the pacific island nations were mobilizing in anticipation of an attack. Japan vowed to assist the few hundred thousand marines stationed throughout the pacific, if they are to take the fight to China's soil. China hadn't been able to breach any of the joint bases on Japanese shores.

No solid evidence of the fate of the President and his cabinet have come down the wire. Both Congress and the Senate had been in session when the attack began, most were thought to be dead. The only cabinet member accounted for was the Secretary of State who had been in Copenhagen for an environmental summit. Without contact with the President, she was the assumed head of state and acting commander in chief. An announcement on the U.S.'s course of action was expected within hours.

Very little help would be coming from our neighbors who were also under attack. Venezuela and Cuba had begun an assault on Mexico City, sources said the drug cartels had allied themselves with the corrupt governments. Meanwhile, Russia had over run military forces in Alaska and began funneling into Canada. There were reports of a naval battle near the arctic circle. The Canadians had managed to help recapture Buffalo and had pledged to route forces into New York state to help fend off the PLA.

Seizing the opportunity Iran had invaded Iraq, hoping to crush their long time enemy once and for all. Nearly all of the countries in the middle east declared outrage at their audacity and vowed to help Iraq. Africa had plunged into pure melee, with warlords from all over the continent outright attacking former enemies and allies both, in order to seize valuable land and minerals.

We cut to Secretary of State susan thompson who has been moved to the relative security of an american aircraft carrier in the north atlantic ocean with her is usmc commandant geraldo "Jerry" rigalio

Secretary of State SUSAN THOMPSON is a shrewd looking woman in her early 60s. She carries her stress well. She is in decent shape and a bit above average height with short graying blonde hair. Commandant RIGALIO is an older gentleman of average height and stocky build. His hair is cut short in a traditional high and tight. He is a hard looking man. Clearly tough.

SUSAN THOMPSON

Any word from Airforce One or Marine One Jerry?

Rigalio

Yes ma'am. The crash sites were swarmed by the PLA. Looking for survivors I presume.

Thompson

Have they located Jack yet?

RIGALIO

He was with the President Sue.

THOMPSON

You're certain?

RIGALIO

Unfortunately. Sue, I'm sorry. Believe me, I'm doing everything I can to get a recovery operation together.

THOMPSON

No, it's too late for that. They'll be long gone by the time an extraction team arrives. If they're even alive. They always were inseperable. Even at their age, they're like a pair of frat boys.

RIGALIO

He's a good man. The President would have believed that he would be safest with his detail.

THOMPSON

Of course.

RIGALIO

Sue, I'm here. Whatever you need.

THOMPSON

As much as I appreciate that Jerry, I'm not in a position that allows me to grieve. I need to see your intel. We have a hell of a lot more to do than just send a search and rescue for the president.

RIGALIO

We should have seen this coming.

THOMPSON

We did. We just refused to act. President Carthage knew that defaulting on international loans was synonomous with a declaration of war. We should have started preparing for it then, but instead we waited another seven years and let a new President ignore the same increasingly agressive rhetoric.

RIGALIO

You're right, but we both know it was more than just the President. The Joint Cheifs have no damn backbone. They're too damn scared to adjust to foreign movement because it would seem aggressive.

THOMPSON

Jerry, it's time we found someone a bit more aggressive, don't you think?

We cut back to the hospital. Connor and liz are just walking back in, both look shaken.

Int. Hospital triage

A stranger sees CONNOR and makes a beeline toward him. RAUL CASTRONOVA is a shorter hispanic man in his mid 30s.

RAUL

Hey General!

Hey! Hey! slow down, can I talk to you please? You're him right? The guy that saved all those people from the Mega Mart?

Connor

I didn't save those people. They saved themselves and they paid dearly for it.

Raul

Don't be so modest man. They're calling you the General, they said you single-handedly saved all of their lives. I heard you killed over a hundred Chinese yourself!

Connor

Who are you and what the hell are you talking about?

Raul

Relax, I'm a journalist. Raul Castronova with the Willamette

Connor

Well, isn't that special. You still haven't told me what the fuck you want.

I'm sorry man, I know you must be stressed out. Listen, I'd like to interview you. I think it'll be good for people to hear your story.

CONNOR explodes, screaming at the journalist, but Liz grabs his shoulder to let him know to dial it down a little.

CONNOR

What the fuck do you think is happening here? This is real goddamnit. People are dying and you act like the PLA is just trying to take away your birthday.

Liz

Hun, maybe you should. People are going to want to know what happened, it'll give them hope and maybe they'll be able to fight back if they know it's possible.

Connor

Fine, but not right now. We need to check on Jesse and those girls"

Raul

I don't think you have much time. The dispatchers said they found the PLA's radio signal and are having it translated, they're pissed. They want to bring the wrath of whatever god they pray to down on the motherfucker who was in charge of the fight at the Mega-mart. They want to make you an example man.

Connor

Liz. Go find Jesse and the girls, we need to go. Make sure they're ok. Give Jesse your keys, we need to take his car, he'll have to stop by the house and pick yours up later.

Liz

Ok, I'll try not to take too long, but, I've got to make sure someone is going to take care of those kids.

Connor

Alright , you've got until she gets back, then we're out of here. I dont want anyone else dying on account of me. Oh and don't use my name, yours, or anyone else's. The last thing we need is family and friends getting killed because of you want a Pulitzer.

Raul

Ok, sounds good. I'll use the nickname they gave you. We'll call you The General, that ought to shake those bastards up a little.

CONNOR sighs, clearly annoyed.

Connor

Fine, where do you want to start?

Raul

Give me a little background about yourself.

Connor

Well I like long walks on the beach under the moonlight...

Fade out.

We see LIZ coming back with JESSE about half an hour later, CONNOR is just finishing up with RAUL. LIZ looks irritated. RAUL is sketching a symbol that see tattooed on CONNOR's back as he is being stitched up. SARAH hands LIZ 3 prescription bottles, which she puts in her purse.

SARAH

It'll heal up, but I have a feeling he isn't going to take it easy. Those are for the pain. Make sure he takes them.

Connor

Hey, what took so long? Whoa, where do you think you're going?

Jesse

I'm coming with you guys.

Liz

I'm sorry hun. He wont take no for an answer.

CONNOR

Listen Jess-

Jesse

I don't have anyone left, what the hell am I supposed to do? My mom is dead man. She is fucking dead and I have no where to go. You have to let me come. You know they'll fucking kill me if you don'.

Connor

You're gonna have to learn how to handle a gun.

Jesse

Good, let's go!

Connor

LIZ, why don't you take him to the RV and grab us three bags. Pack 'em just like we did when we went to Yellowstone. Put all the dried food you can find in there along with the laptop. I'm going to finish up with RAUL and have SARAH stitch my arm up real quick. She's going to grab a needle right now. Ill catch up in a few minutes.

LIZ and JESSE exit.

CONNOR

We're gonna have to take off. It's too dangerous for us to stay here. They're coming and they'll kill anyone who might have information

SARAH

I know. We havent entered anyone into the database tonight. Triage is a little harder, but it might keep them safe.

SARAH gives CONNOR some cleaning swathes, a few changes for the dressing, and antibiotics in case it gets infected.

Sarah

You know I could lose my license for this, but at this point I don't think it matters anymore.

Connor

Thanks Sarah, and again thanks for agreeing to look after those girls. They need someone like you right now.

We follow connor as he exits the hospital and walks slowly to the rv. Bombs are lighting up the night sky like the Fourth of July, occasionally shaking the ground with the force of their explosions. It is eerily beautiful, the sky clear and the stars bright, mortar shells and ground to air missiles streaking through the night sky. Smoke lying heavy over bombarded neighborhoods and sirens screaming in the distance.

Int. RV

Connor

We need to find out what the closest safe city is and get the fuck out of the Portland area. If all else fails, there are thousands of hiking trails through the cascades we could take to stay off of the roads. We might be safe for now, because the PLA has no idea who they're looking for, but how long until someone identifies us?

What if the security cameras at that store are still active? Game over man, we're fucked if they are.

This morning I woke up thinking I would be cooking steaks right now. Instead I'm probably targeted by the world's largest military. Within days there are gonna be millions of PLA soldiers looking for me. If I can get away from here, go on the run, then people might start to think that they can fight back. Fuck. All I wanted was to get some god damn beer.

Liz

Hun, can you make me a list or something? I'm having a hard time figuring out what's essential and what isn't.

Jesse

What she really means is Jesse has no clue what the hell he's doing.

LIZ

Yeah, that too.

Connor

We need to keep it light in case we have to run. Make sure we don't grab anything with a strong scent.

JESSE

The bear did what?

Connor

If we're being following, we don't want anything with us that is gonna make us easier to track. Especially by bears. They're fond of eating faces off.

Jesse

How do you know all of this shit?

Liz

Connor was Force Recon when he was in the Marine Corps. He's seriously more comfortable Macguyvering it up in the woods than most people are living in a house.

JESSE

Oh man so you're like one of those dudes from Call of Duty!

CONNOR

Yeah, except I don't respawn when someone shoots me in the head.

Alright, here's your list. Tear this place apart. If you find something that might be useful let me know. Oh and Liz, no coffee.

Liz

What? You know I'm useless without my coffee.

Connor

Well if you can make the grounds magically disappear then you can bring it.

LIZ finds a jar of instant coffee as she digs through the kitchenette.

Liz

Instant coffee. What now, bitch?

Connor

Fine, bring your damn coffee.

Jesse

This is like winning the survival gear lottery. They've got like 90% of the stuff on this list.

Connor

Well, that's a damn good start.

LIZ holds out a water pitcher with a filter.

Liz

Connor, what do you think about this? Wouldn't it be easier to take this instead of all that water?

Connor

Yeah, good call sweetheart. I'm gonna take this collapsible shovel too.

Jesse

Hey, look I found an old school cell phone!I wonder if I can call 1987 with it?

Connor

Whoa, that's a sat phone. Try to call your cell phone, we need to get the number on it. Those things can make a call from just about everywhere, except under the ocean.

LIZ

Damn, I really wanted to check in on Aqualad.

Ok, got it.

Jesse

Hey, we should give that reporter this number. I bet he would know if there are checkpoints set up along the way.

Connor

Why don't you run it to him. Oh and give him our cell phones, tell him to smash 'em and drop 'em in with the medical waste.

JESSE

Wait, what?

CONNOR

Just do it. They'll be able to track us with them if we don't.

Jesse

But... All the ladies' digits...

LIZ

Uh huh, sure.

Jesse

You better not leave without me!

JESSE hurries off, he doesn't seem to be completely joking about being left.

Liz

Babe, I can't find a tent anywhere. They probably just slept in here, this thing is nicer than my college dorm was.

CONNOR points out a large U.S. map covered with thumbtacks. Liz is piling all of the equipment on the table he is sitting at.

Connor

Yeah, look at that map on the wall. Looks like they were going to try to hit all of those places. That would take months and probably more money than we make in a year.

Liz

Ok, this is pretty much everything. Well except for a tent, sleeping bags and some jackets or sweaters.

Connor

Well we could always try to stuff a comforter in the bags, but that would take a ton of room. Hmm, let's check the outside compartments. Wish I knew which ones opened it.

EXT. PARKING GARAGE (OUTSIDE RV)

CONNOR and LIZ walk outside the RV and begin trying to open the compartments.

Liz

You could always break it open if you cant find the key. Use some brute force on it.

Connor

Fuck that, ill just shoot it in it's nonexistent face

CONNOR is trying different keys on a compartment as LIZ laughs at him. We see JESSE running into frame.

Connor

Ok, there we go. Let's see what's in this treasure trove.

