EPISODE TWENTY-SIX – HOME TONIGHT

INT. VALENTINE’S HOUSE – DINING ROOM

Remington, Mei, Seth, Jane, Lydia and Elli are seated around the dining table with Valentine at the head of it. The room is warm and there is lots of hot food. Everyone is smiling, eating, talking, and laughing.

Remington: Pass the potatoes.

Mei: I want the spam.

Seth: You sure have strange tastes.

Jane: If you want the spam, you’ll have to fight me for it.

Elli: This is all really good.

Lydia: Yeah, I especially like the fresh bau.

Remington: Potatoes? Anyone? Please?

Valentine: Ah, here comes the master chef himself.

Yukio enters with a gigantic sumptuous looking roast duck and places it in the centre of the table.

Seth: Whoa, that looks excellent, man.

Everyone congratulates Yukio on his masterful cooking skills. Yukio beams with pride. Valentine gets up, takes hold of a champagne bottle and starts pouring a drink for everyone.

Valentine: I think it’s time for one of my speeches.

A few people cheer perhaps sarcastically, perhaps drunk on joy.

Valentine: It’s no secret that the past few weeks have been very hard, on all of us. But we’ve come through, and we’re all here now, safe, happy and together. Our injuries are behind us and our futures are laid out in front of us. No more living under the jackboot of tyrants, now we’re free to make our own paths.

Valentine looks out over everyone assembled.

Valentine: I want to freeze this moment in time.

He pours in his own glass.

Valentine: To the future then. And to family.

Jane: No alcohol for me, Marco.

Valentine smiles.

Valentine: Hold on then.

Valentine turns around, finds a bottle of elderberry water and turns back round. It’s all of a sudden gotten very dark and cold. All the food is gone, leaving empty, soiled plates. There is no one left at the table. Except for Yukio.

Yukio: Freeze this moment.

Yukio smiles.

Yukio: It’ll last forever.

Yukio laughs and it echoes as Valentine’s vision fades.

CUT TO: INT. BLUE LAGOON

Valentine sits alone in the empty, darkened bar. He picks up his shot glass and takes a slug.

TITLE CARD – HOME TONIGHT

INT. RED SWALLOW OFFICE

Beaufort paces around behind his desk with his headset. Shadowhite sweeps in regally.

Beaufort: You’re here!

Shadowhite: Was I supposed to be somewhere else?

Beaufort: I was just concerned. I was unable to reach you.

Shadowhite: I think I left my phone in my other robe.

Beaufort takes off his headset and takes a seat behind his desk. Shadowhite also takes a seat.

Shadowhite: How goes our operation?

Beaufort: My team successfully retrieved Agent Neville and took her to the holding pen as you ordered. The cleaners were late though and the bodies of the guards Valentine ordered for her still appear to be there. With most of MAD dead or hospitalised, I am having trouble keeping control of all my departments. Courtenay usually took care of the trivial matters.

Shadowhite: I’ll find you a replacement.

Beaufort: How did you know where she would be?

Shadowhite: The Blue Dragon informed me. He has… knowledge of these matters. Incidentally, where is he? What is his status?

Beaufort: Well, I’ll get to him. I haven’t finished my own report. With Agent Neville was a teenage girl, Valentine’s daughter.

Shadowhite: Did you arrest her as well?

Beaufort: She is in the pen.

Shadowhite: Good, good.

Beaufort looks at Shadowhite cockeyed, and then focuses on his reports.

Beaufort: The Black Turtle was awaiting Valentine and the stray White Tiger at the jail. I have had no updates since.

Shadowhite: And the Blue Dragon?

Beaufort puts on his grumpy face.

Beaufort: He has been most uncooperative. He switched off his comm. and stripped his sensor, so I have lost track of his movements completely since he left the cathedral.

Shadowhite: A wild card for sure.

EXT. STREETS

Valentine’s shocked face forms into a red mask of fury.

Valentine: Is this true?

Yukio: Is what true?

Valentine: No games.

Yukio looks down at the bloodied, mutilated corpses of Kitechi and Sha’arad, then moves his stony features to meet Valentine’s glare.

