69. Code War Shadows: Fractured Reflections
A new zero-draft script for the workshop from TimeWellSpent.Shop & Open AI’s Chat GPT…
FADE IN:
EXT. DESOLATE CITYSCAPE – DAY – 1972
The camera sweeps over a decaying metropolis, its once-vibrant streets now lined with abandoned cars and shattered glass. Faded propaganda posters cling desperately to crumbling walls, promoting loyalty to the regime. Graffiti marks the walls—screams of dissent against the government’s oppressive grip.
NARRATOR (V.O.)
In a world torn asunder by mistrust and manipulation, the shadows stretch longer. The promise of peace lies in the hands of unseen observers…
EXT. GOVERNMENT COMPOUND – NIGHT
A heavily fortified facility looms under the moonlight, guards patrolling with grim expressions. Inside, SECRETARY CLARA GORDON watches surveillance footage, her eyes hollow, haunted by the weight of her role in the regime.
SECRETARY GORDON
(to herself)
What have we become?
INT. BACKROOM OF A BAR – NIGHT
CAPTAIN ELIAS WESTER, disheveled and weary, huddles in the dimly lit backroom, surrounded by a group of former military personnel. They exchange whispered conspiracies over cheap whiskey, their faces drawn and anxious.
CAPTAIN WESTER
(voice trembling)
They’re playing us against each other. It’s all a game… and we’re the pawns.
FORMER SOLDIER
(scoffing)
Pawns? More like sacrificial lambs. This isn’t about us anymore; it’s about their control.
INT. ALIEN OBSERVATION SHIP – NIGHT
The aliens—faint silhouettes with cold, calculating eyes—monitor Earth from their ship, engaged in a sickening spectacle. ZANAX, the lead alien, reclines in a plush seat, flicking through channels of human suffering like a remote control.
ZANAX
(smirking)
Humans are remarkably predictable. They thrive on chaos.
EXT. STREETS OF THE CITY – DAY
JULIA REED, a journalist disillusioned by the constant stream of propaganda, navigates through the wreckage of her once-thriving neighborhood. Her camera captures the bleak reality—children scavenging for food, families torn apart, eyes empty with despair.
JULIA
(to the camera)
This isn’t just news anymore; it’s a desperate plea for the truth.
INT. GOVERNMENT CONTROL ROOM – NIGHT
Gordon sits with GENERAL DAVID HARPER, surrounded by maps and screens displaying live feeds from various regions. The atmosphere is tense, as they discuss the growing civil unrest.
GENERAL HARPER
(furious)
They’re getting too close to the truth. We can’t let them expose us!
INT. BACKROOM OF A BAR – NIGHT
Wester and his crew huddle, their expressions grim. A flickering light casts shadows on their faces as they discuss their plans.
CAPTAIN WESTER
We need to get the evidence of their lies out to the public. It’s the only way to break the cycle of manipulation.
MONTAGE:
CUT TO: Julia interviewing survivors, each story more harrowing than the last.
CUT TO: Wester’s team gathering evidence of the regime's deceit, risking their lives.
CUT TO: Citizens watching the propaganda, faces reflecting confusion and despair.
EXT. ABANDONED FACTORY – NIGHT
Wester’s team meets in a derelict factory, preparing to distribute their findings. Tension hangs in the air as they recognize the danger they face.
FORMER SOLDIER
(voice shaking)
What if we get caught? They’ll make us disappear.
JULIA
(defiant)
Then we make sure our message gets out. They can’t silence us forever!
INT. GOVERNMENT CONTROL ROOM – NIGHT
Gordon and Harper receive reports of growing dissent. Their faces darken with anger and frustration.
SECRETARY GORDON
(voice tight)
We need to send a message—something that shows we won’t tolerate defiance.
EXT. CITY SQUARE – NIGHT
The square is eerily quiet, except for the low hum of tension. Citizens gather to witness Wester’s broadcast. Fear and hope coexist in their eyes.
CAPTAIN WESTER
(breathing heavily)
This is our truth! The lies that have kept us divided must be exposed!
INT. GOVERNMENT CONTROL ROOM – NIGHT
Harper slams his fist on the table, anger boiling over.
GENERAL HARPER
They’re going to reveal everything! We need to act—NOW!
EXT. CITY SQUARE – NIGHT
Wester's broadcast begins. Shocking footage flashes across the screen, exposing the regime’s manipulation tactics. Gasps ripple through the crowd, fear morphing into anger.
CITIZEN IN CROWD
(shouting)
Lies! They’ve lied to us all!
INT. ALIEN SHIP – NIGHT
The aliens watch, intrigued but detached. Zanax turns to his colleagues, curiosity piqued.
ZANAX
This is the chaos they thrive on. Fascinating.
