G. I. JOE: THE GERM

Written by

Roger Slifer

 

INT. HOSPITAL

TOMAX AND XAMOT

(T) Attention, Agent X-Ninety-Nine. Your last report has been received (X) and we are acting on your recommendation. You are (T) to proceed with the theft of the pseudomonda eubacterius, (X) otherwise known as (T and X) Bacteria X.

CRIMSON GUARD X-99 [Neil Ross]

I read you.

INT. HOSPITAL - LAB

DOCTOR [Michael Bell?]

What are you doing? You're Cobra!

CRIMSON GUARD X-99

And you're history!

DOCTOR

You don't know how dangerous....

CRIMSON GUARD X-99

No, you don't know how dangerous it'll be, when Cobra's through with it!

EXT. BIOMECHANICAL LAB - DAY

COBRA #1 [Michael Bell?]

Here comes one of the Crimson elite.

COBRA #2 [Bill Ratner]

Elite. Ah, we do all the work.

INT. BIOMECHANICAL LAB

CRIMSON GUARD X-99

Destro?

DESTRO

You have the bacteria. Good. You are dismissed.

DESTRO

Now it is just a germ, but soon it will be a conqueror of worlds. You're dismissed!

CRIMSON GUARD X-99

My orders are to remain, observe, and report your progress to the Crimson Guard Commanders.

DESTRO

I do not answer to them. Leave at once.

CRIMSON GUARD X-99

My orders come from Cobra Commander himself, in triplicate.

CRIMSON GUARD X-99

Elite trooper to Crimson Guard Commanders. Destro departed in anger. What are your instructions?

TOMAX AND XAMOT

(T) We cannot afford delays. Bring the bacteria here (X) at once. We can perform the tests at (X) Extensive Enterprises labs (T and X) and at half the cost.

CRIMSON GUARD X-99

I read you. Over and out.

CRIMSON GUARD X-99

Bacteria X. Hmm, what's this. Experimental growth serum. It might prove useful, too.

INT. BIOCHEMICAL LAB - MONITORING ROOM

TELE-VIPER

Security. Theft in progress.

EXT. BIOCHEMICAL LAB - DAY

COBRA #1

Leave him to us.

INT. BIOCHEMICAL LAB - GLIDER BAY

CRIMSON GUARD X-99

Don't try to impede me. I have my authorization!

COBRA #1

Yeah? We've got our authorization, too.

CRIMSON GUARD X-99

Don't fire, you fool! You might hit the vials!

EXT. BIOCHEMICAL LAB - DAY

CRIMSON GUARD X-99

Elite trooper to Hydrofoil! Cover me! I'm comin' in!

COBRA #3

I've been hit, but I'll do what I can!

COBRA #2

Blow him out of the air!

CRIMSON GUARD X-99

Stop, fool! We'll crash! Let go!

COBRA #1

Surrender the vials!

CRIMSON GUARD X-99

You low-ranked idiot!

COBRA #2

Look!

COBRA #1

The Water Moccasin! It's our only chance to escape!

COBRA #1

It won't start! C'mon, c'mon! Put these on fast!

COBRA #1

Dive!

INT. JOE HEADQUARTERS - COMMAND CENTER

BREAKER

We've got a Code Ten from Colonel Sharp!

COL. SHARP

Just minutes ago, our recon satellite spotted this. This, uh, thing is moving downstate. Its nature and origin are unknown. The only thing we do know is that it absorbs everything in its path.

SHIPWRECK

No sweat, Colonel. There ain't a slimer made that we can't take out.

JOES

Yo Joe!

EXT. FARMLAND - DAY

ACE

Target your missiles. Fire!

ACE

What's goin' on?

DUSTY

The missiles must've been duds.

ACE

I don't like the look of that!

ACE

I'm hit. I'm here, but he darn near dealt me out. I've got to set her down.

ACE

Hey, pardner, do you mind if I borrow that old cropduster of yours?

FARMER #1 [Chris Latta]

As long as you don't bring it back lookin' like yours.

EXT. FARMLAND - DAY

FARMER #1

They say we're supposed to leave our homes. Must be another one of those land schemes.

FARMER #2

Emmie, I told you never to make that surprise stew again!

SCARLETT

Wow! That was too close!

SCARLETT

What's Ace doing in that thing?

DUSTY

He's tryin' to snuff the blob with insecticide.

SCARLETT

Let me go!

DUSTY

Snake-Eyes is right, Scarlett. That gas would overcome us just like it has Ace.

SCARLETT

We can't just leave him there.

