This screenplay is copyrighted to its author. All rights reserved. This screenplay may not be used or reproduced without the express written permission of the author.
WGA REGISTERED 935735
FADE IN
EXT. TAKRAT MOON COLONY - NIGHT DISTANT FUTURE
There is a massive night sky, illuminated by the billions of distant stars and
galaxies.
A large planet is in the background. It is beautiful and looks quite Earthlike
with blue oceans, white clouds and dusty brown continents spread across her
surface; across the sky, the twinkling lights of a small spacecraft. Without a
sound, it makes its way through the night, flying over the city lights of the
Takrat moon colony. It comes to a landing on a strip of land next to a group of
dark, sleeping buildings.
Four PEOPLE, cloaked in the shadow of the night, walk down a ramp. One of them
stands taller than the other two and he wears a long, black trench coat. There
are red embers from the end of a cigar glowing in the darkness. The four people
walk past the buildings without a sound.
INT. APARTMENT, TAKRAT COLONY - NIGHT
A FATHER and SON watch a movie in a modestly furnished apartment. The father is
fifty years old with a handsome face, graying hair and a small goatee. His son,
Damian, is a thin boy of thirteen. He is a quiet kid and clings to every word
his father speaks with intense interest. Damian is nodding off, tired from a
long day at the academy. Steven, his father, turns and tousles his sons long
brown hair.
STEVEN
Don't fall asleep now. Here comes
your favorite part.
Damian gives his father a tired smile and nods his head.
DAMIAN
I'll try dad.
Steven sits back on the cushion and smiles, he watches a scene showing two men
sword fighting. It is a furious fight and a man in black armor knocks his foe to
the ground and is ready to run him through.
STEVEN
At least you have a break from
classes tomorrow.
DAMIAN
I don't mind classes.
Steven laughs and turns up the volume to the movie.
STEVEN
Ah to be a student again. Just
wait until you enter the world
of work. You'll miss the free
time.
Steven's phone beeps. Shaking his head, he stands up and walks over to the
communicator while Damian watches the movie. He pushes a small button on the
wall in the next room.
STEVEN
Yes?
There is silence on the other end, but the call is still connected. Steven,
annoyed at missing one of his favorite parts of the movie, shakes his head and
tries again.
STEVEN
Who is this?
A VOICE comes from the speaker. It is a low, calm but icy voice. The voice
pierces the silent darkness of the room.
VOICE
Do you remember our deal?
A look of surprise crosses Steven's features. With a nervous jab of the button,
he disconnects the call and quickly walks back to the couch where Damian is
sitting. The communicator begins to ring again but he does not answer it. Damian
rolls his eyes as the communicator beeps over and over.
DAMIAN
Who is that? Do you want me to
answer it?
Steven shakes his head and walks over to the window. He looks out into the dark
street but sees nothing.
STEVEN
No. It's just some people trying
to sell me something. If you
ignore them, they'll go away.
Damian shrugs his shoulders and goes back to watching his movie. The
communicator beeps finally stop. Steven draws the shades and double checks to
make sure the door is locked. The red light on the panel is on, indicating that
the door is indeed locked. Steven lets out a sigh and goes back to the couch to
sit next to Damian.
EXT. TAKRAT MOON COLONY WAREHOUSE AREA - NIGHT
The four figures approach a sleek, expensive looking futuristic vehicle. The
tallest man swipes a card past a lock and the door opens up. They get inside
without a word.
INT. VEHICLE - NIGHT
Sitting inside the vehicle, the leader of the group takes out his pocket
communicator and dials a number. With the darkness covering his face, he
patiently listens to the beeps but gets no answer. After ten beeps, the man
disconnects the call and runs the card over the ignition. The vehicle starts up
with a low hum.
INT. STEVEN'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
The communicator BEEPS again. Nervous, Steven decides to take the call. Damian
pulls on his father's arm.
DAMIAN
Not again. Dad, you're missing
the whole movie.
Steven manages a weak smile.
STEVEN
It's ok. I'll be right back.
Besides, I've seen this movie
about a hundred times.
Steven throws his son a canned drink sitting on the end table.
STEVEN
We'll watch one of our discs. Your
choice.
DAMIAN
Spawn man?
Steven frowns.
STEVEN
I don't know about that one.
Damian waves his father off.
DAMIAN
It's ok dad. I've seen it before.
I'll shut my eyes when the naked
parts come on.
Steven can't help but laugh and shrug his shoulders. The communicator continues
to BEEP.
INT. SIDE ROOM - NIGHT
Steven approaches the BEEPING communicator and inserts a set of headphones into
the port so that he can take the call privately. He pushes the button.
STEVEN
Yes?
The VOICE on the other end does not belong to the previous caller. It is the
voice of an older, human man.
VOICE
Mr. Dewolf?
STEVEN
Speaking.
VOICE
This is Doctor Markos, I've been
trying to reach you. I wanted to
talk to you about Damian's blood
test results.
STEVEN
What's wrong?
DOCTOR MARKOS
I was looking through his files
and he does have some very unusual
readings. Are you aware that this
has been going on for quite some
time?
Steven closes his eyes and rubs his temples.
STEVEN
It's nothing to be concerned with.
We ran him through a whole series
of tests on him when he was born.
DOCTOR MARKOS
I understand that but I think that
we should run a few more tests on
him to make sure everything is
fine. When would be a good time
to bring him in?
There is a BEEP on the panel, another call is coming in. Steven looks at the
blinking light, concerned.
DOCTOR MARKOS
Mr. Dewolf?
STEVEN
Hold one moment. I have another
call coming in.
Steven presses a button on his communicator. After a brief pause, he is greeted
by the icy voice.
VOICE
I warned you not to cross me.
Steven tries to answer but the voice cuts him off.
VOICE
I'll be seeing you soon.
The call disconnects and Steven is left standing, looking at the blank wall. He
turns his attention back to the call on hold. He tries to control the anxiety in
his voice.
STEVEN
I'm sorry Doctor. You were saying?
DOCTOR
When would be a convenient time
for you to bring Damian by?
Steven shrugs and rubs his temples again.
STEVEN
I'll have to get back to you on
this. I have a meeting with my
ad agency that I can't cancel.
DOCTOR
Mr. Dewolf. You need to -
STEVEN
Don't tell me what I need to do. I
know my son's history. I'll get
back to you.
The doctor pauses on the other end. Steven can hear agitation in the doctor's
voice when he finally speaks.
DOCTOR
That's fine. Just be sure not to
let it go too long. Call my office
and make an appointment as soon as
you can.
Steven nods and looks behind him to make sure Damian is not listening in on him.
STEVEN
I'll call your office tomorrow.
DOCTOR
That's fine Mr. Dewolf. Have a
good night.
STEVEN
You too Doctor.
Steven disconnects the call.
EXT. GATED STREET - NIGHT
The vehicle carrying the three men comes to a stop outside a large gate. After a
pause, a hand emerges from the open window and a silver disk is run through a
laser beam. The gate opens and the car drives through.
INT. CHECKPOINT - NIGHT
Two security guards sit in an office on night duty. They look bored and one of
the guards, a man named KIRBY, doodles pictures on his checklist. The other
guard, an older man named STILES, watches his monitor. He looks back at Kirby.
STILES
If you want something to do, you
can fill out some of those PVF's.
There's a whole stack of 'em that
need to be done.
Kirby throws his pen onto the desk in frustration. He picks up a big stack of
forms and flips through some of them.
KIRBY
I thought I was getting the night
off. Now I have to sort through
this junk. What a joke.
Stiles shrugs.
STILES
That's life kid. Quit your
complaining. You think I'm
having a good time here?
Kirby shakes his head and starts working on one of the forms. Stiles notices a
vehicle on his monitor. It is approaching the checkpoint but gives no sign of
stopping. Stiles turns to Kirby.
STILES
Another one of these idiots that
can't read. Go out there and tell
the driver that they need to check
in.
Kirby rolls his eyes, grabs his hat and puts it on.
EXT. CHECKPOINT - NIGHT
The vehicle is about to drive past the checkpoint without stopping. Kirby
approaches it and holds up his hand. He motions for it to stop. The vehicle
comes to a stop next to the checkpoint office. Kirby walks up to the dark window
and taps it with the base of his light.
KIRBY
Window down please.
After a pause, the dark window comes down. Kirby looks inside the dark vehicle
and nods his head.
KIRBY
Got to check in after hours. Name
and identification please.
Kirby gets no answer. He is beginning to look agitated. Stiles leaves the office
and approaches the vehicle. He stands next to Kirby.
STILES
Is there a problem here?
Stiles looks at Kirby and then he looks into the vehicle.
STILES
You need to check in sir. I need
to see your identification.
There is a long pause and Stiles brushes Kirby aside. He is getting irritated.
STILES
Can you understand what I'm
saying? Get out of the car. Now.
A moment later, there is a long chain of CRACKING sounds and Stiles drops to the
ground like a limp, rag doll. His bones are pulverized. Kirby takes a step back
and fumbles with his weapon. There is another set of CRACKING sounds and Kirby
falls to the ground, dead - every bone in his body broken. The vehicle then
continues down the road.
INT. APARTMENT - NIGHT
Steven sits on the couch, watching another movie. On screen are two men talking
and getting ready to fight about something. Damian has fallen asleep; his head
rests on his father's shoulder.
Being careful not to wake his son, Steven gets up off the couch and walks to his
bedroom. He enters a combination into his wall safe and opens the door. After a
brief pause, he takes a gun out of the safe. He checks to make sure there is
ammunition inside the safe as well. The gun is loaded. Steven sits on the bed
and closes his eyes, rubbing his temples.
STEVEN
How the hell did he find me?
There is a SOUND coming from the front room. It is the distinct sound of a door
being unlocked - a BEEP noise. Eyes wide, Steven stands up and cautiously makes
his way to the bedroom door. He listens hard. After a moment, he leaves the
bedroom and makes his way to the front room. He looks at the lock and the light
is still red. There is a SHOUT coming from the movie room.
INT. APARTMENT ROOM - NIGHT
Steven runs into the movie room and sees three anji standing next to the couch;
two females and a male. They have features typical of all anji: Slightly tipped
ears, a slant to the shape of the eye, lean builds.
The anji are a beautiful race that looks quite human in many ways. Some
differences are hair and skin colors. Anji can have gold, copper, light blue or
white skin. They also have a wider range of hair and eye colors. Anji lack body
hair and their navels are located in the middle of their back. The anji MAN has
golden skin and a bald head. He wears a hoop earring on his right ear. The man
has strong, youthful features and he smiles at Steven as he enters the room. He
holds Damian hostage, one hand on his mouth and the other grasps the boy's hair.
Steven points the weapon at the anji man.
STEVEN
Take your hands off my son.
One of the anji WOMAN steps forward. She is stunningly beautiful with long,
black hair and fair skin. She looks at Steven with lovely, yet angry eyes. She
waves a slender finger at Steven and speaks with a soft, feminine voice.
WOMAN
I do not think you are the one to
be dictating terms.
Steven looks at his son and sees that the boy is confused but not scared. He
continues to point his gun at the man.
STEVEN
If you hurt my son, I'll kill
you.
There is a SOUND coming from behind Steven and a second later, a CRACK as
Steven's leg breaks. He falls to the ground and drops his gun. He SCREAMS out in
pain.
An older anji MAN stands over him. He has very handsome features but a stern
look on his face. He stands an impressive six foot seven inches and has a deep,
smooth copper complexion. His shiny black hair is short and neat. On his right
ear is a gold, hoop earring. He speaks in a calm, low but icy voice.
MAN
You will not be the one to
deal death tonight, Mr. Dewolf.
The tall man walks over Steven and approaches the other anji. The other anji
GIRL stares at Damian, compassion in her features.
She looks very young, perhaps the equivalent of a fifteen-year-old human girl.
She has bright, light blue skin and long, pale blue hair fashioned into two
braids. Her light blue eyes regard Damian for a moment. She addresses the man
holding Damian; she speaks in her native tongue. She turns her attention to
Steven.
Steven and the girl look at each other for a long moment. Tears form in her
eyes.
GIRL
Perhaps you are holding him too
tight.
The man scowls and pulls the boys head back. He removes a long, sharp knife from
his belt and holds it to the boy's neck. The blue skinned girl GASPS. The man
laughs and traces the blade over the boy's neck. Damian looks at his father who
lies on the floor in pain. Steven tries to sit up.
STEVEN
Let go of my son, you son of a
bitch! If it's me you want, take
me.
The tall man motions for the bald headed man to lower his knife.
TALL MAN
Put your blade away, Taharta. We
are not killers of children.
Taharta puts his knife away and stares at Steven, angry and defiant. Steven
lowers his head rubs his temples.
STEVEN
Sefnen, leave my son out of this.
Sefnen takes a long look at Damian. He studies his features and slowly nods his
head.
SEFNEN
You look just like your father.
Not a trace of your mother do I
see in you.
Sefnen moves in closer.
SEFNEN
This one has the gift. Very
interesting.
Sefnen turns to Steven.
SEFNEN
Your son will not pay for your
loose tongue. The sins of the
father are not the sons to
inherit.
Sefnen looks at Taharta and speaks a few words in his native dialect. Taharta
throws the boy down and walks over to Steven. He gives him a kick and picks him
up by the shirt collar.
Sefnen holds up a small, silver computer disk.
SEFNEN
I'll be taking this.
STEVEN
It's no use. I've made copies.
Sefnen smiles and shakes his head.
SEFNEN
You'll be telling me where they
are located very soon.
The light blue skinned girl looks at Damian. She stares into his eyes and after
a moment, a confused Damian can hear a voice in his head. It is the voice of the
blue skinned girl.
VOICE
Stay still. Do not make a sound. I
promise you that Sefnen will not
harm you.
Damian stares at the girl. The fair skinned anji girl grabs her arm.
GIRL
Leave him alone, Nikicha.
Nikicha lowers her head. Sefnen turns to the pale skinned anji girl, who is only
a few years older than Nikicha.
SEFNEN
You know what to do, Michi.
Michi nods and removes a syringe from her cloak. She walks over to Damian but
the boy begins to struggle.
DAMIAN
Don't touch me! And don't touch my
father!
Damian kicks out and lands one on Michi's shin. Angry, she grabs him by the
hair. Steven tries to help his son but Taharta gives him a smack across the
head.
STEVEN
Its ok Damian. You'll be all
right. I'm sorry.
