An Inevitable Outcome Feature
Written and Directed
by C. Richard Davies
TOGETHER AGAIN
Silver Millenium Chapter
Based on the works of
Naoko Takeuchi, Rumiko Takahashi,
Masaki Kajishima, Hideki Kakinuma,
George Lucas,
and various interpretations therof.
Incorporating
original characters created
by C. Richard Davies
Dedicated to Hayao Miyazaki,
Leiji Matsumoto, and Tomino Yoshiyuki.
ACT TWO
Establishing shot: A dimly lit crystal corridor, within the palace of
Millenias. A form clad in dark robes that obscure everything glides
through it. The form pauses at a certain doorway, and the robes fall away
from her head, revealing it to be Princess LEDA. She takes a long deep
breath.
LEDA
For Jupiter, you bastard --
A faint light glows behind her.
INANNA (O.S.)
I don't *think* so.
LEDA turns and has just enough time to look astonished before the light
washes out everything.
Cut to a well-lit room, decorated in vaguely Egyptian style, with the
jarring addition of a Greco-Roman divan, on which VULCAN is reclining,
while SANGJEUN sits on the floor nearby. VULCAN looks up, not startled
but alert, as he hears a distant thump.
VULCAN
What was that?
SANGJEUN
Your last nerve.
VULCAN smiles thinly.
VULCAN
I am being more anxious than usual,
aren't I? SMILE FADES This ...
this is an ugly business, Sangjeun.
If we succeed ... we might as well
have failed, for what we will have
done --
INANNA (O.S.)
I'm glad to hear that you feel that
way.
SANGJEUN does an instantaneous backflip over VULCAN, who whirls to look at
the window in the wall behind him.
INANNA is a tall, busty woman with long, golden hair and bright blue eyes,
wearing a white tunic and miniskirt, along with golden slippers with laces
that tie up past her ankles. She is leaning against the edge of the
windowsill, as the curtains of the window blow gently in the breeze.
INANNA
It will make this a *lot* simpler --
SANGJEUN growls angrily and starts to run at her.
INANNA
CALM Loreena.
VULCAN's eyes bulge.
VULCAN
SNAP Hold!
With great reluctance, SANGJEUN stops a few meters from where INANNA is
still standing, casually. VULCAN arises from the divan, and slowly walks
towards her, until he is standing just in front of SANGJEUN's position.
VULCAN
VERY CONTROLLED Very few in the
solar system know that. I believed
that only the Khakhan and the Dark
Queen of Earth --
INANNA
Secrets have a way of getting out.
BEAT What are you trying to do?
VULCAN
SMILES FAINTLY Pay a debt owed
that I can never pay.
INANNA
SURPRISED Life-debt? Her? BEAT
I would have suspected Anhur of many
things, but --
VULCAN
I do not care to discuss the exact
circumstances.
INANNA
All right. BEAT As far as you
can say, what is Anhur planning?
VULCAN
This is --
INANNA
Did she specifically charge you to
let no one know what she let you
know of what she was planning?
VULCAN
No ... however ... RESOLUTION Ah
well. The Khakhan has invaded
Jupiter to use it as a staging area
for an invasion of Earth --
INANNA
I thought so.
VULCAN
-- and then the moon as well.
One of SANGJEUN's eyes turns to look at VULCAN with a disquieted
expression, while the other one stays fixed on INANNA -- who is no less
startled.
INANNA
What?
VULCAN
As I understand it, she has received
offers of neutrality from Rheannion
if she attacks Serenity ... and from
Ourrannos if she attacks Rheannion.
Her plan is to divide her force so
as to convince both of them that she
will be attacking the other -- then
conquer Earth, seize the Orb, and
use it against Ourranos and Serenity
when --
INANNA
APPALLED She's mad.
VULCAN
I would not dispute the statement.
INANNA
Hasn't she given any thought to the
fact that Rheannion never used the
Orb against Ourranos? Doesn't she
realize that there might be a reason
for that?
VULCAN
I believe to the contrary that she
has developed a theory to explain it
-- unfortunately, it hinges on her
belief that all other godlings are
cowards.
INANNA
IRRITATED I see. Well, we'll just
have to disabuse her of that notion,
won't we? BEAT I'll be in touch.
With that, she rolls backwards off the ledge and vanishes from sight.
VULCAN quickly steps forward and looks out the window. INANNA has
vanished from sight.
VULCAN
How remarkable ...
SANGJEUN
Shall I attempt to track her?
VULCAN
MUSING No. But keep an ear out
for someone with that voice, when we
go out tomorrow ...
We pull back from the balcony, then start to move downwards into the
depths of the city, until we arrive at the main chamber of the hidden
laboratory. SEEJAY is conducting an alchemical process involving turning
glass into something else. He looks up as he hears a short thumping
noise. After a moment, he returns to the experiment ... and there is
another, repeated thumping. He sets down the clipboard and turns to look
around the chamber carefully. Another thump.
It's coming from the back room. SEEJAY visibly swallows, and starts
towards the door.
He pauses on the threshold, and turns up the lights in the back room until
they are at full intensity. SEEJAY's gaze moves to the tube containing
RABBY, whose eyes are closed and whose face is relaxed in unconsciousness.
With no threat in that direction, SEEJAY turns to look around --
Just as RABBY's leg kicks spastically at the side of the tube. SEEJAY
starts at this ... and then heads over to the tube to examine the readings
on the control panel.
SEEJAY
AMAZED ... some sort of pre-natal
reaction? As in the womb? I wish
there had been more research done in
this field ... wait a minute. These
readings can't be right ... she'd be
awa--
RABBY's eyes blaze open and her fist streaks toward the tube wall. Her
hysterical strength is such that the `glass' shatters instantly, breaking
a hole about five inches in diameter. As the fluid begins to pour out,
her hand lashes through the hole and seizes hold of SEEJAY's collar, then
yanks back and repeatedly slams his head into the side of the case. After
a few blows, SEEJAY is completely limp and his blood stains the outside of
the tube. RABBY grabs hold of his coat, uses it to cover the edge of the
hole, and expands the hole until it's wide enough for her to climb
through.
