Starship Troopers

This film contains some strong language and graphic violent scenes.

(FAINT MARCHING MUSIC)

(MUSIC GETS LOUDER)

Young people from all over the globe

are joining up to fight for the future.

I'm doing my part!

I'm doing my part!

I'm doing my part!

I'm doing my part, too!

-(LAUGHTER)

-They're doing their part. Are you?

Join the Mobile Infantry and save the world.

Service guarantees citizenship.

The bugs send another meteor our way.

But this time we're ready.

Planetary defences are better than ever.

Klendathu, source of the bug meteors, orbits a system

whose gravitational forces

produce an unlimited supply of bug meteorites

in the form of this asteroid belt.

To ensure the safety of our solar system, Klendathu must be eliminated

We break net now and take you live to Klendathu

where the invasion has begun.

"You're on!"

We've just landed here on what cap troopers call Big K

with the 6th Mobile Infantry Division.

It's an ugly planet, a bug planet,

a planet hostile to -

(SCREECHES)

ARRGHHH!

Come on! Go, go, go!

Get out of here now!

Go on, go on, go on!

Kitten, no!

Rico... >

Rico...

Rico!

Pay attention.

Sorry, Mr Rasczak.

Let's sum up. This year we explored

the failure of democracy -

how social scientists brought us to the brink of chaos.

The veterans took control

and imposed the stability that has lasted for generations.

You know these facts. But have I taught you anything of value?

Why can only citizens vote?

It's a reward that the Federation gives you for doing service.

No. NO!

-Something

-given

-has no value.

When you vote, you exercise political authority. You use force.

And force is violence,

the supreme authority from which all other authority is derived.

But violence never solves anything.

I wonder what the city fathers of Hiroshima would say to that.

You.

They probably wouldn't say anything.

Hiroshima was destroyed.

Correct. Force resolves more issues

than any other factor. The opinion that violence never solves anything

is wishful thinking at its worst.

People who forget it always pay.

Rico,

what's the moral difference, if any, between a civilian and a citizen?

A citizen takes responsibility for the safety of the body politic,

defending it with his life. A civilian does not.

Exact words of the text.

Do you understand it? Do you believe it?

I don't know.

No. I doubt any of you would recognise civic virtue

if it bit you in the ass.

(BELL)

Not here. C'mon. Let's see if they posted the math final.

Rico, we gonna take Tesla?

We're gonna kill 'em!

First thing Fleet Academy looks at is your math scores. Wish me luck.

Way to go! >

Good job.

Your turn.

Hold on. I want to talk to Marco. His sister's at Fleet.

Heard anything about Roxy? >

She made pilot. >

35%! Very nice!

Look at that!

35%, ladies and gentlemen!

Big numbers(!)

Carl...

Sorry.

You two haven't done it yet, have you? Don't lie.

I'm not in any hurry.

Others are waiting.

Did you read her mind?

Don't have to. It's pretty clear.

Yeah... But I want Carmen.

Aw, you got it bad! Don't forget about later.

He's always late when he walks you home to fish for a kiss.

Get out of here!

Marco's sister made pilot.

So will you.

Imagine flying half a million tons of starship!

You gotta have nerves of steel.

Yeah. Let's see how yours hold up.

You may begin!

Come on, it's just a bug. Put your goggles on.

-"Just a bug"? We humans like to

-think

-we are

nature's finest achievement. It just isn't true.

The Akellian sand beetle is superior in many ways.

It reproduces in vast numbers,

has no ego, has no fear,

doesn't know about death, and so is the perfect selfless

member of society.

But humans created art, math and interstellar travel.

True.

But before it goes to your head, look at the arachnids,

a highly evolved insect society.

By human standards, they are stupid.

But their evolution stretches over millions of years.

-And now...

-Take this.

..they can colonise planets by hurling their spore into space.

< I think we got it.

Heart.

There's the stomach.

Nerves of steel, huh?! >

Don't think about it. Go on instinct.

Try to visualise it.

I see... ace of spades.

Statistically speaking, you should have guessed right by now. Again.

-My psychic abilities are zero

-and

-I'm unlucky?

Luck's not a factor. No-one knows why some people are sensitive.

Maybe it's a new stage of human evolution.

That's why they do these Federal studies.

Cyrano! Shit! Time out.

He just wants some attention.

Cyrano!

Go bug Mom, Cyrano.

How do you make him do that?

I gave him the impression there's a grub on Mom's leg. He's gonna eat it

< Ow!

Get off my leg! Carl!

I sure hope you don't do anything like that to me.

Don't be afraid. Can't do human.

Yet.

Are you alright?

Much better.

Now.

Hey, your helmet!

What are you doing after the game?

Well, everyone's going to the dance. Aren't you?

I dunno. It's my last night as a civilian.

I go to Tereshkova tomorrow.

You're going to the Fleet Academy? That's where I wanna go!

Come on, number 12, let's play ball!

Don't get any ideas about my girl!

All is fair in love and war.

Johnny!

