ALL-TIME CLASSIC MOVIE FAVOURITES – SILENT RUNNING (1972)

 

“Silent Running” is a Sci-Fi Drama, written by Deric Washburn, Michael Cimino and Steven Bochco and Directed by Douglas Trumbull.

 

The Valley Forge is one of several scientific vessels out in deep space carrying all the surviving flora and fauna rescued from the barren Earth housed in large greenhouse pods attached to the spacecraft.

Botanist Freeman Lowell (Bruce Dern) loves his work and believes in the mission, but his crew mates John Keenan (Cliff Potts), Marty Barker (Ron Rifkin) and Andy Wolf (Jesse Vint) do not share his passion.

So, when the fleet is ordered to jettison the pods into space, detonate them and head for home, most of the crew of the Valley Forge rejoice at the prospect of going back to earth.

Lowell on the other hand loves the flora and fauna so much he cannot destroy them, so he kills his crew mates and takes the ship deep into space.

Alone on the craft with only three small robots as companions Lowell revels in the joys of nature and would have continued to do so, had the rest of the fleet not appeared to “rescue” him.

Not able or willing to go back Lowell knew he had only one option open to him.

The Tornado Sojourns (2) – Chapter 14 – A Joint Operation

 

The Tornado wasn’t a huge ship as freighters go but pound for pound the Tempests had the highest freight to fuel ratio yield of their class.

The front section comprised of a sizable pressurized hold for large freight accessed via a front loading ramp, above which was the flight deck, living and sleeping quarters, mess facilities and bath rooms, at the rear was the main propulsion and amidships were the universal cargo pod bays, which allowed for a mixed cargo option, which facilitated quick inspection and loading, although sometimes pods were sealed which meant it was either very valuable or very illegal, either way Merri didn’t mind and transporting sealed cargo paid much much better.

But this time there was no cargo aboard as they flew towards Linden with only one pod aboard.

The Tornado always flew with at least one pod but then that was because it was where they stowed their gear and where the hidden compartments could be found, or not, which was where they hid the contraband, or even fugitives when necessary. 

 

As they approached Linden Legionnaire Lt Nulak handed Merri, who was piloting, a small data tablet containing the landing zone coordinates.

“Give it to Shiyne” she said

Shiyne was the beautiful cerise skinned Vann girl sitting in the navigator’s chair and Lt Nulak knew that it was her he should give it to but he found that she was so beautiful he was in awe of her.   

His hand was shaking as he put the data tablet in her hand and she was smiling because she knew what he was thinking because Shiyne was a telepath.

Once she had made him as uncomfortable as possible she took the tablet and plugged it into the port and after a moment she said

“Ok, coordinates set”

 

It was half an hour later, with the Tornado locked onto the coordinates, that Merri entered Linden’s atmosphere, and five minutes later, with Malena in the co-pilot seat she engaged the Tornado’s four vertical take-off jumper engines and the Tempest class freighter landed softly on the LZ.

 

The landing zone was a hive of activity with Legion craft and vehicles spread around with Legionnaires scurrying around purposefully.

Ordinarily the Legion wore pristine white uniforms but as they were on a covert operation they were dressed in black and their vehicles were similarly liveried, they were after all planning a stealthy extraction of the suspect.

 

Once on the surface the Tornado dropped their cargo pod, which was driven away, and then the Legion ground crew maneuvered the four special Legionnaire pods into position, which contained personnel and equipment for the mission in Odekka.

Once the Pods were in place Merri lowered the Tornado to secure them and then lowered the front ramp so the remaining Legionnaire’s could embark.

Commander Salmin was waiting at the foot of the ramp as the troops boarded and Lyris walked down to greet him

“Hello again Commander” he said

“Good day Mr. Skeet” the Commander responded gruffly then he added

“Please accept my apologies for my manner, but I’m a little anxious”

“You must really want him” Lyris said

“You cannot imagine just how much” Salmin replied

“The Legion must feel the same way to commit all these resources” Lyris said as he looked around him at all the Legion personnel and equipment on display

“What on earth did he do?”