When she's out, she stares down at the body and snarls a word.
SUBTITLE
Retribution.
She begins to pull off the "lab coat" SEEJAY wears ... then pauses as she
realizes that something is very strange about the corpse. Very slowly,
RABBY presses down on the upper chest area. She murmurs.
SUBTITLE
... like the boy ... but ...
She shakes her head, and pulls the coat around her body, then snatches his
sandals as well, before standing up and heading out of the room.
RABBY passes through the outer chambers, only pausing long enough to look
at her surroundings and dismiss them before heading out into the corridor.
She walks down the dark corridor at a brisk pace, yet remaining alert. As
she crosses intersections in the corridors, she checks to determine if
anyone might be coming at her from the side. At last she comes to a bend
in the corridor, and as she goes around it, she sees a female figure
approaching. She tenses, then forces herself to relax as she walks down
the hall. She starts to hum as the other woman gets closer, and then
sings when they're only a few feet from each other.
SUBTITLE
Art thou a child of the Solenoid fleet?
Dost hear these words?
Give a sign ...
The other woman blinks as she passes, but shows no recognition of the
words. RABBY's slightly frantic expression grows even more confused, and
her pace quickens.
The corridor finally empties out into a large chamber filled with plant
life -- a garden of some sort, obviously. RABBY's steps slow and finally
stop as she enters the garden. Her eyes mist over and she reaches out to
touch a tree as she (along with the audience) hears the faint sound of
laughter and splashing water. She turns to look more closely at the tree
... and then makes the mistake of looking up.
At the transparent dome on the ceiling.
Showing a clear shot of Earth.
RABBY's mouth drops open.
SUBTITLE
Terra?! But ... but ...
She looks around at the walls of the enclosed garden. For a moment, she
wavers ... and then, looking very like a small frightened child, RABBY
drops down on her knees. Her voice is faint.
SUBTITLE
I don't understand ...
Cut to the laboratory. The door opens, and SHUCHAY enters, carrying a
number of large bags in his arms.
SHUCHAY
IMPATIENT Seejay, come out and
assist me in sorting the groceries,
since I went to the trouble of
obtaining those melons you enjoy so
much ... Seejay?
SHUCHAY notices that the light in the back room is lit, and sets the
groceries down on one of the lab benches. He slowly heads to the door,
and pauses there.
SHUCHAY
FLAT Drat. SIGHS; RESIGNED Ah
well. Better luck next time.
Cut to a shot of Millenias, as we draw away from it, up to a shot of the
solar plane ... then down again towards the Jovian subsystem. The intense
space war that was being fought here earlier has all but died down.
Martian galleons rule the spaces between the moons, and as our POV
approaches the moon of Io, we can't see any fighting in the atmosphere,
either.
We slowly drop towards a barren plain, on which a Martian land juggernaut
(a large wheeled APC) is driving.
Inside the APC, the few survivors of the massacre of the village (it won't
be given any other name, but it's the only Ionian village which will
appear in this story) are huddled and in chains, but not guarded. They
don't need to be. With only a pair of exceptions, they are quite broken.
TA'ARU sits by himself, as his furious face prompts the other refugees to
give him distance. His spear is not in evidence. Meanwhile BINOSHU is
giving what help she can to other refugees, though it is clear from her
features that she is just about on the edge of collapsing into the same
exhaustion and despair that afflicts the others.
Cut to the exterior of the juggernaut, as it begins to approach a figure
dressed in Martian fatigues under a poncho, mounted on an object
resembling a motorcycle. The juggernaut slows as it approaches, so that
it stops with the driver's side door right beside the figure, whose head
is bent down slightly and hidden beneath the brim of his floppy hat. The
DRIVER looks out the window.
DRIVER
Hey, soldier, what're you doing,
waiting out here in the middle of
nowhere?
The figure slowly lifts his head, tuns to look at the DRIVER ... He grins
as he speaks in a distinctly Jovian accent.
THE GAFFER
Ai'm settin' a snare. An' you?
Instantly, an antique-looking rifle snaps out from under the poncho, its
muzzle at the DRIVER's throat. Without changing expression, the GAFFER
slams his hand against the stock of his rifle.
THE GAFFER
SHOUTED HAI!
And from all around, resistance fighters burst up from hiding places under
the ground, throwing off tarps and the earth itself as they rush towards
the juggernaut. The rear doors are forced open and the handful of guards
are overwhelmed. All the prisoners are escorted out of the back of the
truck while the guards are being stripped of equipment and clothes, and
then are herded back into the vehicle.
The GAFFER looks over his people's handiwork with pride, and then turns
back to the DRIVER, grinning even more broadly. He pulls back his rifle.
THE GAFFER
Wella, be seein' you.
DRIVER
STILL SHOCKED You're just ... just
going to let us go?
THE GAFFER
SHRUG Sure. Why waste bullets
when the Marsies are goin' ta kill
you for lettin' the prisoners go
without a fight?
The GAFFER steps off the cycle, and waves to his troops. They part to
open up a path for the juggernaut to go through. The DRIVER stares at the
GAFFER for a second, before turning and driving away with a hopeless
expression.
The GAFFER turns and surveys the refugees with an appraising glance. He's
not impressed with what he sees, though he hides it well.
THE GAFFER
Wella, Ai can't go an' say "Good day
to you", since the last few have
been piss-poor for everyone in the
system, but Ai can say "Howdy". You
have the distinct pleasure of bein'
rescued by the Argossean Musical
Resistance Front, led by Ai myself.
You can call me the Gaffer.
VILLAGER
FLAT Now what?
THE GAFFER
Yeh, that's the question, innit?
The Marsies'll sure enow kill that
driver and his crew, but they'll
also listen to his tale and know
where to start looking for us, so
we'd best head for the hills. BEAT
But there's a little problem. These
be harsh times, an' while we're
always glad to help out our brothers
and our sisters ... well, let's be
blunt. Unless you're willing to
sign up an' fight with us, we can't
afford to feed you.