Irvin, Lathom, cover the rush. Perry, fake left. Bertolli, go long.

Rico, flip six, three hole.

Got it? Hey, Rico!

-Hey!

-What?

You're drifting! Flip six, three hole on one.

Just throw me the ball, Diz.

Ready, break!

Hut!

(WHISTLE)

He's in there.

It's over!

Who said you could grow up so fast?

Mom, don't get mushy.

This came for you today.

I presume at your request.

A lot of my friends are doing Federal service.

You're not thinking of applying?

Have you lost your mind?

I'd rather take ten lashes than see you ruin your life.

It's a term of service.

It's not a career.

I just want to get out on my own.

See the galaxy for a couple of years.

Johnny,

people get killed in the service.

Who gave you this idea?

It's that teacher, isn't it? Whatshisname.

You know the one I'm talking about.

Mr Rasczak.

Rasczak?

Silly name. You shouldn't be able to use a school as a recruiting station

No. Rasczak doesn't do that at all.

He sort of discourages you.

Good. Cos you're going to Harvard and that's the end of it.

It's my decision, not yours.

Is that how it is?

Wait. We have a surprise for you that'll settle this. Can you guess?

No.

You want to see the galaxy?

How about a trip to the Outer Rings?

Zegema Beach. Huh?

I've always wanted to go there.

Good. Then it's settled.

(LOUD MUSIC)

Don't go away.

I'm going to see Mr Rasczak.

Rico, you want to dance?

Actually, I promised Carmen -

C'mon, she's not around.

It's sad. After tonight, most of us

probably won't see each other again.

So, you still gonna play for Rio?

Yeah. Unless Tokyo lets me start.

Anyone who gets you is lucky.

Johnny, how come we never got together?

Can't we just be friends, Diz?

Sure.

Look, Diz, I want to talk to Mr Rasczak.

You'd better hurry up if you want to catch him.

You're the best.

Mr Rasczak.

What is it, Rico?

I want to thank you. Your class was the best one this year.

I hope you learned something.

I wanna join up. I think I got what it takes to be a citizen.

Good for you. Go find out.

My parents are against it. I was wondering...

What would you do if you were me?

Figuring things out for yourself is the only freedom anyone really has.

Use that freedom. Make up your own mind.

# No, I have not been to paradise

Don't exaggerate.

It's true. You have beautiful eyes.

Johnny.

This is Zander.

We know each other from the game.

No hard feelings?

None at all. We won.

C'mon, Carmen.

It's the last dance.

Maybe I'll see you at the Academy.

Yeah, who knows?

Good luck.

Zander's going for pilot, too.

You two have so much in common(!)

Johnny Rico, are you jealous?

Well, maybe.

You don't have to be jealous.

Hey, break it up, you two. There's a place for that sort of thing.

I've been thinking. I'm gonna do it, Carmen.

I'm gonna go for Federal service.

That's great!

Carl and I sign up tomorrow. Come with us.

I will.

My father's not home tonight.

(CROWD) I do now,

of my own free will,

after having been duly advised and warned

of the meaning and consequences of this oath,

enrol in the Federal service for not less than two years

and as much longer as may be required

by the needs of the Federation.

Fresh meat for the grinder, eh?

So, how'd you kids do?

I'm gonna be a pilot.

Good for you. We need all the pilots we can get.

Did you get starside R&D?

No.

I don't believe it.

I got Games and Theory.

Games and Theory? That's military intelligence!

Yeah.

Way to go, Carl!

-Next time we meet, I'll probably have to salute

-you.

How about you, son?

Infantry, sir.

Good for you. Mobile Infantry made me the man I am today.

Let's make a vow.

No matter what, we'll always be friends.

I'll go for that.

Chances are, we'll never see each other again.

We'll be millions of light years away from each other. But why not?

Resign! It may look bad, but if that's the worst, fine!

I won't quit!

You will! You're going on vacation!

I am not going on vacation! I want to be a citizen. It's my decision.

Walk out that door, you are cut off!

Alright, that's it! You are cut off!

Why won't you change your mind?

Does citizenship mean that much to you?

Yeah. Sure.

Don't ruin your life over a silly girl who'll look handsome in uniform

Don't talk about Carmen that way!

Johnny...

Johnny!

You're late.

Dad had to help me pack.

Suddenly he's afraid he's never gonna see me again.

It was sweet but it took forever.

Anyway, I guess I'm ready to go.

Yeah, me, too.

I'm... wearing everything I own.

I'm sorry your parents are mad.

Who cares? The Federation will give me everything I need for two years.

You talk to Carl?

Yeah. He left this morning. He couldn't say where.

It's exciting going away, but I'm scared. Aren't you?

I'm gonna miss you.

I'm gonna miss you, too.

I love you.

(TANNOY ANNOUCEMENT)

That's me.

Just...

say it once. Try it on for size.

(MUMBLES) I love you.

Don't forget to write.

I won't.

Fully automatic. Who wants to hold it?

Me! Me! Me!

Citizen rule - people making a better tomorrow.