“I will happily tell you of his crimes when he is safely in my custody” he retorted

“Ok” said Lyris as the last of the Legionnaires disappeared inside the cargo bay “Let’s get aboard”

 

As soon as they stepped inside the cargo bay the ramp began to rise and then two hours after landing on Linden the Tornado lifted off again and headed towards the stars.

 

The Tempest Class Freighter was powered by 4 Plasma Turbine Pyroclast Engines, which allowed for a very quick turn of speed once airborne, and four vertical take-off jumper engines whose purpose is self-explanatory, they could also be used independently to provide auxiliary power on board while they were on the surface for periods when the solar converters were inadequate.

They also doubled as powered plant for the oxygen generators when carrying live cargo, which on that occasion was human cargo.

 

The Tornado formed the heart of a small fleet comprising of the Tornado two cruisers and six Firedarts

Once they reached Achrem they put themselves into orbit and then began the descent to Odekka carrying the Legions strike force while the rest of the Legion fleet would stay in orbit until the targets on the ground had been secured.

The Firedarts would remain in the upper atmosphere, poised to shoot down any would be escapee.

 

Night was falling when Merri engaged the Tornado’s four vertical take-off jumper engines as Malena looked on anxiously and after the Tempest class freighter landed softly on the Odekka’s landing field she turned to her friend and said

“Go on then, go and see him off”

 

The advanced squad of black clad Legionnaires were climbing into the back of the Stroller when Malena arrived in the cargo bay.

“I need to talk to you” she said to Zerrad

“Ok” he agreed and they walked into the corner as Lyris looked on and smiled, he knew what was about to happen as he had already had the same lecture Zerrad was about to get from Asti, who was secreted in Montrose out of sight of the Legionnaire’s, his lecture had come via Vidlink on route to Linden.

“You need careful Zerrad Skeet” Malena said

“I will”

“Promise me” she insisted

“I promise I will be careful” he said, “Now give me a kiss”

 

While Malena and Zerrad shared a farewell kiss the ramp was lowered, spilling a bright illuminating light into the blackness, which was Zerrad’s cue to climb aboard and then the Stroller drove down the ramp.

 

As the Tornado’s APMTV, (All Purpose Multi Terrain Vehicle) known as the “Stroller” drove away the ramp was raised and then the Tornado lowered the four cargo pods before killing all the external lights so the Legionnaire’s could quietly disembark from the pods under cover of complete darkness.

 

Lyris parked the Stroller in the wooded corner of the carpark where the Legionnaire’s could slip out the back doors unnoticed and take up their appointed positions, either to guard the exits, deal with the look outs or cut off any means of escape.

And by the time Lyris and Zerrad reached the front doors of the Blue Horizon the guards had all been subdued and all the Legionnaires were in position.

Lyris paused to look at his brother and then he took a deep breath and walked inside.

ALL-TIME CLASSIC MOVIE FAVOURITES – STARMAN (1984)

 

“Starman” is a Sci-Fi Romance, written by Bruce A. Evans, and Raynold Gideon and Directed by John Carpenter.

 

After learning about humanity from the space probe Voyager 2 an Alien race send a ship to investigate but he crash lands on Earth and the Starman (Jeff Bridges) assumes the identity of the dead husband of Jenny Hayden (Karen Allen).

Having never really come to terms with his death Jenny freaks out when she wakes up and sees him but is confused by his calm and emotionless behaviour and reluctantly goes with him and he makes her drive him across the country because he has a deadline to meet while the government tries to stop them in the form of Mark Shermin (Charles Martin Smith).

The Tornado Sojourns (2) – Chapter 13 – Gaining Goodwill

 

After being picked up from Achrem following a longer than expected stay in Odekka the Tornado spent the next nine months working regular routes around the Eikon Cluster which took them back to Achrem on a regular basis as well as allowing them to make return visits to their favourite place in order to spend their R&R among the simple folk of Montrose where the whole crew could relax.

They found their safe haven of respite thanks to the Tornado’s cook, Bagg.

Apart from being gifted in all things culinary he was first and foremost a Visitor.

Visitors were a Christian sect who took to the stars with the first migrants to visit new worlds, spreading the word while seeking enlightenment, and they had established Visitor enclaves in every corner of the known universe, they even thrived in Mehreen space and they were the least spiritual beings to ever draw breath.

