CDR Thomas Chandler quotes from The Last Ship

Good evening, Nathan James. This is the captain. I wanted to inform you all of our progress in the mission. As you know, a small team entered Nicaragua to find primates for Dr. Scott's test, which she hopes will be a vaccine against the virus. While there, we encountered a drug lord who enslaved 150 people. We eliminated his men and we eliminated him, freeing those healthy people there to establish a life for themselves. We also encountered several dozen infected people, including children. Yesterday, we couldn't help them. But perhaps tomorrow, we will be able to, because we came back to the Nathan James with 34 monkeys. Dr. Scott will now conduct her trials on those monkeys. But we... We are not waiting. We're setting a course for home. By the time we get there, we believe Dr. Scott will have a vaccine, and our mission will be completed. Today's a good day. Carry on.

[grabs Scott's biosamples case] I swear to God, I will throw this overboard! I want answers!

Dr Rachel Scott

You want answers? Seven months ago, outside Cairo, there was an outbreak-- a virus of unknown origin. Its genetic structure was like nothing any of us had ever seen. It swept throughout the village, killing everyone that it infected. Egyptian officials claimed the outbreak was contained, but it wasn't. Instead, it continued to mutate and spread. The CDC and the WHO wanted to sample the virus from the victims to create a vaccine. But nothing worked. It was my belief that we needed to find the primordial strain here in the Arctic.

The birds.

Scott

They're just the carriers. They pick up the virus from the melting permafrost. We finally found their feeding ground.

So you have what you need to stop this thing?

Scott

I won't know until we get it back to the lab. We're running out of time. The virus back home is moving quicker than any of us could've imagined.

How would you know that? We've been radio silent since we left Norfolk.

Scott

Because I have my own sat phone.

We were at EMCON so no one would know our position!

Scott

We were at EMCON to protect my mission... Not yours. Orders came from the White House.

Well, you led the Russians right to us and endangered my entire crew.

Scott

It was imperative that I stay in contact with the labs back home to keep them informed of my progress. I don't think you understand what we're talking about here.

Enlighten me.

Scott

When we left Norfolk, the virus was at Phase Two, limited to small clusters in Asia and Africa. We are now at Phase Six-- global pandemic. 80% of the world's population is infected. The world is sick, Captain Chandler... Very sick.

Are you telling me the whole world is dying, and they send two people to save it?

Scott

It took weeks to convince the government to even send me here. Most of my colleagues think that I'm insane.

Are you?

Scott

I told you... that what's in that case... might be the only hope that we have.

I don't know how you feel about the water... but we sure could use your services.

Where you headed?

We got some things to do, but when we're done, we're going home.

Yeah, I'll sign up for that.

Who else has been working on a vaccine?

Dr Rachel Scott

What, in the world? Everyone.

What about the Russians? Were they close?

Scott

I mean, nobody was making any real progress. And I hate to say it, but they're probably all dead anyway. Why?

If somebody had the primordial strain of the virus, the stuff you found in the ice, could they make a vaccine?

Scott

I suppose, if they had the right equipment and someone qualified to run it. But they'd be months behind us.

Darien, I'm not going to the Med. Navy's sending us to the Arctic.

The Arctic? That's crazy.

Tom

Some cold-weather test on a new weapon system. It's all classified. It's happening very fast. We're gonna be at complete radio silence. No e-mails, no calls.

For how long?

Tom

Six months, maybe five.

Figures.

Tom

It's my last tour for a while. Then I'll be around the house so much, you'll be sick of me, I promise.

I'm guessing you must be El Toro.

I am, indeed. And who do I have the pleasure of talking to?

Tom Chandler, U.S. Navy. Your men took our weapons, CBR suits, and equipment. We're gonna need 'em back.

You won't need your suits. There is no virus here. As for your weapons, I cannot have your men walking around with machine guns. That would frighten my people.

Well, I'm afraid that's not acceptable. With respect, I don't have time to debate it. The remainder of my crew, some 200-odd U.S. Navy sailors, await our return aboard our destroyer, USS Nathan James, currently in the bay at the mouth of the river. We don't return by 2300 hours, they'll come looking. And rest assured, they will find us.