A despairing sigh comes from practically all the villagers.
THE GAFFER
Now don't go `auuugh' like that! We
are gonna point you-all towards one
of the other resistance groups'
refugee camps, where you can get off
world. Ain't all the moons fallen,
not yet. So anyone who is willing
to run with us should speak up now.
TA'ARU abruptly stands, and produces his spear.
TA'ARU
Ai wirru sutei. Ai wirru sutei ande
faito! [I will stay. I will stay
and fight!]
The GAFFER blinks, genuinely startled.
THE GAFFER
Apan ma sourru! Esu deru yete a
man wu supikkesu in da Orudo Weisu?
[Upon my soul! Is there yet a man
who speaks in the Old Ways?]
BINOSHU lets out a huge sigh, but stands anyway.
BINOSHU
I'm no fighter, but I have some
training as a healer --
TA'ARU
-- ande shisu kuikku wito da marreto
aruso. [And she's quick with the
mallet also.]
BINOSHU turns to glare at TA'ARU, but the GAFFER doesn't seem to have
heard his muttered comment.
THE GAFFER
EXCITED A healer? MAGNAMIOUS
Why then, lady, we would not be
separated from you for all the moons
of Saturn. BEAT; NORMAL Anyone
else?
A few -- less than five -- of the other refugees hesitantly stand up and
make their way over to where TA'ARU stands. BINOSHU slowly makes her way
over to them. The GAFFER surveys the large numbers and sighs.
THE GAFFER
Well, then, friends, I fear we must
part company. Just head due south
from here, an' the reconnaissance
should pick you-all up and take you
to the refugee camps. Maybe we-all
will meet when all this is done.
BEAT; HARSH Get a move on. We
can't let any of you know anythin'
about where we might be holed up.
Go on, get!
Eventually, all the refugees start walking south, away from the
resistance. They are now largely composed of women and children.
THE GAFFER
PLEASANT Well, me hardies, let's
be headin' off for the hills. We'll
get some food in your bellies so
that you-all are ready to face a day
of *earnin'* your freedom for once.
The resistance fighters raise a faint cheer and start off towards the
east, with BINOSHU keeping up. The GAFFER hops onto the cycle while
TA'ARU approaches him with a concerned expression.
TA'ARU
Wuirru da odderuse bii arru raito?
Aru da refugii kampusu seifu? [Will
the others be all right? Are the
refugee camps safe?]
THE GAFFER
BLAND Watte refugii kampusu? [What
refugee camps?]
He fires the thruster on the cycle before TA'ARU, who is startled by the
reply, can make any response to that, and shoots along the ground away
from him.
Cut to an aerial shot of TA'ARU standing on the plane with his spear,
looking very much alone. Pull back to an orbital view of the Jovian
system, then focus in on the moon of Ganymede.
Like Io, Ganymede has been pacified. Its forested hills are crawling with
Martian infantry, and clearcutting operations have already begun. We move
towards a fortified encampment which has been constructed beside the great
ship Ramia. We focus in on the ship --
And pull out from the eyes of the young girl RAMIA, who is seated in
between RUMIA and CHIHIRO on an uncomfortable looking couch. As before,
she seems uncomfortable and shy, as though she would want to slide between
the cushions and disappear. However, both RUMIA and CHIHIRO have similar
expressions.
The cause of their distress sits behind a desk a few feet away. HATTIAS,
the Grand General of the Martian Punitive Expedition, is pouring over
reports laid out before him. He is a tall, extremely handsome (in a
slightly feminine manner) man with purple-black hair and bronzed skin.
About him there is an aura of barely restrained violence.
He finally lifts his gaze from the reports and surveys the two Jovians and
RAMIA with all the compassion and fellow-feeling of a shark's gaze.
HATTIAS
Interesting. BEAT What of it?
RUMIA
BLINKS My lord Hattias --
HATTIAS
SHARP Grand General.
RUMIA
FAINT SQUEAK My lord Grand General
I --
HATTIAS
IMPATIENT No. I am not a lord.
By calling me such you dishonor not
only the khans of Mars, but my
mother as well. BEAT Perhaps you
can explain to me why this new data,
however interesting, should prompt
me to spare your lives after two
such insults.
RUMIA
Grand General ... I think that you
must underestimate the importance of
this information. With the new
processes of ship-building in the
documents before you, your war could
be over in days!
HATTIAS
BLAND Our punitive action *is*
over.
RUMIA
FAINT Excuse me?
HATTIAS
The final battle was fought earlier
this morning. A force commanded by
my mother shattered the Europan
shield and slaughtered the entire
population of Olympus.
CHIHIRO
STUNNED That ... that can't be,
the shields ... the fleet ...
Tsunami ...
HATTIAS
FIRM All destroyed.
RAMIA
QUIET You're lying.
HATTIAS blinks, and focuses his icy gaze on RAMIA ... who is quite
terrified, but doesn't turn away.
HATTIAS
Speaking their minds is not viewed
as a charming feature among Martian
children. Why do you say that I am
lying?
RAMIA
Because you are. BEAT You said
that Tsunami had been destroyed. If
she had been destroyed, I would have
*known*. I don't know where she is,
or why I don't know that, but I know
that she hasn't been killed. So
you're lying about that, and you're
probably lying about the other
things, too.
HATTIAS stares at the child for several moments ... before smiling with
what might be a certain amount of rueful amusement.
HATTIAS
Alas. She calls my bluff. Yes, the
the shield remains, and my mother
has not yet arrived from Mars.
CHIHIRO closes her eyes and doesn't even bother to hide the long sigh
that she lets out.
HATTIAS
Perhaps you should explain why I
should let you live after giving you
that valuable intelligence.
RUMIA visibly swallows his terror to give a reply.
RUMIA
Consider, Grand General Hattias,
that once the obstruction to the
psychic link between Tsunami and
Ramia is removed, you will have a
source of intelligence within the
Halls of Olympus worth far more than
any thing you might possibly have
given to us. In passing. I mean.