A murderer was captured this morning and tried today.

Guilty.

Sentence - death.

Execution tonight at 6pm. All channels.

If you think you're psychic,

maybe you are.

Federal studies are being conducted in your community.

Every school kid knows that arachnids are dangerous.

Mormon extremists disregarded Federal warnings

and established Port Jo Smith inside the Arachnid Quarantine Zone.

But Dantana had already been chosen by other colonists - arachnids.

Most of you will not live

to be in the Mobile Infantry.

You are not good enough the way you are.

Hands at your sides!

Chin up.

I am your senior drill instructor, Career Sgt Zim! Suck in that gut!

Feet together!

To think this had to happen to me. What a bunch of apes.

No, strike that. You don't rate that good!

Never in my life have I seen -

You think I'm funny? Do you think I'm a comedian?

I'm sorry.

Your first words and the last will be "sir"!

-Do you get me?!

-Sir, yes, sir!

You see that armoury? Run around it.

Run, I said, run!

Bronski, keep pace!

Move!

Any time you think I'm being tough, unfair or you miss your mommy,

quit! Sign form 1240A, grab your gear, stroll down Washout Lane!

Do you get me?!

Sir, yes, sir!

Pathetic! I wonder if there's a handful of guts in any of you!

Now, who thinks they got what it takes to knock me down?

Sir! I guess maybe I do, sir!

-(CRACK!)

-Arrgh!

You alright, son?

Sir, yes, sir!

My arm. I think it's broken, sir!

Medic!

Pain is in your mind!

Who's next?

Sir!

Recruit Flores reporting for duty!

You requested transfer from Fort Cronkite to this training unit?

Sir, I heard it was the best, sir!

-It

-is

-the best.

-But what makes

-you

-think you're good enough?!

She's the kind who makes squad leader.

-That's gonna be

-my

-job.

I'd like to kill that Sgt Zim.

Improper attitude! They'll kick you out for saying that.

Bye-bye! There you go down Washout Lane.

Either you got what it takes or you don't.

Wait your turn, Ace.

At ease, little soldier. It's all the same muck.

Get in line like everyone else.

You got guts for a rich kid. I guess you and me could be buddies.

What d'you say?

I'm honoured.

Hey-hey!

Course you are. Everybody should have a friend like me.

Ace, back of the line!

What a jerk, man.

Hey, Rico, want to sit together?

No, thanks, Diz.

What's your malfunction?

You are.

I joined up to get out on my own and you had to tag along.

You think I joined the Mobile Infantry because of you?

Are you saying you didn't?

Hi.

Ace, you don't stand a chance.

-What makes you think

-you'll

-make squad leader?

Something I got you don't!

Rich kids are all the same!

I'm best.

Hey!

(ZIM) Third squad!

Sir! I don't understand.

Who needs a knife in a nuke fight anyway?

All you gotta do is push a button. Sir?

Cease fire!

Put your hand on that wall, trooper.

Put your hand on that wall!

The enemy cannot push a button if you disable his hand.

Medic!

We all have one thing in common - we were all stupid enough to sign up.

Breckinridge, what's your excuse?

My family are farmers. I hate farming. This is a picnic.

-So they grow 'em big

-and

-dumb on the farm?

(LAUGHTER)

Djana'D, what about you?

I'm going into politics. You gotta be a citizen for that.

You want some responsibility?

Yeah.

Shujimi, keep it going.

I got into Harvard but my father said forget it. It cost too much.

If I serve, Federation pays my way.

I want babies. You can get a licence if you serve.

I'm going career. Officer's training. All the way.

Ah. Future Sky Marshal. Rico, your turn.

Who asked you to be so nosy?

I'm the bad guy? I'm gonna be a writer. Writers must be nosy.

Flores! You know Rico from Buenos Aires.

What's his story?

Oh, er, he's here because of a girl.

(MOCKING LAUGHTER)

Is it you?

This is where we live. It's not much but it's home.

Right there is my bunk where I dream about you every night.

Boot's pretty tough.

Sometimes I think I won't make it.

But then I think about what you're doing and I try harder.

Who knows? They might even make me squad leader.

Uh-oh. I'd better pack it in.

Write me.

"I love you so much!"

"I love you so-o-o much!"

"Bye. Write me."

Orbit in five, Ibanez.

First one there gets to fly.

Locking it down.

Wait!

Oh, no, not Ibanez again. She's crazy!

Ready, go!

Deploy wings.

How come you're in such a good mood?

Cos today I get to fly that.

Pilot trainee Ibanez reporting for duty.

Take the number two chair.

Yes, ma'am.

Identify.

Ibanez. T325A.

Clear.

What are you doing here?

I'm the guy who's gonna teach you to fly this.

Oh. Assistant instructor.

Should I call you "sir"?

Only when I give you an order.

Prepare for departure.

It's amazing

us running into each other like this. Maybe it's fate.

Maybe not. I heard about this crazy girl coming through the Academy.

Solid math, a little wild on the stick. But a natural.