Sefnen motions for Taharta to take Steven out of the apartment.
SEFNEN
This is the end for you, Dewolf.
Damian struggles as he watches Taharta drag his father from the room. Steven
looks back at Damian one last time. His eyes are filled with remorse.
STEVEN
I love you, Damian. Always
remember that.
Damian kicks out and Michi is getting even angrier. Nikicha runs over and places
a hand on Damian's shoulder. She looks into his eyes, a long and compassionate
look. She mind speaks to him.
NIKICHA VOICE
You are a special boy. Your time
will come.
Nikicha looks at Michi, who is regarding her with a cold stare.
MICHI
Step aside.
Nikicha steps aside and Michi jabs the syringe into Damian's arm. Damian drops
to the floor but continues to look in his father's direction. His eyelids slowly
close and after a moment, he fades into sleep.
INT. RESTAURANT - NIGHT
It is now nine years later. Damian is twenty-two years old and has grown into a
strong, handsome young man. He has a lean build and his hair is now short. He
sits at a busy, colorful bar with a good friend of his, AMBER Milani.
She is a pretty young woman, two years younger than him. She is slender with
light brown hair and blue eyes. The crowd is loud and Damian has to speak up so
that she can hear him.
AMBER
So do you think they'll call back?
Damian shrugs and puts his glass down.
DAMIAN
I hope so. They're the best
company in the business.
Amber motions the bartender to bring them another round.
AMBER
The only problem is, these
companies want you to have all
this experience right out of
school.
DAMIAN
Architects are always in demand
but I think I may have blown
the interview.
AMBER
Why do you say that?
DAMIAN
I could tell. You know how
it is with me.
Amber nods, understanding. The bartender serves up two big, bright blue drinks.
Damian reaches for his money but Amber stops him.
AMBER
I've got this.
DAMIAN
Are you sure? I can get it, Amber.
AMBER
Of course. What else is payday
for?
Amber hands Damian a drink and they toast.
AMBER
To better jobs.
DAMIAN
I'll drink to that.
They take a long drink, and Amber gags. Damian laughs and watches her fan her
throat.
DAMIAN
A little too strong for you huh?
AMBER
It just went down the wrong hole.
DAMIAN
Right. Ok.
Amber notices a man watching her. The man is sitting with a woman and two
children. He keeps looking back and stealing glances at her and Damian.
AMBER
That man keeps staring at me.
What a sleaze. What's he thinking?
Damian shakes his head.
DAMIAN
I'm not going to do it. I don't
violate people's privacy.
AMBER
You're no fun tonight.
Damian grins and shakes his head. A news flash comes across a large, flat screen
in the bar. There has been an uprising in the Chamiti province on the planet
Anjipal. The anji living there have rioted and killed fifty human soliders
stationed there. Some of the people, including Damian, take notice. One of the
MEN sitting next to Damian turns to him with a scowl.
MAN
Can you believe that? They
should just blast all those
anji sons of bitches. Let 'em
have it hard.
Damian shrugs his shoulders and takes another drink.
DAMIAN
As long as human troops are
stationed there, there's going
to be friction.
MAN
Just blast 'em. Damn trouble
makers.
Damian turns to Amber and motions to the clock.
DAMIAN
I got to get going. It's been a
long day.
Amber nods and downs the rest of her drink with one long, chug.
AMBER
Let me go to the bathroom real
quick.
DAMIAN
I'm going to be feeling this in
the morning.
Amber stands up and laughs. Damian finishes off his drink, leaves a tip on the
bar and walks away.
INT. DAMIAN'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
Damian walks through his kitchen; visibly buzzing from the drinks he had at the
bar. He pours a large glass of water and takes a pill. He can hear the SOUND of
the nightly news in the other room. He takes the water with him and stumbles
into his sitting room.
INT. SITTING ROOM - NIGHT
Damian plops down on his sofa and absent-mindedly watches the news report. There
is a BEEP on his communicator. He looks at the identification of the caller:
Milani, Amber. Damian answers the call.
DAMIAN
Yeah?
AMBER
I forgot to ask you, are we still
on for tomorrow night?
DAMIAN
Yeah. That's fine. I'll call you
when I'm ready.
Damian watches the news as he talks to Amber. An image on the screen catches his
attention. He stares at it for a moment, almost instantly snapping out of his
drunken haze. Amber is asking him a question but he doesn't seem to hear her.
AMBER
Helllllooo? Are you zoning out on
me?
DAMIAN
Oh. Sorry. Hey, I'm gonna get to
bed. I'll call you tomorrow.
AMBER
Ok. See ya.
Damian disconnects the call and watches the report on the news. It is the final
few minutes of a special interview conducted by a young newswoman named MICHELLE
Drumand. Damian turns up the volume.
He watches a scene showing some young anji men and women standing around a burnt
out military vehicle. They are all smiling and making hand signals for the
camera. One of the boys wears a hat on his head - a hat that once belonged to a
human soldier.
The camera then shows some burnt out buildings, a few human women and children
stand around with weary looks on their faces. Michelle's voice comes in over
this scene.
MICHELLE
At the end of the brief uprising,
twenty soldiers and fifteen
civilians lay dead. As a man who
has ties to the leaders in the
local community, do you condone
this type of aggression?
Damian stares in amazement as the camera zooms in on a handsome anji man, the
same man who was in his apartment nine years ago. Sefnen sits in a chair and
listens politely to the reporter's questions. He is well dressed and has grown a
thin goatee.
SEFNEN
That is a valid question but,
let me ask you a question. You
speak of aggression. You speak of
tragedy. And I'm referring to this
recent uprising of course. My
question to you is this: Where was
your community outrage when your
soldiers were massacring my people
by the millions? Where was the
outcry when our women were raped?
When our children were abducted,
sold to gangs of sleazy, perverted
foreigners and so called men of
business? Where were your tears
when entire civilizations hundreds
of thousands of years old were
washed away in a river of blood?
Now, after a handful of your
soldiers have been killed in self
defense, you ask me to feel
remorse. Why?
The reporter is a bit taken aback but she continues to press Sefnen.
MICHELLE
The Zaan War was over three-
hundred years ago. The government
issued a formal apology. There
is no excuse for killing innocent
civilians.
Sefnen leans back in his chair and smiles at the young reporter. Damian sits
closer to the screen so he can study Sefnen's image.
SEFNEN
First. Innocent civilians were not
killed. Those men killed belonged
to a crime ring that had been
abusing the anji population for
over twenty years. Second,
remember that many anji alive
today can remember the Zaan War. I
myself am three-hundred and
thirty
Sefnen gives the reporter a charming smile.
SEFNEN
That would be about sixty
in human years. So, many do
remember the nightmare of those
days. I ask you to forgive us
if there are some who still harbor
resentment and anger toward a
foreign army of occupation.
MICHELLE
Do you condone this violent
uprising?
Sefnen pauses for a moment. The reporter sits patiently, waiting for his answer.
SEFNEN
I can understand their motives.
Centuries ago, before the Zaan
and humans arrived, anji were the
very pinnacle of evolution. We
were geniuses, the founders of
the sciences and arts. What are
we now? We squabble and beg the
foreigner for a few money notes
so that we can buy our intoxicants
and live in a twisted world of
silly bliss. We are thieves and
cons. We don't recognize that
the worn out face we see in the
mirror is the face of a mighty
and inventive race. What
devastation disease and deceit
can bring.
Michelle frowns and shakes her head. She makes sure to look straight at the
camera.
MICHELLE
Please stick to the topic. I
will not allow you to turn this
show into a forum to voice
your racial doctrines.
Sefnen shrugs his shoulders and bows his head.
SEFNEN
I apologize. I was out of line.
But I stand by the fundamental
message behind my words.
The reporter nods. She is disappointed with Sefnen's answer but she will have to
live with it. She shakes Sefnen's hand and he bows his head to her, in respect.
She then turns to her viewers.
MICHELLE
That's all we have time for.
Remember to tune in tomorrow night
for full coverage on these and
and other events. I'm Michelle
Drumand and remember to send your
comments to Drumand@Planetfocus.
Good night.
Damian quickly writes down her contact address and turns off the screen. He sits
on the sofa and closes his eyes, rubbing his temples. He looks at the address
for a long moment and decides to take action.
INT. APARTMENT - NIGHT
Damian sits at his computer terminal and opens up his mail files. He types in
the address Drumand@Planetfocus. Damian pauses for a moment, thinking about what
he wants to write. He looks at a picture of his smiling father sitting next to
the monitor. Damian types.
To Michelle Drumand,
I am a student at the local University and am currently studying media and
journalism. I am writing a research report on media personalities and would like
to feature you in it. Would you have the time to meet with me so that I can ask
you a few questions about your job and how you go about it?
I would be honored if I could have some of your expert opinions and advice. I am
a fan of your show and consider you to be one of the elite members of the field.
Sincerely
Damian
Damian studies the letter for a moment and then presses the send command. The
screen reads "Message Sent."
INT. DAMIAN'S APARTMENT - MORNING
Damian wakes up and rubs his face, still feeling the effects of last nights
drinking. He gets up and studies his face in the mirror. His eyes are red and
tired looking. Damian puts some water over his face and walks over to the
computer terminal to check his mail.
INT. DAMIAN'S APARTMENT - MORNING
Damian reads the computer monitor. He has two new mails. Anxious, he checks to
see whom they are from. One is from a man named CYBERPIMP and it offers the
services of young girls from across the entire Anjipal system. Human girls, anji
girls of all ages and colors. Damian immediately deletes it. The next mail
message is a response from Michelle Drumand. After taking a breath, Damian opens
it the mail and reads.
"Mr. Dewolf, I am flattered that you would like to feature me in one of your
student reports. I myself am a recent graduate, so I have to take issue with you
when you refer to me as one of the tops in the field. However, if you would like
to arrange an interview, I might have some time available. Respond to this
message with a place and time and perhaps we can arrange something. Thank you
for watching PlanetFocus."
Damian nods his head and types in a response.
"Michelle Drumand,
I will try and arrange a time and place within the next day. Thank you for your
interest."
Damian sends the message.
INT. GYMNASIUM - AFTERNOON
Damian and Amber are in a large, busy gymnasium. People work out with weights,
some run laps and others swim in a large swimming pool. Amber finishes her run
and towels off her forehead. She walks over to a sparring ring to see Damian
fight a mock sword fight with another gym member. Taking a sip of water from her
bottle, she sits down and watches the two men fight.
INT. SPARRING RING - AFTERNOON
A strong looking, older MAN with long brown hair worn in a ponytail wipes sweat
from his brow. He shakes his head and raises his lightweight, practice sword.
Damian calmly raises his own practice sword.
MAN
Kid, you're wearing me out.
DAMIAN
You're not quitting yet, are you
Cain?
The older man smiles and lunges at Damian.
CAIN
Not a chance!
Cain makes a couple of slick moves with his practice sword but Damian easily
parries them and knocks Cain off balance. Cain falls to the ring floor and
Damian points the tip of the plastic weapon to the man's throat.
DAMIAN
Your concentration is off today.
Damian smiles and puts out his hand to help the bigger man to his feet. Cain
shakes his head and pats Damian on the back.
CAIN
Kid, I've sparred against
champions but I've never fought
against anyone as quick as you.
You should compete. The money is
good.
Damian shrugs his shoulders and looks around at the other men sparring in
another ring.
DAMIAN
It's just a hobby of mine.
A MAN from the other ring puts his fingers together and makes a whistling noise.
He motions for Cain and Damian to come over to his ring. Cain smiles.
CAIN
That's Mitchell. He's got a mouth
on him but you can take him down.
DAMIAN
Not today.
Cain pulls on Damian's arm.
CAIN
Come on, I'll introduce you to
him.
Damian rolls his eyes and follows Cain.
INT. SPARRING RING - AFTERNOON
Cain introduces Damian to MITCHELL, a tough looking man with a scar running down
the left side of his cheek. The two men shake hands.
MITCHELL
I've been watching you spar for
awhile now. You compete?
Damian shakes his head.
DAMIAN
Nah. It's just a hobby of mine.
Mitchell nods and regards Damian with a long, arrogant look. He chews on the end
of a toothpick.
MITCHELL
How'd you like to test yourself
against some real competition?
DAMIAN
That's ok. Not today.
Mitchell laughs and turns to Cain. He waves Damian off, and shakes his head in
disappointment.
MITCHELL
Cain man, I thought you said this
kid could fight? I wanted a match
up and I get this sorry coward?
Cain looks embarrassed.
CAIN
Hey man, go easy on him. Damian's
cool.
MITCHELL
This guy's nothing.
Mitchell turns his back on Damian and starts to laugh it up with some of his
friends. Damian, irritated, calls Mitchell out.
DAMIAN
Ok. I'll spar with you.
Mitchell turns around, confident. He smiles and nods his head.
MITCHELL
Let's do it.
Mitchell points to the two fighters in the ring.
MITCHELL
You two get out. I've got a
student here who needs a few
lessons.
Mitchell climbs into the ring and Damian turns to Cain.
DAMIAN
Thanks buddy.
Cain LAUGHS. Damian picks up his practice sword and climbs into the ring. Amber
walks over to watch.
INT. SPARRING RING - NIGHT
Damian bows to Mitchell, but the tough guy just LAUGHS.
MITCHELL
Cut that junk. Let's see what you
got kid.
Mitchell pauses and then lunges at Damian. He performs some impressive swordplay
but Damian easily blocks his swings. Mitchell looks at him, impressed but
somewhat confused.
DAMIAN
Save the drama for the theatre.
Mitchell lunges again; with his trademark set of moves but Damian parries and
lands a blow on Mitchell's neck - just hard enough to leave a red mark.
DAMIAN
I think classes are over for the
day.
Mitchell frowns but knows he is beaten. He tries to look tough but instead gives
a sheepish look to his friends watching him. They LAUGH hysterically.
MITCHELL
Wise ass kid. You got me on a bad
day.
Damian climbs out of the ring and Cain mimics a few of his friend's moves,
absolutely impressed.
CAIN
Sweet moves man. Sweet!
DAMIAN
I guess. I could still use some
work.
Damian smiles and heads off for the locker room.
INT. GYM - AFTERNOON
Damian is about to enter the locker room when Amber stops him. She smiles at
him, impressed by his performance.
AMBER
That was amazing.
DAMIAN
Well, someone had to bring him
back down to reality.
AMBER
Why don't you try and compete?