His monologue breaks down as panic finally overtakes him.
HATTIAS
SPECULATIVE Possibly. But what
prevents the Olympians from using
the connection in the same way?
RUMIA
PANICKED Ramia ... can better ...
receive transmissions then Tsunami.
BEAT The link is mostly active on
her end, mostly passive on Ramia's.
Ramia can choose what to tell
Tsunami, but Tsunami has to tell
Ramia everything! It's *perfect*!
A long pause.
HATTIAS
Interesting. BEAT You may go now.
I will contact you when I wish to
discuss this matter further.
He lifts a bell from his desk and rings it. At once, a hard-faced Martian
guardsman enters from a tent flap and salutes. HATTIAS gestures towards
them with his head, and the guardsman turns to stand. RUMIA, CHIHIRO and
RAMIA quickly get to their feet and follow the guardsman out through the
tent flap as HATTIAS continues to study the reports on his desk.
They walk briskly through the campsite until they reach an obviously
guarded tent in the shadow of Ramia. The tent flap has barely closed
behind them before RUMIA begins to laugh hysterically.
CHIHIRO
APPALLED What ... what in the
world are you *doing*, you maniac?
RUMIA
GIGGLING Chihiro, you dear, dear,
*stupid* woman ... we're alive! And
in addition to that, we're in an
excellent position to come out ahead
no matter what happens!
CHIHIRO
HARSH What are you babbling about,
nincompoop?
RUMIA
CALMER, QUIET If Olympus somehow
turns this around, we can claim that
we went behind enemy lines -- at
grave personal risk -- in hopes of
using Tsunami and Ramia's connection
to spy on the Martians. And if Mars
wins, we have the support of the
Khakhan's only son! We can't lose!
CHIHIRO
VERY ANNOYED I think you're seeing
more in Hattias' tolerance than is
there. BEAT What about Driano?
RUMIA
BLANK What about him?
CHIHIRO
How were you planning to explain his
death to Zeus?
RUMIA
Who cares about Driano? It's not
like he was anyone *important*.
CHIHIRO stares at him for a long moment, shaking her head.
CHIHIRO
I honestly thought you couldn't
disgust me anymore than you did.
RUMIA suddenly crosses the distance between them, glaring up at her face
with a furious expression.
RUMIA
*I* am trying to save *both* our
lives. I haven't seen *you* do a
damn thing to protect either of us,
so don't you dare act all morally
superior!
He spends a few moments breathing heavily and staring, unblinking, at
CHIHIRO. CHIHIRO finally breaks the gaze, and turns away.
CHIHIRO
I'm going to go try and talk the
guards into letting me raid Ramia's
provisions so that we can eat. Food
is a lot more important to survival
than making up a good story.
She stalks out, leaving RUMIA fuming. He tries to get his anger under
control as he turns to look at RAMIA, who has followed the conversation
from a safe distance with a scared expression.
RUMIA
TRYING TO SOOTHE, FAILING It's all
right, Ramia. She'll understand.
Sometimes you have to tell a little
white lie to make sure that you're
all right. You understand that,
I know.
RAMIA
I do?
RUMIA
Of course you do. Like when you
told Martius that you couldn't feel
Tsunami at all. Very clever. How
is she, really?
RAMIA
B-but I really can't --
RUMIA
SHARP Don't be ridiculous. We
designed your psychic link to
function on a wavelength that wasn't
affected by any sort of shielding,
so that even if one of you was
behind the Aegis, you'd get through.
RAMIA
I know, but I can't feel her.
RUMIA
This isn't the time to be playing
*games*, Ramia. We need to get in
touch with her, *now*, and --
RAMIA
VERY UPSET I want to talk to her
too, but I can't! It's not my --
RUMIA swings, hitting her on the face and knocking her down out of the
camera sight. He holds her down and out of view as he begins to hit her.
Over and over.
RUMIA
You! Will! Do! What! You! Are!
Told! You! WORTHLESS! LITTLE!
WHORE!
Cut to outside the tent. Two of the GUARDS can clearly hear the sounds of
the beating. One of them looks over his shoulder with a faintly concerned
expression, but his fellow just shrugs and shakes his head.
GUARD
THIS EXPLAINS EVERYTHING Jovians.
And with that, we pull back from surface of Ganymede and the Jovian system
itself, up to the Solar plane once more ... and then down, and outwards to
the eighth planet and its single moon.
CAPTION
Triton
Capital of the Neptunian
Principalities
We close in on the moon, where there is a large domed city fashioned of
crystal ... or so it appears at first glance. A closer examination
reveals buildings of all sorts, without any unifying architecture.
Our view arrives at a space port, where the Princess of Neptune is
settling into its dock. A large crowd of well-dressed citizens stands a
few meters away as the ship comes to a rest. Before it has completely
stopped moving, a hatch opens up on its underside and BENTEN walks down
it, staying five paces in front of OYUKI at all times. The richly dressed
head of the Neptunian Bank, KORRIGAN, walks briskly and anxiously toward
them. BENTEN gives him a once over and lets him pass, ignoring his mildly
disgusted expression.
OYUKI
CALM AS EVER Master Korrigan. I
trust that you and your family are
well.
KORRIGAN
TRYING TO BE AS CALM Fine, I thank
you for asking. ABANDONS EFFORT
Thank the stars that you received
the sprite's message, your Highness,
the council is deadlocked and --
OYUKI
BLAND What sprites?
KORRIGAN
STARES Then ... you don't know?
We didn't dare trust the message to
any frequency, even an encrypted --
OYUKI
No. We received no messages. We
encountered an anomaly over Saturn
and ... BEAT What was the subject
of these messages?
KORRIGAN
BLINKS, CONFUSED Er ... Martian
forces have invaded the Jovian
confederation. As yet, no other
forces have declared for either side
and the Council is divided between
factions urging neutrality and two
suggesting alliance with either
Mars or Jupiter. As I said, it is
deadlocked.
OYUKI
MURMURED ... indeed, an omen ...
ALOUD Is there a representative
of the Dispatrine Order in the city?
