G. I. JOE: THE SYNTHOID CONSPIRACY, PART I

Written by

Christy Marx

 

EXT. USS FLAGG - DAY

DUKE

This is Leader Joe calling command ship.

INT. COMMAND SHIP - BRIDGE

GEN .FRANKS [John Stephenson]

This is General Franks to Leader Joe, General Franks to Leader Joe. Is the area clear?

EXT. COMMAND SHIP - DAY

DUKE

Yes, sir, and we're ready for war games.

INT. COBRA SUBMARINE

DESTRO

Commander, they'll discover us if we remain here much longer.

COBRA COMMANDER

In a few minutes they'll be too busy to notice, Destro.

DESTRO

Bah! Shoddy workmanship! If you'd bought it from me....

COBRA COMMANDER

No one invited you on this mission, Destro.

DESTRO

And what is this mission?

COBRA COMMANDER

You'll see soon enough. Now silence! I want to hear this.

INT. COMMAND SHIP - BRIDGE

ADM. LEDGER

We'll commence at exactly ten hundred hours. Will your team be ready?

EXT. COMMAND SHIP - DAY

DUKE

Yes, sir.

INT. COMMAND SHIP - BRIDGE

GEN. FRANKS

The Joes are really on the ball, eh, Erickson?

ERICKSON

Mm-hmm, yes, sir.

ADM. LEDGER

Enthusiastic young man.

EXT. COMMAND SHIP - DAY

DUKE

Leader Joe to Deep Six, are you in position?

DEEP SIX

Deep Six and Torpedo in position and ready to provide back-up assistance.

GEN. FRANKS

G. I. Joe is the best we've got.

COL. SHARP

As head of the Pentagon Budget Committee, General Howe, I'm sure you'll be impressed with their performance today.

GEN. HOWE [Pat Fraley?]

They always impress me, Colonel Sharp.

ADM. LEDGER

I'm most interested in seeing the USS Flagg in action.

GEN. FRANKS

You won't be disappointed, Admiral. Binoculars, please.

GEN. FRANKS

You're quiet today, Erickson.

ERICKSON

I'm fine, sir.

GEN. FRANKS

She's a beauty, all right.

INT. USS FLAGG - BRIDGE

SHIPWRECK

Come on, doll face. I know a little cafe in port where the spaghetti is great and the lights are dim. Let's you and I get together at....

SCARLETT

Let's not! And pretend we did, okay?

DUKE (COMM.)

Leader Joe to carrier Flagg.

SHIPWRECK

Carrier Flagg to Leader Joe.

EXT. USS FLAGG - DAY

DUKE

Permission to land.

SHIPWRECK (COMM.)

Landing pad clear, Leader Joe.

INT. USS FLAGG - BRIDGE

DUKE (COMM.)

Scarlett?

SCARLETT

Yes, Duke?

EXT. USS FLAGG - DAY

DUKE

Scramble the SkyStrikers. I want them in the air at exactly ten hundred hours.

INT. USS FLAGG - BRIDGE

SCARLETT

I'm on my way. Sound the klaxon, Shipwreck.

SHIPWRECK

Scarlett, get 'em your best!

SCARLETT

I'll sink one for you, Shipwreck.

EXT. USS FLAGG - DECK

ACE

Better get a move on, Wild Bill.

WILD BILL

Hey, what's the hurry? Y'all got at least, uh, two minutes left.

WILD BILL

My hat!

DUKE

Everyone, your attention, please. I know this is just for show, but the top Pentagon brass are watching on the command ship. So let's show 'em what G. I. Joe can do.

JOES

Yo Joe!

INT. COBRA SUBMARINE

COBRA COMMANDER

All systems on! Take us to the rendezvous point!

DESTRO

But you're heading directly for their command ship!

COBRA COMMANDER

Where Zartan waits for us.

DESTRO

Zartan? If this is one of his schemes....

COBRA COMMANDER

Zartan and I've created this plan. Keep your weapons and your high and mighty airs to yourself! We're going to destroy G. I. Joe without you!

DESTRO

Indeed?

COBRA COMMANDER

But first we will humiliate them, destroy their spirit. Then lead them to their doom!

EXT. USS FLAGG - DECK

DUKE

Let's go, team!

SCARLETT

Right behind you, Duke!

WILD BILL

Don't forget ol' Wild Bill bringin' in the rear!