The difference between Visitors and the established Christian Church on earth was its spontaneity, they didn’t wait until Sunday to worship, they did it wherever and whenever it was desired and it didn’t need to happen in a church, Visitors worshipped everywhere.

The farm in the village of Montrose was owned by Bagg’s brother Trebreh, who was also a Visitor, and his wife Xandra and her brother Ale who was Bagg’s boyhood friend.

The crew of the Tornado were always made very welcome, but none more than the reptilian engineers Pulsat and Vanzyl, who were monopolized by the village children, to the delight of both.

Every moment spent in the peaceful setting of Montrose was precious to them and it was on one such restful weekend staying in Montrose that something occurred that could lead to the preservation of the life they valued so much.

It happened as they sat around the table in the Orchard after a fine dinner, Pulsat and Vanzyl had been dragged off by the children, Bagg was walking by the Lake with his brother and Xandra put down a Carafe of Abyssinian Brandy on the table

“This is courtesy of Lyris”

“There are advantages to hanging out in a bar run by lowlifes” Lyris said

“They can get anything you want since Kurla took over the Blue Horizon”

“Did you say Kurla?” Shiyne asked

“Yes, Kurla Babic” he replied

“That was who the Legion Commander was searching for when they boarded the Tornado” Shiyne said

“Why?” Zerrad asked

“I don’t know, but they wanted him really bad” Shiyne said “and he had something they wanted back even more”

“Well we have an opportunity to gain some goodwill from the Legion then” Merri said, “So I think we should help Commander Salmin find the man he has been searching for”

“How much good will is it going to buy us?” Lyris asked

“A lot” Shiyne said

 

Two days later they landed on Eikon Minor where there was a small Legion Garrison and met with Commander Salmin, they already knew he was there as they got the information from their boss Oshwin Lemik on Soman.

 

“Well this is a pleasant surprise” he said when Merri and Lyris walked into his office and presented him with a box of Bagg’s scones.

“But I’m sure you didn’t come all this way to bring me scones”

“No, you’re right, but I think you will be pleased that we came” 

Merri said

“I know where Kurla Babic is” Lyris said and the Commanders demeanor changed

“Where?”

 

Along with the scones they entered Commander Salmin office with some rolled up plans.

The first was a floor plan of the Blue Horizon bar, showing entrances, exits and the position of the bad guys, including the names of the protagonists, where known. 

The second plan showed the local environs of the bar showing places of cover and concealment, the positions of look outs and surveillance cameras.

The third and final plan showed the landing field and the roads between the field and the bar.

“As you know Achrem is a very mountainous planet and as you can see from the map there are very few places near Odekka where you can land a cruiser, and none at all where you can do it unnoticed, and the moment a Legion vessel appears the alarm is going to be raised and your quarry will disappear, and because of the terrain you won’t be able to land enough Legionnaires to throw a net around the bar in time”

Lyris said at length

“You’re clearly no stranger to tactics, so what would your solution be?” the Commander asked

“It’s simple really, the Tornado is a regular visitor to Odekka so no one will raise an eyebrow when we land with your strike force on board, nor will they be alarmed when the Stroller drives down the ramp and crosses the field to drive up to the Blue Horizon”

Lyris said

“So, we can make our regular stop at the bar and once inside we can establish that Kurla is present and give you the heads up”

“And how do I get my men to the bar unseen?”

“A small group of Legionnaires can conceal themselves in the Stroller” Merri contributed

“And in the meantime, your main force can cross the field on foot under the cover of darkness, and secure the landing field on their way to the bar” Lyris continued

“And once we have established Kurla’s presence and we hear everyone is in place my brother Zerrad and I will leave the bar, and that would be your signal to go in”

“Well I can understand now why we struggled against the Shaxson rebels”

Commander Salmin said

“When are you due on Achrem next?”

“Tomorrow” Merri replied

“Tomorrow it is then” he said, “Rendezvous on Linden, you know the place” 

“I think I can remember” Merri said

“You won’t need to rely on memory Captain Strong” the Commander remarked “you will have two of my officers aboard to tell you where to land” 

This did not come as a surprise to them that the Legion would install someone aboard the Tornado, in fact it was assumed that the Commander would want someone on the flight deck to make sure everything was on the level, so as a precaution they left Asti and Parse in Montrose so they wouldn’t have to be hidden away in the “priest hole” for the duration of the mission.