KORRIGAN
NOW *QUITE* CONFUSED Yes ... why?
OYUKI
I must speak with him or her before
I deal with this matter. I shall be
waiting in the Winter Palace.
And with that, she walks away, still as calm as she had been when she
arrived, leaving a completely discomfobulated banker in her wake.
Pull away from Neptune once more, up to the solar plane, and then down
towards Earth. Specifically, what will be the Kanto plain.
On the future site of Edo (Tokyo) there is a large, open-air market which
is quietly bustling with activity. Terrans wearing garments in muted
colours move among the stalls with a considerable amount of anticipation.
Eventually, our view settles on a tall man (PSAION) dressed in bleached
white breeches and tunic, under a blue tabard. There is a sheathed sword
at his side. His hair is long, wavy and green. He regards the shorter
people around him with a clear air of disdain and revulsion for their very
existence.
MANDON (O.S.)
Milord Psaion!
PSAION turns, and a brief, pleasant smile crosses his face. From his
point of view we see the one who addressed him ... a dead ringer for
Mendou Shutarou, dressed in rainment similar to PSAION.
PSAION
Milord Mandon. What brings you to
this den of depravity on such a fine
day.
MANDON
WEARY SIGH My sister conceived a
perverse desire to purchase certain
rarities available only here, and
since I could not permit her to go
unescorted, I accompanied her.
PSAION
Your sister?
MANDON
VAGUE GESTURE She's off somewhere.
For your part, what are you doing
here?
PSAION looks around suspiciously, but everyone is giving the two swordsmen
a wide berth. PSAION beckons MANDON to draw closer, and with an intrigued
expression he does.
PSAION
SOFT We suspect that one of the
local booksellers is bringing in
spell-casting manuals for the
peasantry.
MANDON
STUNNED No!
PSAION
SOFT YET SHARP Quiet! The plan
calls for us to raid shortly after
the gate opens this morning, as we
believe that the courier will make
the delivery as one of the first
people through.
MANDON
Might I offer my unconditional
assistance?
PSAION
SMILE I would be glad to have
your sword at my side. Hopefully,
the spoils of battle this day will
suffice to convince Her Radiant
Majesty to shut down the gate once
and for all.
The focus suddenly shifts to a bookseller's stall, where the proprietor
(SHRECK) is calmly going over the accounts while his wife (MAGRAT) sorts
through the stock. Another member of the peasantry (TAUWID) noteworthy
for his messy brown hair, approaches the counter with the sort of
deliberate casualness that screams that he's in a panic but hiding it.
TAUWID
MUTTERED They are on to us.
SHRECK
DELIBERATELY CASUAL You don't say.
TAUWID
POISE CRACKS Yes, I *do* say.
Shreck, what the hell have you had
me smuggling?
SHRECK
You really want to know? The
magistrate might be inclined to
mercy if you plead ignorance.
TAUWID
I want to know what kind of trouble
I'm in. What are those books?
MAGRAT
SLOW Faerie tales.
TAUWID blinks, and turns to look at SHRECK, who nods.
SHRECK
Stories about the early days of the
exploration of the worlds. Accounts
of the War between -- ahem, the War
against the Devils. Even a few
copies of the Red Book.
TAUWID
You're joking, right?
SHRECK shakes his head.
TAUWID
But you can get those anywhere!
There's nothing magical about them!
SHRECK
SHRUGS Don't know about the second
part, but I do know that the ones
that you can get "anywhere" have
generally been ... edited a bit.
BEAT Anyway, they probably think
that the books're grimoires. It's
as good an excuse as any to shut
down the gate once and for all.
Jump cut to a large rock overlooking the gates of the fair. TENCHI is
looking over the rock at the gates with an evaluating expression.
KIYONE (V.O.)
Ready?
TENCHI
SIGH Might as well get it over
with.
KIYONE's hand briefly claps over the nub of his right ear, and he flinches
at a short drilling noise. Her hand pulls away, revealing there to be an
earring on the formerly pristine ear.
TENCHI
Aren't I stylish?
KIYONE scans the horizon beside him. We can now see that they are dressed
in outfits that resemble those worn by the common people in the market.
KIYONE
I'm speaking my native language.
Any problems with the translation?
TENCHI considers, then shakes his head.
TENCHI
It's a good thing you and Mihoshi-
san were carrying an extra set of
translators.
KIYONE
SHRUG Standard GP procedure. If
there is a single item that you can
be sure will be absolutely vital to
the success of any operation -- in
this case, translators for operating
on Earth -- carry about a dozen in
case your primary gets confiscated.
BEAT I should probably be grateful
that Mihoshi was carrying her cube
with her, but ...
Simultaneously they look over their shoulders. Scattered behind them are
several dozen more outfits and a device that is spewing out more. MIHOSHI
is still fumbling with the cube. MAYUKA is strapped to her back and
giggling like crazy. TENCHI and KIYONE both sigh.
Our point moves downward to where RYOUKO and AYEKA are just finishing
dressing in typical outfits. RYOUKO poses.
RYOUKO
How do I look?
AYEKA
ABSENTLY Repulsive. Put something
over your hair ... no one could
possibly mistake you for a Terran
with that mess on your head.
RYOUKO glares at AYEKA and opens her mouth to make some sort of reply ...
and then, with visible effort, shuts her mouth and grabs a spare tunic off
the ground and begins to tear it with her teeth, creating a crude head
wrap which she ties around her chin. It completely obscures her hair, and
is held low enough that her unusual eyes are shadowed. AYEKA takes note
after a moment, and nods with approval.
RYOUKO
Right then. The gate is going to
open any minute, so if we want to do
this we'd better get started.
KIYONE drops down from atop the stone, followed a moment after by TENCHI.
TENCHI
How does it happen?
Cut to a shot (in a very technical animation style) of the central square
of the market, around which a fence has been erected.
RYOUKO (V.O.)
The gate opens up at exactly eight
forty-three daily.
There is a sudden flash of light, and a large black circle appears in
mid-air over the central square. After a moment, a flat image of Triton's
city appears in the circle.