DAMIAN
It's not my thing. I just do it
because I enjoy the sport.
AMBER
But you have a natural talent
for it.
Damian shakes his head and throws his dirty towel into a towel bin.
DAMIAN
No, I have an unfair advantage.
Amber slowly nods her head, understanding what he is talking about.
AMBER
You can basically read every move
he makes before he makes it?
DAMIAN
Basically.
Amber laughs and looks him up and down seductively.
AMBER
Are you reading my mind now?
DAMIAN
No.
AMBER
Aww. That's too bad.
Damian raises his eyebrow, not knowing what to say. She pauses for a moment and
then breaks into laughter.
AMBER
Hurry up and shower. We're still
on for tonight, right?
Damian snaps his fingers, as if suddenly remembering something. Amber's smiles
slips away.
AMBER
What?
DAMIAN
I forgot. I have to finish a
project for work. David will
have my head if I don't have it
in by tomorrow afternoon.
Amber shakes her head, irritated.
AMBER
You know, I canceled my other
plans for you.
DAMIAN
I know. I'm sorry. I'll make it
up to you.
Amber looks at him, annoyed but she nods her head.
AMBER
Fine. Whatever.
Damian walks into the locker room and turns around.
DAMIAN
If I can finish my work tonight,
we'll meet up tomorrow. Is that
ok?
Amber shrugs her shoulders and heads for the women's locker room.
INT. DAMIAN'S APARTMENT - EVENING
Damian sits in front of his computer and powers up the terminal. He anxiously
waits to see if he has gotten a reply from the news reporter. To his
disappointment, the monitor reads "No new Mail".
He checks to see the status of his sent mail and the message tells him that his
mail was read in the mid afternoon.
Bored and frustrated, Damian rubs his temples and surfs through some old mail. A
moment later, a chat request comes across the monitor. It reads "Dragon Lady has
issued the following chat request: Join me in the Dragon's Lair. We can chat."
Damian shakes his head.
DAMIAN
You should probably leave your
house once and awhile.
Damian flips through some old mail sent by his employer. He is about to send a
reply when he gets another chat request: Dragon Lady has issued the following
chat request: "Come inside and we can talk about a meeting."
Damian's eyes widen as he realizes that this might be the reporter. He types in
a command and the screen reads, "Request accepted. Please wait while the
connection is made."
INT. APARTMENT - EVENING
Damian enters Dragon Lady's chat room. A message appears on the screen: "So have
you thought of a time and place?"
Damian types "I was thinking of Moon 8 Lounge around late afternoon." There is a
pause and Dragon Lady responds, "Seven would be better." Damian types back "That
sounds great. I'll be there. Thanks for your help."
Dragon Lady responds "Not a problem. See you there." Dragon Lady exits the room.
David looks down at a huge pile of papers sitting on the desk and he begins to
rub his temples.
DAMIAN
Damn.
Damian signs off and looks at the image of a red ball bouncing up and down on
his terminal monitor. After staring at it for a moment, he sifts through the
papers and gets back to work.
INT. MARINA 8 LOUNGE - AFTERNOON
Damian walks into the busy lounge, computer notebook in hand and looks around
the bar area. No sign of Michelle. He takes a seat at the bar and the BARTENDER
approaches him with a smile.
BARTENDER
What can I get for you this evening? We have a two for one
special on all cocktails.
Damian studies the liquor bottles and the beer taps.
DAMIAN
I'll take a Blue ocean.
The bartender nods and goes over to the tap to pour his drink. Damian looks
around the bar and just as the bartender returns with his drink, Michelle walks
into the bar area. She is dressed casually but looks great. She looks around the
bar and sits down three seats away from Damian.
BARTENDER
That'll be two-fifty.
Damian pays the bartender and leaves a tip on the table. Getting up from his
seat, he walks over to introduce himself to Michelle. She sees him just as he
reaches the seat next to her. Damian holds out his hand.
DAMIAN
The Dragon Lady, I presume?
Michelle smiles and then takes his hand.
MICHELLE
Have a seat. I'm sorry, something
came up so I don't have a lot
of time. But I'll answer a few
questions if you have them
ready for me.
Damian nods and sits down.
DAMIAN
That's fine.
They look at each other for an awkward moment before Damian decides to make the
first move.
DAMIAN
So, what drove you to become
a journalist? What gave you that
spark to want to have your own
news program?
Michelle nods and starts to talk. As she speaks, Damian begins to focus on her
eyes, while pretending to take notes on her answers.
MICHELLE
I've always had a passion for
real stories, real events that
shape our everyday lives. When
I say news and events, I mean
real news and events. Not things
like what actress is wearing what,
how much money she has in her
account and who her latest sex
fling is.
Damian nods.
DAMIAN
Of course. Your show is very
professional.
MICHELLE
Why, thank you.
DAMIAN
Are some stories harder to cover
than others?
MICHELLE
What do you mean?
DAMIAN
Such as the rebellions on Anjipal
for example? I saw your interview
with Sefnen. Very well done.
MICHELLE
Now there is a story.
Michelle smiles and continues to speak. Damian digs into her mind; it sounds
much like a scrambled radio station. Only a few choice words can be made out.
MICHELLE'S MIND
Sefnen. Trajjin. Ankitsu.
DAMIAN
Would you consider your job to be
dangerous, at times? I'm sure that
getting in touch with someone like
Sefnen might prove difficult.
Michelle nods and takes another sip of her drink.
MICHELLE
Very difficult. Locating contacts,
people who will willingly give
information on how to contact
a person or a group that has
such an infamous name, can be
an amazingly difficult challenge.
Damian concentrates harder.
MICHELLE'S MIND
Ankitsu. Blue roof. Yaha. Tarik
Trust. Contact.
Michelle continues.
MICHELLE
I'd say that its probably one of
my biggest challenges. As far
as actual danger to me, I've never
felt that it was anything too
dangerous. But that extra element
gives the job a little more
excitement.
DAMIAN
Do your guests ever make you
nervous when you interview them?
I would be a little intimidated
by someone like Sefnen.
Michelle thinks for a moment. Damian studies her eyes.
MICHELLE'S MIND
Handsome. Demon-child. Angry.
Ankitsu. Island.
MICHELLE
No, I wouldn't say that. Excited
probably, but not nervous.
Damian smiles.
DAMIAN
I have to say, I was a little
nervous before actually speaking
to you.
Michelle LAUGHS and slaps Damian on the arm.
MICHELLE
Oh God. Please. Anyhow, I really
have to run, extended deadline
to meet and all that. But swing
by the studio sometime and I can
answer a few more questions for
you if you want.
MICHELLE'S MIND
Are you single? Sexy.
Damian smiles and politely bows his head.
DAMIAN
I will. Thank you for your time.
MICHELLE
You're very welcome. Good luck
with this report!
EXT. LARGE ISLAND, ANJIPAL - AFTERNOON
The sun is out and the sky is an intense blue. Overhead, a flock of crimson
feathered birds fly in a diamond pattern. The SOUND of the waves hitting the
sandy shore fills the air. A gentle breeze stirs the trees.
A small boat drifts onto the shore. On board are Sefnen, and Michi. Sefnen is
dressed only in pair of loose, black pants. His upper body is ripped and
powerful looking. On his upper left bicep is a black tattoo of a creature that
resembles a flying reptile. He jumps off the boat and onto the shore. Michi is
dressed only in a small white top and waist wrap.
Unlike Sefnen who has a deep, copper complexion, Michi's fair skin has begun to
show the effects of the powerful sun's rays. Sefnen studies the beach for a
moment and turns to Michi.
SEFNEN
Meresnk's tomb is to the west. You
stay with the boat. I'll be back
shortly.
Michi lowers her head in obedience but she is not happy about having to stay
behind.
MICHI
And what shall I do in the
meanwhile?
A slight smile crosses Sefnen's features. He points out to the ocean water.
SEFNEN
Go cool off in the water.
Your skin is burning up.
Michi sits down in the sand and watches Sefnen walk into the trees, in the
direction of Meresnk's tomb.
INT. DAMIAN'S APARTMENT - EVENING
Damian is cooking a dinner in his kitchen. He dials Amber's number up and waits
for her to answer. After three BEEPS she is on the other end.
AMBER
What's up?
DAMIAN
Wanna go out tomorrow night?
We can meet up at the Passion
Fruit.
Amber pauses a moment and then replies
AMBER
Sure. But I won't be able to stay
all night. My sister is taking me
out.
DAMIAN
That's fine. I'll see you then.
Amber pauses on the other end.
AMBER
Hey, is everything ok? You sound
down.
DAMIAN
It's nothing. No big deal.
AMBER
Is it about the interview?
DAMIAN
The job? I'm not worrying about
it. I could just use a good night
out, even if its only a few hours.
AMBER
Cool. Well, I'll let you go. My
show is almost on.
Damian smiles.
DAMIAN
You never miss an episode, huh?
AMBER
What are you kidding me? Goodnight
sweetie. See ya tomorrow.
DAMIAN
Yeah. See ya.
Damian disconnects the call.
INT. DAMIAN'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
Damian looks through some travel information concerning Anjipal. He finds flight
rates to Calimaj, a large city close to Ankitsu. Damian enters the option for
"Lowest Available Price" and comes up with a rate. He shakes his head and looks
at his bank balance on the other computer window.
The cheapest and earliest available leaves on the next day. Try as he might, he
cannot find a better option. He looks at the note on the table that reads
"Dinner with Amber, tomorrow at Passion Fruit." He stares at it for a moment
before looking back to the screen.
Taking a breath, he clicks on the option for "Purchase Ticket".
INT. APARTMENT - NIGHT
Dream Sequence. Damian walks through a long, dark hallway. His father lies on
the floor. As he walks over to his father's body, Sefnen steps out from the
shadows and begins walking toward Damian. Damian tries to back up but is
paralyzed. He tries to SHOUT but nothing comes out of his mouth.
Damian sits up in his bed, startled. He looks around his dark room and after a
moment, he lays back down in bed.
INT. DAMIAN'S APARTMENT - DAY
Damian calls his Boss, DAVID, to explain to him that an emergency has come up
and he needs time off.
DAMIAN
Can't you give me a month,
David?
DAVID
You've got to be kidding me. I
can't just let you take a month
off with no notice. Emergency or
not. The most I can let you
have is a week.
DAMIAN
I know that I'm putting you in
a bind, but I need this time. I'll
make it up to you.
DAVID
I'm sorry. It doesn't work that
way. Besides that, it wouldn't be
fair to the others who have been
here longer than you have.
David pauses and closes his eyes. When he opens them, he has a determined and
calm look on his face.
DAMIAN
Then I'll have to quit.
DAVID
Quit? I need you here, At least
give me some time.
Damian shakes his head.
DAMIAN
I'm sorry. But I have bigger
priorities right now.
David puts him on hold for a moment. When he returns, Damian can hear the anger
in David's voice.
DAVID
If you quit, just quit like this
and screw us over, don't expect
a reference and don't even think
about trying to come back.
DAMIAN
So be it then. I'm sorry for the
trouble I've caused you.
Without another word, Damian disconnects the call.
EXT. BANK - DAY
Damian stands in front of a machine and enters a request for cash withdrawal. He
enters a figure and the computer warns him: YOUR BALANCE WILL BE 0.00. DO YOU
WISH TO CLOSE YOUR ACCOUNT AND PROCEED?
Damian takes the money from his account. He puts the huge pile of cash in a bag
and leaves the terminal.
EXT. ISLAND - EVENING
An ancient, crumbling tomb stands near a lagoon. On its surface are old, worn
anji hieroglyphs. There are pictures of anji warriors and priestesses standing
in front of strange, mythical beasts.
Sefnen crouches next to a sealed door and runs his finger over one of the
hieroglyphs. He reads it and closes his eyes, angry and disappointed.
SEFNEN
It is as I thought. The legends
are true.
Sefnen opens his eyes and stands up. Thinking of another way to get in, he
begins his walk back to the beach.
INT. APARTMENT - AFTERNOON
Damian packs some of his clothes and other belongings into a backpack. He pauses
when he comes across his father's old racing jacket. He puts it inside his
backpack along with the other clothes.
He walks across the room and opens his closet. He picks up a blanket off the top
shelf and carries it to his bed.
Damian carefully unwraps the blanket revealing to wickedly sharp anji swords.
They closely resemble Japanese katanas. The blades are made of a virtually
unbreakable metal found only on Anjipal. One of the blades has a pale blue glow
and the other has a light green glow. Damian swings one of them through the air
effortlessly before putting them in their scabbards.
Damian looks at a metal locker. The sign on the locker door reads "Steven Dewolf
#3248-36B" He opens the locker and takes out a small but very powerful shotgun.
He runs his finger over the weapon, thinking about it for a moment before
packing that as well.
Damian picks up a picture of his father and puts it in the bag along with the
other items.
INT. APARTMENT - EVENING
Amber calls Damian as he finishes packing his things.
AMBER
Hey, what's up? Are you ready?
Damian slaps his head, remembering the dinner date. He looks at the time and
then at his flight ticket.
DAMIAN
Yeah. Sure. I'll be there.
Go ahead and get a seat.
AMBER
Great. I'm on my way.
Damian disconnects the call and stares at the wall, frustrated.
DAMIAN
I'm sorry, Amber.
INT. APARTMENT - NIGHT
Damian stands at the doorway to his apartment and looks at his old place, one
last time. After a long pause, he kisses his hand and then places his hand on
the doorway. After that, Damian shuts the door behind him and never looks back.
INT. PASSION FRUIT - NIGHT
Amber sits at a table and looks at the time. She is dressed very nicely and
looks as if she has gone to extra lengths to look good.
Frustrated, she picks up her phone and gives Damian a call. After ten BEEPS she
hangs up. She finishes off her drink, and slams the glass on the table. She gets
up, throws a few notes down next to the glass and walks out of the restaurant.
EXT. BOAT - NIGHT
It is a dark, quiet night. Five fishermen sit on the deck of a small fishing
vessel. The men are all humans. SMOKES, the captain of the small fishing vessel,
lights a cigarette and looks at the island on the horizon. His four men, LANDON,
SHEA, CHATTER and RODRIGUEZ haul up their last load of fish for the night.
Rodriguez wipes the sweat from his brow and turns to his skipper.
RODRIGUEZ
Hey Smokes, lets call it a day
huh?
Smokes takes a final drag from his cigarette and nods his head.