AIRTIGHT

Are you all right, old buddy?

ACE

All right, no. Alive, yes.

AIRTIGHT

That's good enough. In the future, I suggest you leave the handling of deadly substances to experts, like me.

ACE

What deadly substance? The blob's still alive!

AIRTIGHT

What you refer to so crudely as a blob is in fact a bacterium.

FLINT

He just might be right. I traced its trail. It begins at a recently destroyed Cobra base.

ACE

It trashed a Cobra base? Maybe it's not such a bad germ after all.

SCARLETT

Yeah. It might just deserve a medal.

DUSTY

Where would you pin it?

AIRTIGHT

There's only one way to kill a germ.

EXT. USS FLAGG - DECK

ROADBLOCK

You mean he's gonna fly into the germ usin' that weird lookin' plane?

ACE

That's right. Biggest hypodermic in the world.

AIRTIGHT

Snake-Eyes, make sure the explosive is powerful enough. I want these antibiotics to get the widest possible dispersal within the germ.

EXT. USS FLAGG - DECK

FLINT

Good luck, Airtight.

ACE

I'll be right behind you.

AIRTIGHT

After your last two experiences with the germ, you better stay way behind me.

FLINT

And I want you two in constant radio contact.

AIRTIGHT

I can either carry out my mission, or I can listen to Ace's chatter. But I can hardly be expected to do both.

FLINT

Okay. Ace, keep down the chatter.

EXT. WILDERNESS - DAY

ACE

I still don't understand why you have to go into the germ.

AIRTIGHT

Ace, I have to bypass its defenses and reach its nucleus.

ACE

How you gonna do that?

AIRTIGHT

Don't worry about it. Just fly.

INT. GERM

AIRTIGHT

This is most enlightening.

ACE (COMM.)

What's it look like? Airtight?

EXT. WILDERNESS - DAY

ACE

Airtight, do you read me? Ace to base, something in the germ's neurological makeup must be interfering with our radio transmission.

INT. GERM

AIRTIGHT

Ace, I can hear you perfectly well. I was just ignoring you. And for your edification, germs don't have nerves.

EXT. WILDERNESS - DAY

ACE

Well, it was just a theory.

INT. GERM

AIRTIGHT

Ace, I'm under attack!

ACE (COMM.)

How can you be attacked inside a germ?

AIRTIGHT

We've got Cobra missiles in here, but I don't know where they came from!

ACE (COMM.)

How can that be?

AIRTIGHT

Save your questions 'til after class!

ACE (COMM.)

I've got orders from Flint. Scrub the mission. Fly outta there now!

AIRTIGHT

I can't fly! In fact, I can hardly steer! It's like trying to drive a car in Jell-O through a minefield!

ACE (COMM.)

Like what?

AIRTIGHT

I'm switchin' you off, Ace!

AIRTIGHT

Oh, no, not again!

AIRTIGHT

Corrosive enzymes. They're devouring the lab...and I'm dessert!

AIRTIGHT

The nucleus!

EXT. WILDERNESS - DAY

SCARLETT

What's happened to Airtight?

FLINT

There's no way of knowing. He cut radio contact.

DOCTOR

I must speak to your commanding officer. You must take me to him! I know things about that germ that you don't. I helped create it.

FLINT

I'm the commanding officer. Do you work for Cobra?

DOCTOR

No, no. I'm a doctor. That bacteria was created at my hospital. It was created as result of a misuse of antibiotics. It's a supergerm. Nothing known to man can stop it. In fact, your antibiotics might make it more powerful!

INT. GERM

EEL #2 (= Cobra #2)

What happened?

AIRTIGHT

Oh, no!

AIRTIGHT

My charges are set to go off in two minutes. Therefore, we have two alternatives. Either you let me pilot the ship, or we die.

CRIMSON GUARD X-99

Then we have no choice at all.

AIRTIGHT

The shock waves are propelling us!

EXT. WILDERNESS - DAY

FLINT

There's the explosion. The germ's receiving megadoses of antibiotics.

SCARLETT

But what about Airtight?

AIRTIGHT

Flint? Scarlett?

SCARLETT

Congratulations, Airtight!

FLINT

Welcome back! Looks like you were wrong about the antibiotics, Doctor.

ROADBLOCK

Yeah. That germ's doin' the squirm.

FLINT

I couldn't have put it better.

ROADBLOCK

Nobody could have.

DOCTOR

It's not dying. It's going through its process of mitosis.

DUSTY

Mitosis? What's that?

DOCTOR

Reproducing itself.