RYOUKO (V.O.)
Neptunian couriers come through the
gate, bringing goods from all over
the solar system to this market.
Several young men and women dressed in white and blue uniforms and
carrying packages begin to step through the gate. They walk towards the
fences.
RYOUKO (V.O.)
As long as they aren't carrying any
obvious contraband like weapons, the
border guards let them through.
A pair of grim-looking sentinels open the gates of the fence and let the
couriers through. They proceed to walk through the market, dropping
packages off and picking them up.
RYOUKO (V.O.)
The couriers make their deliveries
and pick-ups, for about fifteen
minutes. Then they hustle back to
the gate.
The couriers quickly head back through the fence towards the gate. One
person in Terran peasant dress tries to follow them, but is stopped by the
guards.
RYOUKO (V.O.)
The guards are there mostly to keep
Earthers from defecting.
Shortly after the last courier steps through the portal, it grows dark,
and descends into the ground.
RYOUKO (V.O.)
And then it's over for another day.
Cut back to the group, crowded around RYOUKO who has drawn a rough diagram
of the market in the ground.
RYOUKO
Any questions?
KIYONE
Exactly fifteen minutes?
RYOUKO
SHRUG I don't know. This section
of the information reads more like
the Rough Guide to the Kingdom of
Earth than an encyclopedia. It's
probably like a train, there'll be a
warning just before it's about to
close or --
A klaxon begins to howl. Everyone jumps.
RYOUKO
-- open.
TENCHI
DECISIVE Right, let's go. Ryouko,
I --
RYOUKO
Don't *worry*! I can kick any four
of the Senshi's butts any day of the
week --
AYEKA
ROLLS EYES Aren't we humble.
RYOUKO
-- and these guys aren't a third as
tough. I'll be fine covering you.
Just go!
TENCHI nods, plainly reluctant ... but he is in the lead as he, AYEKA,
MIHOSHI and KIYONE quickly dash across the plains to the market. RYOUKO
waits a moment before following, hovering just an inch or so above the
ground.
Cut to the fenced off area in the center of the market ... unfortunately,
it differs in certain respects from RYOUKO's description. Specifically,
there aren't two grim sentinels at the single gap in the fence; instead
the entire structure is surrounded by several grim sentinels. PSAION and
MANDON are the ones guarding the gap.
The gate materializes, as shown earlier, and the couriers step over ...
but being neither blind nor particularly stupid, the first one through
notices the slight alteration in the standard operating procedures. He
slowly makes his way to the gap and addresses himself to PSAION.
FIRST COURIER
Is there some disturbance, my Lord?
PSAION
DISTASTEFUL No ... go about your
business.
Looking very apprehensive, the COURIER steps through the gap and walks
into the market. Other couriers also come through unmolested, but one of
them (who is not markedly different in any physical sense from his
brethren) pauses and looks at the armed men with an obviously concerned
expression ... and begins to step back through the gate.
PSAION
*VICIOUS* SMILE What is the matter
my good man? I can see that you
have your package under your arm.
SECOND COURIER
DELIBERATELY CALM I have forgotten
one of my packages, my Lord ... I
must needs return and pick it up
before the gate closes --
PSAION
ABANDONS POSE I think not. You
will instead deliver that package
which you carry to its expected
recepient ... under our supervision.
Should you attempt to violate your
contract --
With that word the guards level their crossbow-like weapons at the
COURIER.
PSAION
-- it will not go well for you.
SECOND COURIER
My Lord, this comes threateningly
close to a declaration of war
between Earth and Neptune.
PSAION
FAINTLY AMUSED Really? You think
that your masters will go to such
difficulty to avenge such as you?
BEAT Make your delivery, man. The
game is over.
Cut to a little distance away, where TENCHI stands peeping from behind a
tent.
TENCHI
Something's going on ... I don't
understand just what, but --
KIYONE peeps out from just a bit above his head.
KIYONE
FLAT Crap. Of all the times for a
customs dispute to break out, this
takes the cake.
A moment.
TENCHI
HUSHED Oh, no, Ryouko --
He whips his head around as at that moment, there is a large explosion
some distance away. KIYONE abruptly jerks him back behind cover.
MANDON turns suddenly (*just* missing seeing TENCHI) and grins
ferociously.
MANDON
You guessed rightly, Milord Psaion!
And now one of their foul mages is
trying to create a diversion! DRAWS
SWORD I shall deal with this!
He dashes off. PSAION roughly gestures for a few of the crossbow armed
men to follow him, and turns back to glare at the SECOND COURIER.
PSAION
Your scheme has failed. Come forth
now and you may avoid the loss of
your life.
SECOND COURIER
DESPERATE You wouldn't --
PSAION
SHARP Take your mark.
The crossbow wielders assume braced firing positions, targeting the SECOND
COURIER.
Cut to TENCHI and the others. TENCHI has an appalled expression, while
AYEKA is holding him back with a desperate look. KIYONE is looking around
the corner of the tent.
TENCHI
They're going to shoot him! I can't
just stand here and --
AYEKA
Tenchi-sama, please! You cannot
attack a group of armed men without
knowing their capabilities!
KIYONE
SUDDEN HORRIFIED REALIZATION Wait
a minute. WHERE'S MIHOSHI?!
Cut to a shot of PSAION from behind. Suddenly, a pistol comes up from the
side and centers in our point of view, pointing at PSAION.
MIHOSHI (O.S.)
Freeze! You are under arrest for
violation of the Galactic Criminal
Code, Section Eight, Paragraph 32,
Subsection ... Twelve, Line 248 ...
no, sorry, 284 ... uh, no, 482 --
Over her line, PSAION slowly turns around to stare at her in plain
disbelief.
PSAION
SLOW What?
Cut to a shot of MIHOSHI's suddenly nervous face.
MIHOSHI
Um ... you're not supposed to do
that to couriers, it's a violation
of the law and --
PSAION
VERY ARROGANT I *am* the la--
He is suddenly clobbered by the SECOND COURIER, using the large and very
heavy package. PSAION sinks to the ground with a very confused
expression, and faints.