Jesse

Alright, you guys didn't get away yet. Ok so Raul, gave me his number too. He said to call anytime we need information. Oh and he wants to do a longer interview with you when we get a chance to stop.

Connor

Awesome. Here's an emergency kit, why don't you take out the parkas and the shiny blanket things. They aren't much, but they're compact. Holy shit, a vacuum seal kit. It's got a hand pump too, let's take that in case we need to keep stuff dry.

JESSE grabs the keys and tries to open the next compartment over.

LIZ

He wasn't half this excited when I gave him a new big screen last christmas.

CONNOR

TV ain't gonna be much use to me in the field babe.

LIZ

Your face ain't much use to me anywhere.

Jesse

Hey, there are some tarps and bungee cords here.

Liz

They're probably for the dirt bikes, but we can use them since we don't have a tent.

Connor

Ok, good. We're pretty much done, let's get this shit bagged up and get the fuck out of here. Jesse, take those gas cans to the car. Just in case.

int. subaru

We move to the interior of JESSE's Subaru as the group is leaving the city. Liz and CONNOR are in the front, JESSE is sprawled in the backseat with the bags behind him and in the floorboard.

Connor

I think we need to try to make it to Seattle, it looks as if the PLA have been completely shut down north of Olympia. So if we can make it past the capital, it's smooth sailing from there. We'll take the side roads, since the highways are compromised.

It is much later as we come back to the group. The gunpowder filled skies are giving way to stars as they leave the Columbia River Basin's cloudcover. We still hear the sounds of battle, fainter as they put distance between them. The buildings they pass are almost all damaged, people are hiding when they see the headlights. All of the main roads are packed, but the backroads are almost empty.

Jesse and Liz are both exhausted, They try to get a little sleep while as CONNOR drives. It is apparent that the full weight of the day's events has not yet set in.

Connor

Hey guys, look alive, we're about to head through Woodland. We should be able to get to 503 on the other side of town, but we're going to have to take it slow to be safe.

Jesse

Hurngh, wha-. What the hell would they want with podunk ass Woodland?

Connor

What does anyone want with it? Truth is we don't even know what the hell they want with us in the first place, so we can't afford to take risks.

Liz

Maybe they came for the scenery.

It is extremely quiet, as if the whole town was abandoned. Not a single light is on in the houses or businesses along the main road. Occasionally we see I-5 in the distance, it is almost completely barren, only a few broken down cars to be seen. As CONNOR turns a corner we see light and activity in the distance.

Liz

Hey! Hey! Look! They're actually fuckin open!

Jesse

Oh man, I'm so hungry. Can we stop and get a bite?

Connor

What in the hell? Yeah, let's go in. Maybe someone can tell us what's happening.

CONNOR pulls into the packed parking lot. We see a big, gaudy neon sign that reads Ralphie's Steakhouse.

Connor

Listen you two, from here out, we do not leave this vehicle without a weapon, under any circumstances. Got it? No matter how safe it looks, I never want you to open those doors without a gun in your hands.

Liz

I feel so gangsta.

Connor

They're looking for us. Well, they're looking for me anyways. It's only a matter of time before they figure out what I look like so we need to keep moving, no staying in any one spot for long.

Jesse

Yeah yeah. Let's go get some food, Rambo.

Int. Ralphie's steakhouse

The restaurant is packed. We see weapons beside nearly every customer. Waitresses flitting about from table to table like bumblebees. No one bats an eye as they walk in. Three banged up people, the biggest of which carrying an assault rifle. The teenage kid with a 9mm in his waistband. LIZ is carrying a pump action shotgun.

From the bar, a hefty middle aged man calls out. RALPHIE is the proprietor and most of the waitresses are his daughters and nieces. RALPHIE is wearing cowboy boots and the biggest belt buckle imaginable. He is a little shorter than CONNOR, but rugged like a man who'd lived in the country his entire life. He could only be described as the good ole boy type.

RALPHIE

Hooo, look at the gun that boy's got! Come here soon, come on now, have a seat.

Some people have started to notice CONNOR. A few are gawking, some even pointing. The man that called CONNOR over stands up to greet them.

RALPHIE

Where the hell did you fellas come from?

(turning to LIZ)

How are ya miss?

Connor

We came from just outside of Portland. I'm Connor. This is Liz and Jesse.

Ralphie

That's a mighty big gun for such a little lady. Name's RALPHIE, this here establishment belongs to me. Why don't y'all take a load off, you look like you could do with a bit of relaxin'.

Connor

Thank you, sir. We've been driving for hours.

Ralphie

I would imagine, what route did you take to get here?

(RALPHIE beckons for a waitress. The waitress is cute, about 20.)

Last I heard some Chinese assholes had shut down the all the roads just a few miles north of Vancouver.

Connor

Yeah, looks like it. We've been snaking through the back-roads all night.

Ralphie

Sweetheart, why don't you take these folks order. It's on me tonight.

Waitress

I know daddy, everything's on you tonight. We're gonna go outta business if we do this again tomorrow.

Connor

I'll have a burger and some iced tea. Thanks.

(CONNOR turns back to RALPHIE)

What made you decide to stay open, if you don't mind me asking?

Ralphie

Well, I figure people are gonna need a good meal right now. The whole town just about lost their minds and took off. Who knows where the hell they think they're going? Me, I figure it'll be a while before those bastards even bat an eye at this town. Even when they do, what are they gonna do, kill everyone? I highly doubt that, hell I got plenty of rice if them boys don't like steaks. I'm a fat, old man and I've got my girls to think of. This ain't my fight.

Connor

Yeah, it seems like they were avoiding major confrontations for now. They seem to have this thing pretty well planned out.

Ralphie

That they do, that they do. I heard they were trying to set up a base at some department store a couple miles from the airport, but they bit off more than they could chew... Now where does a fellow get a gun like that son?

Connor

Oh this? Let's just say the owner no longer has any use for it. I figured if we came under fire, I'm better off with their rifles because I can use their own ammo.

Ralphie

I ain't even gonna ask how you and the previous owner came to that agreement. What's your poison?

Connor

Good old Jack, but I'm doing the driving so I'll have to refrain for now.

Ralphie

Oh come on son, I insist. You ain't gonna insult me in my own bar are ya?

Liz

It's ok hun. You deserve a drink. And a nap. I can drive for a little while once we get back on the road.

Ralphie

Alright, then it's settled

(RALPHIE goes behind the bar and grabs some glasses)

Do you take it straight or with soda?

Connor

Some coke would be good. Thanks

Ralphie

So where are you folks headed?

Connor

Well, we were planning on taking the park roads around St Helens and head up toward Seattle. The PLA wasn't able to take that port, so it should be a good starting point. Not sure after that though.

Ralphie

I never would have thought that bunch of liberals up in Seattle would knock back that kind of an attack. Hell, I never imagined anyone would have the gall to bring a fight to American soil.

Connor

Yeah, people were fighting all over when we left. I'm pretty sure I saw some gang members helping out the cops, it's crazy

Ralphie

I usually put the T.V.s on ESPN, but I've had em on the news all night. Satellite TV, still keeps runnin', even after the Apocalypse.

Connor

For now.

As CONNOR looks up, we transition to the screen.

It is filled with images of fighting from all over the country. Pictures of people dead in the streets and pictures of victories as well. The ticker that runs across the bottom of the screen was listing the cities that had been attacked and their status.

Miami - taken. Savannah - Taken, with PLA moving into Atlanta by morning. Raleigh - Taken. D.C. - Taken, casualties thought to exceed 1 million. Annapolis - Still under siege, but believed to be turning the tide. Philadelphia - Free. Boston - Free. Atlantic City - Taken. Providence - taken. NYC - free and mobilizing defense to move into Albany. Albany - Free, but fighting is fierce with Canadian and National Guard expected to arrive within hours. Los Angeles - Free, but expected to be taken without reinforcements. San Diego - Free, attack was stopped within two hours by Marines and Recruits from the MCRD adjacent to the airport. Balboa Naval base took only minor fire. Fresno - taken. Oakland - Taken. San Francisco - free, Golden Gate Bridge was destroyed by the PLA to cut off aid to Oakland. Astoria - taken with devastating casualties. Portland - taken, but fierce pockets of resistance are slowing the Chinese advance. Olympia - taken. Seattle/Tacoma - Free, National Guard was able to mobilize before the PLA could take SeaTac Intl.

News anchor

This just in.

(We see cell phone video of a devestated army base.)

We previously reported that over 200 military installations were affected by some kind of chemical attack. Medical Personnel are now reporting that the soldiers who they were able to save seem to have been exposed to some kind of fast acting poisonous fungus. Not unlike the spores that were ravaging rural Oregon only a few years ago. This fungus is not believed to be contagious, but spread only by contact with objects in the vicinity of the bases. It is not yet known if this was carried out by Chinese personnel or how they ev...

We cut back to see RALPHIE shaking his head. JESSE is scoffing away at his food and trying to talk.

Ralphie

Christ almighty. So that's how they shut down the entire god damned army.

Jesse

Do you think, they would use that stuff on regular people?

Connor

I don't know JESSE. I don't think they would, why would they be taking major cities by force just to make them uninhabitable?

Liz

Hun, it looks like RAUL is trying to call us. Why don't you take it? I wouldn't know what to ask him.

Connor

Sure thing.

(CONNOR turns to RALPHIE)

Hey is there somewhere a little more quiet I can take this?

Ralphie

Yeah, why don't you head into my office.

(RALPHIE POINTS CONNOR TOWARD THE KITCHEN DOORS)

It's right on the other side of the freezer, you can't miss it.

Connor

Thanks RALPHIE. I appreciate what you're doing for us.

(CONNOR speaks into the receiver. he has to almost yell because of the background noise)

Give me just a minute to get somewhere I can talk.

We follow connor through the kitchen into ralphie's office.

CONNOR closes the door behind him and then sits down at the cluttered desk. There are pictures of RALPHIE's family all around the small office.

Connor

Hey RAUL, you still there?

Raul

Yeah, I'm here. Listen, I've got some really bad news Connor.

Connor

I'd be damn surprised if you had any that wasn't.

Raul

Fair enough, but this involves you. The police have had interpreters trying to intercept radio signals and surprisingly the Chinese are using open frequencies.

Connor

How does that involve me?

Raul

I'm getting there. We all knew they were going to respond to the incident at Mega Mart, but we just weren't sure how... They're pissed man, they're out for blood. You killed one of their top brass when you guys were fighting your way out and they want to make an example of you.

Connor

I'm going to assume they were able to recover the security tapes then...

Raul

Yeah, they were. They came straight to the hospital about two hours after you guys left. They said they only wanted the people who were in charge. We tried to cover, but they found that guy who was shot in the neck...

Connor

MCDONNELL, he was a retired Staff Sgt I think.

Raul

Yeah, that's him. They tried to get him to talk, but he wouldn't. I'm not even sure he could have if he wanted to, he was hurt pretty bad. One of the doctors tried to stop them, but they shot him in the head. Right in front of everyone.

CONNOR

Christ.

Raul

They didn't get anything out of your friend so they just killed him. After that, the guy in charge told us that if they find anyone helping you they would be killed in order to show us how futile it is to fight back.

Connor

Then what the hell are you doing telling me this?

Raul

Because we can change things, CONNOR. If you tell people your story, it might give them hope. You can give people a reason to fight, help them to see that it isn't pointless.

Connor

How do you propose I do that? After all, I'm on the run and those bastards are probably after me right now.

Raul

This isn't the 1950's anymore. These rat bastards can't control the flow of information. Don't you see? With today's technology they can't stifle our voices.