So, as they left the commander with their military escort they were unconcerned.

ALL-TIME CLASSIC MOVIE FAVOURITES – ALIEN (1979)

 

“Alien” is a Sci-Fi Drama, Screenplay Written by Dan O'Bannon, from a story by Ronald Shusett and Dan O'Bannon and Directed by Ridley Scott

The commercial spaceship Nostromo is on the way home and the crew, Dallas (Tom Skerritt), Ripley (Sigourney Weaver), Lambert (Veronica Cartwright), Brett (Harry Dean Stanton), Kane (John Hurt), Ash (Ian Holm) and Parker (Yaphet Kotto), are in stasis when they pick up a distress call from a distant moon.

So, the ships computer, Mother (Helen Horton), wakes them early as they are under an obligation to investigate the source of the signal so a ship descends to the surface, where one of them is attacked by a strange creature which emerged from what appeared to be an egg.

 

Meanwhile the ship's computer deciphered the message to be a warning and not a call for help, but by the time the crew realizes that they are not alone on the spaceship they can only try to deal with the consequences. 

The Tornado Sojourns (2) – Chapter 12 – The Blue Horizon

 

After being detained and searched on Linden by the Legion Merri sat in the pilot seat and nodded to co-pilot Malena who used the Tornado’s four vertical take-off jumper engines to lift the Tempest class freighter off the surface and a few minutes later they were back in space and on the way to Zenden.

“Ok let the fugitives out of the priest hole” Merri said and Malena got up and said

“Ok, can you get Pulsat to meet me there?”

 

The Tornado was late getting to do the delivery on Zenden after their encounter with the Legion so as a result they were not waiting on the air field outside Odekka when the Skeet brothers returned from the Algarvian Monastery in the Achrem Mountains.

So, after they left Zenden they made haste to get to Achrem when Lyris contacted the ship to find out where they had gotten to.

“Odekka station calling Freighter Tornado, Odekka station calling Freighter Tornado”

“Tornado receiving, go ahead Odekka” Merri responded

“I have two crew members requesting ETA” Vinid Cupra said

 

After speaking to Merri aboard the Tornado, he relayed that all she would say was that they had been delayed, so they would be late picking them up but they were on their way, so the Skeets had some time to kill.

“It would appear we have time for a drink” Lyris said

 

Vinid, Lyris and Zerrad had flown Spider Hawk Fighters against the Legion in the Shaxson rebellion and it was the first time they had seen each other for many years so they were keen to catch up.

But Vin didn’t get off duty for another two hours so they agreed to meet at the Blue Horizon bar when he was done.

 

The Blue Horizon was owned by Vinid’s friend, Lak Shmi, who a couple of months earlier had opened the door to illegal gambling and its associated criminality and now couldn’t get rid of it.

It began when he was approached by a respectable looking Lakmean trader who said he wanted to run a “friendly” game of cards and would Lak mind if they used a quiet corner of the bar once a week, and he agreed on the basis that there would be a few Dinaris in it for him.

 

Lyris and Zerrad walked through the double doors into the large open bar area.

Directly ahead of them was a large horseshoe shaped bar, and surrounding it was the main seating area.

As they walked further into the bar they could see a raised area, to the left, which was surrounded by chest high ornate panelling and the area within was divided into cubicle like booths, which was presumably the eating area, at least under normal circumstances.

He could see that if there was illegal gambling on the premises that would be the best place for it.

He could see at the far end of the eating area what looked like large glass doors, which they presumed would have lead out to the gardens, which would be a good escape route if the need arose.

As they approached the bar Lyris glanced casually around the rest of the bar and was struck by the presence of an unusually large selection of electronic gambling machines.

As they were new to the Eikon Cluster they had become familiar enough with the neighbourhood petty crooks and thugs but Lyris and Zerrad recognized the types among the faces in the busy bar, petty criminals mainly and two of the crowd stood out as more senior members of the criminal fraternity.

They reached the bar and waited until they caught the eye of the barman who walked casually to where they were standing and stared without speaking.

