Two Winters past

EXT. DEPOSIT. DAY.

The over-loaded catwalks bow at the center and threatens to break.

LOGAN is working his way along the catwalk, crouching low to maintain cover, and maneuvering around the archers and riflemen that are taking shots when they are available.

TARTELL and his soldiers are shooting with bullets now. TARTELL has five men around him. He is perched on an assembly of metal scaffolding behind. Barabas are armed with a variety of weapons varying from handguns to rifles to shotguns.

TARTELL: We’re not killing enough guys down there.

The first Damascan squad has reached the wall. The back two ranks keep their shields up to deflect bullets and stones.

The front rank swings out their shield wall and reveal the shields have been lashed to the legs of an aluminum ladder. Damascans extend the ladder and spread it open. It is ten feet tall, falling just short of the top.

Barabas shoot pistols and shotguns into the squad while others are hurling rocks.

Damascans hide beneath the raised shields, absorbing the damage.

Shields pull back and Damascans fire upon the wall with small arms, driving back the Barabas.

All the while, Damascans are chanting semi-recognizable prayers to Allah.

One Damascan soldier scrambles up the ladder and makes it up halfway before two bullets rip through his body.

TARTELL leads his men to push back the ladder, but it is just beyond the reach of any man.

A second squad reaches the wall and joins with the first.

Second squad carries a ladder of their own. Under fire from the Barabas, Damascans open the second ladder and set it near the first.

Snipers are firing on the BARABAS from the edge of the kill zone.

A Barabas strikes the first ladder with a spear, knocking it back into the squad.

Damascans struggle to get the ladder standing again.

A block of infantry has formed on the road from the camp. Behind them are horsemen

Assembled Damascan soldiers are singing.

WIDE ANGLE: MEHEMET and his generals are at the head of the cavalry.

CLOSEUP: MEHEMET growls.

A Barabas cries out as he is shot off the wall by a sniper.

A few Barabas are still shooting, but most have abandoned their guns.

Arrows and rocks rain down on the Damascans, but they are not scoring kills.

LOGAN: (shouting) Tartell! Move the rest down! Villoff is coming in.

Damascans scramble up the two ladders, but are easy prey once they are exposed from the shields. Only one Damascan reaches the top of a ladder.

Damascan jumps the gap and catches the top of the Deposit wall. Barabas immediately hack his face and arms with hatchets and improvised swords. Damascan leaves a bloody trail down the wall as he slides back to his comrades.

TARTELL Orders his men to move.

Another Damascan has reached the top of the ladder and is about to jump.  

VILLOFF charges in and his men open fire on the jumper. The Damascans has no cover, and it is an execution. Body tumbles and brings down the ladder.

Ladder crashes into the wall, and is grabbed by VILLOFF and his men. Barabas and Damascans fight with the ladder.

CLOSEUP: Wooden catwalk planks creaking and break.

Seven men drop in a pile at the base of the wall, pulling the ladder over with them.

Wide angle as all turn on VILLOFF and his squad, but the men are getting up, dusting off. None are dead, but one man nurses a broken arm.

BARABAS reinforcements cheer the victory.

Even in the wake of slaughter, Damascans are singing and praying.

VILLOFF: Get back on those walls! Kill those motherfuckers!

VILLOFF leads his troops back to his position as another squad reaches the walls before them. Ladder slams against the wall, but Barabas are conserving their ammunition now.

A squad has reached RICHARDS.

Barabas throw stones down but the rocks break on the signs and there are no casualties.

LOGAN climbs down the ladder.

KOTE joins LOGAN.

LOGAN: Get ten men up to Villoff and don’t stop throwing rocks until there are no skulls left to smash!

KOTE: Yes, Barabas.

Continued 7/12