When it turned out to be you, I made sure we would run into each other.

Alright, Ibanez. Take her out.

Yes, ma'am.

All systems go.

In simulation, my supervisors couldn't keep up.

This isn't simulation. Take her out easy, cadet.

Yes, sir.

(ALARM BEEPS)

Five metres from object.

Three metres from object.

Clear.

Don't exceed port speed.

Or what?

Or they revoke your flight status. And mine.

Your career is in my hands.

Steady as she goes. Prepare for warp.

Yes, ma'am.

Number one, design for Jupiter orbit.

Stand by to cut in C drive.

Star drive in.

Five, four...

ready, steady,

go!

We're going in. Move!

They're defended. No way in!

Flip six, three hole.

What?

Flip six, three hole, and you can score.

Cover me.

Now!

Thanks, buddy!

Bastard!

Kid's got some moves.

Give him a squad. See what he can do.

Someone's gotta teach you how to play pool.

Look at him. You ever seen anybody so pleased with himself?

Zim had to choose someone to be his brown nose.

I couldn't have done it without you.

Friends?

Friends.

Mail call!

Levy!

Shujimi!

Rico!

Breckinridge.

< That's all, folks.

Hi, Johnny. I'm sorry I haven't written you sooner.

Rico, you don't deserve that!

"They must have made you squad leader by now."

"If not, tell them to talk to me."

All it takes is the love of a good woman.

-That

-is

-a woman.

"Look at that. Isn't it beautiful?"

"I love it out here."

"(SIGHS) That's also the problem."

"Because...

I think I'm gonna go career."

"I want to command

a ship of my own, and you know...

..that isn't gonna leave a lot of room for you and me."

"I know that's not what you wanted to hear. But, er...

..I have to follow my heart."

"I'm sorry."

"Write me, alright?"

"Write me so that I know we'll always be friends."

Funny how they always want to be friends after they rip your guts out

Yeah.

That's what I deserve.

What you talking about?

I joined up for her.

-I wouldn't even

-be

-here if it wasn't for her.

You made squad leader on your own.

Hey, you still got me to kick around.

You will fire live ammunition in a combat environment!

-You will exercise extreme caution on

-my

-assault course!

Do you get me?!

Sir, yes, sir!

Rico, take 'em out!

First fire team with me.

Next team in ten seconds.

Maximum score has been 280. I expect you to do better!

(KLAXON)

Stay down!

Breckinridge, clear my line of fire!

My helmet's all screwed up!

You'll blow the score!

Dumb shit!

What's the problem?

It's in my eyes!

It's always you!

Cos I'm big and dumb(!)

Right!

MEDIC!

Rico, you are relieved of squad command!

Did you give the recruit permission to remove his helmet?

Sir, yes, sir. He had a malfunction. I asked to see it.

Are you rated to repair the M3 tactical helmet?

Sir, no, sir.

Why did you order your man to remove it in a live-fire exercise?

I needed everyone in my squad operational, sir.

I wanted to win, sir.

Sergeant, we've already lost two recruits over this incident.

Do you think there's any possibility of salvaging this man?

Yes, sir, I do.

Alright.

We'll try administrative punishment.

Prisoner, halt!

Bite down on this, son. It helps.

I know.

For incompetence of command,

for failure to abide by safety regulations

during a live-fire exercise,

for negligence

which contributed to the death of a teammate,

recruit trainee John Rico

is sentenced to administrative punishment. Ten lashes.

You may carry out the sentence.

Thanks. You read my mind.

Third watch always seems to last forever.

I don't know. It depends on who you spend it with.

Something's wrong.

There.

No.

I re-plotted the course. It's more efficient now.

Three weeks on board and you can lick my maps?

Check it.

You know,

I was talking with Cpt Deladier. And she said...

Don't change the subject. Am I right?

Yeah. You're right.

So what did the Captain say?

She thinks... we ought to team up officially...

..and crew for her.

You and me, huh?

We're good together, Carmen.

We're way ahead of the curve in every department.

I can anticipate you.

You know... what I want.

No. What do you want?

There's a gravity field out there.

Run a scan. Sensors on.

There.

Gravity at 225 and rising!

"Report!"

We're in the path of an object moving toward us at speed.

It suggests an asteroid.

Impact - six seconds!

"Emergency evasion!"

Three...

two...

Fire!

Close compartment 21.

Where did it come from?

It came out of the Arachnid Quarantine Zone.

Number four, tell Fleet there's an asteroid headed their way.

Communications are down, ma'am. They're gone.

Damage assessment.

Hull's compromised. We're lucky to be alive.

Luck didn't have anything to do with it. We have a helluva flight team.

(SIGHS) It really stinks, you going.

Well, the Mobile Infantry will just have to get along without me.

I don't get it. You took your licks.

If they didn't want you, they would've kicked you out.

Hey... I joined up for the wrong reasons.

I got a guy killed. I don't have what it takes.

Rico! Your call's coming through. Take it there.

"Hello?"

"Oh, Johnny!"

Hi, Mom.