Yukio: Yes.

Valentine leaps forward to throttle Yukio. Yukio tries to raise his gun in defence, but it gets knocked away. Elli runs and hides behind Seth. Yukio turns quickly to throw Valentine off his balance.

Yukio: Will you let me explain?!

Valentine takes his gun, levels it at Yukio’s head.

Valentine: Murderer.

Yukio: Isn’t that the pot calling the kettle black?

Valentine: You’ve stolen fifteen years of my life.

Yukio: It was an accident. She came out of nowhere.

Valentine: Why didn’t you call me? Why did you kidnap my daughter!?

Yukio: Because I was scared!! After the last talk we had, I knew you’d react the way you are now.

Valentine smashes the butt of his gun against Yukio’s face.

Yukio: I’m sorry. I was running away. Away from everything, and I did not want to stop. I was getting out like you told me I should. And I was terrified that if I went back, even just to see you that I would fall victim again.

Valentine: I want you to leave town. At least get out of my face so I don’t ever see you again. Because if I do, I may just have to kill you.

Valentine and Seth head back to the Jag.

Yukio: Remington went to release Prince. In your place.

Valentine turns his head back.

Yukio: He wanted to prove he was at least the equal of you. But it’s a long time since he or Violet checked in. Stanmore Maximum Security. You should go and check on him.

Valentine gets in the car.

Yukio: Sayonara.

INT. CITY JAIL

Prince, Remington and Violet are surrounded by armed guards.

Prince: I’d venture we’re in a lot of trouble.

Lead Guard: Where’s Valentine?

Remington: ??

Lead Guard: It’s supposed to be Valentine here. Him and Prince side by side, dying together… Oh well.

Violet raises his guns and is blown back, riddled with holes.

Remington: What do you mean it’s supposed to be Valentine?

Prince sees the card in Remington’s hand and takes it.

Lead Guard: Any last words?

Prince: Strike.

He puts his foot against the back of Remington’s wheelchair and pushes it hard, sending Remington into the guards like a bowling ball. He swiftly swipes the card and goes into the cell while the guards fire, hitting Remington multiple times but missing Prince, who comes out of the room holding a gun against Mowbray’s throat.

Prince: Nice and easy now.

Prince edges along, his back to the wall, towards the exit. He reaches out, pulls Remington away with him. The guards, unsure of what to do, follow him with Mowbray’s pleading eyes stopping them from shooting.

Prince: Why are they following us? James! Rectify this problem!

Mowbray: I’ll- I’ll take care of it myself. At ease, soldiers.

They make it to the lift, get in and go down.

Mowbray: They’ll be waiting.

Prince shoots Mowbray in the head, spilling brains on his jumpsuit. Then he jumps, and punches out the top of the lift.

Prince: I imagine they will.

Prince grabs Remington and climbs out of the lift.

INT. VALENTINE’S CAR

Valentine is dropping off Seth. Elli is in the passenger seat. The light is harsh and her injuries are starkly obvious.

Valentine: Why don’t you go and take care of it then. I’ll call you if I need you later.

Seth nods and turns. Valentine drives away.

Valentine: Where should I take you?

Elli: I moved back into my old apartment in Dobuita.

Valentine: Ok.

He drives on in silence.

Valentine: What are you up to these days?

Elli: I was trying to find a job, but now I think I might just emigrate.

Valentine: If you need anything at all, you know where I am.

Elli: Thank you. For saving me. I don’t really want to think too much now. I’m very tired and I’m bearing a lot of scars. Physical and mental. But there has been a string running through my head.

Valentine changes gears.

Elli: I’ll never be able to fit into your life the way I want to. And to be honest… I’m not sure I want to.

Valentine bites his tongue.

EXT. BACK ALLEYS

Prince jogs along, carrying Remington across his broad and masculine shoulders. He spies a BMW X5 at the end and runs harder. Larisa steps out, opens the back door and Prince throws Remington inside, then jumps in himself. Larisa gets in and drives away.

INT. LARISA’S CAR

Prince tears off Remington’s shirt, exposing his not so well toned chest, and tries to patch up the wounds, but there are too many, and Remington has lost too much blood.