Connor

Last time I checked they had done a pretty good job of blocking access to the internet. And if I go on TV that's only going to make myself and anyone around me more vulnerable.

Raul

No, No we can't have them seeing your face. You can be more than a just some guy, we can use you to represent an ideal. You can spark a movement. Let me record an interview and I can get it out online, I have contacts all over the country and in Europe and Asia, we can make this go viral. The Chinese were only able to completely knock out the Asian hubs. Our navy was smart enough to know that we had to protect ICANN at all costs..

Connor

Wait, what is that?

Raul

ICANN, it's the company that basically controls access to the internet. It's much more complicated than that, but if it were to be taken the entire world's access could be blocked for god knows how long.

Connor

Ok, you said the navy responded? Where is it?

Raul

Well it's in Marina Del Mar, it's a half hour or so from LAX, on the coast. The government apparently had a contingency plan in case it was ever in jeopardy. Coronado had warships there before the Chinese could even get outside of LAX.

Connor

What about LA?

Raul

I think they're rerouting some of the Marines up that way for back up, but LA has a huge police force so I think eventually they'll be ok. Besides people down in LA are mean as hell, they aren't just gonna let some assholes take over their city. They've got as many guns as the cops do, I'm sure.

Connor

That's good, from what I've seen Seattle is in the clear. Maybe they'll be able to retake most of the west coast with such huge naval bases open, they must have forgotten to attack them.

Raul

Nah, more likely too much wind to apply that shit they used on the army all over the country. Apparently there's been some noise on the Antartic network as well. That means someone up high survived and is trying to rally the troops. So do you want to do this? There's no turning back once we do. You've already got the entire god damn Chinese army after you, but they'll really kick it into gear once this gets out.

Connor

You're probably right, RAUL. If we're going to win this thing, we need to give the people some encouragement.

Raul

Ok tape recorder is on. Ready?

Raul

America this is R.C., out of fear for my personal safety and that of my family I can not reveal my real name. Tonight, the world as we know it was torn asunder. Not just our great nation, but dozens of our allies face the largest and most aggressive invasion in the history of mankind. So flawlessly was this attack executed, that the entire planet was taken by surprise. Hundreds of cities have fallen and probably millions of innocent people are dead as we speak. However, all is not lost. Tonight, I will give you a reason to believe. Tonight, we all become the resistance. Everyone who hears this, every man, woman, and child will be part of the fight to retake our homelands.

Tonight, I introduce you to your General. This morning, he was just an ordinary citizen like you and I, but all of that changed when the store he was in came under attack. This man took action without hesitation for his own safety in order to save the lives of dozens of other people in a Vancouver, Washington Mega Mart. For those of you who haven't heard of Vancouver, it is just across the river from sunny Portland, Oregon.

(brief pause)

How did you get that nickname, the General?

Connor

When we were attempting to secure the Mega Mart, there was no time for introductions so one of the employees just started referring to me as General.

Raul

How many people helped you take back that store?

Connor

Everyone there had a part in it. Every single person there was a hero tonight. But those of us doing the fighting, there was myself, another old Jar Head, and about 10 other guys.

Raul

How many died there tonight?

Connor

I'm not sure, we were able to save about 40 or so. However, dozens, maybe a hundred or more, died. I don't really know how many were able to get out before they sealed the place off.

Raul

How many soldiers did they send to take the place?

Connor

I think it was around two dozen that dropped in. Twice as many outside. They sent them in there to slaughter us and then intended to set the place up as a command hub.

Raul

That didn't work out so well for them. Tell us how what went down.

Connor

No, no it didn't. I heard the first shots fired when I was in the middle of an aisle and saw the gunmen as he rounded the corner. I was able to take him out and grab his weapons. After that, I...

Raul

What happened then?

Connor

I, um, I was able to get a civilian into an office about 50 yards away. I was under pretty intense fire and would have been dead only a few feet from the door when a man, Jim was his name, came out of nowhere and nearly took a soldier's head off with a baseball bat.

He was looking for his little boy. I tried to help him find the kid, but the soldiers were all over. Another guy managed to get ahold of a soldier's hand grenades.

CONNOR is doing his best to keep his voice from cracking as the emotions came rushing to the surface. He is able to control them, even as his eyes begin to water.

v.O. as we see overhead shots of battles raging in various cities around the globe.

Raul

That is an amazing story. I met you there, at the hospital. You came across harshly at first, but I can't blame you after all you've been through today. I would never be able to hold myself together like that.

Connor

We can't have let them die in vain R.C. Those bastards came looking for us and they killed an injured man along with his doctor. They weren't fighting back, it was in cold blood.

Raul

Staff Sgt Michael McDonnell and Doctor Thomas Richards. They died today as heroes, giving their lives to protect others. And Jim, he's with his son now. Tell me, where do we go from here?

Connor

Know this, no man will fall in vain while attempting to restore our lives. At the same time no loss of life should ever be considered small. So many of us will die, so that our brothers and sisters may live. We must willingly face our end in order to give our nation a new beginning. Without a doubt, we must take back our country. After that, the homes of our allies as well. We all fall together and together we will all rise again. Today the Chinese government and those of their allies decided that we were not fit to lead anymore, not even fit to run our own lives. They sent in their armies to break our spirit, to punish us all for our ignorance. Not just us, but all free people. If we do not stand now, this authoritarian army of tyrants will wash over the entire world, killing and suppressing any who stand in their way. They intend to hunt me like a dog for the insults I have made against them.

Raul

Are you afraid for yourself, General?

Connor

I am. I am afraid for all of us. But we can not let fear dictate our lives, we must strive to control our own circumstance. If we give in to fear, we will be lost within months. If we stand aside, we will never again have a chance to take our country back. We must embrace this fear and use it, because it is only this fear that can remind us what is at stake.

Raul

How should we fight back?

Connor

We face an army of unprecedented size, no one knows exactly how large it actually is. However, they do not know these lands, they do not know our cities. They can not imagine how fiercely we will fight them to wrest control out of their hands. So let them hunt me, let them send their troops to find me. It is a fool's move to waste massive amounts of resources to find one man.

While they aimlessly attempt to track me down, we will be building ourselves up. We will organize to fight back. They have only been able to take major coastal cities, everything between the Cascades and the Appalachian mountains remains free. Within days our military will be mobile again. Our enemy is coming from across the seas, we are only witnessing the first of their massive armies, but it will take them time to move their Armada toward us. We must not simply bide our time, waiting for death to come

Raul

You would have us fight them at every turn?

Connor

No, no, we do not need people dying for no reason. We need to use our cities and forests to our advantage. We can fight as guerillas, it is our time to use the urban warfare tactics we have learned over the last few decades. We can mount an urban counter-offensive the likes they could never have imagined. We will not fight in the streets, we will use our heads. Our intelligence and resourcefulness are our most valuable weapons. There is no shame in retreating. Attack while the enemy is unsuspecting and move. Do not stay in any place longer than it takes to reload, never fight in the same spot twice. Always, always keep moving. Do not give your enemy time to breathe.

Raul

So we are now the insurgents?

Connor

You could say that. All of our lives are now intertwined. We can not let our enemy break our spirits. Even if I were to fall, let my death steel your hearts and cement your will. We are all the leaders of this new militia, they can not destroy us by simply killing one man. Let us strike fear into their souls. We will give them a fight so fierce that they will abandon their plans to conquer this land. Let our righteousness make this land untenable for them.

Raul

We are running out of time here. It is unsafe for us to linger much longer, we will all become targets soon. Anything else you'd like to tell the people General?

Connor

Though the night may seem too long to bear, remember that the dawn will always break. We are at a crucial point in the history of mankind, where all free people must fight to maintain their independence. We can not simply lay down and die. Embrace your brothers and move forward. In order to survive we must all resolve to stand as one. We are all the Resistance.

Transition back to connor sitting at the desk trying to collect himself

As he sits in the office, we hear the tell-tale sound of rain drops. Only a sprinkling at first, within moments a torrential downpour all but drowns out the sounds coming from the kitchen and the bar beyond. CONNOR takes a bottle of painkillers out and chases a few with his whiskey. He then gets up to return to the bar.

We see Liz talking to Ralphie about his family and Jesse having a very intense conversation with Ralphie's daughter who had taken their order earlier. We notice her hand on JESSE's knee. She looks at CONNOR in the most peculiar way as he sits back down.

Connor

Ummm... Hi?

Waitress

Jesse said you got shot earlier. You don't look like someone shot you.

Connor

Well, it just grazed me. It's not nearly as bad as it sounds. In fact, it doesn't even hurt.

CONNOR pulls his shirt off, a tanktop underneath. Ralphie and his daughter see the bandage. We see a tattoo on CONNOR's back. It's a Ohm/resistance symbol with crosed swords through it. (See book jacket for illustration)

LIZ

They damn near took your ink off, hun.

CONNOR

Nah, it's lucky. We never lost a man who had this tat.

Waitress

Oh, that's good. Are you guys gonna stay here for a few days?

Connor

No, we need to get moving pretty quickly.

Waitress

Oh. When will you guys be back?

Connor

I doubt we will. It's not safe for us right now, so we'll have to keep moving until it is.

Ralphie

You know what? Why don't you take this with you son. I think this bottle of Jack will do you more good than it will me.

Connor

Thanks Ralphie. You guys be careful, there's no telling when those bastards will come this way.

Ralphie

I'll just have the cook poison them.

CONNOR

No matter what, we were never here. It's pertinent you don't tell anyone. I can't have you in danger on my behalf.

EXT. Parking lot

As they pull out of the parking lot, the first strands of sunlight are beginning to creep over the horizon.

Connor

Ok, set that GPS for the Mount St. Helens observatory, but use the alternate route,We want to go around the east side of the mountain, there will be less of a chance of being followed.

Liz

I cant figure this one out, it's so much different than ours.

Jesse

Here let me see. I can do it.

LIZ hands JESSE the GPS.

Jesse

You have to type it in, it's not voice activated. How alternate do you want? I can do hiking trails.

Connor

I Don't think the car would hike too well, but that's good to know in case we do need to hoof it.

Later in the day we come back to CONNOR driving while LIZ is nodding off. JESSE is going through the bags to stave off boredom.

Jesse

Hey, where'd you get this ninja sword?

JESSE is swinging the kukri around.

Connor

That's a machete. It's called a Kukri.

Jesse

No, it's called a bad ass ninja sword,

Connor

If you end up cutting yourself, I'm just gonna let you bleed out.

Jesse

You killed my brother, prepare to die!

(mouthing randomly as if he were in a poorly dubbed movie.)

Holy shit, look there's someone else out here.

JESSE points behind us at a car looming closer and closer. LIZ is fully awake at this point.

Connor

How the hell did they manage to catch up to us? I haven't seen a cross road for at least an hour.

Jesse

Oh shit, Connor they're coming up fast. This isn't right, why are they coming up so quickly?

We look back in the rear-view mirro and see was a green jeep.

Connor

Mother fucker. Look, when we take this curve ahead try to see what symbol is on the side of the jeep. If it's not a big star we're in for some serious shit.

CONNOR whips around the curve at 55 I could. JESSE is craning his neck to see.

Jesse

FUCK! GO GO GO! They've got a fucking machine gun on that bitch!.

Connor

Hold on, I'm gonna try to shake 'em.

As CONNOR slams on the gas we see the speedometer jump to 55 mph as he comes up on a 35 mph corner. He takes the corner at 60, back tires screeching. The jeep is unable to maintain the same speed.

68 mph

Jesse

Someone's climbing on top!

Liz

He's going for the gun, they're going to try to shoot us!

77 mph

The next curve is 50, CONNOR doesn't slow down at all.