The crossbowmen target the SECOND COURIER -- and a large number of wooden
cylinders materialize around them, electrocuting them.
AYEKA storms out of hiding (followed by TENCHI and KIYONE) and begins
shouting at MIHOSHI.
AYEKA
Idiot! What in the world did you
think you were --
MIHOSHI flinches under the barrage until KIYONE quickly interposes herself
between the two of them.
KIYONE
Lady Ayeka, please, you know that
Mihoshi was only trying to enforce
the law ...
AYEKA
ANNOYED Oh very well ... it did
accomplish our intentions ...
MIHOSHI
TEARFUL Thank you, Kiyone --
KIYONE whirls around, and looking and sounding much like AYEKA --
KIYONE
Idiot! What in the world did you
think you were --
Cut to RYOUKO enjoying herself enormously as she fights off several of the
guards with her beam-sword. She handily disembowels a blue-garbed guard
who was attempting to stab her in the back.
RYOUKO
BLISSFUL I haven't had this good
of a workout in eons.
MANDON (O.S.)
Halt, thou demon!
RYOUKO casually looks in the direction from whence the voice came. MANDON
stands with his sword (like hers, a beam sword) held over his head in a
ready stance.
MANDON
Thou hast wreaked carnage enow, this
day! Now you face no mere guard,
but their master! Prepare thyself
for the next dimension, and --
RYOUKO has been casually examining him, and as he reaches the crescendo of
his rant/speech, she calmly fires a force bolt from her hands which hits
MANDON in the midsection, sending him to the ground.
RYOUKO
SHAKES HER HEAD Way too easy.
Faster than the eye can follow, MANDON rises up from the ground and brings
his sword down towards her head. RYOUKO only barely manages to block the
strike, and is obviously startled.
MANDON
HISS Indeed.
And the duel proper begins. RYOUKO is clearly the better fighter, but
MANDON demonstrates an almost inhuman tenacity that forces her back.
Cut to the front of SHRECK's book stall. MAGRAT is nowhere in sight,
while SHRECK is standing at the front with a very anxious expression. He
flinches as he hears a distant rumble, but doesn't desert his post.
From behind, we see a young female figure examining the books. She seems
remarkably calm for someone in the middle of a warzone. Finally she lifts
her head, and we see that she's a look-alike for Mendou Ryouko.
DAIMON
SIGH Unfortunately, it seems that
the contents of your store must
disappoint me as all the others have
as well.
SHRECK
TORN BETWEEN TERROR AND RELIEF Oh?
DAIMON
Alas. BEAT I suppose that if I
were to ask you if you had any
grimoires, you would protest your
innocence.
SHRECK
TERROR WINS What? No! I mean,
yes!
DAIMON
INTERESTED You really don't. How
fascinating! BEAT Unfortunate
that you will probably be scourged
for a crime you did not commit, yet
fascinating all the same. Oh well.
MANDON and RYOUKO suddenly plow right through the shop on the other side
of the path from SHRECK's shoppe, DAIMON looks up with interest. MANDON
notes her presence, and RYOUKO follows his gaze (and sees his flash of
concern) ... then backflips to stand behind DAIMON with her blade to the
girl's throat.
RYOUKO
All right, playtime's over. I'm
going to walk away, slowly. Any
moves from you, and glamour-puss
here gets it.
MANDON stares at them, rubbing his chin in thought.
RYOUKO
Well?
MANDON
VERY FORMAL I am considering my
options. BEAT Alas. It would
not do to negotiate with terrorists.
I regret my dear sister's death, of
course, but --
DAIMON
GENUINELY FOND Ah, brother dear
brother. You have at last grown up.
MANDON
THIN SMILE One can only be, ahem,
"accidentally" injured by events
which leave another unharmed before
one develops ... suspicions.
They both begin to laugh insincerely, causing RYOUKO to quietly freak out.
RYOUKO
MUTTERED I have a funny feeling
that I'm missing important parts of
this conversation.
The siblings sober rapidly.
DAIMON
Well, be that as it may, my brother,
I bear no --
MANDON
Sadly, my sister, I *do*.
With that statement, he lifts his sword and charges with a howl and is
promptly blown up as he steps on a landmine.
DAIMON
Alas. Perhaps I should have picked
those up.
MANDON stands, but this time he looks a bit winded.
MANDON
I fight on --
RYOUKO fires an energy bolt so intense that the world momentarily seems to
turn into a negative image of itself. MANDON collapses again ... and
rises up a moment later, looking *very* winded.
MANDON
I ... fight --
A lightning bolt descends from the sky to strike him.
MANDON
I ... hurt ...
He collapses, and does not move again. DAIMON looks up at the sky with a
mildly perplexed expression.
DAIMON
Not a single cloud. How odd.
RYOUKO suddenly looks off to one side. MAGRAT is standing in the shadows
of the shop's tent, looking *very* pleased with herself ... until she
notices RYOUKO's gaze and retreats quietly.
TENCHI (O.S.)
DESPERATE Ryouko!
RYOUKO turns and shoots off towards TENCHI's voice with a determined
expression on her face -- and DAIMON tied to her wrist with cords from
DAIMON's robe. DAIMON is smiling with vague, bemused interest.
The gate is beginning to slowly descend into the ground. The COURIERS are
quickly streaming through it, while the TENCHI crew are standing in line.
TENCHI is looking back towards the fair with a frightened expression.
SECOND COURIER
Sir, I urge you to hurry. When the
gate closes this time, I fear that
it may be forever.
TENCHI looks at his friends ... and jerks his head towards the gate.
TENCHI
Get going. I'll be just behind you.
Nobody's fooled by this, but KIYONE nods and quickly escorts a nervous
looking MIHOSHI (still holding MAYUKA) towards and through the gate.
AYEKA looks from the gate to TENCHI and opens her mouth to object.
TENCHI
DESPERATE Please, Ayeka-san. I
... I can't just abandon Ryouko here
and ...