He was of medium height and of muscular build and he was of rough and un-welcoming appearance, he was heavily tattooed and shaven headed with multiple piercings and the kind of face you would never tire of slapping, and judging by the scars he wore it looked like it had been.

“Ale” Lyris said and held up two fingers “two”

The barman slowly broke his gaze and responded to the request.

Meanwhile Zerrad looked around and saw someone of a much different calibre, who had the familiar Ivory complexion of a Gouveian, and judging by how everyone else was behaving he was clearly the brains of the outfit.

Sitting with him was undoubtedly the man Vinid had described to him, the Lakmean trader, AaHannaa.

“Nine Dinaris” The barman said banging the Ales down on the counter so hard that they slopped over the sides.

Lyris stared him straight in the eye and dropped a handful of coins on the counter so they rolled in every direction.

“Keep the change”

He only averted his gaze after the barman had picked all the coins up and walked away, cursing under his breath.

“He’s an ignorant bastard that one” a voice said behind them and they turned to see the voice belonged to a monster of a man.

The Skeets weren’t small men by any means but they both had to look up at the man who was built like a brick out house.

Judging by his well-tanned skin, un-manicured rough calloused hands and grubby clothes he earned his living doing manual work.

“He’s a real charmer that’s for sure” Lyris said

“I haven’t seen you two in here before” the man said

“No first time” Zerrad responded

“Just killing time while we’re waiting for our transport”

“So, you’re off worlders then?” he said

“Yes, we’re crew on a freighter” Lyris said “But Odekka is going to be one of our regular jobs”

“Well welcome to the Blue Horizon” he said

“Thanks” Zerrad responded “Can I get you a drink” 

“No thanks” he said draining his glass “I’m off to work, night shift”

“Oh well see you again sometime” Lyris said

“Don’t stick around here too late” he said leaning towards Lyris “A bit of a rough crowd get in here late on” He nodded towards the booths.

“Thanks for the tip” Zerrad said

 

About an hour later Vinid arrived at the Blue Horizon and joined them at the bar and when they had fresh drinks they sat in a corner and chatted in hushed tones.

“So is that the Lakmean trader” Lyris said gesturing towards the booths

“Yes, that’s AaHannaa” Vinid replied

“And who is the Gouveian with him?” Zerrad asked

“That’s the boss, Kurla Babic” said Vin “He’s the one pulling all the strings and raking in the spoils”

“I thought so” Zerrad said

“But you know the thing that rankles with me about him the most?” Vin asked

“What?”

“He’s got his own Spider Hawk”

Spider Hawks were the ships that the three of them flew against the Legion in the Shaxson Rebellion

“Has he” Lyris mused

“What a bastard” Zerrad added

After that they spent the next hour talking about the old days and then the place was just starting to get rowdy when Zerrad’s comms buzzed and the Skeets said their goodbyes and headed back to the field in the Stroller.

ALL-TIME CLASSIC MOVIE FAVOURITES – BATTLE BEYOND THE STARS (1980)

 

“Battle Beyond the Stars” is a Sci-Fi Action Adventure, Screenplay Written by John Sayles from a story by John Sayles and Anne Dyer, Directed by Jimmy T. Murakami and Roger Corman.

 

In a “Magnificent Seven” style outer space tale, a young farmer called Shad (Richard Thomas) sets off to recruit mercenaries to defend his peaceful farming world, Akir, which is under threat of invasion by the evil tyrant Sador (John Saxon) ruler of the sinister Malmori Empire and his armada of aggressors.

Against the odds Shad assembles a diverse band of unlikely heroes, a spacegoing truck driver from Earth called Cowboy (George Peppard), Gelt (Robert Vaughn) a wealthy assassin looking for a place to hide, St. Exmin (Sybil Danning) a Valkyrie warrior looking to prove herself in battle, Cayman of the Lambda Zone (Morgan Woodward),

the Nestors (Earl Boen and John Gowans) the Kelvin (Lawrence Steven Meyers and Lara Cody) and Nanelia (Darlanne Fluegel).

 

Also featuring in this likeable Sci-Fi tale are veteran Sam Jaffe as Dr. Hephaestus, Marta Kristen as Lux and Lynn Carlin as the voice of Nell.