The soldier is trying to draw a line on them, but they are taking the corners too fast for them keep up. The frequent corners are throwing off the soldier's aim.

CONNOR hits a 25 mph corner at 50 and the rear end starts to slide.

Connor

How long until the road opens up?

Liz

Just over 3 miles. A few more curves then completely open for at least half an hour.

Connor

I'm going to put some distance between us. Jesse I need your help.

Jesse

What?

Connor

Get a belt of grenades and climb open the hatch back there.

Jesse

Oh god, I've been kidnapped by crazy people.

Connor

Trust me, we've got maybe 2 minutes before this road is wide open. When that happens, we are fucked. So i'm going to slow way down around this last curve. They won't expect us to be there. Open the hatch just enough to throw them. When I tell you, yank a few pins and toss them.

Jesse

But won't that hit us?

Connor

No, as soon as you let go I'm gonna to floor it. Just slam the hatch and get the fuck down.

Jesse

This is how I die.

(JESSE climbs in the back with grenades)

Liz

Are you sure this is going to work?

Connor

Well, for Jesse's sake I certainly hope so. If not, it's a hell of a way to go out.

Jesse

I fuckin heard that!

50 mph around the next to last curve, the soldiers have started firing but are too far behind to do any good.

Almost there Jesse

(start slowing down around the last turn.)

This is gonna be fuckin awesome... Open it, get ready.

23 mph.

We heard the Jeep's breaks screech as they realize CONNOR has slowed down. The soldier on top starts firing, but his gun is pointed to the side. He was panicking.

Connor

Do it!!!!

Jesse

Oh fuck, oh fuck, oh fuck!

Jesse screams as he tosses the grenades.

CONNOR slams hard on the accelerator.

43 mph.

CONNOR is Shifting frantically as they come out into the open. We see an explosion in the rear view, it is huge. the flash is almost blinding

64 mph.

Jesse

Hell yeah! Choke on that bitches!

Connor

Ho-Leee- Zombie baby Jesus. How many did you throw?

Jesse

I don't know. The entire strip?

Connor

That's like 20 grenades you maniac.

Jesse

They landed right on their fucking hood! I think I saw the guy on top go flying off.

79 mph

Liz

Why are you still going so fast honey?

Connor

We've got to make room in case there are more behind them. We don't have enough grenades to do that too many more times.

84 mph

The engine is roaring.

Jesse

Wow, this is the fastest I've ever seen a car go!

115 mph

Connor

How far are we from the observatory?

Liz

Just about an hour. Well Maybe five or six minutes if you don't slow down.

Connor

Don't worry, I will as soon as we get back into the curves.

Int. Secure conference room with large monitors

RIGALIO

What do we know?

Ropas

Gentlemen, let's not begin to waste our time speculating.

Rigalio

Sir, I did not request speculation. What do we know?

MACALARY

Commandant we must formulate a response and way our options. We must move on.

Rigalio

You're damn right we must form a response, but I refuse to sit here and let you ladies discuss surrender. We are not beaten. Not yet.

Ropas

That is not for you to decide Commandant

THOMPSON

No sir, It is my decsion

MACALARY

Madam, this is a closed session.

THOMPSON

I am acting President and I will not be asked to leave. Not if you wish to remain in your post General.

MACALARY

The fact of the matter is, the chain of command is unaccounted for and we must consider arranging a new one.

RIGALIO

I beg your pardon?

MACALARY

I believe I was clear Commandant.

RIGALIO

What you propose is treason. Your Commander in Chief is in this room and you will respect her.

Ropas

Have you ever been in a war, madam secretary?

RIGALIO

You will address her as Madam President and I would ask you the General the same question. Have your boots ever hit the ground outside a greenzone.

MACALARY

That is irrelevant.

RIGALIO

No General, it is not. I am the only man here who has been in combat. The only one of us who knows what it's like out there when your life is on the line and the only thing between you and St Peter is the cheapest flak we could mass produce. So I will ask you again, and you will hold your tongue if you can not contribute. What in the bloody fuck do we know?

Ext. Mt st helens observatory - abandoned.

CONNOR sneaks around the building while LIZ and JESSE wait in the car. He has his Kukri and hatcet out. After searching for a moment, he finds a window that can be forced open. CONNOR climbs in.

Int. Mt St helens observatory. Office opening to large hall

CONNOR slowly moves through the cracked doorway and down the hall. Suddenly he hears a noise coming from a nearby room.

Soldier (in chinese)

Damnit, you're going to clean me out.

Officer (chinese)

Just hand over the hazard pay. I may let you try to win it back later.

We hear a third soldier laughing. CONNOR positions himself outside the doorway and waits. He straps the weapons and pulls out a field knife.

SOLDIER (IN CHINESE)

It's time for to make your rounds.

Third soldier

Don't touch my chips.

As the third soldier leaves the room, CONNOR steps out and slits his throat. He lowers the SOLDIER to the ground, his hand covering the man's mouth.

CONNOR sheaths the knife and pulls out the other weapons. He shoves the door open and flings the hatchet at the OFFICER, lodding it in his skull.

The other soldier trips while trying to run, he is cowering against a desk begging incoherently.

CONNOR grabs a pistol off the table and tosses it to the SOLDIER. The SOLDIER scrambles to grab it, but CONNOR slams the kukri into his shoulder, nearly severing the arm.

SOLDIER

Why? Why you do this?

CONNOR

Every man deserves a chance to die fighting. You chose a coward's death. You didn't want the weapon.

The SOLDIER slides toward the pistol, CONNOR does not advance.

SOLDIER

No. My choice, not the butcher's.

The SOLDIER raises the gun and shoots himself in the head rather than let CONNOR finish him.

CONNOR calmly walks to the OFFICER's corpse, putting his foot into the dead man's chest to dislodge his hatchet. JESSE and LIZ come storming into the room, weapons drawn.

CONNOR

I asked you to stay in the car.

LIZ

We heard gunshots.

JESSE

Did he... Did he fucking kill himself? What the hell did you do?

CONNOR

Only what was necessary, nothing more.

LIZ

They might be the enemy, but theyre still people CONNOR. Why the hell would he kill himself?

CONNOR

(Lying)

I dont know. I was busy with the other two.

LIZ

So he tried to chop his own arm off as well?

CONNOR

No, I did that when I breached. He bit the barrel while I was taking care of the other one.

LIZ

As long as we've been together, I've never once suspected you of lying to me. Not until right now.

LIZ slams the door back open and heads to the car to get supplies. JESSE follows. CONNOR slumps down into a chair, conflicted about what has just taken place.

INT. MT ST HELENS OBSERVATORY. Dining room.

CONNOR, JESSE, and LIZ are eating. The tension seems to have eased.

CONNOR

There's a small gun range near the back. We need to get in their first thing in the morning and make sure we're at one hundred.

JESSE

I'm psyched. Can you really curve a bullet?

LIZ

No dummy. That wasn't real.

JESSE

You crush all my dreams.

CONNOR

I know you're both upset with me. You've got every right to be, but I need you to understand what it's like to be in that moment. When it's life and death, you're going to do things you never thought you could and you won't even be debating it in your mind. You just react.

Liz

I know you don't want this, hun. No one would.

Connor

We all fantasize about being a fuckin hero.

JESSE

You are a hero man. You're a real life fuckin action star. I know we're gonna win. We've got you on our side. As long as that's the case, we're gonna keep putting them bitches in the ground.

Connor

It's never like that though. When the shit hits the fan, the guilt sets in. We save one person, ten more die. How does a man make those choices? Fuck how does he make that choice even one god damn time? Then, back in the real world, we're forced to keep on making that same choice. Who do we save? Who can't we save? Which is just a nice way of saying 'Who the fuck are we gonna let die today? Guilt like that will tear right through to a heart of a man. There's a bullet with each and every one of our names on it, sure. But in war, sometimes that bullet is in our own gun, kid.

Jesse

The war will end eventually

Connor

Not for us. Dont even think for a second that our war ends when the treaties are signed and the arms laid down. No, our war gets even harder because we're forced to live with that pain, except we're sitting behind a desk. We can no lonbger take action. We have to suffer with no real way of fighting back. No, kid. This war don't end for men like us

Liz

I dream about it, every time I shut my eyes I see the mayhem.

CONNOR

So do I. I remember every single face. Every scream and cry for mercy. I dream of their families. It's not just killin a man. It's robbin his family of a father, a son, a brother. Hell, someone's best friend. These guys, they aren't evil. They think they're fighting for the righteous cause just the same as us. Who's to say they're wrong? I kill them again and again, every night. No matter how hard I try to put that gun down, I cant. Don't you see? We can never completely put these weapons down. They're a part of us, just like every evil act we've used them to commit.

Liz (in tears)

This war is changing you, Connor.

Connor

No. No it isnt. This war has simply shown you all who I really am. This is the real me. The man you fell in love with? He was a facade. An act I played while trying to forget the things I had done for my country. I wanted to be a better man. I still do, only now i've realized that the man I wanted to be before all this, he's someone else entirely.

Liz

So now you know who you really are? That's bullshit CONNOR. What about my CONNOR, the man I've loved for so long? Is he just gone because you're afraid to have a little fucking hope?

Connor

I'm just the murderer that these people turned to when they needed some serious killin' done. That's all I am and all I will ever be. Death follows me, Liz. You know that now. Only, i'm never entirely sure if he's uninvited.

LIZ

We can't stay here long.

CONNOR

We've got maybe two days before someone notices these guys are missing. C'mon, let's go check out the firing range.

Ext. Woods - shortly after dawn

Mt St Helens looms in the distance as our group begins to make their way into the national park.

CONNOR is clean shavenand tidy. His bandages unsullied. The enormity of the woods makes them seem like ants in comparison.

Ext. London.

Destruction rains through the damp night, reminiscent of the blitz nearly a century before.

Soldiers, British and American alike, man heavy artillery taking down fighter jets. The debris crashing into the Thames.

Int. Subway

The trains have stopped running. Civilians and their families have formed a shanty town through out, leaving enough room for officials to use electric carts to navigate the tracks.

Ext. Mecca.

Mosques are in flames. Millions of religious pilgrims trapped within a warzone.

Ext. Rockefeller center, New York city

A large queue has formed. Civilians are lined up. Some for rations, others to join the war effort. We see a large banner with CONNOR's tattoo hanging behind the Resistance recruiters.

Ext. Woods - Mid day.

Connor is pulling a net out of the water, standing kneedeep in a slow moving stream. His beard is starting to grow.

Int. War room. The vermilloion hotel - seattle, wa

The Vermillion is an aptly named skyscraper/luxury hotel that THOMPSONhas requisitioned to serve as the temporary base of the government. THOMPSON and RIGALIO are going over a map of the northwest with a few Marines and a handful of civilians.

Ext. Tianamen square

Massive protests are being staged by Chinese citizens in opposition to the war. The same protests are taking place in nearly every Chinese city.

Suddenly an explosion rips through the nearby government buildings. The crowd dissolves, revealing Chinese members of the Resistance. Each wears an armband with CONNOR's tattoo. An all out firefight has begun. The Resistance forces the Soldiers to retreat after destroying their heavy artillery and tanks.

Ext woods. Base of a waterfall

CONNOR looks up at the waterfal. His beard is now a few inches long and shaggy. They've been hiking for weeks and all look worse for wear.

CONNOR

We've got to go up. It's the only way to put distance between ourselves and whoever else is out there setting up camp night after night.

LIZ

It doesn't seem safe.

CONNOR

I'll have to find a good spot ten or so yards away from the water.

LIZ

The wall's too soft. If you use a pick, it'll crumble under you.

CONNOR

I know. I'll have to freeclimb and then lower a rope for you two.