SMOKES
That island looks like a good
place to rest and get some water.
Maybe find some fresh food.
Landon, Shea and Chatter begin to take the last haul below deck. Smokes throws
the stub of his cigarette overboard.
EXT. ISLAND - NIGHT
Michi sits in the sand, and watches the fishing vessel approach the shore. She
looks at the five human men walking around on the deck with mild interest. The
vessel anchors and the five men get into a small boat and make their way to the
beach. Michi does not bother to run or get up.
EXT. ISLAND - NIGHT
Chatter sees Michi sitting in the sand and points her out to his men. Smokes
nods his head.
SMOKES
Well, well. A local beauty. Looks
like we might be having some fun
tonight boys.
The small boat lands on the beach and the men get out. Chatter walks up to Michi
and gives her a big grin.
CHATTER
Youa talki human?
The other men LAUGH and look her up and down. Michi rises to her feet and
brushes the sand off her shapely, sun tanned legs.
MICHI
I can understand you.
Landon throws his gear in the sand next to Michi and lays down, exhausted.
LANDON
I'm going to sleep guys.
Smokes shakes his head and walks up to Michi. His eyes are filled with lust as
he takes in her exotic, alien beauty. He takes another cigarette out of his
pocket and offers her one.
SMOKES
You smoke, pretty eyes?
Michi looks at the cigarette and slowly shakes her head. Shea, an ex convict,
takes a more abrupt approach and approaches Michi. He runs a hand over her
smooth skin, this makes the other men nervous.
SHEA
Ain't you a pretty thing? I heard
you types like human men.
Michi hides her disgust and smiles. She walks to the waters edge and dips her
hands into the ocean. She washes off the spot on her arm where Shea touched her.
MICHI
We are a hospitable people. Yes.
Shea is offended by Michi's action and makes his way over to her. He grabs her
arm and Michi looks at him, calmly.
SHEA
Look woman, there ain't nobody
out here to protect you so you
had better be nice.
LANDON
Leave her alone Shea.
Smokes takes a drag of his cigarette and shakes his head.
SMOKES
Landon, Shea, Rodriguez you three
set up camp. Chatter and myself
will try and find some water.
Smokes walks up to Michi.
SMOKES
Is there a river or stream nearby?
Michi shrugs her shoulders and slowly pulls a stone off her necklace. She smiles
at Shea and motions to him with her finger.
MICHI
I am not from here. But I think I
can help you. Follow me, hairy
skin and I will show you something
that will amaze you.
Chatter and Rodriguez hoot and holler while Smokes raises his eyebrows. Landon
is falling asleep in the sand.
Shea winks at Smokes and follows Michi down the beach. They walk for sometime
until they get far enough away from the others so that they can't be seen or
heard.
SHEA
I'm sorry I was so rude to you.
I just find you to be very sexy.
How about we have a little fun?
Shea moves in close to her and admires her beauty. Michi grasps the stone in her
hand and nods her head. Her beautiful features are lit by the moonlight.
MICHI
I love to have fun.
Shea grins and tries to plant a kiss on Michi but she pulls away from him,
smiling.
MICHI
We have fun my way.
Michi tosses the tiny red stone high into the air. It falls to the sand and sits
for a moment. Shea looks at it, confused.
SHEA
What's that supposed to be?
MICHI
Your fate.
A flash of light comes from the sand and it is followed by a loud GROAN. The
sand begins to rumble and Shea takes a few steps back, staring at the light. He
is mesmerized.
Moments later, a horrible beast emerges from the light. It is fifteen feet tall
and stands on two, muscular legs. Its skin is made of black scales and on its
head are two great horns. Michi smiles and rubs the beast's leg with her hand.
MICHI
Do you like my friend? I think
that you two will become very
friendly with each other.
Shea turns around and begins to run, terrified. Michi talks to the beast in an
ancient anji dialect. The beasts' solid white eyeballs glare at the human. The
beast then gives chase. Shea is running fast but he stands no chance of getting
away. The beast grabs Shea and tears him apart.
EXT. BEACH - NIGHT
The four other fishermen hear the SOUNDS of the beast's roar and Shea's screams.
They can see the beast coming up the beach. Michi follows it laughing.
RODRIGUEZ
What the hell is that?
CHATTER
I'm out of here!
Smokes, Chatter, and Rodriguez begin running to the boat. Landon gets to his
feet but the beast grabs him by the neck and throttles him. It then hurls him
into the trees, broken and dead.
With supernatural speed, the black-scaled beast catches up with Rodriguez,
Chatter and Smokes. It grabs Rodriguez with one claw and Chatter with the other.
The beast then smashes the two men together, killing them.
Smokes stumbles and falls into the ocean. The beast catches him and is about to
tear the terrified captain apart when a VOICE comes from up the beach. Michi
turns and sees Sefnen emerging from the trees. There is a small grin on his
face.
SEFNEN
I see you've been keeping yourself
amused, Michi.
Sefnen commands the beast in an unknown language and it complies, laying Smokes
on the sand. The beast then vanishes into the black of the night in a puff of
smoke. Sefnen looks at the human for a moment, through half closed eyes; narrow
slits of contempt.
MICHI
Why do you not let me have my fun?
Sefnen looks at Michi and shakes his head.
SEFNEN
This is not the time for fun fair
skinned one.
Smokes sits up, shaking and scared.
SMOKES
Please don't hurt me. Please.
I'm just a fisherman. I was
looking for a little water.
That's all. I swear.
Sefnen walks over to Michi and mutters a few words to her. She smiles and slowly
nods her head.
MICHI
That might work.
Sefnen holds his hand out to help Smokes to his feet.
SEFNEN
Luck seems to be with you
tonight.
Smokes cautiously takes the anji mans hand and gets onto his feet. Standing at
only five foot eight inches, Sefnen towers over him. Smokes looks up at Sefnen,
his face a portrait of fear.
SMOKES
You're not going to kill me, are
you?
Sefnen smiles and shakes his head. He takes a canteen off his belt and hands it
to the human.
SEFNEN
I am not going to kill you, but
I will need your services.
Smokes looks confused.
SMOKES
What do you want me to do?
SEFNEN
It's all very simple. You will
see. I promise you, that I will
not harm you.
Smokes nods his head, more than eager to save his neck. Michi smiles and walks
over to him. She whispers something into his ear.
MICHI
Saved from the belly of the beast,
little hairy skin man.
Sefnen looks up at the night sky and nods his head.
SEFNEN
We rest here tonight. Tomorrow
morning, we set out.
Michi begins to set up camp. Sefnen then turns to Smokes. His smile has faded
away and he gives the human an icy, cold stare.
SEFNEN
I would not try to flee into the
night if I were you. I know your
deepest fears. I can feel them. If
you run, I will make them a
reality and you will cry out
for death.
INT. SPACECRAFT - NIGHT
Damian stares out the window as the spacecraft descends on Calimaj. He looks at
the bright, modern city buildings and lights, mixed in with ancient ruins built
during the Chamiti Empire. The Chamiti ruins are very similar to the ancient
Egyptian ruins on Earth. A VOICE comes in over the spacecraft speaker.
VOICE
Ladies and gentleman, we are on
our final decent over Calimaj.
Please stay in your seats and keep
your seat belts fastened. We thank
you for flying Anjipal Space
Lines and do hope you travel with
us again.
Damian checks his backpack and sits back in his seat as the spacecraft begins
its final approach into the city.
INT. SPACEPORT - EVENING
Damian walks through a giant tunnel and arrives inside the Calimaj spaceport.
There are hundreds of people scrambling to get to where they need to be.
Surprisingly enough, they are all humans. Damian straps on his backpack and
begins to walk through the crowded spaceport.
Damian notices a young, light blue skinned anji GIRL standing next to a wall.
She wears her shiny black hair in two pigtails and holds a sign that reads
"Taxi". The girl looks bored. Damian approaches the girl.
DAMIAN
I could use a ride.
The anji girl looks Damian up and down for a moment and then nods her head.
GIRL
Follow me.
DAMIAN
How far can you take me?
GIRL
Anywhere for the right amount.
DAMIAN
Ankitsu?
She nods her head.
GIRL
That I can do.
She walks through the terminal without another word and Damian follows her. As
they pass a security outpost, she shows the officer a plastic band wrapped
around her wrist. She gives the officer an attitude as he inspects her bag. The
officer nods and the two move on.
INT. CAR - EVENING
The girl and Damian travel in a fancy, futuristic looking car. She is weaving
the car in and out of traffic and accelerates to nearly two hundred miles an
hour. Her driving makes Damian nervous and he clutches the edge of the seat.
The car passes a set of impressive, ancient Chamiti statues that stand hundreds
of feet tall. Damian looks at them in wonder. Another car gets in front of her
and she blows the horn at them and makes a few hand gestures. She looks at
Damian through a mirror, her eyes studying him.
GIRL
Is this your first time
being on Anjipal?
Damian nods his head.
DAMIAN
Yes, actually. It's so different
than where I am from.
GIRL
You speak Sil'manti. How is
that?
DAMIAN
I learned it in school. It's
useful to know.
GIRL
So, you're a schoolboy?
Very good.
She looks at Damian for a moment and then pulls out something that looks like a
cigar. She lights it and offers some to Damian.
GIRL
Try this, schoolboy. You'll like
it.
DAMIAN
What is it?
GIRL
Mipali. It gives you a good high.
The human courts will not let
us smoke it. But I do.
Damian puts out his hand and shakes his head, declining the powerful intoxicant.
DAMIAN
If it's against the law, why
do you smoke it?
She smiles at Damian and gives a little LAUGH. She takes a deep drag from her
joint and shrugs her shoulders.
GIRL
Because I don't give a damn
about humans or their laws.
Damian looks at the plastic band around the cab driver's slender, blue skinned
wrist.
DAMIAN
What is that for?
She looks down at her wrist and rips the band off.
GIRL
Anji cannot go into the space
port without special permission. Humans have come down hard on us
since the riots.
Damian stares at the band lying on the seat and slowly nods his head. She
accelerates to over two hundred miles an hour. The car passes through a very
modern section of the massive city. Humans can be seen walking along the street,
taking in the city nightlife.
GIRL
A few years ago, they built
a prison in our section
of the city. Some of these humans
were released and one murdered a
young anji girl. We were so
angry that we burnt the prison to
the ground.
She takes another drag from the joint and gives Damian a wink.
GIRL
All the prisoners were killed.
DAMIAN
That's a pretty brutal approach,
don't you think?
GIRL
Only the prison was destroyed.
No innocents were harmed. Unlike
humans, we are not bloodthirsty
and lovers of war.
DAMIAN
I don't love war. I don't think
too many of my people really
do.
GIRL
I doubt that.
Damian shrugs his shoulders.
DAMIAN
I'm sorry that you feel that
way about me.
GIRL
Oh no. Don't worry. I like you.
Damian watches in the mirror as she eyes him. She slowly exhales and shakes her
head.
GIRL
This is the world that you have
come to. Crazy no?
Damian shrugs his shoulders. He looks out the window at the big city landscape
so different than his own home. The skyscrapers are excessively tall and built
in an odd, otherworldly and alien design.
DAMIAN
That's some amazing architecture.
GIRL
Ankitsu is far so sit back and
relax.
The anji girl smiles and accelerates down an empty stretch of road. The joint is
already beginning to dull her senses and Damian tries not to show his
apprehension about her dangerous driving.
GIRL
I think that you like speed,
right?
DAMIAN
Not really.
She LAUGHS and flicks the joint stub into a bag sitting next to her. She lights
another one.
After giving him another long look in the mirror, she gets quiet and focuses on
her driving.
INT. CAR - NIGHT
The car enters the small town of Ankitsu. It drives past a row of old, wooden
buildings constructed in a unique, local fashion.
GIRL
Where do you want to stay?
Damian looks at the old buildings as the car passes them. He focuses on a modest
wooden building with a blue roof. The sign next to it reads "Blue Roof Tavern."
Under the name it says "A place for lucky humans to enjoy the comforts of
Ankitsu." He points to it.
DAMIAN
Let me off there.
As the car pulls in, the lights shine on a few unsavory, tough looking Anji men.
They lean up against the walls and watch the car pull up in silence.
GIRL
Those men look tough no?
She turns in her seat and gives him a sly grin.
GIRL
You better be careful, schoolboy.
Damian nods and pulls some money out of his pocket. He hands the money to the
girl.
DAMIAN
They're no problem.
The girl takes the money and counts through it.
GIRL
You have nothing extra for my
trouble?
DAMIAN
Your trouble?
GIRL
I am all the way out here. Far
from the spaceport. No business,
no money.
Damian sighs and hands her an extra note.
GIRL
Yaze'. Enjoy your stay.
He gets out of the car and it starts to drizzle. The taxi pulls away and drives
off down the road, leaving Damian standing in the dark. The SOUNDS of falling
rain and insects fill the night air.
The men continue to watch Damian, silent. He nods at them and walks through a
set of colorful beads leading into the inn.
INT. BUILDING - NIGHT
Damian walks through a lobby where a very bored looking, older anji MAN sits at
a desk. He plays a board game made of colored, wooden pieces. The room is filled
with smoke. He looks up at Damian, but says nothing. Damian approaches the desk.
DAMIAN
Are there rooms available?
The man nods his head.
DAMIAN
I'd like one, please.
MAN
Sixty Dinz'a.
Damian lays the money out on the desk. The man scoops up the money, turns around
and selects a key from a few wooden pegs.
He hands the keys to Damian and goes back to his game. Damian walks up a set of
old, CREAKY stairs and finds his room. He unlocks the room and goes inside.
INT. ROOM - NIGHT
Damian looks around the tiny, Spartan room. There is one small bed and a small
table in the corner.
Damian throws his bags on the bed. He opens one of them and sets the picture of
his father on the table. He looks at the picture and then lies down on the bed.
INT. ROOM - NIGHT
Damian's door opens and a FIGURE enters the room. The figure carefully walks
past the sleeping Damian and takes hold of one of his bags.
Damian instantly snaps up, sword in hand and grabs the figure by the neck. He
holds the blade at the figure's throat. There is a brief struggle and finally,
no movement as the two sit in the dark room. The SOUND of heavy breathing breaks
the silence.
DAMIAN
You picked the wrong room to rob.
Damian stands up, dragging the figure with him. He switches on a light and sees
that he is holding onto the neck of one of the anji men who were outside when he
first came in. He wears a tight fitting chrome colored wristband.