"Bill, it's Johnny!"

"Johnny? Where's your uniform?"

"Bill..."

"It's just good to hear from you."

"How are you, son?"

It's not really workin' out here.

I was thinkin'... I was hopin' it'd be alright if I came home.

"Of course. Come home immediately."

I'm sorry. I've been an idiot.

"Don't talk like that."

"You come on home, talk things out."

"We love you, son."

"My, what's that?"

"Looks like rain."

"This time of year?"

"Sure is dark."

Your transmission is terminated due to atmospheric interference.

Well, see ya.

Hey... You go down Washout Lane, you're only proving one thing.

What's that, Diz?

That you don't have what it takes to be a citizen.

What is it? Kitten, what's going on?

War! We're going to war!

(MONITOR) "The devastation we are seeing is unparalleled."

"Judging from early estimates, there are millions dead,

a city in ruins."

Is that Geneva?

Goddamn bugs whacked us.

"The meteor was shot out of orbit by bug plasma derived from Klendathu."

"Nothing lives in what was once called the Latin Paradise."

Johnny, it's us...

"Buenos Aires has been wiped off the earth."

It's home.

"The Federal council

has voted for mobilisation to destroy the arachnid threat."

I'll go anywhere.

You stay here!

I want combat!

Then you'll have to bust yourself to private! Get me?!

Yes, sir, I get you!

Sir!

What do you want, Rico?

I wish to reconsider my request to drop out.

You signed your 1240A.

It wouldn't be legal.

I was wrong. I didn't learn from one mistake and I made another, sir.

You made your decision.

Sir, my family was in Buenos Aires.

Is this your signature, Rico?

Sir, yes, it is, sir!

Doesn't look like it to me.

Carry on, Private!

Yes, sir!

Out of the ashes of Buenos Aires comes first sorrow,

then anger.

The only good bug is a dead bug!

In Geneva, the Federal council convenes.

We must meet the threat with our valour, our blood,

indeed with our very lives.

To ensure that human civilisation, not insect,

dominates this galaxy now and always!

Sky Marshal Dienes announces an offensive

against Klendathu, source of the bug meteor.

Scientists are looking for new ways to kill bugs.

A basic arachnid warrior isn't too smart. You can blow off a limb...

but it's still 86% combat effective.

So, aim for the nerve stem and put it down for good.

Everyone's doing their part. Are you?

-The war effort needs

-your

-effort - at work, at home, in your community.

We now take you live to Fleet battle station Ticonderoga

deep inside the Arachnid Quarantine Zone

where the men and women of the armed services prepare to attack.

"Uplink on two, one... You're on."

No-one in the AQZ knows when the invasion will occur

but everyone's talking about it. The talk says tomorrow.

These MI kids look like they could eat bugs for lunch.

Yum, yum, yum!

You're not worried about fighting?

Just shoot a nuke down a bug hole.

I hope it's not over before we get some!

Some say the bugs were provoked by our intrusion into their habitat,

that a live-and-let-live policy is preferable to war.

Let me tell you something. I'm from Buenos Aires and I say kill 'em all!

Big, bad bugs, huh?

Hey, we ought to get tattoos.

Let's all get cut.

What do I want a tattoo for?

Your skin's too pretty?

Johnny! >

Johnny Rico! >

Carmen!

At ease. Guess I ought to lose the hat when I'm off duty.

Hi, Diz.

Carmen.

My mother was right about you.

You look great in a uniform.

You look pretty good yourself.

So, what'd you hear? Do you know about anyone who made it out of BA?

Most of the time I don't think about it.

Like it happened to someone else.

Then it hits me and...

I can't stop crying.

Well, we're still alive. Gotta be happy about that.

You don't look very happy to see me.

Should I be?

Johnny... It's different now.

We're at war. I think what I did was probably best for both of us.

Everything copacetic, Lieutenant?

Zander, you remember Johnny?

Zander and I are...

a flight team now.

Best in the Fleet.

I get it. This is the part that's best for both of us(?)

Don't do my any more favours.

Johnny, wait!

Forget him. He's MI.

When you're trained to kill, it doesn't pay to be polite.

You got something to say about Mobile Infantry?

I think you heard me.

Wanna make something of it,

Private?

Not with an officer. The MI doesn't mint stupid troopers.

Let's disregard rank.

Zander, please.

Everybody hear that? Rank is not an issue here!

-Don't do this.

-What's he gonna do?

He's not worth it. Come on!

Forget it, Rico! Mobile Infantry and Fleet don't mix.

Come on, let's go.

Jar-heads.

(CHEERING) >

God, that hurts!

I got something that might hurt a bit more!

Ow!

We're gonna fight and we're gonna win!

Yeah!

"This is the Captain speaking. All personnel prepare to drop."

"D minus 3 and counting."

We are going in the first wave. Means more bugs for us to kill.

Smash the entire area. Kill anything that has more than two legs. Get me?

We get you, sir!

Plasma from the planet.

Bug batteries.

Military intelligence says it will be random and light.

Drop status?