DUKE

Let's knock 'em out of the water!

INT. COBRA SUBMARINE

COBRA COMMANDER

These are my synthoids, perfect imitations of human beings.

DESTRO

And completely artificial, made from genetic engineering chemicals you bought from me.

COBRA COMMANDER

And they will follow orders without question.

DESTRO

How convenient.

COBRA COMMANDER

Synthoids, worship me.

SYNTHOIDS

Hail, Cobra! Hail, Cobra Commander!

COBRA COMMANDER

Let the attack begin!

EXT. USS FLAGG - DAY

DUKE

Arm missiles.

SCARLETT

Ready.

ACE

Ready.

FLINT

Ready.

DUKE

Fire!

SCARLETT

What happened?

DUKE

I don't know! Regroup!

INT. COMMAND SHIP - BRIDGE

GEN. FRANKS

Incredible explosions, but they missed the ships entirely! There's something wrong.

COL. SHARP

Look!

EXT. USS FLAGG - DAY

DREADNOKS

Cobra!

DUKE

I'm hit!

INT. COMMAND SHIP - BRIDGE

GEN. FRANKS

Cobra must've jammed the missile control devices!

ADM. LEDGER

I'll have my gunners open fire.

ZARTAN

Sorry, Admiral.

ZARTAN

I can't let you do that.

GEN. FRANKS

Zartan!

ZARTAN

Time for a nap, gentlemen.

EXT. USS FLAGG - DAY

ACE

Duke, are you all right?

DUKE

I'm okay. Continue to counter-attack.

BUZZER

Hey, mate, take a dive!

SCARLETT

Duke!

WILD BILL

Wild Bill to Deep Six, Duke's gone under!

DEEP SIX

Okay, Wild Bill. We're on our way.

SCARLETT

Cobra Morays! Now what are they up to?

COBRA

G. I. Joe, have a taste of this!

SCARLETT

Eat missiles, fang features!

DEEP SIX

We're at Duke's parachute. Sonar search in progress.

DEEP SIX

Found him. He's directly underneath his parachute.

TORPEDO

Roger. Moving out!

INT. COMMAND SHIP - BRIDGE

ZARTAN

Sweet dreams, gentlemen. Now to implement stage two.

INT. COBRA SUBMARINE

COBRA COMMANDER

Synthoids, prepare to board the command ship.

SYNTHOIDS

Yes, master.

EXT. USS FLAGG - DAY

SCARLETT

Shipwreck, those Cobra Morays are too close to our ships. Can you sink one for me?

INT. USS FLAGG - BRIDGE

SHIPWRECK

Does Popeye like spinach?

EXT. USS FLAGG - DAY

INT. USS FLAGG - BRIDGE

SHIPWRECK

Smokescreen! I can't see a thing!

INT. COBRA SUBMARINE

SYNTHOIDS

Hail, Cobra!

INT. COMMAND SHIP - BRIDGE

ZARTAN

Lovely. Lovely!

ZARTAN

Synthoids, put the officers in the basket.

SYNTHOIDS

Yes, master.

ZARTAN

Excellent. Excellent!

ZARTAN

Hurry! The smoke won't last much longer!

EXT. USS FLAGG - DAY

SCARLETT

Wild Bill, see if you can get those Morays, will you?

WILD BILL

Yes ma'am.

WILD BILL

Gotcha! Yeehoo!

INT. COMMAND SHIP - BRIDGE

ZARTAN

Hail, Cobra!

SYNTHOIDS

Hail, Cobra!

INT. COBRA SUBMARINE

ZARTAN

Mission accomplished, Commander.

COBRA COMMANDER

Excellent. Take her down!

EXT. USS FLAGG - DECK

BREAKER

Hey, Duke! General Franks wants to see you aboard the command ship, on the double!

INT. COMMAND SHIP - BRIDGE

"GEN. FRANKS"

Sergeant, I'm holding you responsible for this disaster!

DUKE

Sir?

SCARLETT

But General, Cobra....

"GEN. FRANKS"

If your team were up to snuff, you'd have stopped Cobra before we were nearly killed! Return to the land base! You're of no use here!

DUKE

Colonel Sharp, we should investigate this senseless attack!

"COL. SHARP"

Request denied!

EXT. COMMAND SHIP - DECK

SCARLETT

Why do I feel like we just lost this battle?

DUKE

Well, let's not tell the others about this.