Damian presses the blade into his neck.
DAMIAN
What should I do with you?
MAN
I'm only a thief. Nothing more.
Let me go, I am no danger to you.
Damian presses harder.
DAMIAN
A thief? Nothing more you say?
Damian looks down into the anji man's eyes and concentrates but nothing happens.
The man starts to LAUGH.
MAN
It won't work.
DAMIAN
Never laugh at a man who has a
blade to your throat.
Damian continues to hold onto the man for a moment before coming up with an
idea.
DAMIAN
You have two choices. One, you
answer any question I ask you,
truthfully.
MAN
The other?
DAMIAN
I kill you and claim my
right to self defense.
MAN
How can I refuse those terms?
Damian carefully searches the man and finds a small gun. He empties the
ammunition chamber and throws the gun under the bed.
DAMIAN
Strictly for protection I assume.
The man shrugs and sits in a chair.
DAMIAN
I won't mince words with you. I'm
looking for a man named Sefnen.
Can you tell me how to find him?
The man begins to look nervous at the mention of that name.
DAMIAN
Well?
MAN
Sefnen is a menace. I would not
say his name too loudly.
DAMIAN
Do you know how I can get in
contact with someone who has
connections to him?
MAN
No.
DAMIAN
Don't lie to me. I will kill you.
The man squirms in his chair.
MAN
I am a man of very modest means.
Perhaps if you could help me, I
could help you.
Damian reaches into his pocket and pulls out a money note.
DAMIAN
This is all you'll get from me.
Plus your life.
The man looks at the note, eager to get his hands on it.
MAN
I will see what I can do.
Look for a signal tomorrow.
I can't guarantee that it
will work but it is your
best chance.
Damian slowly nods. He hands the note to the man.
DAMIAN
Do it.
He levels his swords at the man's face.
DAMIAN
But if you cross me, I'll
gut you like a rotten piece of
fruit. And if I can't, I have
friends that will.
MAN
I'm in this for the money. My
word is bought and paid for.
Damian motions toward the door and the man silently leaves the room.
EXT. ISLAND - DAY
Sefnen, Michi and Smokes walk through a tall group of trees. Overhead, a flock
of crimson colored birds fly through a cloudless, blue sky. They pass a group of
ancient anji statues that stand in a circle. Sefnen stops and turns to Michi.
SEFNEN
Wait here.
Smokes watches Sefnen walk away and he calls out to him, still apprehensive
about his fate.
SMOKES
Are we almost there?
Sefnen bows his head and smiles.
SEFNEN
It will not be much longer now.
Sefnen walks away leaving Michi and Smokes together. Nervous, he tries to make
small talk with the young woman.
SMOKES
So. Where are you from?
Michi gives the man a bored look and after a few moments, she answers him.
MICHI
I am from Nazan.
Smokes nods his head, trying to look casually interested.
SMOKES
I bet it's nice there. Wanna
know where I'm from?
Michi shrugs and picks a piece of fruit from one of the trees.
MICHI
I already know. You are from
A world that you call Earth.
New York City? Many people.
Very big. You grew up in a
tall building and lived with
many other human people. You
loved your father but hate your
brother. You broke your people's
law many times and you have many
strange fantasies about women.
Michi smiles and nods her head.
MICHI
Very strange fantasies.
Smokes looks at her, shocked and astounded. He has the look of a kid being
caught putting bogus grades in his teacher's grade book.
SMOKES
You can read my thoughts.
MICHI
Much like reading a book, only
the words are moving everywhere,
around the paper. But enough
talk. You bore me.
Michi turns her back to Smokes and finishes off her fruit.
EXT. ANKITSU - DAY
Damian walks through the town and hears the sounds of DRUM beats coming from the
beach. He follows a sandy trail leading to the ocean and finds that there is a
festival in full swing.
Anji of all different colors are dressed in exotic costumes. Some of them wear
costumes made of crimson and emerald green feathers. Others have their faces
painted in all sorts of strange, and wonderful patterns.
There is a very loud drumbeat. The SOUND is a perfect rhythm. Next to an
elaborately carved pole, three copper skin anji girls dance in rhythm to the
music. One of them has copper colored hair. The other two girls have shiny,
black hair. Their hair is fashioned into many wild braids and they wear skimpy
outfits made of multicolored feathers. They have beautiful figures.
Damian watches the girls dance. One of the girls stares at Damian for a moment.
Her eyes are a very striking shade of light purple. He finds himself staring,
almost as if in some sort of trance. It takes him a few moments for him to snap
out of it. Damian puts a few coins in their donation bucket.
EXT. BEACH - DAY
Damian passes by a large crowd of young anji who are watching a show being put
on by some human performers. Three anji girls look at Damian as he walks by.
They are drinking from very big glasses filled with strange liquor.
One of the GIRLS, dressed in a small outfit made of feathers runs over to
Damian. She is cute and has a very small build. She has a soft, copper
complexion. Her hair is long, straight and light brown.
GIRL
Hey, pretty human boy! Come play
with us.
She jumps onto Damian's back and clings to his neck. She begins to playfully
bite on his neck. Her friends LAUGH and goad her on. Damian tries to get her off
his back, being as nice as he possibly can.
DAMIAN
Come on now! Hey!
GIRL
Come with me to the beach! Come!
She is very aggressive; she clings to him and squeezes her legs tightly around
him. She bites on his ear.
GIRL
I like you. Come with me.
Damian, embarrassed, finally succeeds in getting her off his back. She shrugs
and kicks sand up at him, smiling and running back to her friends. Damian
continues down the beach.
EXT. BEACH - DAY
Damian arrives at the beach. There is a great cliff that is hundreds of feet
tall. He has a seat in the sand and watches the performance that is getting
underway.
Damian's attention focuses on a young anji WOMAN climbing up the steep cliff
with her bare hands. She is amazingly beautiful and has a soft, copper
complexion with blonde/brown hair done in two pigtails. Wrapped inside one of
the pigtails is a bright, red feather. The girl is scantily clad and she has a
lovely figure.
The girl reaches the top of the cliff. She has a bright, beautiful smile and
waves to the crowd below. The SOUND of drumbeats begins and the anji members of
the audience begin to chant. She walks around, smiling and blowing kisses. The
SOUND of drum beats becomes deafening.
Damian stares at the girl, his fists clenched. The girl looks out into the
crowd, her blue eyes focused and concentrating. She moves to the edge of the
cliff and turns her back to the crowd, balancing on the edge with just the tips
of her toes.
After a pause, her eyes roll back into her head, revealing their solid whites.
The young woman then lets herself fall off the cliff. The audience gasps and
watches her
fall, her arms crossed over her chest. The ground below her grows larger as she
gets closer to it.
Just as she is about half way to the ground, there is a great flash of light and
a giant, black-scaled creature emerges from it. The creature stretches out a
giant claw and catches the girl as she falls. The audience CLAPS very loud. The
smiling anji girl sits in the hand of the beast and it puts her safely back on
the sand.
The girl bows to the audience. Damian claps, very impressed by her performance.
The girl scans the crowd and she locks eyes with Damian, her gaze rests on him
for a long moment. She gives him a little smile and then joins her fellow
performers.
EXT. IN FRONT OF MERESNK'S TOMB - DAY
Sefnen, Michi and their hostage, Smokes arrive at the front of Meresnk's ancient
tomb. Sefnen guides the two to a sealed door and carefully runs his finger over
a hieroglyph.
He takes a thin sliver of gold from his pant pocket. It looks much like a golden
toothpick. He smiles at Michi and hands the golden pick to Smokes.
SEFNEN
Take this, I am giving you the
opportunity to make history.
Smokes carefully takes the golden pick and studies it. He looks back and forth,
from Sefnen to Michi.
SMOKES
What is this for?
Sefnen points to a small hole in the sealed door, next to a row of deeply
engraved hieroglyphs.
SEFNEN
Place the golden piece in this
hole.
Smokes looks nervous and begins to shake his head.
SMOKES
I don't want to do this. Here,
you do it.
Smokes holds the golden pick out to Michi but she shakes her head.
MICHI
This task has been given to you.
Smokes shakes his head and begins to back away from the sealed door. Sefnen,
growing impatient, leans down and gets in his face.
SEFNEN
Do it! Now. Do not make me
tell you again.
Deciding that he has no choice, Smokes reluctantly inserts the pick into the
hole. Nothing happens. Smokes lets out a SIGH of relief.
A moment later, there is the SOUND of a deep roar. There is a flash of light.
Sefnen and Michi get onto their knees and bow their heads as a twenty-foot tall
anji demon appears before them. He has blood red skin and a bald head. On his
right ear is a giant, silver earring. It speaks out in an ancient language.
Sefnen answers it.
SEFNEN
We offer this one. He is the one
who has broken the seal.
Smokes stands petrified, looking up at the mighty guardian. Michi cries out to
Bajal, the skull cracker.
MICHI
We are your servants eternal
guardian. Accept this foreign
offering. Bajal, cracker of
skulls, he is yours!
SMOKES
You said that you wouldn't kill
me!
Sefnen smirks.
SEFNEN
Indeed. It is not I who will kill
you.
Bajal turns its glowing eyes to Smokes. The fishing captain tires to back away
but he is grabbed by the ancient demon.
BAJAL
So be it!
Smokes lets out an agonizing SCREAM as Bajal inserts him into his mouth, head
first. There is the nauseating sound of crushing skull as Bajal accepts the
offering and eats Smokes.
Moments later, Bajal disappears and all is tranquil once again. Sefnen stands up
and brushes the sand off his pants.
SEFNEN
Come, lets get inside.
Michi nods and the two of them enter the ancient tomb.
INT. BLUE ROOF INN - DAY
Damian walks into his room and sees a note lying on the floor, close to the
bottom of the door.
Damian opens the note. It reads:
"Go to Yaha's Outdoor Bar one hour after the sun sets. Ask for the "Four Bowl
Delight". Take the bowls and arrange them on the table in the following manner.
Someone will then contact you."
Damian studies the pattern drawn on the note and nods his head. He folds the
note and pockets it.
INT. TOMB - DAY
Sefnen and Michi enter the burial chamber. Sefnen casts his light on the painted
walls and looks at the ancient hieroglyphs. One scene shows children playing in
a grain field. Another scene shows a young woman with out stretched arms, a
beast rises from the ground.
There is also a wall painting showing ancient anji lying on the ground as they
are surrounded by a pack of dark skinned creatures with odd shaped heads and
insect-like eyes.
Michi approaches a long table made of gold and other precious metals. On the
table is the body of the perfectly preserved Meresnk. She was a light blue
skinned woman, her shiny black hair is fashioned in the style used in ancient
times. Michi puts her hand to her forehead and bows her head in reverence. She
calls out to Sefnen in a low voice.
MICHI
The bracelet.
Sefnen nods and walks over to the body. He bows respectfully and looks at the
golden bracelet around her wrist. He runs his finger over it. The bracelet is
beautiful and intricately decorated.
SEFNEN
Forgive me, ancestor. What I am
about to do, I do for the good of
all your children.
Sefnen carefully lifts Meresnk's arm and unfastens the bracelet. He holds it in
his hands, studying and admiring it. Michi touches it, awed by the artifact.
MICHI
We are one step closer.
Sefnen nods his head and smiles.
SEFNEN
We have what we came for. Let us
leave her in peace. I have work
to finish up in the lab.
Bowing once more, Sefnen and Michi exit the burial chamber.
EXT. FRONT OF YAHA'S - NIGHT
Damian stands at the outside bar, looking at his surroundings. There are a few
patrons enjoying evening drinks, mostly older human couples.
Damian has a seat at a table next to a lit torch. A young, anji BARMAID walks
over to him, smiling. Her anji accent is very heavy.
BARMAID
Welcome. What would you like?
DAMIAN
I'll have a Joyo cocktail.
He pauses a moment.
DAMIAN
And the four bowl delight.
She writes down his request and smiles again.
BARMAID
Very well.
She leaves to prepare his order.
EXT. BAR - NIGHT
Some time has elapsed. Damian sips on his cocktail. The barmaid brings four
small bowls, each filled with a different colored broth.
She sets the bowls and a plate of meat on the table. She then begins to
demonstrate what he is supposed to do with the food.
BARMAID
You take this meat and dip into
the bowls one at a time. You must
do it this way, each bowl by
itself or it won't taste the best.
Damian nods and tries it.
DAMIAN
Very good. Thank you.
BARMAID
If you need more things, I'll
be around this place.
The Barmaid walks away to tend to the rest of her customers. Damian takes the
note out of his pocket, studies the drawing and then arranges the bowls on the
table, to mimic the pattern. He then waits.
EXT. YAHA'S - NIGHT
Damian sits and waits. The barmaid stops by and sees the empty bowls on the
table. She gets ready to pick them up, when Damian makes a motion to stop her.
DAMIAN
That's fine. Could you get me
another cocktail please?
BARMAID
Very well.
As she walks away, he feels a presence behind him. He turns around to see an
anji child with a note. The child smiles and hands him the note. The child runs
away, down the white, sandy road.
Damian reads the note.
"Go to the Fisherman's Warehouse two miles west of the Blue Roof at midnight.
Find door 18-A. Wait there."
Damian pockets the note and lays his bar tab money on the table. He gets up and
leaves.
INT. LAB - NIGHT
There is a large, well-equipped lab. There are rows and rows of glass tubes
filled with strange, bizarre "Alien" creatures with giant, bulbous heads and
large insect-like black eyes. Their gaping mouths are filled with rows of sharp
looking teeth. The individual aliens are in different stages of embryonic
development.
Sefnen walks around the lab, looking at the specimens. He picks up a computer
notebook and scans through some data, charts and notes.
He opens up one of the canisters and carefully removes a baseball sized alien
embryo. He uses an instrument to draw some clear colored fluid from its body and
then places the embryo back into the canister.
Sefnen walks over to a machine and puts the clear fluid inside and begins to run
some tests.
EXT. FISHERMAN'S WAREHOUSE - NIGHT
Damian walks down the sandy road, shotgun in hand, and arrives at an old, rusty
warehouse. He walks around the yard, past piles of broken wooden crates and
broken equipment.
He follows the numbers on the large, metal rollup doors. He finally arrives at
door 18-A. The door is dented and the paint is flaking but he can just make out
the number.
Damian stands in front of the door and waits for a few moments.