Drop is... 35% complete, ma'am.

Steady as she goes, number two.

-Remember your training and you

-will

-make it back alive!

Whoo-hoo!

This isn't random or light. Someone made a mistake.

That's it. We're empty, ma'am.

-Someone made a

-big

-goddamn mistake!

Break for high orbit!

Rockets up!

Rocket crew, move up!

Nuke 'em! Levy, Rico!

Fire!

Follow me!

First platoon, left flank!

First and second squads, follow me!

(SCREECH!)

Fire!

(SCREAMS)

Here they come!

(THUNDERING)

Ace, what are we doing?

Er, I don't know.

(SCREECHING)

I don't know!

Kill 'em! Kill 'em all!

Come on!

Come on! You want some?!

Here's some!

Here's some of this!

Arghhh!

Oh, my God!

Shujimi!

Arrghh!

Help! Help!

God!

Let's get out of here!

Fall back!

(SCREECHING)

(FUZZY HEADSET MESSAGE)

What's going on?!

You got com?!

It's a general retreat. Back to the boats!

< (REPORTER) We've just landed on what cap troopers call Big K

with the 6th Mobile Infantry Division.

It's an ugly planet, a bug planet,

a planet hostile to life -

(SCREECH!)

(SCREAMS)

Squad, right!

Come on! Go, go, go!

Get out of here now!

Run!

Kitten, no!

(SCREAMS)

(SCREAMS)

Crisis for humankind.

Officials admit they underestimated the arachnids' defensive capability.

Accepting responsibility,

Sky Marshal Dienes resigns.

His successor, Sky Marshal Tahat Meru, outlines her new strategy.

To fight the bug,

we must understand the bug.

We can ill afford another Klendathu.

Scientists struggle to explain the intelligent actions of the arachnids

When a colony grows large, say 300 generations, it gets smarter.

Intelligent insects? Have you ever met one? This is nonsense!

-Wait a moment!

-Ridiculous!

Maybe there is some kind of bug

we haven't seen yet - a leadership caste, a hive brain.

Brain bugs? I find the idea of a bug that thinks offensive!

Ticonderoga, this is Rodger Young requesting approach vector.

"Affirmative, Rodger Young. 100952."

"Welcome back."

My God...

How could this happen?

We thought we were smarter than the bugs.

It's strange. There's almost no wounded at all.

Bugs don't take prisoners.

Oh, no...

Carmen...

There he is.

Let's wake him up.

Hey, Johnny, hey!

Hey, Rico!

Hey! Johnny! Wake up!

You're dead!

Killed in action!

Three more days!

Three days.

You're out. Bye!

What do you hear about our new unit?

Roughnecks are top bug killers.

I hear the Lieutenant's a nutbuster.

Who's top kick?

(GUN COCKS)

You want the job?

I wouldn't mind.

-I

-would.

Just doing my part.

Orders.

Yours?

Where have you been besides Big K?

Outer Rings, Zegema Beach.

Zegema Beach? I always wanted to go there.

Good luck. It's not there any more.

I hear your Lieutenant's a real nutbuster.

No-one talks about him that way. He saved my life.

Mine, too.

Same for me.

Me, too.

Sounds like he's quite a guy.

-Who do you think saved

-your

-ass?

< Stand by.

Attention on deck.

This is for you new people. I only have one rule.

Everyone fights. No-one quits.

You don't do your job, I'll shoot you.

You get me?

We get you, sir!

Welcome to the Roughnecks.

Rasczak's Roughnecks!

Whoo!

At ease. Listen up.

Got a new Sky Marshal and a new battle plan.

We're cleaning out the systems outlying Klendathu one at a time.

Tomorrow we hit Tango Urilla.

After Fleet glasses the planet, MI mops up.

Carry on.

(SQUEALING)

Alright. Spread out.

Fire teams, you locate a bug hole, nuke it!

Watkins, shake out Flores and Rico.

Copy that. Move out!

First platoon, we're going for that ridge.

-Levy, with me.

-No, I go with Rico.

Shut up and follow!

(DYING HISS)

Fungus-sucking sack of maggot puke!

It's dead!

Ain't much to look at after you scrape 'em off your boot.

Bug hole. >

There.

Nuke 'em, Rico!

Fire in the hole!

(FUZZY MESSAGE OVER HEADSET)

Move!

You got a bug problem, ma'am?

Stow it, trooper!

TANKER!

Oh, shit!

Come on, move!

Get down!

(SCREAMS)

Come on!

(ALARM)

Call for a retrieval.

Nice moves. Where did you learn how to do that, soldier?

Back in school, sir. Don't you remember?

I was captain of the team.

Rico...

Sir.

I need a corporal.

You're it until you're dead or until I find somebody better.

Thank you, sir.

Way to go, Corporal!

I need a squad leader.

No. I've been there. I blew it.

I'm just here to fight.

What about it, Diz?

Looks like I'm your girl, sir.

Whoo!

Listen up!

I expect the best and I get the best!

Here's the beer!