She slowly reaches towards him, and delicately takes his hand.
AYEKA
QUIET I know that, Tenchi-sama.
BEAT; FIRM But I can.
She tightens her grip and leaps towards the shrinking gate, dragging him
with her part of the way into the gate. He looks back with an even *more*
frightened expression.
RYOUKO (O.S.)
TENCHI!
She is flying towards him, still unaware of the burden (DAIMON) that she
drags with her, her arm outstretched.
TENCHI
RYOUKO!
The gate is almost closed, perhaps four feet from the ground and
descending rapidly. TENCHI strains to extend his reach.
RYOUKO reaches towards him.
Their hands clasp in a moment hauntingly reminiscent of AYEKA's hand
clasping his earlier.
And then TENCHI pulls RYOUKO forward with all his might, through the gate.
They end up lying on the ground, breathing heavily, and staring into each
other's eyes.
DAIMON (O.S.)
What an interesting experience.
RYOUKO blinks and turns around to see, at last, that DAIMON has tied
herself to RYOUKO's arm. RYOUKO snarls and directs a small pulse of
energy towards the knots, incinerating them. She swiftly stands and holds
the point of her sword to DAIMON's throat.
RYOUKO
Give me one reason I shouldn't pop
your top for that stunt, you --
DAIMON
One reason? BEAT Very well. To
do so will not endear you to the
group of the local constabulary who
have gathered here.
RYOUKO and TENCHI both turn to look around at their surroundings.
They are in the middle of a road that runs through a market district in
Tritonis. A small crowd has gathered, but is being held back by men and
women in livery. A group of them have also surrounded AYEKA, MIHOSHI and
KIYONE (who is evaluating them with a somewhat scornful expression).
Another group is standing back and watching RYOUKO with hands on their
weaponry.
TENCHI
Um ... we come in peace?
GUARD CAPTAIN
Sure you do.
Suddenly the SECOND COURIER approaches the FIRST GUARD and speaks softly
to her. The FIRST GUARD's expression alters slightly.
GUARD CAPTAIN
I understand that you've done us a
favor. All well and good, but in
doing so you may have provoked a war
between us and Earth --
BENTEN (O.S.)
-- in which we'd clean Rheannion's
clock.
TENCHI gets an odd expression on his face that gets even worse as he turns
to look at the source of this new voice. Suffice to say, his eyes are
like saucers as he sees BENTEN.
GUARD CAPTAIN
BOW Milady Benten. These people
came through the gate --
BENTEN
I know, I saw the whole thing from
the tower. Don't look so shocked,
I've got good eyes ...
She trails off as she gets a good look at RYOUKO. BENTEN stares at her,
and shots of CALLISTRA emphasizing her hairstyle are interspersed with
shots of RYOUKO.
BENTEN
NODS DECISIVELY I think that we
may have to have words with these
people. Take them to the Palace ...
the Guest Wing.
She smiles at TENCHI as the guards bring the rest of his clan over to
stand with him. There isn't a lot of warmth in it.
BENTEN
Welcome to Neptune.
Pull up from a shot of them in Tritonis, up to the stellar plane ... then
down again towards the Moon, and Millenias. Specifically, to a large
field a fair distance away from the palace.
A ship with an elaborate figurehead which faintly resembles SERENITY rests
on the field surrounded by a crowd. Among the crowd can be seen MERU,
SION and ANAND. MERU is obviously giving ANAND an explanation/guided tour
while SION tags along with a nervous and upset expression.
MERU
... and this is the ship that the
observers will use: The White Sun!
SION
MUTTERED Launched during the War
Of The Godlings.
ANAND
DELICATELY SKEPTICAL It ... is a
rather old design, then.
MERU
It's been well-maintained --
SION
MUTTERED -- and hasn't flown since
the first centennial of the new
kingdom.
MERU
WARNINGLY Sion ...
SION
I've a right to be concerned about
this! The force which is being
dispatched to allegedly save my
world is flying in a piece of junk!
ANAND
Now, Lord Sion, you know full well
that what matters is not the ship
but those within it.
SION
GRUDGING True. BEAT But it is
just Sion. Despite rumors, I am not
the egotistical lord of bardcraft.
MERU
LAUGH; BEAT Speaking of the corps
themselves, here they come now.
A trio of men -- HO-ANG (dressed in slightly finer robes than earlier)
ANGELUS (wearing a less fine robe and a pointed hat) and LUMIS (dressed in
a vaguely nautical uniform) -- are walking towards the ship. The crowd
parts before them.
Our point of view focuses on each of them as their names are spoken.
ANGELUS seems distracted and unfocused, but intent.
ANAND (O.S.)
I recognize Lord Angelus, the Chief
Magician of the Illuminated Society,
but who are the other two?
There is a very apprehensive look on HO-ANG's face, and his eyes flicker
from one direction to the other. LUMIS, on the other hand, appears
confident and certain.
MERU (O.S.)
The worthy to his left is An Ho-Ang,
a banker and philanthropist of
Saturnine descent. He has something
of an interest in medicine, I think.
The other is the master of the
vessel, Captain Lumis.
Cut back to the three observers. SION looks even more pessimistic.
SION
Three men.
MERU
One of whom has spoken vehemently
about poor conditions in hospices,
another who is the highest ranking
member of a society dedicated to the
advancement of the human condition.
And in addition, the White Sun has a
crew of a dozen who will also act as
observers. BEAT Your people have
not been abandoned, Sion.
SION
I know this, and yet ... I cannot
escape a feeling of apprehension.
Cut to the underside of the White Sun, where cargo is being taken on by
golem-like workers. RABBY stealthily makes her way in the shadows ...
pausing briefly to look at one of the automata with apprehension. They
don't even notice her presence, though. She turns to scan the field ...
and spots HO-ANG approaching the ship. She mutters a single word.
SUBTITLE
Retribution ...
RABBY then grabs ahold of a crate as one of the "golems" lifts it up, and
disappears into the hold. The hold closes with a clang as we cut to
black.
TO BE CONTINUED