Dealers of the Bane of the Earth

In the future, policy makers have recognized the harm caused by the fossil fueled economy and consequently banned shipping of fossil oil on international waters. This has virtually eliminated transnational oil trade. But the open ocean is vast, and some still attempt to cheat the system. In this story, we follow the Vár, a research vessel currently patrolling an open ocean MPA in the North Atlantic as they encounter a large vessel without its AIS-signal on. After inquiring further, they have realised the PresNet does not have any information on the Rose either. The Rose seems to be cloaked, but their eyes are telling the crew it’s an old oil tanker. At the same time, a storm is gathering on the seas…

EXT. DECK, BIRD’S-EYE VIEW - MID DAY

We see the Vár (turquoise, medium-sized and resembling a floating box with “VÁR” painted in black capital letters on its hull) from a bird's-eye point of view. Three people bulked up in THERMAL CLOTHES are running around on deck, moving BOXES, pulling LEVERS, hauling ROPES and the like. From the back of the boat, two futuristic SAILS are raised. In the direct eyesight of the Vár is the Rose (much bigger, black and red, streamline-shaped and elongated with “ROSE” painted on its hull). The water is strewn with broken-up ice sheets. 

CUT TO:

EXT. DECK, ZOOMED IN

WINSTON is standing by the SAILS in the back of the boat, holding a rope. He is wearing thick thermal clothes to counter the cool air. The wind is blowing in his face, making his cheeks and nose red and his eyes tear up. 

WINSTON 

(into a WALKIE TALKIE)

Do you feel that? The sails are good; we’re picking up speed. 

BOEL, also dressed for winter, is standing by the top of the deck, making adjustments to a DEVICE resembling a radio and pointing its antennas towards the Rose. 

BOEL 

(into a walkie talkie) 

I think we should be all set here, too. 

CAPTAIN, O.S.

(from the walkie talkie, the sound slightly muffled) 

Good, let's see what they have to say. How will this work again? 

CUT TO:

The CAPTAIN and TARJEI are standing by a CONFERENCE TABLE. It is covered with maps, diagrams and other documents strewn out in an unorganised manner. On it stands a handheld MONITOR showing the positions of the two ships as identical blinking dots. The Captain is holding a WALKIE TALKIE. 

WINSTON, O.S. 

(through the walkie talkie) 

You should be able to contact them as you’d do just about anyone actually connected to the PresNet. In short, we’re basically using the tanker’s internal communication system as a repeater; we bounce our own signal back on it, allowing for it to partake in the PresNet’s comms network when we’re close by even if they’re not officially connected. 

CAPTAIN 

(into the walkie talkie)

Thanks. I’ll make contact. 

The Captain hands the walkie talkie to Tarjei and grabs a small, handheld MICROPHONE attached to the monitor sitting on the table. 

CAPTAIN 

(into the microphone) 

ROSE, ROSE, ROSE. This is the VÁR. Can you hear me? 

A minute passes. The tension grows on the bridge.

CAPTAIN 

(to Tarjei, speaking fast)

We need to increase our speed, get closer to them. It would be wise to close as much distance now already to not risk losing them later. We have to assume they’ll deny breaking any maritime laws and will try to get rid of us.

TARJEI 

(in a neutral tone) 

Winston and Boel are raising the sails, no? 

ROSE, O.S.

(through the radio)

VÁR, this is ROSE. We can hear you. 

CAPTAIN

(into the microphone)

It seems as if you do not have your AIS signal on, nor are you connected to the PresNet. 

Tarjei glances at the Captain. 

CAPTAIN, contd. 

Why is that? 

ROSE, O.S.

Connecting is not an obligation by maritime law. 

CAPTAIN

But it IS standard practice. 

More minutes pass. Tarjei motions to the Captain, urging her to keep talking. 

CAPTAIN 

What is the purpose of your voyage? 

ROSE, O.S.

That is not my information to disclose. 

CAPTAIN

We believe it is, and kindly request that you rethink your stance. 

Suddenly, the walkie talkie Tarjei is holding lights up. 

TARJEI 

(into the walkie talkie) 

What? 


WINSTON, O.S. 

(from the walkie talkie)

We have another problem. 


JUMP CUT TO: 

EXT. DECK

Winston and Boel are standing on the foredeck, facing the Rose in front of them, looking concerned. Winston is holding the WALKIE TALKIE and Boel the BINOCULARS. They switch. 

BOEL 

(into the walkie talkie) 

It seems the storm is picking up, and with that the waves as well. We might be in for a bit of a bumpy ride… 

CAPTAIN 

(from the walkie talkie) 

Fuck. Okay. Good. Can you make sure all of our eDNA samples, our equipment, is fastened tightly? It would be a disaster to lose months worth of research if we head into too much wave action. 

WINSTON 

(to Boel) 

I can go check! I’ll adjust the sails a bit as well…

BOEL

(into the walkie talkie, watching Winston)

Winston is on it. But what’s our bigger plan? 


JUMP CUT TO:

INT. BRIDGE 


Neither the Captain nor Tarjei has moved since we last saw them. 

ROSE, O.S. 

(from the radio) 

What is the purpose of your own voyage? 

The Captain and Tarjei look startled, and their eyes are again drawn to the monitor. 

CAPTAIN  

(to Tarjei)

We should turn the ship around. 