LIZ

Fuck, I really dont like this.

CONNOR

Yeah, me neither. We're wasting daylight though.

CONNOR gives LIZ a quick kiss, throws his bag to JESSE and starts toward the 70 meters tall wall.

The climb is rough. CONNOR find a small ledge about 15 meters up, where he takes a quick break in order to survey the wall.

Another 10 meters and his grips are becoming more sparse. His feet knocking dirt away as he tries to push himself upward. At this point the grips are almost nonexistant. CONNOR begins slowly moving closer to the waterfall where the grips are more common, but the wall is softer.

The climb is becoming much more dangerous, CONNOR is now only about fifteen feet from the water. Moss is all over the rocks, making potential handles slippery. He keeps moving up, trying to move back away from the waterfall as he goes.

Grabbing onto a rock jutting out of the wall, CONNOR pulls himself up once more. Only another ten meters to go. The rock breaks loose, sending him plummeting. CONNOR is clawing. Frantically trying to grab something, anything. His face scrapes as he falls, grabbing wildly like a mad man. Trying to get a hold on the wall before he plummets to his death. Finally he grips something. His left hand slips again. He is dangling by one hand, nothing below but the forest floor some forty yards away. The pain in his hand and arm is excruciating. His shoulder couldn't have been separated, he would not have been able to hold on. Finally connor finds a grip for his left hand, ready to begin once more. LIZ is yelling something, but we can't make it out. CONNOR's head is spinning, blood flowing down his face. He spits out a mouthful. CONNOR's right arm is also covered in blood. It seems to be flowing from his hand.

CONNOR desperately tries to force himself up, fighting through the pain. His arms are weak and starting to give under the strain. His bullet wound has opened back up. Another few minutes and he has finally reached the top. CONNOR takes hold of a long root that is weaving in and out of the cliff side and uses it to lob himself onto solid ground.

CONNOR stumbles away from the cliff's edge. The height is making his head swim worse than before. He's finally able to get a good look at his hand. The middle finger is gushing blood, it looks as if not only the finger nail but most of the skin to the middle knuckle has been ripped open. CONNOR takes off a shoe, using the sock to stifle the bleeding.

F.O. As CONNOR secures a rope and tosses it over the cliff for JESSE and LIZ.

Ext. Top of waterfall. Dawn.

CONNOR wakes sometime after dawn. Quickly getting up, ready to start the day's hike. His face is bandaged extensively, as well as his hand. JESSE looks at him incredulously.

Jesse

Are you really in any shape to be doing that?

Connor

I'm fine. Get up. We have to get moving soon.

Jesse

Oh really? Catch.

JESSE throws the smallest bag at CONNOR, he screams and sinks to his knees as he catches it.

Connor

Ahhh, fucking son of a bitch.

Jesse

Dude, you aren't ok. You need to rest some more. Just take a day off from being Captain Badass.

Connor

I'm not trying to be a badass, god damnit. I'm trying to fucking keep us alive.

Liz

Connor, if anyone was following us, we would have seen their camp fires last night, right?

Jesse

Just take a day, man. If you can move your arm tomorrow we'll keep going.

Liz

We can take care of things while you rest. You got us up here, now let us help you.

Connor

Fine, it doesn't fucking matter anyways.

CONNOR sulks off to wash his face, unsure why he was even angry.

Liz

Babe, what's the matter?

Connor

Everything is the fucking matter! We have an entire fucking military looking for us, they want to fucking disply my head on a pole. How the hell am I not supposed to be worried about this shit? I didn't fucking ask for any of this!

Liz

I'm right here with you Connor. We're in this together, we can't just give up or start yelling at each other. Are we supposed to fight and go our seperate ways? I'd rather die with you then apart and you know that.

Connor

What the hell do you expect me to do? I have no fucking idea what I'm doing. For all I know, I|m going to get you both killed.

Liz

You're being such a fuckin narcissist CONNOR. Maybe we do get killed, but we chose to be here with youSo stop being such an asshole, the only choice we have is staying together.

Connor

You know what? You're right I'm sorry. I'm gonna take a walk.

CONNOR walks off into the woods. He doesn't return until nearly dusk. CONNOR walks up to the fire JESSE is building and sits down.

Connor

I think I found a park ranger station. There's a trail a few miles north of here and some relatively recent Gator tracks on it.

Liz

You mean we might be able to sleep indoors for once?

Connor

Looks that way, let's get some rest. I think I'll be up for it in the morning.

JESSE

I'm pretty sure I saw a bear earlier. Can you teach me how to use the gun in case it tries to eat us on my watch?

CONNOR

Yeah, we've got a little light left. Grab the rifle with the laser sight

JESSE

What are we gonna shoot?

CONNOR

Nothing, you're just gonna aim and turn on the laser when you think you have the shot. The echo up here would be way too loud.

JESSE

I suppose it's probably one of those lasers cats play with and not one of the Pew Pew Pew variety.

Liz

Pretty sure they don't have the Pew Pew Pew kind yet.

Late during the night JESSE sneaks across the camp, sure he has seen the bear.

Jesse

CONNOR, it's the bear! It's right there, what do I do?

LIZ

Give it a Pic-a-Nic basket.

CONNOR

Yeah try that. Go away.

The next day, the crew is walking some more when they come across a small bridge.

JESSE

How far do you think we've walked today?

LIZ

Five, maybe twelve miles. I dunno.

CONNOR

Probably about halfway, maybe a little more.

Jesse

No fucking way. There's the bridge.

CONNOR

This can't be right. I didn't see this at all yesterday.

Liz

About time things go our way.

CONNOR

Im not so sure they have. If the trail was this close it means we're nowhere near where we thought. We could be just miles from the edge of the park.

Liz

I still say it's a good thing. I'm gonna fill up all of the water, just in case.

Connor

Alright, we've got to be close. But if we're wrong we'll be setting up camp after dark. What do you guys want to do?

Jesse

Let's keep going.

Liz

I agree, I'd rather sleep on a bed. We're bound to be there soon.

Connor

Alrighty, let's go then.

After dusk they near the ranger's cabin.

Connor

Guys, be careful, I saw some tire tracks from what looked like a quad earlier. They didn't look more than a few days old. Someone might be here.

Liz

Ok, what should we do?

Connor

I hadn't thought about it. We're just going to move up slowly and if no one comes out, I'll go in first.

No lights are on. The cabin was only a few hundred square feet by the looks of it. They make a loop around and still didn't see anything.

CONNOR

Wait for me to call you in.

CONNOR isn't thinking clearly and forgets to grab a flashlight. He walks in with his weapon down, squinting for a light switch. We hear the slight shuffle of feet. CONNOR tenses up. Through the faint light in the doorway we can see the cold steel of a shotgun barrel against the side of CONNOR's head.

Mike

Who are you?

Connor

Connor

Mike

What are you doing here?

Connor

I'm just...

Mike

Don't fucking move! Ill kill your gook ass!

Connor

I'm an American

Jesse

He's the General, you fucking moron!

JESSE walks slowly in, rifle trained toward the assailants head. LIZ has made her way in through a back door unnoticed.

Mike

Bullshit! that's just some rumor! Put the piece down kid.

Liz

You aren't in a position to bargain.

Connor

Listen, man. We can talk this over. I promise you'll be much better off if we do.

Mike

Oh and you're calling the shots now? I have a fucking gun to your head, think about it!

Connor

I'm thinking pretty clearly right now. You have one gun against my head, another two aimed at yours.

Mike

Put your weapons down or he dies!

Connor

I wasn't finished. If they're telling the truth and I am who they claim I am, you'll be dead before they have a chance to shoot you.

MIKE seems uncertain, his voice is becoming shaky.

Mike

You're lying!

Connor

Perhaps, but I suggest we let cooler heads prevail.

CONNOR is holding his hand low and fingers apart. He is trying to signal Jesse and Liz not to shoot.

Mike

I don't believe any of you!

MIKE screams. In an instant CONNOR acts, forcing his body to move. CONNOR yanks MIKE's gun down and slams him face first into the wall in a violent, twisting motion. His head bounces off the wall before CONNOR slams it back against the door jam, leaning in to whisper to MIKE. CONNOR's arm is shaking, but MIKE doesn't notice.

You don't have to believe me, but I'd rather not kill you. I'll only tell you once, stand down or die.

Mike

Ok! Ok.

CONNOR releases his head, yanking the shotgun away with his free hand. CONNOR kicks him hard in the chest, knocking him to the ground. MIKE is sobbing. CONNOR throws the shotgun out the door to JESSE who catches it.

Connor

We aren't here to hurt you, but you better believe that I will end you if I think you're trying to pull something on us.

Mike

Please don't kill me.

Connor

Get up and turn on the fucking lights.

Liz

Try to remember that there are two guns aimed right at your head, asshole.

The only light in the cabin is coming from the laser sight on MIKE's chest. CONNOR is standing a few feet away armed only with his kukri. There is a small table with two chairs in one corner. A messy desk in the other. A door leads into the small dorm.

JESSE

She's the nice one, too.

Mike

For some reason, I'm not worried about you's two like I am him.

Jesse

I'll tell you one thing, you're a lucky motherfucker. You're the only person I've seen him let walk away since this shit began.

MIKE

You can't really...

MIKE is shaking so hard that he looked as if he were going to have a seizure.

CONNOR

Just relax, I try not to murder Americans if I can help it.

Mike

That's kind of hard to believe when you've all got weapons.

Connor

How do you think we've made it this far? Jesse, give him the gun back. I know it's hard to believe, but you can trust us.

Jesse

Just don't try anything stupid.

MIKE

Ya know what? This kid scares me too. All of you do.

Connor

Why are you still in the Park?

Mike

I've got no where else to go. Say what happened to ya's face?

Connor

I got into a fight with the wall of a cliff.

Mike

The Chinese didn't do that to yous?

Connor

No, although they tried. My name's Connor. This is Jesse and Liz.

Mike

Mike. Umm LeRoi.

Connor

Where are you from Mike?

Mike

Me? I'm from Bawsten. I got tired of the city, so I moved up here afta college.

Connor

Do you have a wife, kids?

Mike

Nah, look at me,the ladies ain't so big on short, chubby guys like ma self.

Jesse

How long are you planning on hiding out here?

Mike

Probably til the war's ova. What bout yous guys?

JESSE

We aren't hiding. We're fighting back.

CONNOR

There's no shame in hiding JES. However, it's best not to speculate on battleplans that havent even been formed. We're headed north MIKE.

Mike

Why's that? Yous gotta tell me what happened in Portland.

Connor

It's kind of a long story.

Mike

That's fine, we got bunks in the back, yous can stay here for a few nights.

Connor

I appreciate that, but MIKE, I'm the last man on earth you should harbor.

Mike

So when did yous start the broadcasts?

Connor

Eh?

Mike

Aww c'mon, the broadcasts when yas comes on the radio out of nowhere, or like when you cut into the middle of the TV screen and are all blurry.

Jesse

What the fuck is he talking about? (JESSE is laughing)

Mike

Yous guys is messing with me aint ya?

Connor

I'm afraid not, but seriously what are you talking about?

Mike

Oh man, you really ain't shittin me.

Liz

Are you going to tell us what the heck you're talking about?.

Mike

Well, umm, here's the thing. Did you or didn't yous make that interview a coupla weeks ago?

Connor

With Raul?

Mike

Who? Oh you mean R.C.? Ya that's him, sounds kinda Hispanic or somethin.

Connor

Yes, that was me in the interview.

Mike

Ok, so from what I|ve heard on the radio it was posted online and started to get a followin. Tens of Millions of views within three days of somethin.