I'd like to treat you with the respect your rank affords, but you are going to have to meet me halfway. Now, tell me of Dr. Scott's progress with the vaccine. She's close, right?

My name is Thomas Chandler, Commander, United States Navy, serial number 4242022634.

There is no need for that. The Geneva Convention doesn't exist anymore. Hell, Geneva doesn't exist anymore! [laughs] Ah... Still won't talk? See, I told you. He would rather go it alone and die than share in the glory of saving the world. Why else would you, the ship's captain, personally lead the mission to save some poor island girl? Like with all tragic heroes, your hubris brought about your downfall. What do you have to say to that, Commander Chandler?

My name is Thomas Chandler, Commander, United States Navy, serial number 4242022634.

The ceremony will be at 0900. We'll have seven guns and the ensigns at half-mast. It'll be a hero's farewell.

He wanted to redeem himself.

Jeter

He never had to.

He gave his life for mine.

Jeter

He gave his life for the mission. And now we're free...

To finish it.

This is Tom Chandler, commanding officer of the USS Nathan James, over.

Amy Granderson

Captain Chandler. You have no idea how good it is to hear your voice. We thought you were lost at sea.

No, ma'am, we're alive and well.

Granderson

Oh! There you are. I got it. You must be nearby. I'm Amy Granderson. And I suppose an explanation is in order. As vice-chair of the President's defense policy board, I was briefed on your mission to the Arctic. I knew the risks of the coming pandemic, and I had my daughter transferred to your ship. You must forgive me.

No apology needed, ma'am. Your daughter's been an incredible asset. Pleased to hear from you. We had no word from the presidential bunker.

Granderson

President Geller invited me underground. I declined. I-I felt the risk was too big to have so much of our civilian and military command in one confined space. Unfortunately, I was right.

So the government is gone.

Granderson

For the most part, yes. Since the bunker went silent, there has been a breakdown of infrastructure, general panic, and, of course, a tremendous loss of life. I have tried to execute a contingency plan working with the state and local police to create safe zones. We have been hanging on as best we can. And I have been praying every day for your return.

There are 200 more where I came from. You heard my XO. We've taken back our ship, this building is ours, and we're telling the people of Baltimore that your kill zone at Olympia is out of business. You have two choices... a trial... or a funeral.

Amy Granderson

[to bodyguard] I gave you a direct order. Shoot! [bodyguard wavers and stands down]

I am not going anywhere with you.

I found your daughter lying in a pool of her own blood, shot by your guards, under your order! My children were lined up to be murdered and sent to the ovens, along with thousands of desperate people... all so you can keep the lights on for your select few.

Granderson

You don't know! The virus was spreading! So you get to decide who lives and who dies?! There was panic, Captain, and I remained calm. Everybody was fleeing underground, but I stood firm! There was no plan and I built this. I'm the reason these people have survived this long.

Except when you had the cure in hand, you wouldn't stop! You continued killing. It's over. Your grand social experiment is history. I'm offering you the chance. Surrender with honor.

Granderson

And who will judge me? You?

Not me. A jury of your peers. Pick up the radio. Stand down your troopers. Shut down Olympia. Turn away your helo and come peacefully. It's the only way for you now.

Granderson

[on radio] Th-this is Amy... This is Amy Granderson. Stand down. Cease and desist all operations at Olympia. Repeat... stand down. We are surrendering. [Radio clatters] I am not a monster. I am not. [brings out vial and swallows] Dr. Hamada assured me that the cocktail provided a quick and painless death. I insisted on it.

[on video] Is this on? Can I start now?

Yes, sir.

The U.S. Navy is currently on a mission...

CMC Russ Jeter

It's the secretary of the Navy.