Prince: Come on, Come on, hang on in there, bud.

Remington coughs up blood.

Prince: Damn it, man! Now pull yourself together!

Remington: Tell… Marco… tell him I’m thankful… for all that he has done. And tell him… All my wallets… they’re his now…

Prince: Don’t speak like you’re gonna die!

Larisa: Chris…

Prince looks at Larisa, desperate.

Prince: It’s my fault.

Remington: No, no… it’s mine… There I go again…

He coughs again.

Remington: I’m at… peace now.

Remington’s shallow breaths slow to a halt. Prince closes Remington’s eyes.

INT. ROY’S PALACE OFFICE

Valentine comes up via the lift. It’s total chaos. People are running around everywhere like headless chickens. Valentine is perplexed. He spots someone he knows wearing an Aerosmith pin and stops him.

Valentine: Jorge!

Jeff: Jeff.

Valentine: Whatever. Where’s Deim?

Jeff: Haven’t you heard?

Valentine: No?

Jeff: Deim is dead! They found his body in his car outside the cathedral! Apparently, it was a pro mob hit! Outrage! Terrible! Disaster! We must respond with a nuclear strike!

Valentine: Joe!

Jeff: Jeff.

Valentine: What about the passengers Deim was supposed to be bringing back?

Jeff: I don’t know anything about that. But apparently, I heard some girls who were gawking got snatched…

Valentine’s lips part as his distressed face falls upon him.

BREAK – END OF ACT ONE

INT. BLUE LAGOON

Valentine sits alone in the empty, darkened bar. He picks up his shot glass and takes a slug. He raises the glass.

Valentine: To family.

He slams the glass down on the bar hard, breaking it.

Vahe: Come on now! Those aren’t cheap!

Valentine holds his head in his hands, covering his eyes.

Valentine: It’s more than twenty years since my father died. More than twenty years I’ve been trying to build my own family again. Look at me now. Alone. I just want a family that I can go home to. Bathe in the warmth, the love. But I can never escape the shadows of death.

Vahe takes a new glass and pours him another drink. Larisa enters the bar, goes out, then comes back in with Prince. They walk over and sit on either side of Valentine, who downs another shot, then puts his arms around them.

Valentine: You guys can be my new family.

Vahe pours another drink.

Prince: Marco… Nick is dead.

Valentine takes the glass and knocks back the shot.

Prince: He died saving me.

Valentine: He always did do the stupidest thing in any given situation.

Vahe pours another shot. Larisa takes it.

Larisa: I think maybe he’s had enough.

Valentine snatches it back and downs it.

Valentine: I will be the judge of when I have had enough… and let me tell you, I have had ENOUGH!!

He slams the glass down on the table, cracking it.

Larisa: You left a very big mess in the street, Marco. Blood, guts and other assorted effluvia? All on network news now. They don’t know it was you. The press that is. The agents worked it out in seconds. Not that they’re displeased.

Valentine: What can I say? They had it coming.

Prince looks at Larisa uneasily.

Larisa: You know, if Beaufort becomes President, he will almost certainly nominate Shadowhite as the new Cassavaterne.

Valentine smashes the glass.

Valentine: He’s one dead son of a bitch.

Larisa: Looks like you’ve already got the idea.

Prince: It won’t be enough, just to remove Shadowhite. The syndicate heads have to go too.

Valentine: Say what now?

Larisa: It’s they who have the power. They could buy the position themselves.

Valentine: But then who’d rule us?

Prince: Me. The White Tigers being the fourth major syndicate.

Valentine: You’re a terrorist. Everyone hates you. Me included.

Prince: Larisa is gunning for the presidency too. With the events of today, ambivalence towards Shadowhite’s party will be on the rise, and her chances improve minute by minute. Once she’s at the top, she will absolve me.

Valentine: Prince, the man who would be King.

Prince: It’s why I took the name.

Valentine: You’re such a ponce. But today’s a good day to settle.

Prince: Right.

Valentine: So Black Turtle, Mowbray.

Prince: Already dead.

Valentine: Really? I thought we liked him.

Prince: Not anymore.