SCARLETT

All right, Duke.

INT. COBRA SUBMARINE

COBRA COMMANDER

The first blow has been struck! Now we'll use their own authorities against them. We shall desroy them from within by creating one of their own.

DESTRO

So, a synthoid of a G. I. Joe. Which one?

COBRA COMMANDER

Oh, that will keep. But we have a surprise for you, Destro. Show him, Zartan.

ZARTAN

With pleasure, Commander.

DESTRO

No! You wouldn't dare! A synthoid of me?

ZARTAN

Something bothering you, Destro? Kneel, slave.

COBRA COMMANDER

At least it obeys orders.

DESTRO

Destroy it. Destroy it, or I'll...!

COBRA COMMANDER

Easy, Destro. Allow me to demonstrate the neutralizer.

ZARTAN

No, not that setting! Use the short-distance setting or you'll destroy all the synthoids.

COBRA COMMANDER

Oh, sorry about that. Well. Oh, how temporary!

COBRA COMMANDER

Remember, Destro, even you can be replaced.

DESTRO

We shall see.

INT. PENTAGON - BUDGET MEETING

DEFENSE SECRETARY [Bill Ratner?]

Are you sure about this recommendation, General Howe?

"GEN. HOWE"

Absolutely. The G. I. Joe program is a drain on our resources. We must cut their funding in half.

OFFICIAL [Arthur Burghardt]

General Franks, you've always supported G. I. Joe. Do you agree?

"GEN. FRANKS"

Yes. In fact, I think we should do away with them completely.

DEFENSE SECRETARY

All right. The President trusts your judgment, General. I'll put the changes into effect immediatley.

EXT. JOE HEADQUARTERS - MOTOR POOL

COVER GIRL

Aw! Come on, come on, get on there!

CLUTCH

You okay, Cover Girl?

COVER GIRL

How can we fix our equipment without parts?

INT. JOE HEADQUARTERS - SUPPLIES

ROCK 'N ROLL

Need some ammo for target practice, Sarge.

SERGEANT [Gregg Berger]

Sorry, Rock 'n Roll. That's all we can spare.

ROCK 'N ROLL

This is it? You gotta be kiddin'!

EXT. JOE HEADQUARTERS - DAY

SCARLETT

It doesn't make sense. Cobra never attacks without a reason.

DUKE

I agree they're up to something, but what?

DUKE

Hey, Junkyard, how's it going? You ol' hound dog!

DUKE

Hey, cut that out!

MUTT

Here, boy!

MUTT

Hope he wasn't botherin' you, Duke.

DUKE

No. Not at all.

ACE

Duke, we've got problems! We haven't enough fuel to get one plane off the ground!

COVER GIRL

I can't get parts for the tank!

CLUTCH

And we're runnin' out of oil and gas!

ROCK 'N ROLL

Ammunition's down to nothin'!

BLOWTORCH

I can't get any propane for my flamethrower!

COVER GIRL

Duke, the whole base is falling apart!

DUKE

I'm gonna get to the bottom of this right now!

INT. JOE HEADQUARTERS - COMMAND CENTER

"COL. SHARP"

Look, sergeant. Your budget has been cut. You'll have to make do.

DUKE

But we need fuel, supplies, ammo!

"COL. SHARP"

Take it up with General Franks. He's on his way there for an inspection.

ROADBLOCK

Cobra air attack, comin' in fast!

DUKE

Patch me in to the intercom.

EXT. JOE HEADQUARTERS - AIRFIELD

DUKE (COMM.)

Attention, G. I. Joe units! All planes are grounded! Prepare to fight a ground-to-air defense!

PILOT [Neil Ross]

G. I. Joe Headquarters coming into range!

COBRA COMMANDER (COMM.)

Fire at will!

DUKE

Head for the shelter!

DUKE

Scarlett!

DUKE

That was close.

TORCH

Out o' the fryin' pan...

RIPPER

And into the fire, mate!

DUKE

Dreadnoks!

DUKE

Well now, three armed men against little ol' me! Okay, who's gonna be first?

BUZZER

Well actually, we're not here to fight.

DUKE

Oh, tryin' to improve your image, huh?

SCARLETT

What happened?

ROCK 'N ROLL

Hop in, Scarlett!

SCARLETT

Thanks, Rock 'n Roll! Let's get outta here!

ROADBLOCK

You Cobra goons, maybe this will even the odds a little!