EXT. CITY SQUARE – NIGHT
Chaos erupts as the crowd begins to turn on the government. Rioting ensues, people clawing at each other in a frenzy of rage and confusion. The line between victim and oppressor blurs.
EXT. GOVERNMENT COMPOUND – NIGHT
Gordon watches the chaos unfold on the monitors, her expression a mix of horror and realization.
SECRETARY GORDON
(whispering)
What have we done?
EXT. ALIEN SHIP – NIGHT
The aliens convene, their amusement waning.
ZANAX
They’re spiraling into chaos. It’s time we intervene—just a little.
EXT. STREETS – NIGHT
The city is engulfed in flames. Wester and Julia navigate the madness, desperately trying to save lives.
JULIA
(voice raised)
We need to get people to safety!
EXT. GOVERNMENT COMPOUND – NIGHT
As chaos reigns, the government deploys brutal force against the rioters. Screams fill the air, and bodies litter the streets.
GENERAL HARPER
(to soldiers)
Show them no mercy!
EXT. ABANDONED WAREHOUSE – NIGHT
Wester and Julia find refuge in an abandoned warehouse. The two share a moment of vulnerability amid the chaos.
CAPTAIN WESTER
(voice trembling)
We thought we could make a difference… but look at what it’s turned into.
JULIA
(fighting back tears)
We have to keep fighting. We can’t let them win.
INT. ALIEN SHIP – NIGHT
The aliens begin to manipulate the chaos for their amusement, projecting images of fear and despair across the planet.
ZANAX
(laughing)
Look at them! They’re devouring each other!
EXT. CITY SQUARE – NIGHT
Wester and Julia watch helplessly as the once peaceful protest devolves into brutality.
CAPTAIN WESTER
(screaming)
Stop fighting! We need to unite!
INT. GOVERNMENT CONTROL ROOM – NIGHT
Harper’s frustration reaches its peak. He orders a more aggressive crackdown on the citizens.
GENERAL HARPER
(over the radio)
Release the dogs.
EXT. CITY STREETS – NIGHT
As armed forces unleash violence on the crowd, the atmosphere shifts from anger to terror. Citizens are gunned down indiscriminately, turning the night into a bloody nightmare.
CITIZEN
(crying out)
This isn’t what we wanted!
EXT. ALIEN SHIP – NIGHT
The aliens watch the carnage with detached amusement, taking notes on human behavior.
ZANAX
(to his peers)
This is what they’ve become—driven by fear, consumed by chaos.
INT. BACKROOM OF A BAR – NIGHT
Wester’s team gathers, defeated.
FORMER SOLDIER
(fighting tears)
This wasn’t supposed to happen.
EXT. CITY SQUARE – NIGHT
Julia kneels beside a dying protester, holding his hand.
JULIA
(tearfully)
You’re not alone. We’re still fighting for you.
EXT. GOVERNMENT COMPOUND – NIGHT
Gordon realizes the extent of the violence as she receives calls for help from various regions. She turns to Harper, desperation in her eyes.
SECRETARY GORDON
We’re losing control. This isn’t how it was supposed to go!
EXT. ALIEN SHIP – NIGHT
The aliens, still watching, prepare to intervene as the situation spirals further out of control.
ZANAX
(grim)
They’ve crossed a line.
EXT. CITY SQUARE – NIGHT
The government sends in airstrikes, creating pandemonium. Explosions rip through the square, chaos and fire enveloping the area.
CAPTAIN WESTER
(holding Julia close)
We need to get out of here!
EXT. ALIEN SHIP – NIGHT
As the chaos spreads, the aliens decide to intervene. They send down drones to document the violence, capturing footage of the atrocities committed.
ZANAX
(to the ship)
This will serve as a warning. They must understand the consequences of their actions.
EXT. GOVERNMENT COMPOUND – NIGHT
The government tries to cover up the violence with propaganda, claiming the rioters are terrorists.
GENERAL HARPER
(smiling grimly)
We’ll spin this. They’ll never know what hit them.
EXT. CITY STREETS – NIGHT
In the aftermath of the violence, the streets are filled with bodies. The once vibrant city is now a graveyard of lost hope.
NARRATOR (V.O.)
In the shadows of war, the true enemies remain hidden, feeding off the chaos…
INT. ALIEN SHIP – NIGHT
The aliens watch as humanity tears itself apart, their amusement fading.
ZANAX
(hushed)
Perhaps we underestimated them…
EXT. CITY SQUARE – NIGHT
As dawn breaks, Wester and Julia emerge from the rubble, witnessing the aftermath of the chaos. They look at each other, the weight of their failure palpable.
CAPTAIN WESTER
(defeated)
What now?
JULIA
(resolute)
We keep fighting. Even in the darkness, we must find a way.