(CHEERING)

Here's the entertainment!

Have fun. That's an order!

Thank you, Lieutenant!

(PLAYS LIVELY JIG)

Rico!

You kill bugs good.

Thanks.

You knew the Lieutenant before the war? What was he like?

He was a teacher. Kinda like he knew it all. Always had a little smile.

He don't smile much any more.

I guess your bottle fills up quick when your kids get smeared.

Come on, Corporal.

I don't do that any more.

You used to dance.

Do I have to pull rank?

Excuse me, sir.

Rico... You once asked me for advice. Want some now?

Yes, sir.

Lieutenant, HQ is on the com.

Never pass up a good thing.

Watkins?

Here.

(SLOW, ROMANTIC MUSIC)

So, Rico, what are you doing after the dance?

What's so funny?

Just the way things work out.

We finally got together, Diz.

I love you, Johnny.

Rico! >

Moving out. Distress call from General Owen on Planet P.

Report in ten minutes.

Yes, sir.

Who's that with you?

Flores, sir.

Make it 20 minutes.

Yes, sir.

20 minutes(!)

We can do it.

(CLATTER OF ROCKS)

Whiskey outpost. Do you copy? >

This is Roughneck 20 on Tac-3. Come in. >

Whiskey outpost, this is Roughneck 20 on Tac-3.

No contact with General Owen?

Not even the transponder signal.

Go to higher ground, son.

Whiskey outpost, this is Roughneck -

(SCREECH!)

Sugar, your weapon.

(SCREAMING)

Help me!

(FIRES)

I'd expect anyone in this unit to do the same for me.

Rico.

Sir.

You're acting sergeant. Move them out.

You heard the Lieutenant. Saddle up!

Gee, someone really humped the bunk.

Watkins.

Sir!

Secure the compound. Police these bodies.

Yes, sir!

Give me three. Up on the tower! O-P there and there!

7-2, police up these bodies!

Stinks in there.

-Rico.

-Yes, sir.

We need retrieval. Get someone to get me an uplink.

Yes, sir.

Diz, check it out.

Command group with me.

(ACE) Lieutenant!

Dirty bugs came right in when they were having chow.

This is where they got in.

Lieutenant. I think you're gonna want to see this.

What have you got, Flores?

(ACE) God, I hate this place.

What does that look like to you?

Looks like a bug was in his brain.

They sucked his brains out.

< (CLATTER)

Open that.

Officer on the deck!

Pick up the General.

We gotta get out of here!

General!

Sir!

Thank God for you. All of you.

You're all gonna be heroes. Every last one of you!

Close that hole.

Sir.

I had to evade capture. The security of the Federation was at stake.

Fire in the hole! >

I have operational knowledge of what we're up to.

I need that uplink.

Working on it, sir.

See?

They get in your mind. They did it to Farley.

They got in his mind. They make you do things. They made Farley call HQ.

The distress call was a trap.

They want to know what makes us tick,

know us so they can kill us.

Roughnecks, prepare for attack.

Where's the retrieval boat?

Mayday. This is Roughneck 20.

Oh, God! We're gonna die!

Don't you understand? We're all gonna die!

Control yourself, General.

I can't!

I can't! I wish you'd just shoot me!

He's just a little out of his mind, sir.

Bugs! >

Bugs!

(WHIMPERS)

Warm it up! Everything you got!

Come on, you apes! You want to live forever?

Fire at will!

Incoming!

No!

Where's my communications?

Status on the uplink?

"Give me a minute."

We don't have a minute!

This is Roughneck 20 -

"Go ahead."

We're under attack.

"We have Planet P as clear."

It crawls. We need pick-up!

"Your position?"

Come down on this transmission.

"Inside the outpost?! That's crazy!"

I hope you have a crazy pilot. Out.

(THUNDERING)

Lieutenant! Boat coming down, sir!

Fall back into the compound! Fall back!

Hold here. Hold what you've got!

Running low!

I'm out!

Here. Make 'em count!

Make covering fire!

Fall back!

Move, move, move!

Fall back to the boat!

Oh, my God!

Rico!

Rico!

You know what to do!

Yes, sir!

Go ahead, Rico.

Whoo-hoo!

DIZZY!

No!

Ace, help me! Pull it out!

(SCREAMS)

Move. Get her into the boat!

Come on, Diz, don't die on me!

Let's go. Get aboard!

Tower, let's go!

Let's move it, Tower!

(SCREAMING)

Let's go!

Johnny, I'm dying.

I'm dying.

No.

You're gonna be alright, Diz.

It's alright.

Because I got to have you.

(CRIES OUT)

Johnny, don't let me go!

John-John...

Don't let...

I think you should know

your friend Rico is back there.

Get on the com and tell Fleet to glass that rock.

On whose authority, Corporal?

Mine. I have command of the mission.

Rodger Young,

we have an official request by Mobile Infantry to bombard Planet P.

I thought you were dead.

I'm not, but a lot of my troopers are.

"Negative on your request."

"Sky Marshal has other plans. Welcome back."