DUKE

All right, let's get it over with!

RIPPER

This guy's one tough cookie!

ZARTAN

Hold him, you fools!

DUKE

Zartan!

ZARTAN

You were expecting maybe Spiderman?

ZARTAN

Do you think you can handle him now, you meatheads?

MUTT

Don't move a muscle or you've had it!

GUNG-HO

Out of ammo!

SCARLETT

Rock 'n Roll, get me a little closer so I can get a bead on that FANG copter!

ROCK 'N ROLL

Roger!

ROCK 'N ROLL

We're outta gas!

SCARLETT

How can they expect us to defend the base without giving us equipment that works?

ROCK 'N ROLL

It's Duke!

SCARLETT

He needs help!

COVER GIRL

Duke, get on!

ROADBLOCK

The Cobras are leavin'!

ROCK 'N ROLL

Just like that?

SCARLETT

Another senseless attack, like the one on the ship!

"DUKE"

Strange, isn't it, Cover Girl?

SCARLETT

The name is Scarlett!

"DUKE"

Oh, yeah, of course. Scarlett. That's what I meant.

MUTT

Hey, Duke, can you beat that? Cobra's turned tail and left!

"DUKE"

Hey! Get that mutt away from me!

MUTT

Mutt? Who ya callin' mutt? I'm Mutt!

"DUKE"

Whatever. Just get him away from me!

MUTT

Sorry, Duke. Guess he's kind of excited.

SCARLETT

If they come back, we've had it. We've got to do something.

"DUKE"

Uh, yeah, um, something.

GUNG-HO

Uh-oh. We got company.

"GEN. FRANKS"

What's the meaning of this? Who's in charge here?

DUKE

Um...uh...

SCARLETT

Duke, are you all right?

SCARLETT

Uh, sorry, General, but it was another Cobra attack.

"GEN. FRANKS"

But look at all this damage! It's a disgrace!

SCARLETT

May I remind the general that you cut off our fuel and supplies. Our planes have been grounded, and....

"GEN. FRANKS"

I don't care for your tone of voice, young woman!

EXT. SKY - DAY

INT. COBRA VTOL PLANE

ZARTAN

Cobra Commander, we have the prisoner.

COBRA COMMANDER

Oh, welcome. I do believe it's Duke, the famous leader of the G. I. Joes!

DUKE

I don't know what the game is, Cobra, but G. I. Joe will be on your tail faster than....

COBRA COMMANDER

My game is to make you and all your friends suffer before I crush G. I. Joe out of existence! As for a rescue, first they have to notice that you are gone!

DUKE

That's me! I don't believe it!

COBRA COMMANDER

Watch closely. The best is yet to come.

EXT. JOE HEADQUARTERS - AIRFIELD

"GEN. FRANKS"

You G. I. Joes have destroyed millions of dollars worth of equipment and property!

SCARLETT

Wait a minute! We didn't ask Cobra to attack us!

"GEN. FRANKS"

Yes, but if you weren't here, there would have been no attack at all. Your very existence is a threat to our national security!

ROADBLOCK

Is there somethin' wrong with my ears? I could swear they're not workin' right.

ROCK 'N ROLL

Mutt, is the general talkin' about us?

"GEN. FRANKS"

Therefore, by the power vested in my by the President of the United States, I order you to disband! From this moment on, there is no more G. I. Joe!

SCARLETT

You can't mean it!

MUTT

No, Junkyard!

"GEN. FRANKS"

Get away! Get away from me!

MUTT

Junkyard! Back off, boy!

"GEN. FRANKS"

Take that dog and have it destroyed!

MUTT

No way.

SCARLETT

General Franks, I protest!

"DUKE"

Scarlett, the general's right. We shouldn't interfere.

MUTT

Keep your hands off my dog!

"GEN. FRANKS"

Shoot that deserter!

M.P.

But sir, he's unarmed!

"GEN. FRANKS"

Give me that gun! I'll do it myself.

"GEN. FRANKS"

Soldier, you're under arrest for gross insubordination and striking an officer. After that deserter!

ROCK 'N ROLL

I'll get him for you, General!

SCARLETT

Oh, Duke, the whole world's gone crazy!

EXT. JOE HEADQUARTERS - PERIMETER

ROCK 'N ROLL

Mutt, don't move!

TO BE CONTINUED...

 

 

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