Out of the darkness, walks a very tough looking anji MAN. He wears a blue
bandana and has a deep, nasty looking scar on his right cheek. He is a giant of
a man, with dark, gold skin. He wears a hoop earring on each ear.
He regards Damian with a hard stare before approaching him. Damian stays calm
but his grip on his gun is strong.
MAN
Get to the point. What do you
want to know?
DAMIAN
I want some information about a
man named Sefnen.
The man looks around and nods his head. He points to the metal rollup door.
Damian steps aside as the man rolls the door open. It opens with a loud CLANG.
Insects scurry across the open doorway. Damian holds his nose at the offensive
odor but follows the man inside. The mystery man shuts the door.
INT. WAREHOUSE - NIGHT
The anji man takes a seat on a stack of barrels.
MAN
How much do you have?
DAMIAN
Enough.
The man shakes his head and motions with his hand.
MAN
Lets see it.
Damian slowly takes some money notes from his pocket and shows them to the man.
He nods.
MAN
My name is Tarik.
DAMIAN
Where can I find Sefnen?
Tarik shakes his head and LAUGHS in contempt.
TARIK
If you run around asking that
question too often, you'll find
death before you find him.
DAMIAN
That's my problem. Don't worry
about it.
TARIK
He's not in Ankitsu but he is
very close.
DAMIAN
How close?
TARIK
Yanax'a Island. Fifty miles
south.
DAMIAN
What's his game? What's he all
about?
Tarik lights a cigarette. He exhales and watches the smoke drift and break up
for a moment before answering.
TARIK
Revenge.
DAMIAN
Revenge?
TARIK
I knew him once, when we were
both members of the Trajjin.
Tarik looks at Damian and can se by his facial expression that he has no idea
what a "Trajjin" is.
TARIK
An ancient religious sect. Very
exclusive, very secretive. We
were taught to believe that all
humans and other foreigners were
to be considered "Devils".
DAMIAN
And you believed this?
Tarik shakes his head.
TARIK
I never bought into this belief
but Sefnen embraced it. He swore
that someday, he would free all
of Anjipal from the demon's
grip.
DAMIAN
That's insane.
Tarik nods his head.
TARIK
Sefnen also believes that just
as his ancestors helped to create
humans, he must destroy them.
DAMIAN
What do you mean by this?
TARIK
It is widely believed, by many of
us, that our ancestors visited
many worlds, back when we were
strong. One of those worlds was
your own. Some think that anji
scientists created humans from
anji DNA spliced together with
another species that lived on
your world.
DAMIAN
That's nonsense.
TARIK
Perhaps, but there are many
physical similarities between
anji and humans. The odds that
two races could develop so
similarly on two different worlds
isolated by huge distances and
time spans, are very remote. One
thing that they claim anji
scientists did not recognize was
the human's savage nature. So,
perhaps, in the end, this
unnatural union came back to
destroy its maker.
Tarik pauses a moment and continues.
TARIK
What you see around you, all of
the silliness that my people
exhibit, we weren't always like
this. Our civilizations go back
well past a million years. Perhaps
even two million years. We were
exploring the depths of space
and discovering its secrets.
We've forgotten that. Now, we are
as we were in the beginning,
clinging to ancient, superstitious
traditions. It's all so sad. Human
diseases, human mentalities have
crippled the anji.
DAMIAN
So Sefnen is delusional and
believes that he is the one
who will correct the mistakes
of the past?
Tarik takes another long, drag from the cigarette.
TARIK
He became obsessed with the idea.
There was a time when he was
considered the most lethal of
assassins. He was bold and feared
nothing.
Tarik pauses.
TARIK
Sefnen is a devoted student of the
forbidden arts. Ancient legends
that deal with the spirit world
and other dimensions. He believes
that this is one of the paths to
his freedom. Perhaps a personal
freedom.
DAMIAN
Freedom from what?
TARIK
His past. The things that he
has seen and experienced. He
never told me anything but I
always sensed a great deal of
anger and sadness.
DAMIAN
So what is he doing now, at this
moment?
TARIK
I don't know the full details
but I know that he is working on
a project that he began with a
certain doctor, a geneticist.
Rumor has it, there is an
underwater lab located somewhere
on Yanax'a.
DAMIAN
How do you know about this?
TARIK
I have my sources. Besides, Doctor
Dewolf had a tendency to run his
mouth after a few drinks.
Damian stares at Tarik for a moment, dumbfounded.
DAMIAN
Doctor Dewolf?
TARIK
Oh yes. Doctor Steven Dewolf.
A brilliant young man. Very
dedicated. Sefnen valued his work
above all the researchers he
had working for him.
Damian tries his best to hide his shock.
DAMIAN
Did this Doctor Dewolf ever speak
to you about his work?
TARIK
We were not close enough for him
to consider sharing secret
information with me. But I did
hear a rumor that he was working
on a breakthrough project that
Sefnen was funding. He thinks that
Doctor Dewolf has proven, through
science, the very theories that
the Trajjin believe in. Because
of this, he very much admires the
doctor. He is one of the few
humans that he genuinely likes.
But I've heard that the Doctor
ran into trouble with Sefnen.
Damian nods and shakes his head at the irony of that statement. He looks around
the warehouse, trying his best to hide his confusion.
DAMIAN
How does Sefnen make his money?
Tarik shrugs his shoulders.
TARIK
He buys and sells businesses so
many times that I have no idea
anymore.
DAMIAN
Why did you leave the Trajjin?
And why are you selling me
information about a man you
were once friends with?
Tarik exhales a large puff of smoke.
TARIK
In the end, we are all one.
I abandoned my loyalty to him
and his rotten cause a long time
ago.
Tarik stands up.
TARIK
By the way, watch what you say.
Sefnen has some local support.
They provide him with money
and information.
Damian nods and hands the money notes to Tarik.
DAMIAN
Thank you for your time.
Tarik pockets the cash.
TARIK
Don't worry. Many anji love
humans. We are at the mercy
of the few who want to ruin
it for the many.
DAMIAN
Isn't it always that way?
TARIK
Go home kid. Sefnen is best left
alone.
DAMIAN
I'll go home when I'm satisfied.
Damian turns around and exits the warehouse. Tarik watches him, curious.
INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT
Damian lies in bed, tossing and turning. He gets up out of bed and walks over to
his father's picture. He picks it up and looks at it.
He shakes his head and puts the picture back onto the table. Damian gets back
into bed.
INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT
Damian is woken up by a KNOCK on his door. He sits up in bed and waits for
another KNOCK before getting up. He cautiously makes his way over to the door.
There is a third KNOCK.
DAMIAN
Who's there?
The only reply he gets is another KNOCK. Damian takes his shotgun from under the
bed and carefully opens the door.
Standing in the hallway, somewhat nervous to see the shotgun in Damian's hand,
is the cliff diving GIRL.
She has taken off her face paint and put on a more modest outfit but she still
has the red feather in her braid. She wears a chrome wristband.
GIRL
I'm not here to harm you.
She has a very soft voice.
DAMIAN
What do you want?
GIRL
I know why you are in Ankitsu. I
can help you.
DAMIAN
How do you know?
The girl reaches out and touches Damian's forehead. He nods, understanding.
DAMIAN
Do you usually violate people's
private thoughts?
The girl just stands there, silent, looking at him.
DAMIAN
I don't trust you.
GIRL
Can I go inside your room and
explain?
Damian shakes his head.
DAMIAN
Not tonight.
GIRL
I understand your fear, but you
should consider my offer.
Damian stares into her eyes but cannot get a read. All he gets is a sort of
STATIC sound. Finally, he gives up.
DAMIAN
Good night. Please don't wake
me up again.
The girl bows her head and places her hand on the right side of her chest.
GIRL
I'm sorry to bother you.
Damian shuts the door and waits for her to walk away before going back into bed.
EXT. ANKITSU BEACH - DAY
A small boat docks at a pier on the beach. Several anji men walk over to the
boat and begin to unload it.
Taharta steps off the boat and takes a look around the beach. One of the men
points toward the town and he nods his head.
Taharta gets into a car and it drives down a road, toward Ankitsu.
EXT. INN - DAY
Damian looks around his room and shakes his head. He gets up and stretches.
Damian looks out the window at the bright, sunny day.
Damian grabs his sword and straps it across his back. He then grabs his keys and
leaves the room.
EXT. ANKITSU - DAY
The car carrying Taharta stops in front of Yaha's Bar. Taharta gets out and goes
up to the bar where an older anji MAN slices some fruit.
The man looks up and nods his head. He turns to a GIRL who is busy wiping off a
table. He speaks to her in native dialect.
MAN
Nika', get the bag inside the
crate.
Nika nods and walks over to an old crate. She opens it and takes out a yellow
bag. She hands the bag to the man.
The man hands it to Taharta. Taharta opens the bag and counts through a wad of
money notes. He pauses a moment and then looks up at the man.
TAHARTA
Do you have any information to
pass on to me?
MAN
A human has been asking about
Sefnen and where to find him.
TAHARTA
Very interesting.
Taharta pockets the money. As he does this, Damian walks by. Damian does not see
Taharta but Taharta sees him.
Taharta stares at him for a long moment as he walks by, as he just begins to
recognize him as the kid from the apartment.
Taharta bows his head to the two bar workers and walks over to his car. He gets
inside and speaks to the two anji men waiting inside the car.
EXT. ANKITSU - DAY
Damian walks down by the beach, deep in thought. As he walks, the car carrying
Taharta pulls up. Taharta and two men get out of the car.
Damian stares at Taharta, instantly recognizing him. Taharta smiles and claps
his hands together.
TAHARTA
Welcome to Anjipal son of
Dewolf! I always knew you
would come here looking for
us.
Damian clenches his fists and stares Taharta dead in the eye. Taharta takes off
his coat and places the gun on top of the car.
TAHARTA
I should have finished you off
but Sefnen had a moment of
weakness.
Taharta pulls out a long, razor sharp knife.
TAHARTA
You'll get no such mercy from me.
Taharta lunges at Damian who quickly draws his sword and blocks the knife.
Damian sweeps Taharta's legs out from under him.
He falls to the ground. Damian raises his sword over the fallen anji.
DAMIAN
I'm going to kill you for what
you've done!
As Damian swings the sword down, Taharta flips up and avoids the blade's full
blow. He gets nicked in the ear and copper colored blood flows from the wound.
The other men prepare to join the fight but Taharta motions for them to stay
where they are.
TAHARTA
I'll take him with my own hands.
Taharta throws his knife down. Damian puts his sword away and the two begin
fighting. They both display incredible martial arts skills. Taharta seems to
have the edge but its still a close fight.
Damian takes a kick in the jaw and his lip gets busted. Damian manages to land
several solid punches to Taharta's face and body.
The fight goes on for a little while longer before Damian kicks Taharta in the
stomach and sends him back to the sand.
Damian circles around him, his angry stare burns into the anji man.
DAMIAN
What did you do with my father?
Taharta sits up and wipes some blood from his mouth. He starts to LAUGH.
Damian's patience runs out and he grabs Taharta by the neck.
TAHARTA
We tortured the man. Then
we did away with him.
Damian raises his fist and is about to smash the anji's face in. At this moment,
one of the other men takes the gun off the car and fires at Damian, narrowly
missing him.
Damian turns around and sees the man getting ready to fire another shot off. The
anji man then gets whacked across the head. He falls to the ground. The other
man turns around and takes a hit in the face as the cliff diving girl attacks
him with the butt of her gun.
Taharta uses this opportunity to escape from Damian's grip. He kicks Damian in
the abdomen and runs over to grab his knife. The girl shoots the knife, sending
it flying under the car.
TAHARTA
You'll regret that!
Taharta takes a stone out from his pocket and throws it in the sand. Damian
lunges at him, sword in hand but Taharta is able to parry the attack. He starts
to LAUGH again.
TAHARTA
Lets see how you handle this!
Taharta runs off into the trees. Damian is about to chase him down when the girl
stops him.
GIRL
Wait!
She points to the spot in the sand, where Taharta's stone landed. There is a
burst of light and suddenly, twelve seven foot tall demons with shiny black,
reptilian skin emerge from the light.
Damian stares in amazement. The creatures look at Damian and ROAR. A fight
breaks out. Damian manages to cut off one of the creature's arms and decapitate
another one. The girl fights the creatures off with the gun but they are
hopelessly outnumbered.
Damian grabs her arm.
DAMIAN
Let's go!
He shoves her into the car and climbs inside after her. The creatures bang on
the car, shattering the windows and denting the roof.
DAMIAN
Hang on tight!
Damian starts the car up and races down the road. One of the creatures has
managed to get onto the roof and it starts to tear away at it.
Damian looks around for options. The beast continues its assault on the roof and
has managed to tear much of it away. It puts its massive claws into the car and
tries to grab Damian.
The girl looks at the trees on the side of the road and points to them. Damian
nods. He accelerates to a break neck speed and turns to the girl.
DAMIAN
Here I go!
Damian slams on the brakes and the creature flys off the car and smacks against
a large tree. Damian manages to keep the car under control. It comes to a stop
in the middle of the road.
Damian breathes heavily and wipes the blood and sweat from his mouth. He turns
to the girl who watches him, curious. After a moment, she extends her hand.
GIRL
I'm Akina.
Damian nods, still breathing hard, and shakes her hand.
INT. ROOM - DAY
Damian packs his things into his bags while Akina sits in the chair, watching
him.
DAMIAN
So you want to tell me why you
keep following me?
AKINA
We are both after the same person.
Damian shakes his head and closes one of his bags.
DAMIAN
So what's your reason for wanting
to find Sefnen? Did he murder
your father too?
AKINA
No, nothing like that.
DAMIAN
So what then? Charity? You feel
sorry for the poor human walking
around in a place he shouldn't be?
Damian pauses and shakes his head.
DAMIAN
I'm sorry. That was wrong. I
appreciate you saving me back
there but I'm kind of overwhelmed
by this whole thing.
AKINA
Understandable.
Akina reaches into her belt pocket and pulls out an id hologram.
AKINA
I am an agent for the Saaj.
I'm tracking Sefnen.
Damian looks at the hologram picture of a smiling Akina.
DAMIAN
Saaj?
AKINA
A group of anji dedicated to
getting rid of the Trajjin.
They've polluted our world
for hundreds of thousands of
years and its time for them to
go.
DAMIAN
So the whole cliff diving thing
was an act?
AKINA
I used to be an entertainer. It
was a natural cover for me.