MI does the dying, Fleet just does the flying!

Hold on. Something's up.

Fleet's mobilised for a big operation.

Attention on deck!

Once somebody asked me

the difference between a citizen and a civilian. I can tell you now.

A citizen has the courage

to make the safety of the human race their personal responsibility.

Dizzy was my friend.

She was a soldier.

But more than that, she was a citizen of the Federation.

Present... arms!

Order... arms!

Left face!

Officer on deck.

Carry on.

Burial detail, dismissed.

At ease.

How are you, Carl?

Carmen. Good.

Johnny, I'm sorry it was your unit on P.

That mission had a low survival chance.

The bugs laid a trap for us?

Elegant proof of intelligence, isn't it?

We thought there might be a brain bug on P.

You knew and sent them anyway?

We couldn't afford to launch an operation if there wasn't one.

You don't approve?

Well, too bad. We're in this for the species. It's simple numbers.

They have more. Every day

I have to make decisions that send people to their death.

Didn't they tell you, Colonel?

That's what the MI is good for(!)

I hope you're ready for more.

You're going back to P to capture that brain.

Roughnecks are always ready, sir.

I heard they need a new Lieutenant.

Want the job?

Yes. Till I get killed or you find someone better.

"Attention."

Well...

"Prepare for drop in 75 minutes."

Take care of yourself, Johnny.

I'll see you again.

Officer on deck!

Who are all these kids?

We got reinforced.

Most of them are fresh out of boot.

We're the old men, Ace.

This is for all you new people.

I only have one rule.

Everyone fights. No-one quits.

If you don't do your job, I'll kill you myself.

Do you get me?!

We get you, sir!

Welcome to the Roughnecks.

Rico's Roughnecks!

Today we're gonna visit Bug City.

We're looking for a bug no-one's ever seen before.

Some kind of smart bug.

It probably knows we're coming. Saddle up!

Evasive action.

Get us clear for warp, number two.

Clear in 5, 4...

Initiating star drive in 5...

This is the Rodger Young. We're going down.

Get out! Abandon ship!

Zander!

Let's get to the rescue deck!

-(SCREAMS)

-Captain!

Abandon ship. That's an...

She's dead, Carmen. She's dead!

Here!

Follow me!

Ready?

Life pod Bravo 63. Two aboard!

Scanning for a landing zone! Tracking terrain.

Can you land on that?

Piece of cake.

"We've lost the Rodger Young."

"We have confirmation. The Rodger Young is down."

Johnny!

Johnny!

The Rodger Young just burned up.

It's on the rescue net.

Any survivors?

They're getting tarred pretty bad.

..63. Two aboard. Is anyone receiving?

Affirmative. This is Roughneck 20.

Say again.

Carmen?

"Say again!"

Carmen!

Prepare to land. Retros in 3,

2, 1, fire!

Hey, OK? Get out.

Get out.

(HISS!)

"This is Roughneck 20. Are you receiving?"

"Are you receiving?"

Johnny, is that you?

Yeah! It's me! What's your position?

Bug City, 20m under. Position - South 42, East 118. Situation is...

(HISS!)

"I repeat, South 42, East 118 -"

Situation is extremely hostile.

I need a squad! Direction!

Three clicks south by southwest.

Look out!

(SCREAMS)

(SCREAMS)

(WALKIE-TALKIE CRACKLES)

What do you want to do?

< You heard the Lieutenant!

Rescue party! Third squad with me!

Cancel that!

You know as well as I do, she's already dead.

Sorry, buddy.

Roughnecks, let's move.

(SCREECHING)

(SCREAMS)

Why don't they kill us?

They want us alive.

(ELECTRONIC BEEPING)

We should go this way.

"A" Company is that way.

Yeah. But Carmen's down there.

I hate to be rude, buddy.

Word has it, she's dead.

She's still alive.

How do you know?

I don't know how I know but I know.

You got command but going off mission - that's a serious offence.

I think they hang you for that.

Roughneck 20, proceed on mission.

I need two volunteers.

(GROWLING SOUNDS)

One day

someone like me... is gonna kill you

and your whole fuckin' race.

(SCREAMS)

(SCREAMS)

You know what this is?

Pow!

Sure you do.

You're some kind of big, fat smart bug, aren't you?

Come on.

This is Roughneck 20.

Brain bug west of grid five.

Run!

Give me the nuke!

You trying to be a hero?!

I'm trying to kill some bugs, sir. Get out of here!

Get out of here!

Move!

You like that? Want some more?!

You like that? Like that? Want a little more?!

Come on!

Come on, Carmen.

(CHEERING)

(TROOPS) They did it!

What's going on?

We got it!

(BRAIN BUG GROWLS)

What's it thinking, Colonel?

(BUG GROWLS)

It's afraid.

It's afraid!

(CHEERING)

< Carl, Carl!

Well, look who's here. You made it.

It was you, wasn't it? You told me how to find Carmen.

Well, that's classified.

You know, whenever the three of us are together,

I feel like things might work out.