...to find the materials for a vaccine to combat the current deadly pandemic. Now, if y... you're viewing this video, you are a part of the new network of facilities in the United States and certain foreign nations which were chosen to produce and distribute the vaccine in the event their mission is successful. In order to protect the security of the labs in the new network, your locations have been kept secret. However, you'll be able to communicate with the civilian command, with each other via secure satellite connection. The codes for that connection have been embedded within the drive that contains this video. These codes have to be guarded at all cost. If... if and when a vaccine arrives...

No one's decoded this yet?

No, sir. We didn't know those encryptions existed until just now.

Find me those labs. Do it quickly.

Yes, sir.

Godspeed.

Gonna be puttering around all day?

Just getting the place in order.

[sighs] Well, I thought you might just be procrastinating... 'cause you don't know how to go back to the ship and tell that crew of yours that you're quitting. Do you not realize that they... that they can't do it without you? What kind of message are you gonna send to them, that you're, uh, George Washington and you've come back to work on your farm? You think because you got a... a lab in Baltimore and six planes with the cure that everything's in hand? The world is in chaos. There's a lot more to do.

Tom

And that crew is trained to do it, with or without me.

They need you.

Tom

And they don't? [referring to Ashley and Sam] And what if I don't come back? I'm gonna make my kids orphans?

You think you're the first soldier that had trouble leaving their family behind? Huh? During World War II, English naval captains put their wives and children in bunkers in London and went back out to sea... to fight the Nazis for years.

Tom

Wives and children, Dad. The wives were there.

[remembers what happened to Darien] I know you, and I know you're beating yourself up, but if you're looking for someone to blame, blame me. I should have never let her go to that town. So cut the shit and quit laying this guilt trip on yourself. There's no time for it. Whether you like it or not, you're Noah and that ship is your Ark.

Dr Rachel Scott

I just tested Juan Carlos's blood. It turns out that he's naturally immune.

None of the mercs on Solace were CBR. Is it possible they're all immune? Everyone's like him?

Scott

I cross-referenced his blood against Bertrise's. Natural immunity, as it turns out, is a tad more common than I initially thought. Anywhere between 1% and 5% of the global population. That's how they took Europe.

Now their mission is to destroy the cure wherever it exists, on a nuclear-powered sub that never runs out of fuel.

Scott

Yes, but we had the flash drive. How the hell did they know where those labs were?

It must have transmitted to the satellite right before the attack.

Dr Rachel Scott

Have you watched it?

Granderson

Only long enough to know that it was for you, ma'am. But even from what I saw... It wasn't easy to watch. [opens video]

Rachel, oh, God, I pray this gets to you. Listen, we're... We're under attack, Rachel, but it's important... It's important that you learn this. I've been working with the data you sent me about the cure. And I think I found a way to help. Using what I learned about the measles project... Now, I know you think that's crazy, but it works. I'm sending you the data now. It's here. Look, I don't... Oh, God. Listen, Rachel. It's all worked out. All you have to do is... I just somehow pray that this file gets to you, that you get it off the server, Rachel. [gets interrupted]

Okay.

Got to know that... Rachel.

Come on, now. Take it all. We need to find that server. Okay, doc. No. Stand up.

Please. Please. [killed by gunshot]

Well, that's how they were able to get the locations of all the labs. Stole them from Dr. Hunter.

Scott

He was working on an experiment to turn my liquid injectable version of the cure into a powder so it could be released over populated areas via helicopters, planes, drones, even. I could manufacture a highly concentrated powder right here on the ship. We wouldn't even need labs anymore. So people could breathe in the cure. It would be very much like crop-dusting. Mass inoculations without glassware, needles, all the infrastructure that we no longer have.

Do you think Hunter was actually able to do it?

Scott

I know that he had some good results aerosolizing the measles vaccine, but I won't know until we get down to his lab in Florida.

What's that?

Dr Rachel Scott

[Blows] Cornstarch from the chief's mess. It turns out the secret ingredient that I've been looking for was being used to make pancakes.

So you found it?

Scott

Well, I have the recipe, and now all I need is to build a machine to manufacture the micro powder, so I was hoping that you might be able to lend me one or two of your capable machinists?

I think that can be arranged.