Liz

Amazing

Connor

Yeah, your damn right. But get this, so then, the next few days, the Chinese, theys makin their broadcasts and all of a sudden this mean sonnuvabitch cuts in all shadowy and blurry on the TV.

Connor

What do you mean?" I asked

Mike

Well it was just a, what do you call it... like a cut out...

Liz

A silhouette?

Mike

Yeah, that's it, it was a silhouette of yous or somethin and it was playin clips from yas recording. Then it starts happenin more and more, they try and cut off the frequency, but it doesn't always work!

Connor

Interesting...

Mike

Not to mention the radio. Yous come cutting in mid-song or right in the middle of those fucks broadcasts. It's always the same shit, but it really makes ya feel all tingly. Like somethin in the worlds changing ya know? They try and convince us we's been broken, then BAM here's the fuckin' General. He says fuck those guys, ya know?

Connor

I get the feeling.

It's like our Kennedy assassination man. ( He is so excited he was beginning to get up and pace)Like our generation will be defined by looking back and sayin to each others,'When did you first hear the General?' That shit gives me chills every time. Telling us we're all the resistance, it makes me wanna fight too! Come on brotha, let's fuckin do it!

Liz

Wow

MIKE

Ah c'mon. Sure I aint got y'alls kinda courage, but im sure there's something I can do. Yous need an office clerk?

LIZ

No one knows what they've got inside until their finger is on that trigger Mike. It's best to hope you never have to find out.

Jesse

It is kind of funny, we had no idea this was happening.

Mike

So you're tellin me that the general and company is right here in my cabin and yous guys ain't had a clue this was going down?

Connor

Well, I knew he was trying to get the word out, but I didn't think it would be that effective. Not by a long shot.

Liz

This...This changes everything.

Mike

HELLS YEAH IT DOES! We're gonna win this mothafucka.

Connor

I guess at this point we've gone beyond running and are going to have to get to Seattle to put a face behind the movement.

Mike

Man! I feel like my prom date just knocked on the door!

Jesse

Ha, What?

Mike

Ok, ok wise guy, that was a bad analogy or somethin. Who is this kid?"

Liz

That kid's killed more men than most soldiers ever will.

Mike

No shit? Yous the third one they're after aren't ya? Oh man, you're too young. I got a nephew about your age. How could I - They. How could they come after him like that?

CONNOR sttrides across the room to Mike, there is murder in his eyes. His voice comes out harsh and slow, as he draws close allowing no room for MIKE to avoid him. CONNOR looks like a bear looming over a house dog, compared to MIKE's puny frame.

Connor

Wait... What do you mean third?

Mike

Two guys and a girl, they said yous guys are killers. They're trying to discredit yas, like you were convicts or somethin. I figured you'd all be a little talla, ya know?

Jesse

He's twice your size, dick head. Hell, Liz is damn close to your size.

Connor

How do you know all this, when you're this far out in the woods?

Mike

The radios still work up here, man.

Liz

So they've said they're after us?

Liz pulls a 9mm out of her holster.

Mike

Oh yeahs, they said theys gonna do some crazy shit once they find ya. They're.. gonna.. well.. they wants to make an example.. they said they'd execute you in front of the entire world..

Connor

Well, isn't that daunting ( He says defiantly, his hand pressed against the wall behind his head) Why the hell should I trust you, Mike?

Mike

Ha, you really are a tough sonnuvabitch! I want, no I need you to come out ahead, ya knows?

Jesse

You think they're in the woods yet?

Mike

Nah kid, I'd have known if they was.

CONNOR

How? How would you know Mike?

Liz

You didn't know we were here.

Mike

Hell I didn't!

Liz

How long did you know that we were out there Mike?

Liz puts her hand on CONNOR's shoulder to calm him a bit.

Mike

Well, I saws ya fire a few days back when I was at the river, but didn't think nothin' of it. But around a week ago I was sure I saw yous guys from the cliff top.

Connor

Nothing else behind us?

Mike

Nah, but the other rangers all left for their families right after this started, so it's just me out heres.

CONNOR

You know full well I wasnt asking about park rangers. What are you avoiding?

MIKE

Nothin. Nothin, im just scared ya know?

Connor

How far are we from a road?

Mike

About thirty five miles or so.

Jesse

How do you manage that hike?

Mike

Oh? ha I ain|t hiking that, I take the gator.

Connor

You have gas out here?

Mike

Oh yeah, we gots everything. I got a generator, gas for the gator, we even got fresh water and a hot shower.

Liz

Wow, that isn't bad at all.

Mike

Say, yous guys wanna hang out here a few days? Rest up. Your arm don't look so good, General.

CONNOR

I'm not so sure...

Mike

Aww, c'mon, I haven't talked to anyone in a few days. You guys can clean up and relax for a while, then I can take ya north on the gator if ya wants.

CONNOR

Your generosity is overwhelming MIKE. Thank you. We'll stay for a while, but I'm going to need a first aid kit.

Liz

Oh shit. We need to clean your... well...(LIZ gestures at basically CONNOR's entire body) there's a lot that needs to be cleaned before you get infected.

Mike

How bad is it?

Connor

Well...

CONNOR pulls the bandage off of his face. MIKE tries to jump away, with nowhere to go but into the wall.

Mike

Oh shit, man! Did you get in a fight with a fuckin' bear?

Connor

I take it, you don't want me to accompany you to prom anymore?

Mike

Well, you're probably still prettier than me. Lemme grab that kit.

Jesse

Actually, he fell down a cliff and apparently stopped himself with his teeth.

Connor

It tasted like chicken.

CONNOR tries to touch his face but winces. He then begins rummaging through the bag for painkillers.

Liz

Connor, are you almost out of those already? That was supposed to be a month supply.

JESSE

Well that was before he decided to step into the octagon with a bear.

Connor

I was also supposed to take it easy, relax, get some rest. I don|t think hiking a hundred or so miles and scaling a cliff would fall into that category.

LIZ

I'm just worried about you. (LIZ hugs CONNOR.) You've put yourself through so much. I don't know how anyone could push so hard without breaking.

CONNOR

We all break in different ways. (CONNOR whispers before MIKE breaks the tension)

Mike

If it feels half as bad as it looks, I'd be eaten that whole bottle at once. Listen, you should probably go try and wash up as best you can before we do anything. You're gonna need stitches in a spot or two most likely. It's gonna sting like a sonnuvabitch when ya clean it.

Connor

Yeah, sure. Where's the sink?

Mike

Oh, it's on the other side of the bedroom over there.

Connor

Fuck...

LIZ

Here, let me help.

LIZ pulls out a nearby chair and begins wetting a washrag for CONNOR. It's quiet. More intimate than any time they've had together recently.

CONNOR

How bad do you think it's gonna scar?

LIZ

Well, it looks like you fell off a motorcycle face first. This is going to hurt like a motherfucker hun. These gashes are deep and pretty dirty from the sweat.

CONNOR

Still think scars are sexy?

LIZ

More than ever. (LIZ kisses CONNOR gently on the forehead.) Hopefully he's got some butterfly stitches. This one by your temple is going to scar badly if we try to sew it.

CONNOR

I've always wanted a bad ass facial scar.

LIZ

Well, c'mon toughguy. Let's get this bandaged up and then maybe you can take a bath.

CONNOR

LIZ (CONNOR pulls her close and whispers to her) be careful. We can't trust this guy.

LIZ

I know.

Mike (from other room)

Hey guys, looks like a storm's comin. I needs to batten down the hatches pretty quick here.

CONNOR wakes up to the sound of an explosion in the distance.

Connor

Guys? Hey where are you guys?

No answer, he gets out of the tub and dresses, not wasting time drying off. His arm doesn't hurt at all, in fact it looked perfectly normal. CONNOR rushed out of the bathroom only to find myself in an alleyway. He knows this place, it was where He and Liz had been mugged in New York. How did he get here?

Something was off, it was much too quiet for New York. CONNOR runs out of the alley, looking desperately for anyone to tell him what was happening, what the fuck was happening?

CONNOR is so frantic that he trips and falls face first on the side walk. He looks back to see what he had fallen on. It is a child's body. Horrified, CONNOR gets up, we see cars wrecked in the street. Everywhere, there were bodies.

"Calm down" CONNOR's own voice echoes softly in the distance. "CALM DOWN" the voice says again, quietly, mockingly. CONNOR keeps walking. There is no sign of life anywhere.

He walks, stumbles for what felt like hours, nothing seemed right. He would look at a building one moment and then when he looked back it was something else entirely. CONNOR knew it was a dream, but he can't wake himself.

There is nothing but dead bodies and shifting buildings. some of the bodies seem so familiar to CONNOR, yet so vague.

"Heeey! HELLLOOOO!" CONNOR tried to yell, but nothing comes out. As CONNOR turns, screaming silently, we see a man in the distance. He was a decent sized guy, tall with broad shoulders and wearing a camouflage uniform. Military probably.

CONNOR runs to him, still screaming with no voice. The man pays no attention to him even as CONNOR grabs his shoulder, because he wouldn't turn around. When he spins around, what CONNOR sess leaves him stunned and stumbling backward, falling to the ground.

Without a word, this man who looked just like CONNOR, maybe it is CONNOR, lifts a pistol toward his head.

BANG!

Connor

Shit, fuck, shit!

CONNOR is flailing in the bath tub. LIZ has just walked in, the bang wasn't a gun but the sound of the door closing behind her.

Liz

Oh my god, Connor are you ok?

Connor

I'm fine, I'm fine. I think I just fell asleep. What are you doing?

Liz

I was just checking on you. You've been in here for two hours.

Connor

Sorry, I- I must have fallen asleep. (CONNOR replies as he is getting out of the bath tub)

Liz

You said that already, silly. How's your arm feeling?

Connor

It's better.

Liz

Oh so apparently, Susan Thompson is the acting President now.

Connor

That might not be a bad thing, she had more balls than anyone else in that administration.

Liz

Yeah, but the Joint chiefs of staff have split and are refusing to deploy to the areas she is ordering them to.

Connor

You've got to be fucking kidding me.

Liz

Nope, apparently they think it's more important to build up the forces than to help towns on the verge of being taken.

Connor

That's no better than treason. There's no time for this political bullshit.

Liz

I agree. (LIZ said with an odd look, it is the one she got every time she didn't want to tell CONNOR something.)

Connor

Oh god, you're squinting. What is it?

Liz

Well, it's just that... We, uh, we think you should do something about it when we get to Seattle.

Connor

Me? Have you lost it? What could I possibly do about it?

Liz

I don't know, things are different now.

CONNOR and LIZ walk out of the bathroom, he's just wearing a pair of pants. The shot of him without a shirt is important for contrast later in the series. CONNOR takes a seat at the table with LIZ

Connor

Hey, What do you clowns think I should do about the military? Tell the president and joint chiefs to kiss and make up?

Mike

Well no. Or yes, I mean you could umm.. Well there's a lot of people out there waiting to hear from yas and they want you to help. I mean..

Jesse

What he's saying, is that people are waiting for orders from you and you alone. They seem to have really gotten behind this whole resistance thing. You can force their hand and you know it.

Jesse

I see. (pause) What the fuck have I gotten myself into?

Mike

It's not always up to you whether or not yous get ta be the hero man.

Liz

All you've ever wanted to do is help people. As long as I've known you, you've never questioned doing the right thing.

Connor

I know, but this isn't the same thing. Every time I do anything, I put people in danger, people keep dying because of me.

Jesse

And they'll die even without you! Don't you get it? It doesn't matter. If you do something people are gonna die. If you don't they|ll still die. All that matters is that you'll at least be trying to make a difference.

Connor

JESSE...