DAMIAN
Forgive me if I'm wrong but don't
you dabble in the forbidden arts
just like the Trajjin?
Akina nods and shows him a ring on her finger.
AKINA
Not the forbidden arts. What
you saw was my guardian, Giyn.
I was trained to use her only
for self defense.
Damian checks to make sure his shotgun is loaded.
DAMIAN
I'm going to Yanax'a Island.
Tonight. You can come or
stay, its your call.
AKINA
We should wait until I can
get someone to join us. It will
only take another day or two.
Damian shakes his head straps his swords onto his back.
DAMIAN
I'm not waiting
anymore.
Damian walks out of the room and Akina reluctantly follows him.
INT. LAB - DAY
Sefnen walks through one of his labs, Taharta and Michi alongside him. After
reading through some data charts, he turns to Taharta.
SEFNEN
That boy has come here to face me
has he?
TAHARTA
That is his intention. What shall
we do about it?
Sefnen gives him a long, cold stare.
SEFNEN
What we always do with these
types. We will not make the
same mistake with him as we
made with his father.
TAHARTA
What of his accomplice?
SEFNEN
I'm leaving that to you.
Sefnen stops and frowns. He stands, silently for a long moment, as if listening
to something.
MICHI
What is it, my lord?
Sefnen hands his data book to Michi.
SEFNEN
I sense something.
Sefnen exits the lab leaving Taharta and Michi alone. Taharta smiles and walks
over to Michi. He runs his hands through her hair and caresses her arms.
TAHARTA
Lets share a moment, while we have
a chance.
Michi puts her finger on Taharta's lips. She locks eyes with him for a long,
seductive moment before backing away.
MICHI
You will never use my body as
an object for your pleasure.
Michi walks to the door, Taharta watches her.
MICHI
I belong to Sefnen.
Michi gives him a little smile and exits the lab, to follow after Sefnen.
EXT. BEACH - DAY
Damian walks down the beach, heading for the harbor. Akina follows him.
DAMIAN
I want to ask you a question.
AKINA
What would you like to know?
Damian turns around and stares into her eyes, trying to get a read again. He
gets nothing.
DAMIAN
Your mind, how come I can't read
it?
Akina gives him a little wink and holds up her arm, revealing the chrome
wristband.
AKINA
It's a special metal that makes
it difficult. Only the most
skilled of mind sifters can get
around its protection.
Akina gives him a curious look.
AKINA
How long have you trained as a
sifter?
DAMIAN
Never. Why do you ask?
AKINA
It takes years of training to be
able to sift with any real
success. If you've never trained
then you have an exceptional gift.
DAMIAN
I must be average. Otherwise
I would have been able to get
past your protection.
AKINA
If you train, with a good sifter,
you will be able to. You are a
rare breed of human, I can see
that.
DAMIAN
Can a human be trained to use the
forbidden arts?
Akina shakes her head.
AKINA
Human brains are structured
differently than ours.
Damian nods and points to a boat, anchored a few feet off shore. An old, human
MAN is doing some work on the beach, not far from the boat.
Damian approaches the man, who looks up from his work.
MAN
Yes?
DAMIAN
Is your boat available for rent?
The man shakes his head and goes back to work. Damian looks around for a moment.
DAMIAN
I need a boat, desperately. I'll
pay you for it.
The man is getting irritated.
MAN
Do you understand what no means?
I don't rent my boat out. Good
day.
Damian stares at the man.
DAMIAN
If you don't cooperate with me,
I'll tell the authorities about
this boat that you stole.
The man looks surprised. He puts his hammer down.
MAN
Excuse me?
DAMIAN
You stole this boat. Perhaps I
might also tell them about those
tools your using. As well as that
resort on Cumba that you stole
30,000 money notes from.
MAN
You can't prove nothing! Get
out of here!
Akina watches Damian; it looks as if she does not approve of what he is doing.
Damian walks close to the man and talks to him with a low, menacing voice.
DAMIAN
Look into my eyes, old man. I'm
not playing. Either you give me
that boat, or I'm taking it. I
haven't the time to waste with a
thief like you.
Damian looks angry. He clenches his fists and he lets out a deep, hard breath.
His eyes burn into the old man. Suddenly, there is a CRACKING sound and the man
grabs his finger, in obvious pain. Damian looks surprised.
MAN
Take it! Take it, damn you!
Damian watches as the man holds his finger. Feeling guilty, and somewhat shook
up by what has just happened, he takes out some money notes and places them on
the man's work board.
DAMIAN
I'm sorry. I'll bring it
back when I'm done.
Damian wades out into the water and climbs on the boat. Akina joins him. She
throws him an angry look.
AKINA
I don't approve of your tactics.
Damian, still shocked at what he has done, shakes his head. He doesn't say a
word as Akina pulls up the anchor and sets the boat into motion.
AKINA
We go southwest from here.
The boat begins its journey to Yanax'a Island.
INT. UNDERWATER LAB ENTRANCE - DAY
There is door leading into an airlock. Sefnen walks over to the hatch and sees a
set of footprints trailing from the hatch.
Michi enters the room and walks over to Sefnen. He points to the footprints,
leading from the water to the door.
He bends down and touches one of the footprints. He holds his fingers on it for
a long moment.
MICHI
What is it?
SEFNEN
Something strange.
Sefnen goes down another corridor and Michi follows him.
EXT. BOAT - DAY
The sun is beginning to set, the wind is picking up. Damian sits on the deck and
looks out, into the water. Akina walks over and joins him.
DAMIAN
I didn't mean to do that. I
don't know what came over me.
Akina nods her head and looks at him, understandingly.
AKINA
There is a lot that you have yet
to learn about yourself. But
one thing that you must always do
is control your emotions. Those
with the gift must always be extra
careful when controlling their
fear and anger.
DAMIAN
I don't know why I can do what I'm
able to do. Sometimes it scares
me.
AKINA
Don't let it. Fear is your number
one enemy, followed very closely
by anger and hate.
DAMIAN
Why do you trail Sefnen? What's
your real reason?
Akina casts her gaze down on the water for a moment. She looks sad.
AKINA
Years ago, the Trajjin
corrupted my brother. He
was young, happy but
confused. When they were
done filling his mind with
hate, he was broken and
angry. He died for an empty
cause. I don't want that
to happen to anymore of
my people.
DAMIAN
I'm sorry.
AKINA
So am I.
Damian nods. At that moment, the boat is hit by something. Damian and Akina look
at each other and then run over to the other side of the boat.
DAMIAN
What did we hit?
Akina points into the water. There is a gruesome, disgusting looking fish with a
flat head and rows of sharp teeth. It has four, large black eyes. The fish looks
to be about fifty feet long.
The giant fish is very aggressive and it attacks the boat again. Damian runs
over and grabs his shotgun. He begins firing into the water. The fish is hit
with three shots but circles around and hits the boat again.
Akina joins Damian and starts shooting at the fish. The fish is hit many times
but is able to hit the boat hard enough to send Akina over the railing and into
the water.
Damian reaches out for her but can't grab her.
DAMIAN
Swim to the ladder! I'll cover
you!
Akina manages to swim around the boat and evade the hungry fish's jaws. Damian
fires at the fish. It takes a bite at her legs and narrowly misses. She grabs
hold of the boat ladder and climbs back on board.
After a few more shots, Damian finally manages to kill the fish. He puts the
guns down and runs over to Akina.
DAMIAN
Are you all right?
AKINA
I'm fine. Just a little wet.
She looks down into the water as the fish starts to sink into the depths.
AKINA
Lucky for us, that one was just
a baby.
Damian makes a face.
DAMIAN
How close are we to Yanax'a?
Akina points to a small lump of land on the horizon.
AKINA
I only hope that Sefnen's men do
not see us before we get there.
Damian nods.
DAMIAN
It's a chance we'll have to take.
EXT. YANAX'A ISLAND - NIGHT
The boat lands on Yanax'a Island. It is quiet and the sun has just set. Near the
water's edge strands an ancient, weatherworn statue of an anji warrior.
Damian and Akina get off the boat. They walk around the island's perimeter,
being careful not to make too much noise.
As they walk down the quiet beach, a group of armed guards spot them and open
fire. Damian rolls under a fallen tree while Akina takes position behind a large
rock.
DAMIAN
They're on that hill!
Akina opens fire on the guards as they come down a grassy hill. Bullets fly
everywhere and the gun battle is intense. The guards call out to each other in
their native dialect; they position themselves in strategic areas.
Damian reloads and runs over behind another tree. One of the guards narrowly
misses his head.
They trade shots back and forth; eventually they are able to kill all the
guards. Damian reloads his weapon and joins Akina.
DAMIAN
They'll know we are here now,
that's for sure.
AKINA
Lets find the lab entrance before
reinforcements show up.
EXT. ISLAND - NIGHT
Damian and Akina pass by a worn down bridge made of stone. Three anji MEN,
dressed in black confront them with guns drawn.
DAMIAN
Take cover!
The men open fire. Damian hits the ground and Akina quickly takes cover behind
an old car. An intense gunfight erupts.
The men try and flank Akina's position but Damian is relentless with his cover
fire. The sound of GUNFIRE breaks the silence of the night.
The gunfight continues until the three men are taken down. Damian cautiously
makes his way over to Akina.
DAMIAN
Are you ok?
She nods. Damian gives him his hand and helps her up. They take some of the
extra guns and ammunition from the dead guards. Akina points to a shed on the
other side of the river.
They carefully make their way over to the shed and go inside.
INT. SHED - NIGHT
Damian and Akina search the shed. The place is cluttered and the floor is
crawling with insects. Toward the back, Damian finds an open hatch.
DAMIAN
That's got to be the way in.
Akina looks down into the hole. A small ladder leads down into the darkness.
Damian starts to go down the ladder.
Akina reluctantly follows him. They descend the ladder in silence. About half
way down, Akina's foot slips and she lets out a little
CRY but she manages to hold onto the ladder.
They finally arrive at an underground pool. The water is still. Damian walks
around the pool and sees a light at the bottom.
DAMIAN
Ready to swim?
AKINA
If I have to.
DAMIAN
Good.
Damian strips down to his under shorts and puts his clothes in his backpack.
Akina watches him, curious.
DAMIAN
It's waterproof. If you want to
stay dry you should do the same.
AKINA
Back into the water again. I just
dried off.
Akina begins to strip down. Damian gives her the bag and turns around to give
her privacy. When she is done, she puts her clothes and weapon in the bag. They
enter the water.
They swim down through the clear water for about forty feet. Damian points to an
airlock. The lock has been overridden and the door opens up when Damian presses
a button.
They enter the airlock and put their clothes back on. Damian points to the hatch
at the end of a long, white walled corridor.
DAMIAN
We've got to be getting closer.
Akina grips her gun and nods her head.
AKINA
Where are the guards?
DAMIAN
Maybe we took them all out.
AKINA
Sefnen is not this careless.
Damian begins cautiously walking down the corridor, Akina following closely.
INT. CORRIDOR - NIGHT
Damian and Akina walk down a long white corridor. Damian stops in his tracks
when he sees a long trail of blood on the floor. The trail leads down the
corridor and around a corner.
The blood is copper colored. Akina stoops down to look at it.
AKINA
It's anji.
Damian nods and continues down the corridor.
They pass an open door as they carefully round the corner. Damian slips inside,
followed closely by Akina. They enter one of Sefnen's labs.
Together, they look at the different specimens with mixed emotions ranging from
amazement to disgust.
Damian stops in front of one jar and looks at an alien that has an unusual pale
color. Its eyes are giant and solid black. The color of this creature is
different from the dark, scaly skin of the other embryonic specimens.
Akina studies an empty barrel that sits in the middle of the lab. It reads
"MIGLON-303"
They walk around through the lab and into another room. Akina GASPS as they find
a pile of dead humans, dressed in laboratory uniforms. They appear to have been
killed with some sort of knife or sword.
DAMIAN
Looks like someone may have the
same idea as us.
On the floor are broken containers. The floor is covered with fluids and dead
alien embryos. Damian heads back to the hallway.
DAMIAN
Whoever or whatever did this,
they're probably still down here.
They make their way back through the lab and into the corridor. As Damian passes
one of the exposed embryos, he grabs his stomach and bends down, hands on knees.
He takes a few moments to get himself back together. Akina helps him up.
AKINA
What's wrong with you?
DAMIAN
I don't know. I can't explain
it. All of a sudden, I just
got nauseous.
They stand for another moment as Damian gets himself together before finally
exiting the lab.
INT. LAB B285 - NIGHT
Damian and Akina pass through another lab. There are canisters fallen all over
the floor. They walk carefully over the slick floor.
Akina GASPS as a horde of aliens scramble at them from under a fallen table.
Damian and Akina open fire on the creatures filling the room with loud GUNFIRE.
Glass flies all over the lab, alien bodies, riddled with bullets, hit the floor.
Damian rounds the corner and sees three, seven foot creatures feasting on the
body of a dead alien. He motions to Akina and she nods, providing cover as he
jumps out from the corner and opens fire.
The creatures SCREAM in anger and attack the two of them. Akina is knocked to
the floor by one of the creatures. Damian shoots it multiple times before it
dies.
After a few more moments of gun battle, the creatures are finally dead. Damian
stoops down and holds that position for a moment. Akina watches him.
AKINA
Their blood must be toxic to
humans.
Akina looks around the lab and covers for Damian as he gets himself back
together. Finally, he nods and points to the open door ahead of them.
DAMIAN
I'm ok. Let's keep
moving.
INT. CORRIDOR - NIGHT
Damian and Akina pass through a corridor. The floor is smeared with blood, as it
was in the other areas. Several dead guards lie on the floor. Akina picks up one
of the dead guard's guns and examines it. It is fully loaded and there is plenty
of available ammunition. She takes the gun.
As they pass by an open vent, a dark, scaly arm comes out from inside the vent
and grabs Damian. He tries to fight off the arm but it has a firm grip on him.
Akina takes Damian's sword off his back and swings it, severing the creature's
arm. It SCREAMS in pain, an odd high-pitched scream, and scurries back into the
vent.
DAMIAN
Thanks.
Akina winks at him and smiles. They continue their walk down the corridor.
INT. COURTYARD - NIGHT
Damian and Akina arrive in a dark courtyard filled with ancient anji statues of
warriors, priestesses and kings. As they pass by a column of statues, they hear
a LAUGH.