FLINT

Instead of one menace...

SCARLETT

...we have two. And look, one of them is headed straight for New York! Millions will die!

SCARLETT

What are we gonna do?

FLINT

Order an evacuation.

AIRTIGHT

It looks like I blew it.

ACE

Join the club.

SHIPWRECK

I still think we oughta try poisoning it somehow.

ACE

I tried that, remember?

SHIPWRECK

What we need is a candy coating.

ACE

What you need is a transfer.

AIRTIGHT

No, maybe he's got something. It should work. Poison in a candy coating.

DOCTOR

Of course! Apple seeds contain a tiny amount of poison.

SCARLETT

Poison?

DOCTOR

Only in the seeds. In small doses, it's harmless.

AIRTIGHT

But what about in large doses, say, an orchard full?

DOCTOR

It could be deadly.

EXT. FARMLAND - DAY

FLINT (COMM.)

Ace, this is Flint. Get the first germ into an orchard fast!

EXT. ORCHARD - DAY

FLINT (CONT.)

We'll worry about the second one. Okay, men, load those apple crates!

EXT. FARMLAND - DAY

DUSTY

If we can't even slow this creature down, how can we direct it toward an orchard?

ACE

You forget, Dusty, this thing doesn't care what it eats. It chows down on whatever's in front of it. We've got to take advantage of its mindlessness. Watch.

DUSTY

You did it! You got the germ to change direction!

ACE

Yeah, but not enough. The nearest apple orchard is a lot farther north. Do the C manuever. Drop your charges on command.

ACE

Steady, steady...now!

DUSTY

It's workin'!

SCARLETT

Oh, no! It didn't work!

ACE

It's weakened! It just wasn't a big enough dose.

DUSTY

Another orchard, if we can send the germ tumblin' down that hill.

SCARLETT

Oh, no! It's gonna split again!

EXT. ORCHARD - DAY

FLINT

Great, Ace! Now we gotta nail the other one!

EXT. ROAD TO NEW YORK - DAY

SHIPWRECK

What's the problem?

GREENSHIRT [Michael Bell]

Can't tell. Trail must be blocked up ahead.

SHIPWRECK

Hey, looks like we're stuck here a while.

COVER GIRL

Oh, brother.

FLINT

Tollbooth, we got a problem. Bring out the Bridgelayer.

SHIPWRECK

Kinda romantic out here, ain't it?

SHIPWRECK

Aw, come on. Give me a break.

COVER GIRL

With pleasure.

SHIPWRECK

Ow! Your point's well taken.

TOLLBOOTH

I hear you got a problem.

FLINT

Nothin' you can't handle, Tollbooth.

FLINT

Ace, we've been delayed. You've got to buy us some time to get in position.

EXT. WILDERNESS - DAY

ACE

You heard the man, team. Time for some delaying tactics.

DUSTY

But Ace, we haven't got any missiles left. How are we gonna slow that thing?

ACE

I still have one missile left.

DUSTY

You drowned the darn thing!

ACE

Don't count your money yet. It might be bluffing.

ACE

I'm really begininin' to hate this germ.

EXT. NEW YORK CITY - OUTSKIRTS

FLINT

Good. Ace delayed it long enough to get into position.

ROADBLOCK

Now this is what I call a good old-fashioned, high-tech food fight!

SHIPWRECK

I'm tired of waitin'. Where is it? Come on, you lousy coward! Come out and take your medicine! This is gonna be your Waterloo! Your Alamo! Your...

COVER GIRL

Shipwreck!

SHIPWRECK

Uh, just kiddin', big guy!

SHIPWRECK

Something's gotta stop it!

COVER GIRL

Why don't you try asking it for a date?

FLINT

We can't stop it! Everyone dive for the water!

COVER GIRL

Shipwreck, come on!

SHIPWRECK

Aw, this might be the one that does it! Uh, this might be the one!

COVER GIRL

If you leave now, I'll go out with you!

SHIPWRECK

Anchors aweigh!

SHIPWRECK

When are we gonna go out?

COVER GIRL

The sooner the better!

SHIPWRECK

What are we gonna do?

COVER GIRL

Go swimming!

SHIPWRECK

This is the best date I've had in weeks!

COVER GIRL

SkyStrikers!

SHIPWRECK

Now that's what I call timing!

FLINT

The germ left some disgusting stuff around here.

ROADBLOCK

Yeah, real disgusting.

ROADBLOCK

What have we got here? It must be a worm from the germ.

GUNG-HO

I guess that germ found Cobra as hard to swallow as we do.

 

 

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