Jesse

No! You need to understand something. (JESSE has begun to cry) I doubt there's another person in the entire world who is brave enough to do any one of the things you've done over the last few weeks. Yet, you keep doing them. You keep pushing. That's why you're in this position, because no one else is strong enough to do what you've done. You're that one person in a million with the tenacity to risk the impossible.

Do you think I blame you for my mom? Like I would somehow blame you for not being able to save her? That's bullshit, she may have died, but because of you I'm here and so are two dozen other people. Don't try and pretend that one over-rides the other.

Connor

Think about what you're asking of me.

Liz

I know Connor, I know, but we're only asking because we know you're strong enough to do it. We're with you until the end. You know that.

Connor

I'll think about it. No guarantees.

Liz

That's a yes.

Connor

Hey Mike, is there somewhere we can plug in a laptop and a phone?

Yeah, yeah it's over by the table you're sittin at. You knows I gots meat ready to put on the smoker outside too. Need to get it done before it starts pourin' again.

CONNOR grabs the bag, taking a few pills while the others were in the back room so mike could show them how to use the shower and where the beds were. MIKE walks back out with an armful of meat.

Mike

Ima go start the meat

As he plugs in the laptop, CONNOR pauses. He looks dismayed. He bends down and we notice something taped under the table. It is a long range 2 way radio.

Without touching it, being careful not to mess up the duct tape, he inspects this radio. It is clearly not American, the markings look to be Mandarin. No wonder MIKE was being so hospitable and trying to keep them in the cabin for a few days.

CONNOR plugs in the laptop and the phone, grabbing a pillow out of the duffel bag. He would sleep here against the table, to ensure MIKE couldn't access the radio. CONNOR quickly makes a bed on the ground and pretends to have fallen asleep. LIZ and JESSE are talking to MIKE as he comes back in. LIZ is the first to notice CONNOR sleeping without setting up a watch. LIZ grabs JESSE's wrist while MIKE isn't looking and motions in CONNOR's direction. JESSE nods.

LIZ

CONNOR's had a rough few days, I'll take the first watch so he can get some sleep. JES, you've got second. No offense MIKE.

MIKE

Nah, undastood ma'am.

The next day, LIZ slept near the table, pretending to have come in and fallen asleep next to CONNOR, she kept on eye on the radio and "slept" throughout the day. MIKE is acting very uncomfortable. Constantly taking opportunities to see if LIZ is awake.

Throughout the day, CONNOR has Mike help fill up their water supply and show him the trails surrounding the cabin. MIKE had no idea CONNOR was looking for fresh track in the mud.

By late afternoon MIKE begins feigning concern for Liz, that she had been sleeping so long. He is showing CONNOR the gator and which trails lead out.

Mike

I needs to take a showa too. Ya, ya, I ain|t had one in almost four days now.

Connor

I can tell.

CONNOR follows MIKE back, his hand on the hilt of his kukri. Mike is talking about a shower more than any normal person would. Jesse is near the cabin, pretending he was looking at trees. LIZ is no longer in the front room. The door to the dorm is cracked slightly, the light is off. MIKE's accent is getting thicker as his nerves get the best of him.

Mike

Oh, hey Liz musta went inta the other room.

Connor

Yea, she's been asleep all day, she probably moved to the beds.

Mike

Hey Jesse can you go grab that meat off the smoka? There's a big platter right there to put it on.

Jesse

Sure thing

Jesse grabs the platter and walks outside, he had never let his weapon leave his side.

Mike

Say Conna, I don't hear the wata. Yous wanna check on her?

Connor

Yeah of course.

MIKE

Ya. Good. Ill just uh. Grab my skivvies.

Connor

Hey Liz, are you ok?

We see JESSE duck below a window outside. As CONNOR walks around the door LIZ she hands him a pistol. CONNOR keeps walking, closing the door halfway behind him. LIZ is behind the door with the machine gun in her hand. She was going to force his hand. LIZ whispers to CONNOR as he watches through the door crack.

Liz

The radio went off. It was in English, Connor. they know something is up.

Connor

You're incredible.

CONNOR gives LIZ a quick kiss on the lips before he slings the door open with the pistol aimed at MIKE's head. MIKE spins around, he wets himself. This shouldn't be played for laughs.

Jesse

Don't move unless you want this to become very unsanitary.

Jesse is sneaking back inside, his gun also aimed at Mike's head.

Connor

Why are you doing this Mike?(no answer) You seem like a nice enough guy. You even seemed sincere last night, asking me to fight back.

Mike

They're gonna kill me if I don't, then theys gonna kill my ex wife too! I ain't got no choice man. They've already won.

Connor

There's always a choice Michael. When faced with certain death we have the choice to die with dignity or fall into cowardice and let others die with us.

Mike

It ain't that simple man. There's dozens of them. You can barely take a few of me injured that bad. How you gonna save us alls?

Connor

Maybe I cant, but you can be damn sure none of us are gonna live if you make that call Mike. Are you going to go out fighting like a man or will you trade our lives and countless others just to save your own? Sometimes you have to save your own life.

He doesnt respond, we can tell he is torn. The pain flows with the tears from his eyes, he didn't want to die, but he would rather let them die in his place, as indicated by his constant glances and small jerks toward the table.

After a few moments MIKE screams, scrambling with his hands under the table, ripping the radio out.

Mike

THEY'RE HERE!! THEY'RE HERE!!The general is he...!

Chkaw, Chkaw, Chkaw! rang the machine gun in Jesse's hands.

Mike falls to the ground, his face mutilated by the three rounds that had entered it. The back of his head was one gaping wound, blood and brain matter scattering the wall. The wounds were tight all within a few inches of each other. Jesse had controlled the weapon better than most career soldiers could ever hope to. Barely a fist's size between the three entry points.

LIZ's free hand falls to her side, the batteries from the radio hitting the ground with a quiet thunk as they rolled across the floor.

They stand there in stunned silence before JESSE finally breaks it

Jesse

Come on! We have to go.

Liz

He's right...

Connor

You did the right thing.

Liz

He's right, they tried to radio three time's today.

Connor

The gator is about fifteen yards from here, the gas is full.

No response from them, aside from compliance as they grab their bags and begin to flee.

Connor

If they didn't get radio contact, they sure as hell could have heard those weapons firing. Let's get the fuck out of here.

They rush through the woods, barreling down the trail to where MIKE had hidden his getaway vehicle.

CONNOR

Thirty two miles down the trail to our right. It hits the highway and goes straight to Seattle.

They throw their gear into the back and climb in. LIZ turns around, looking terrifed. JESSE climbs in the back, setting up the bigger machine gun.

Liz

Connor...

I know, we need to get moving

We can hear the Chinese descend on the cabin, the sound of the door being kicked in and their realization that MIKE was dead. They were in pursuit by the time CONNOR had found the right trail.

Jesse

Fuck you!!!!

LIZ

The quad JES, take out those quads.

JESSE

Got it!

JESSE is spitting shells into the distance to keep the enemy at bay. He aims for the ground directly in front of the two quads and takes them out as the enter the spray.

Jesse

Oh shit...

Moments later what seemed to be a shell from a bazooka or RPG flys past, about ten yards to the side, exploding into a massive pine tree.

Jesse

Yeah, you wont get another shot mother fucker!

JESSE manages to hit the soldier with the RPG. The soldiers could only pursue on foot while JESSE laid down cover fire.

Connor

Hold on, we've got a sharp turn coming up, we should be out of firing range after that.

As they close in on the turn, their pursuers let loose a volley in a last ditch effort to stop them. Branches were falling out of trees, bullets lodging into trunks. Some even ricocheting off the small bed of the tractor that Jesse is laying in, returning their fire.

Jesse

Oh god. Oww fuck, this hurts way fucking worse than they make it look.

We hear him mumbling incoherently, cussing at random PLA soldiers. CONNOR looks at him through the mirror as soon as they are safely around the corner. He had rolled onto his side, clutching at his chest in a fetal position. Jesse had been hit.

Liz

Jesse! Connor, I've got to help him.

She did not wait for a response. She was already climbing around the roll cage, trying to get back to him.

Connor

How bad is it?

We can't hear what LIZ is saying at first. Finally she starts yelling over the wind.

Liz

He's bleeding like crazy, it hit right by his collar bone. Big round too. We have to get him to a hospital, he's losing too much blood.

Connor

Just hang in there, we'll be at the road in another ten minutes or so.

CONNOR looks down at the gauges, trying to estimate how far he could get on this tank of gas. We can faintly hear JESSE moaning from the back. He seems to be in an incredible amount of pain. Probably the worst of his life, up to that point. LIZ is talking to him, trying to keep him calm.

Liz

You're gonna be fine, honey.

Connor

We've got a problem. (pause) A big one.

Liz

What? what do you mean?

Connor

They must have hit the fuel line, I can see the gas gauge slowly going down.

Liz

What are we going to do? Hang tight JES, I need to talk to CONNOR.

After she finishes getting a bandage around his arm to stymie the bleeding, she climbs back up front

CONNOR

I have no idea. I honestly don't have a single god damn clue.

Liz

He's in a lot of pain. He'll be fine for probably an hour, maybe two, but he needs to get to a doctor bad. This isn't something we can just wrap up and drown out with pain killers.

Connor

You're right.

CONNOR brings the tractor to a stop. He immediately hops out and starts rummaging through the bags.

Liz

What the hell are you doing?

Connor

Where's the duct tape?

Liz

Connor!

Connor

Look we're a good five miles away now, it'll take them at least half an hour to catch up to us on foot. Now where is the god damn duct tape?

Liz

It's in the bag by the medical kit. You have to tell me what you're thinking. Don't you fucking shut me out. Not now.

I'm thinking we need to stop the gas leak if we want to get him to a hospital.

CONNOR tells her as he looks for the line that had been damaged.

Liz

Is that going to work?

Connor

No, not very well. It's like putting a band-aid on it, but it will slow the leak down some.

Liz

How much?(LIZ is looking more angry with every moment)

Connor

Enough to get the two of you to the road at least. That's the best we can hope for-

Liz

Wait. What do you mean the two of you? You cant leave us, are you fucking crazy? They'll slaughter you.

Connor

Yeah, I'm pretty sure that's what they intend to do.

Liz

I'm not going to let you!

LIZ is sobbing, she shoves CONNOR hard, knowing she has no say in the matter. CONNOR tries to remain calm, he pulls out the larger mounted gun as they talk. He then straps the Kukri and hatchet to either side of his belt.

Connor

You are. You won't make it if I don't and we both know it.

Liz

Connor, they're going to kill you.

Connor

Probably, but maybe not Liz. If you haven't noticed, I've made it this far without getting killed. Maybe, just maybe, that luck is going to hold up.

Jesse

Unngghh, don't...be...

Connor

Take it easy, Jes.

CONNOR grabs the extra clips for the two pistols. He straps on the one flak jacket they have.

Jesse

...such...a...dumbass...

Connor

I know what I'm doing. Oh and I'mm going to need to borrow these last two belts of grenades from you.

Liz

Connor I cant just leave you here to die.

Liz grabs his arms as if she were going to drag him back into the vehicle. She struggles, trying to stop him. When she calms down he cups her face in his hands.

Connor

You can and you will. I love you and I refuse to keep running from these fucks. Besides, without me on this thing, that's 200 pounds less which means you're going to be using a lot less fuel to keep going.

Liz

We have to keep running, it's the only way. You don't have to do this. I don't need you to be this General. I just need you, CONNOR.

Connor

I've run far enough. We both know that they will never stop chasing me. If they want a fight, I'll give them one. This ends here one way or the other.