They snap around and see Taharta standing behind them along with five other men.
He grasps a long, wicked looking sword.
TAHARTA
I congratulate your persistence
but your journey ends here.
Akina raises her gun but Damian stops her from doing anything.
DAMIAN
No, I want him. I have to do this.
Taharta grins.
TAHARTA
For your father no doubt. We
settle this like men, with the
sword.
Damian draws his sword. At that moment, the five men rush him, swords drawn.
They are good but not nearly as skilled as Damian.
Damian uses some fantastic martial art moves along with his sword fighting and
takes the men down, one by one. At one point, he goes against a three on one and
takes them all out. The fight is soon over.
Taharta claps his hands.
TAHARTA
Very well done. But lets see how
you fight when you don't have the
advantage.
Taharta adjusts his wristband and attacks. Damian does a good job fighting him
off and setting up an attack of his own. He lands a kick across Taharta's face
and sends him flying back, against a stone column.
Taharta leaps to his feet.
TAHARTA
You put up more of a fight than
your father did. I enjoyed
watching him writhe in pain.
Damian, furious, lunges at him and Taharta parries his attack, and swings his
blade. He narrowly misses Damian's throat.
TAHARTA
You're just a watered down version
of us. Is that all you've got?
Damian frowns but has no time to think when Taharta attacks again, this time far
more aggressively. Akina watches, wanting to join but Damian wards her off.
TAHARTA
Your father had such high hopes
for you. What a disappointment.
Taharta lunges again and knocks Damian back.
TAHARTA
He may have been smart, but he was
a coward at heart.
Damian dodges another attack and stands, watching Taharta LAUGHING at him. The
anger begins to swell in him; his eyes burn with hate.
TAHARTA
I wish I could have prolonged
his pain.
Taharta continues to LAUGH. Damian, finally at the breaking point, attacks him.
He moves with blazing speed and Taharta's grin quickly fades.
Taharta is quickly on the defensive, but he can't defend against Damian's brutal
attack for much longer. Taharta takes one last swing but is run through as he
pulls his sword back.
Damian takes his sword out and runs him through again. He falls to the ground.
He continues to stare at Damian, eyes angry and hateful to the last, until he
finally dies.
Akina walks over to him and takes a stone out of his belt pouch. She rolls the
amber colored stone in the palm of her hand.
AKINA
If he had chosen to use this, we
would probably be dead.
She tosses the stone to Damian and he studies it.
DAMIAN
The stone is warm.
Akina smiles.
AKINA
Then you'll be able to use it
someday.
DAMIAN
Me?
Akina nods. Damian looks back down at the dead anji man.
DAMIAN
I'm not satisfied yet.
Damian wipes the blood from his sword and they leave the courtyard.
INT. CORRIDOR - NIGHT
They continue down another hall. There are more blood trails. In an open room
lie six dead anji guards. They look at them for a moment before continuing into
a long, wide room.
INT. ROOM - NIGHT
Damian and Akina walk into a nicely decorated room. There is a long table
surrounded by elegantly carved chairs. At the other end of the room, near a
door, stands Sefnen himself.
Damian and Akina stop in their tracks. Sefnen studies Damian with a cold stare.
Akina confronts him.
AKINA
The madness ends tonight Sefnen!
Sefnen, his gaze still on Damian, raises his hand and Akina drops to the floor,
her leg CRACKING.
SEFNEN
Limp home, human lover.
Damian grips his sword tight and moves in on Sefnen. Sefnen stares into Damian's
eyes.
DAMIAN
Why did you murder my father?
Sefnen stays quiet. He draws his own sword, a lethal looking katana.
DAMIAN
I came here for answers. I will
have them.
Sefnen stands silent for a moment before speaking.
SEFNEN
The presence I felt was not yours.
There is someone else here as
well.
DAMIAN
I don't give a damn. Whoever
killed your men, I don't care.
I came here for you.
Sefnen smiles. Then, in an instant, he has Damian on the floor, the blade to his
neck. Sefnen moved faster than a blur. He kicks the sword out of the young man's
hand.
SEFNEN
I've fought against and killed the
best of the best. Did you think
that you would come here and take
me out?
Sefnen picks Damian up and sends him flying across the room. Damian tries to
stand up but takes a kick in the face.
SEFNEN
Do you know what you are up
against? Do you even know who
or what you are?
Sefnen grabs him by the neck and looks into his eyes, anger finally showing on
his normally calm features.
SEFNEN
I'm going to break every bone in
your body. I'm going to show you
what happens to those who try to
stand in my way.
Sefnen punches Damian across the face, bloodying him. Damian lies on the ground
but still looks defiant. He spits blood at Sefnen.
DAMIAN
You're a monster and someday
my father will have justice.
SEFNEN
There is no justice. If there
were, I wouldn't do what I do.
Justice, for me, is dead.
Sefnen grabs Damian and throws him again.
SEFNEN
I'm through with words. I'm
through with empty apologies.
Meaningless word will never
bring my family back.
Sefnen has the look of an angry, depraved wild man. Damian wipes the blood from
his mouth.
SEFNEN
Look at all you have seen. Your
father did well in helping me
but his morality got the best
of him.
DAMIAN
You've lost your mind.
Sefnen LAUGHS and looks into Damian's eyes.
SEFNEN
Why do you hate me? You are me.
DAMIAN
I would rather be dead.
SEFNEN
What drives you? What made you
come all the way from the comforts
of your home to find me? What made
you abandon your friends, what
made you fight and even kill just
to get at my throat?
Sefnen pauses.
SEFNEN
What drives you is what drives
me.
Sefnen kicks Damian again.
SEFNEN
Believe me when I tell you,
I hate the devil that is human
kind. With every fiber of my
being I hate them. I shall destroy
them all.
Damian stands up and lunges at Sefnen but fails miserably. Sefnen kicks him,
sending him falling across the table. Akina struggles to sit up. She reaches for
her fallen gun but Sefnen sends it flying against the wall.
AKINA
Run from this place, Damian.
You're not ready to face him!
SEFNEN
You want to see what happened to
your father? Have a look for
yourself!
Damian grabs his head and begins to see images of his father tied to a medical
table. Standing on one side of him is a grinning Taharta.
On the other side stands Michi and another young anji woman with a deep copper
complexion, soft copper colored eyes and copper colored hair done up in many
crazy braids. She is very beautiful but also looks very cruel. She approaches
Damian's father with a strange instrument and begins to use it on him. Doctor
Dewolf SCREAMS in agony.
SEFNEN
Does that satisfy your curiosity?
Akina senses something and turns around. Her eyes grow wide as she sees someone
enter the room.
Sefnen LAUGHS and swings his sword through the air. He stands over Damian, sword
raised above his head.
SEFNEN
But I've said enough. Death
awaits you!
As he swings down, there is a blur of movement. Sefnen SHOUTS in pain as his
forearm is severed and falls to the floor. He falls backwards. Damian slowly
sits up and looks around but no one is there. A trail of bloody footprints leads
into the hall outside.
Sefnen holds his arm and tries to get to his feet. The wristband is on the
floor, along with Sefnen's forearm. Damian looks him in the eye and begins to
get a read on his mind. He hears the words "Vianji".
He sees a picture of a screaming anji girl, a young child, being dragged away by
men in uniform. He hears the words "Vianjii" again.
As Damian draws closer, Michi runs into the room and sends Damian to the ground
with a bolt of energy. She steps over him and takes Sefnen in her arms.
Kissing his forehead, she takes a stone out of his pocket and grasps it as tight
as she can. She looks at Damian, angry and bitter.
MICHI
They will never have you my love.
Sefnen struggles to speak but Michi silences him. She puts her finger to his
lips to hush him. Akina makes her way over to her gun. She grabs it and is about
to fire off a shot when Michi throws the stone to the ground and bright burst of
light swallows them up.
When the light is gone, so are they. Damian slowly stands up, battered and
bruised, and looks around the room.
AKINA
What happened?
Damian puts his finger to his lips and motions toward the hallway near the
opposite doorway. He cautiously walks over and looks into the hall. The light in
the hall flickers on and off casting an eerie strobe light effect.
He squints and at the end of the hall. He sees someone dressed in a tight
fitting, body armor, it looks much like a robotic ninja only this is no robot.
The mystery figure wears a mask and carries a razor sharp katana. The person
walks slowly down the corridor, leaving a bloody trail of footprints.
The figure stands still for a long moment, Damian hides behind the wall. Then,
suddenly, the mystery warrior fades from sight. He has totally disappeared.
Damian goes back into the room and helps Akina to her feet.
DAMIAN
We better get out of here.
As he helps her up, they hear the SOUND of footsteps coming from down the hall.
Nikicha enters the room. Damian recognizes her immediately.
DAMIAN
You?
Nikicha nods.
NIKICHA
We meet again. But we have to
leave this place at once.
DAMIAN
She's hurt.
NIKICHA
I will help you carry her.
DAMIAN
Why should I trust you?
AKINA
We have no choice.
Damian shakes his head.
DAMIAN
She was with them. When they
took my father away. How can
I trust her?
Nikicha walks over to Damian and takes his hand. There is a look of great
sadness on her beautiful features. Damian looks into her eyes and after a few
moments, his eyes well with tears. He looks at her, amazed and disbelieving.
She hugs Damian and holds him for a long moment. Damian struggles to control his
emotions.
DAMIAN
My mother?
Nikicha nods and kisses him on the forehead.
NIKICHA
Come with me, please. Whoever
has committed these killings
could come back for us.
Damian wipes the tears from his eyes and picks up Akina. Nikicha leads them out
of the room and down the hall.
EXT. BEACH - NIGHT
After a long struggle, the group is back on the beach. Damian puts Akina down in
the sand and collapses. Nikicha walks over and sits down next to him.
NIKICHA
I tried so hard to stop Sefnen
from taking your father. I
thought he would kill you as
well.
Damian looks at Nikicha, studying her.
NIKICHA
It was hard for me not to take you
into my arms.
DAMIAN
Who was my father? Who was he
really? Was everything that I
thought was true about him just
one fantastic lie?
Nikicha smiles at him and takes his hand.
NIKICHA
He was a good man but his thirst
for knowledge and prestige was
his downfall. He wanted to do
things that no one has ever done.
DAMIAN
So what did he do?
NIKICHA
He wanted to create a race
that was half anji, half human.
Sefnen learned of his ambitions
and wanted to use the young
doctor's knowledge to prove
the Trajjin doctrine that anji
created humans. He wanted to
prove that this could be done.
DAMIAN
So he created me. I'm nothing
but a walking, breathing proof?
Nikicha shakes her head.
NIKICHA
You are so much more than that.
Your father loved you.
DAMIAN
Where do you come into this?
NIKICHA
I met your father when I was
working in a lab. I became
attracted to him, despite my
feelings of guilt. I was taught
to believe that humans were
horrible devils but you're father
was so good. So full of life.
We grew to care for each other and
eventually, I agreed to donate an
egg to his research and he added
his own DNA. After a lot of hard
work, you were created. I was then
impregnated and gave birth to you.
AKINA
Was his father involved with the
creation of those alien in the
jars?
Damian nods his head.
DAMIAN
What's going on with all those
embryos in the lab?
NIKICHA
Those creatures, the ones you
saw in the labs, are part of the
Shua'kin. They invaded Anjipal in
ancient times. Sefnen has brought
them back for a very specific
reason. Your father helped him
but did not know the reason behind
this task. Those creatures are
only one part of a much larger
plan. When your father learned
what he had done, he was resolved
to expose Sefnen's plans and turn
in the data that he kept on disk
files. That's why your father was
taken away.
DAMIAN
Why recreate the Shua'kin?
NIKICHA
Destruction of the human race.
The merge between the ancient
forbidden arts and modern science
to form a horrible plan. There
is much to share with you but
not now. We must travel to Janas
to find your sister.
DAMIAN
My sister?
NIKICHA
She will train you; show you how
to use your gifts. Only then will
you be able to face Sefnen. You
may find her to be difficult at
first but she has a good heart.
Nikicha pauses for a moment to look around.
NIKICHA
Sefnen knows that you are gifted
but he has no idea of the amazing
potential that you have. With
training, you can destroy him.
Akina listens; fascinated by the revelations she is hearing.
AKINA
Who severed Sefnen's arm?
Nikicha shakes her head.
NIKICHA
That is a mystery.
Damian sits back in the sand for a moment, watching the stars.
DAMIAN
I don't know if I'll ever know
the truth.
AKINA
The truth will reveal itself,
someday. Sefnen is out there
and he will lead us to it.
Damian stands up. He picks up Akina and starts to carry her down the beach.
DAMIAN
Let's get out of here.
Damian carries Akina down the beach; Nikicha follows him into the night.
EXT. CALIMAJ HARBOR - DAY
There is a large, passenger cruiser at dock in a harbor. Damian, Nikicha and a
hobbled Akina stand at the ship ramp as passengers get on board. The harbor
bustles with activity.
NIKICHA
I wish I could go with you but
I have my reasons for avoiding
Janas.
DAMIAN
How will I find my sister?
NIKICHA
When you arrive in Janas, ask
someone to take you to "Kianja
apartments" It's a place where
visitors can stay for a small
fee. When you get there, ask
a man named Baje about the pit.
This will lead you to Sanshi.
DAMIAN
You don't know where she lives?
NIKICHA
I only know that she lives in
Janas and can be found at a place
called "The Pit". I don't know
where to find it.
Damian turns to Akina.
DAMIAN
What about you?
AKINA
After I heal myself, I will try
and find out information about
Sefnen's contacts in Vianjii.
Damian nods.
DAMIAN
Good luck, and thank you for
helping me. Maybe we'll meet
again someday.
Akina smiles and hugs Damian. He takes his ticket and makes his way over to the
ramp.
DAMIAN
I'm going to see this through to
the end. I'll never stop. Not
until I'm satisfied.
Nikicha takes his hand.
NIKICHA
Janas is a strange place for a
human. Be on your guard. I will
pray for you. Never let your
anger be your guide.
Damian looks at her for a moment and then gives her a small hug.
DAMIAN
I'll be careful. I promise.
With that, Damian turns around and walks up the ramp. He hands his ticket to the
taker and boards the ship. After a few moments, the ramp goes up and the ship
starts to move. Nikicha and Akina watch as the ship sails away to Janas.
Damian stands at the railing and looks out at the water as he begins his new
journey.
FADE OUT
Return to Simply Scripts