TARJEI

(looking stern)

We can’t lose it. This pursuit is an obligation. 

CAPTAIN

(into the microphone, to the Rose)

We are primarily a research vessel currently patrolling this MPA. We are working to ensure that the ocean's right to peaceful existence is protected on the common seas. Which is why I am asking you again: what is the purpose of your voyage? 

CAPTAIN

(to Tarjei, rambling)

We’re working from the assumption that they’re transporting oil, correct? A practice that has not been allowed on international waters for decades now. Although the ship looks shiny, I bet it’s not as sturdy as it once was. What if they get stressed by our pursuit and run into an iceberg? Aren’t we risking an accident? What if we end up causing an oil spill, here, where the ocean is sensitive still? 

TARJEI

(still looking stern)

You should worry more about the storm.  


ROSE, O.S. 

(through the radio) 

We appreciate your concern for the marine environment, but we are capable of handling our business independently and will continue doing so. 

The Captain shoots Tarjei a look. 

CAPTAIN

(into the microphone) 

You bear striking resemblance to an oil tanker. Are you repurposed? 

TARJEI

Are you kidding? 

CAPTAIN 

They could be a waveship? Or a water treatment facility…

ROSE, O.S. 

It would be best if you could concentrate on your obligations regarding your own work, and refrain from meddling in matters that do not relate to you. Now, you have been following us for a while, presumably to ask these questions. To the best of our abilities, we have answered them. Therefore, we kindly ask that you turn around before your pursuit turns malicious. 

Winston has entered the bridge from the door in the back. Neither Tarjei nor the Captain has noticed him yet.

WINSTON 

(still out of breath)  

Was that a threat? And also, how do they know we’ve been following them? 

CAPTAIN 

(to Winston)

I think it was, and I don’t know. Everything alright with our sample collection? How are the sails?

Winston moves into the room and grabs the monitor from the table.

WINSTON 

(looking down at the monitor now in his hands) 

We should be good. We’ll be moving into more turbulent waters soon, but we’ll definitely manage. 

The Captain does not respond immediately. Her face is turned towards the Rose. She looks concerned. 

TARJEI 

(to the Captain)

It will power through. They would not have put her in icy waters if she was not fit to move through them. 

CAPTAIN 

(turning her concerned look to Tarjei) 

Even so, you are correct about the storm. It’s not certain they are equipped to manage it; what if they run into distress? What if… 

TARJEI 

(interrupting her)

The ban didn’t end all fossil shipping. We see the proof of this in the Rose. But it made shipping a high-stakes business, and that requires adequate equipment. Fuel dealers would not risk this journey with a third-rate ship; they have too much to lose. 

CAPTAIN

(in the microphone, to the Rose, eyeing Tarjei) 

This is not a malicious pursuit. Our information tells us you are illegally transporting oil on international waters. That is valid ground for concern. On board, we have a maritime inspector. This means we are fully authorised to keep with this pursuit until you let us inspect. So that is what we’ll do; we’ll pursue until you let us escort you to the nearest off-shore docking station to inspect your cargo and dispel our doubts about the legality of your actions. 

ROSE, O.S. 

This is a violation! We will not stand for it. 

CAPTAIN

You will have to. 

The wave action increases. The ice edges closer. 

ROSE, O.S. 

You are interfering with our freedom of movement! 

CAPTAIN

Total freedom of the sharks is death to their prey.  Your freedom of movement ends when you’re using it to deal in the bane of the earth.

BOEL 

(sarcastic) 

Catchy. 

A loud noise is heard. The Vár is riding the waves, water splashing up on its deck in heaps. 

WINSTON

(a slight crack in his voice) 

I think we just hit a block. But we’re fine. 

CAPTAIN 

(to Winston)

I can’t believe this boxy ship is actually managing the turbulence so well. 

WINSTON

Counterintuitive, right? I can’t help but feel a bit nervous about it, even though I KNOW the boxiness is what enables smooth manoeuvring…


MATCH CUT TO:

EXT. BIRD’S-EYE VIEW OF THE SEASCAPE - LATER IN THE DAY

The Vár and the Rose are seen from above, with an ice-filled seascape surrounding them. The Vár is pursuing the Rose, keeping its distance but still staying close, herding them in the direction of an old off-shore oil drilling site turned common docking station. The scene looks like a moving mosaic, lit up by the late sun. 

CAPTAIN, V.O. 

(sound slightly muffled, as in a recording)

Hello and good evening. This is captain Carla Coráles of the Vár, transmitting to other vessels in the North Atlantic through the PresNet. My crew and I have entered into a hot pursuit of the tanker Rose on the grounds that they are suspected of shipping fossil oil through the ocean commons. This is a violation of the Cordóba agreement and a breach of international law. We will keep up this pursuit until they let themselves be escorted to Station OC504. Once there, we are authorised to arrest the ship’s officers if our suspicions are confirmed upon closer inspection. Because of the brewing storm, this is also a matter of urgency; none of us want the Rose to run into distress and spill their cargo. We therefore invite you to join us in this pursuit of justice if you can, or stay clear of our path if you cannot. We will keep on sharing our position and update when necessary through the PresNet. Over and out. 

Credits: 

The text of this story is the copyright of Tilde Krusberg. This image is the copyright of Tilde Krusberg