We watch as they stand ther in silence looking into each others eyes for the last time, LIZ clinging to CONNOR as if she thought that he would float off if she let go. CONNOR takes a step back, unholsters her pistol and puts a fresh clip into it before handing it back.

Connor

You need to go. Tell people what happened here, they deserve to know. The PLA can kill me, but they can't destroy what's been set into motion. This is bigger than any of us now, we've just got to keep the momentum going.

LIZ says nothing, knowing she cant change CONNOR's mind. He kisses her on the forehead before picking up his weapons and starting to walk back the way they had come.

Liz

We'll come back for you...

She says sobbing as she gets into the tractor and pulls away.

CONNOR walks about thirty yards back, looking for a place to make his stand. The trail is narrow, with huge trees walling them on each side. Just a few feet off the trail is a large tree with plenty of low hanging branches. CONNOR paces across the trail bending down every few feet and burying something. He repeats this ten yards further down, careful to avoid the tracks left by the Gator. Once done, CONNOR returns to the tree he had picked out. He climbs up a few branches, putting himself about 10 feet off the ground. The branch is sturdy enough to hold his weight near the trunk. CONNOR is crouched down, with the machine gun's tripod set against the branch.

Within minutes heard their boots thundering down the trail in unison. The sound of their feet amplified by the almost complete silence of the woods. Even the birds had left, they wanted no part of this.

CONNOR waits patiently, taking measured breaths, biding his time until the enemy would inevitably step into his sights.

He did not have to wait long. Soon twenty six men come into view, jogging in a tight formation. They look well seasoned and experienced. However, they have made a fatal mistake in exchange for speed. Their weapons are slung over their shoulders, hanging behind them so that they could pursue.

Twenty six men in tight formation came running up the trail toward CONNOR. Their eyes on the tracks from the gator, they would not get close enough to see where we had stopped. They are only yards away, nearly in front of CONNOR.

CONNOR tosses grenades at them, in front and behind as soon as they enter his kill box. They are caught off guard and have started to panic. CONNOR trains the gun on them and opens fire.

22 men, the grenades had killed four. Another two are badly injured.

The bullets tear through the leaves in front of CONNOR. Like a swarm of angry hornets, speeding toward their victims.

16 men left scrambling for cover, as the magazine is spent. CONNOR lobs the rest of the grenades, corralling them back into the line of fire, afterward jumping out of the tree.

14 men, three more on the ground dying from grievous wounds.

The strap on CONNOR's gun snags a branch on the way down. The soldiers have spotted CONNOR and come running. CONNOR releases the hook, leaving the machine gun where it had stuck.

Three men running right at him, raising their guns to fire. CONNOR unholsters a pistol, calmly moving toward them.

Only eleven left as he puts bullets in heads of the three foolish enough to rush. The others have begun to collect themselves. They were scrambling for cover after the blasts had knocked them off their feet.

A few bullets in one man's back as he tried to run behind a tree. Ten left. CONNOR calmly firing and moving between them. He seems serene amidst the chaos. CONNOR has pressed toward them so aggressively that they can't afford to fire wildly without hitting their own men.

Another struggling to get a bead on CONNOR, his gun jams. He probably let the barrel hit the dirt in his panic. Another fatal mistake. CONNOR passes a soldier struggling to his feet in order to shoot the soldier with the jammed gun. CONNOR fires a shot from so close that his blood splatter hits him.

This time, CONNOR has made the mistake. The man behind CONNOR, much larger than the others, viciously slammed into him, tackling me to the ground. CONNOR's gun goes flying out of his hand. As they fall, CONNOR slips the Kukri out, driving it into the soldier's stomach before they hit the ground. His guts spill from the gash.

His friends knew he was dead, they didn't hesitate to fire on CONNOR. CONNOR uses the dead man as a shield, buying time to pull out the other pistol, as the body absorbs their fire. Reaching out from behind the dead body, CONNOR shoots down two more soldiers.

Only half a dozen left standing. They scatter about, desperately looking to distance themselves from CONNOR. Two had dropped their guns and appeared unarmed, CONNOR decides he will deal with them last. He pushes the dead man's body off jumps to my feet.

As soon as CONNOR is up, we see the soldiers loose grenades at him. CONNOR reacts, trying to move. One hits just yards away, sending CONNOR flying into a nearby tree. CONNOR nearly blacks out from the force of the impact. Slinking to the ground, his ears ringing. I couldn't hear anything. The grenade had knocked down the other three soldiers who had been closing in on CONNOR. CONNOR is struggling to get, a low hanging branch has forced itself between his ribs.

CONNOR empties his clip into a particularly motivated individual who is charging while firing erratically. One of the soldier's bullets clips CONNOR's injured shoulder, the bandage taking more damage than his arm.

When CONNOR attempts to reload, he realizes that his clips must have been knocked off when the grenade had sent him flying.

Five left, three armed the other two still trying to find weapons on the ground. CONNOR without a gun. The three soldiers see their opportunity and advanced. They weren't firing, these bastards intend to take CONNOR alive if possible. CONNOR pulls out the kukri and hatchet.

Unfortunately for them, it was not. CONNOR rushes them, moving fast between the two closest to him. Swinging the kurki, knocking his barrel out of my way. CONNOR follows with a vicious swing from the hatchet, lodging it into the soldier's skull. The grunt crumples to the ground, the other has decided CONNOR didn't need to live after all. He fires with his pistol, as CONNOR dislodges the hatchet by kicking the dead man in the chest. CONNOR wastes no time moving toward the next soldier. CONNOR takes a bullet in his uninjured shoulder, but it was not enough to stop his momentum. The blade of the Kukri slashes across the soldier's face, blinding him. CONNOR follows by slamming the hatchet into his wrist, forcing him to drop the pistol.

CONNOR is unrelenting, like a hurricane of blades, raining blow upon blow onto him. The last armed soldier moves in trying to peel CONNOR's attention away. CONNOR notices and strikes hard, swinging an arm backward and slicing his throat. CONNOR moves to finish his previous target. The soldier has fallen to one knee under the force of the blows. Wounds all over him, including a mangled collar bone via hatchet during the melee. He was completely incapable of fighting back at this point. The soldier is pleading, begging CONNOR not to kill him. It is difficult to ascertain whether he is speaking Chinese or if his voice is just garbled by the injuries to his face and neck.

CONNOR hesitates for only a moment before driving the tip of the kukri down through the soldier's right trapezius muscle and into his lung.

Two men left. The hesitation was CONNOR's last fatal mistake. He had ignored the other two men for far too long. A hail of gunfire rang out, spraying CONNOR from the side and another from behind.

CONNOR simks to the ground in shock. They had won, he would not walk away from here.

CONNOR had fallen to his knees, slumping forward. The man who had shot him from behind yanks CONNOR upright by the throat. The soldier is pressing a pistol to CONNOR's head with his free hand.

Connor

Hey! That's my gun asshole.

CONNOR spits blood out of his mouth as he struggles to breathe.

Xiao

Silence!

The other soldier, obviously an officer, viciously backhands CONNOR. CONNOR falls to the ground from the force of the blow. His comrade, promptly yanks him back up to his knees.

Xiao

Tell me something, General, did you really think you could withstand the might of the Empire of China?

Connor

Oh, you're an Empire now? That's precious.

CONNOR spits a tooth and more blood out. He flashes a bloody grin.

Xiao

Arrogant fool!

XIAO stomps his boot hard into CONNOR's face. CONNOR's nose breaks, but this time the other soldier is kind enough to keep him upright. The soldier,XIANG, binds CONNOR's hands with zip ties as his Officer continues to speak. Once bound he pulls CONNOR back to his feet.

Xiao

You're going to make me a very famous man, General. I am deeply saddened by the loss of so many soldiers, but it will only serve to bolster my own reputation.

Connor

I'm just so very happy for you. But what makes you think you'll make it back alive?

You are as foolish as you are dangerous. Xiang, call in the helicopter for retrieval.

Xiang responds in Chinese and begins to walk off as his superior continues to monologue like a classic cartoon villain.

Connor

You talk too much.

Xiao

I will take great pleasure in watching your execution, perhaps I will even be allowed to take part in it.

Xiang

Shao XIAO.

XIANG slowly walks up to his officer, continuing to speak in Chinese. XIANG looks uneasy

Connor

So your name's Chow Jow, huh? That's a cool name, I guess. Is there a Mrs Chow Jow?

XIAO is extremely angry with whatever Xiang had told him. This time he kicks CONNOR hard in the ribs, connecting where the branch had penetrated.

Xiao

Shao XIAO, scum. It is not a name, it is a rank.

CONNOR clenches his teeth hard, trying not to scream from the pain. He is doubled over. CONNOR is getting dizzy from the blood loss, he is starting to fade.

Xiao

Stand up! (Xiang yanks CONNOR upright by the collar) It seems our radio is damaged, we will have to march back to the cabin and retrieve another. Move fool!

Connor

What makes you think I'm going to let you live?

CONNOR looks XIAO straight in the eyes, rage and menace painted across his face. XIAO is visibly taken aback.

Xiao

You couldn't possib..

Connor

Shut the fuck up! I killed two dozen of your men single-handedly. Another thirty or forty within the last week. Do you really think, the two of you will live long enough to find another radio?

XIAO rushes forward, withing inches of CONNOR's face.

You arrog... Arggh"

XIAO yelps as CONNOR headbutts him in the nose. Their faces are now both covered in blood.

Xiang stomps hard into the back of CONNOR's leg, sending him to his knees. CONNOR struggles to his feet, bellowing at a cowering XIAO

Pray! Pray to whatever god comforts you. Beg him to accept your soul, because I promise you I will separate it from your body before this day ends. Ask your god whether you have been righteous. Ask him if the incredible suffering I laid upon you and these men, was necessary. Two dozen others have died today and I guarantee you will as well. Reconcile with your deity before I rob you of the opportunity. I continued as they stood there stunned.

As CONNOR brings himself upright, he viciously slams a boot into XIAO's chest. The kick sends the senior officer sprawling into the mud. XIANG pistol whips CONNOR into submission and continues beating him until XIAO stops him. XIAO's voice is trembling. XIANG is screaming something at his commander in Mandarin.

Xiao

No matter, it will make very little difference whether you live or die. Kill him, Xiang. Make sure the pig stays down this time.

We start to slowly transition to CONNOR's POV. He is fading from over-exerting himself. We hear CONNOR's pulse, his heart struggling to keep beating. His head swims as the last two living soldiers prepare to execute him. Xiang walks slowly back around CONNOR, standing next to the officer. They both draw up their guns, their hands trembling.

Xiang fires, everything is muffled and distance. It almost sounds like more shots are being fired. The first bullet tears through CONNOR's chest, he lands in the mud with his face turned.

We hear another gun for sure this time. CONNOR's body jerks as the bullets enter him. More shots in the distance, they become clear as CONNOR's heartrate slows.

CONNOR finds himself looking into the officer's eyes as he loses consciousness.

CONNOR is fading in and out. Frantic sounds mingle with the serenity of the forest. He can barely see, everything is a blur. CONNOR is looking up at the vague outline of the treetops and the sun peeking through. It is beautiful.

Voices mingle with the bird's singing, we can't make out what they're saying. CONNOR's body rocks back and forth as the shapes of people that we can't make out rush over him. The camera jerks up as CONNOR is pulled swiftly off the ground and then moved for a moment before being gently lowered down a few inches.

The voices are frantic again as the tree tops begin to shake and rock to and froe. The shadows are rushing past and the sun chases him across the sky. He's being taken somewhere.

CONNOR's vision fades to black.

V.O. Liz

Connor Jeffries' story ends here, with him alone and bleeding to death in the woods.