Valentine: I see. Red Swallow, Beaufort. Blue Dra-

The door opens and Lydia enters.

Valentine: Well, at least one member of my ‘family’ is still alive.

He struggles out of his seat and walks over to her.

Valentine: Hey I-

Lydia spin kicks him, sending him flying. He crashes into the table. Lydia runs towards Larisa, pulls a large knife and slams it down. Prince sticks out his arm and takes the blow. He then punches Lydia, and she stumbles back. He kicks out, she dodges and punches him repeatedly in the face.

Prince: What the hell are you doing!?

She kicks, he dodges. She draws a gun and starts to squeeze the trigger. Valentine appears behind her and he grabs her round the neck with one arm and snatches away the gun in the other. She tries to struggle free.

Valentine: Little help would be appreciated!!

Vahe hands Larisa a glass and she runs over and forces Lydia to drink it. Lydia goes limp as she slips into unconsciousness.

INT. BLUE LAGOON

Valentine is chaining Lydia to the bar.

Valentine: I don’t even want to know why you have furry handcuffs.

Vahe: Ya ya, shut up. I don’t see why you can’t just take her home and chain her there.

Lydia wakes up and violently tries to struggle free.

Valentine: That’s why.

Prince: Lydia! Cut it out!

Lydia: What’s going on?

Valentine laughs.

Prince: What’s going on? You attacked us and tried to kill Larisa!

Larisa is bandaging Chris’s arm. He’s in a lot of pain but is being brave and not showing it.

Lydia: That’s crazy! Why on earth would I do that?

Valentine: We saw it with our own eyes, lass.

Larisa: What’s the last thing you remember?

Lydia: The last thing I remember is looking for Remy outside the cathedral.

Valentine rubs his forehead with his palm.

Lydia: Then I saw him leaving in a car with Bridget, and Yukio was there too.

Prince: That’s certainly very odd.

Larisa gathers Prince in close.

Larisa: It sounds like some kind of psychosomatic trigger, like an MK-ULTRA.

Prince: Is that even possible? What are you saying? She wouldn’t even have realised? Who would have done that?

Larisa: Someone from Shadowhite’s government, no doubt.

Prince: They don’t barely even know her though.

Valentine has been listening carefully despite appearing to be in a drunken haze. He downs another shot, stumbles to his feet, paces in front of Lydia.

Valentine: You notice anything different about Prince here?

Lydia: Like what? Oh, I mean… the arm?

Valentine: About how free and able he is. You don’t seem surprised.

Lydia shrugs.

Lydia: He got out. He always does.

Valentine: How about earlier then. I called you, asking where Nick was. You said you didn’t know. But now you have a very detailed account of what you saw. It makes me begin to wonder what you’re hiding.

Lydia: I… I’m not sure! I don’t know what’s going on, my hand to God, may he strike me down as I stand here!

Valentine draws his gun.

Valentine: Well you won’t be standing there long.

Prince: Marco!

Prince jumps up and tries to pry Valentine’s arm away but only succeeds in injuring himself. Suddenly, the door opens. Everyone gets tense and starts staring hard, weapons ready.

Prince: It’s just Seth.

Seth enters. Prince and Larisa relax but Valentine points his gun towards him.

Valentine: Maybe he’s gone and turned evil too.

Seth: Um… No?

Awkward silence

Seth: I’m ready here, Marco. Whenever you are.

Valentine pulls his gun away.

Valentine: Ok. Go wait for me in the car.

Larisa: Where are you going?

Valentine ignores her, wipes his mouth, runs his fingers through his hair, then glares at Lydia.

Prince: I’m pretty interested too, Lydia, and I’m too tired to fight back. You’d best talk.

BREAK – END OF ACT TWO

INT. BLUE LAGOON

Lydia: My earliest memory was being lost on the docks. I was found by people who raised me, operated on me and experimented on me. I used to think that was normal. The more I watch TV, the less likely it seems.

Valentine looks at Prince, who shrugs, bemused.

Valentine: ...Are you saying what I think you’re saying?

Prince: Oh! I get it now. Hmm.

Valentine: Nonsense.

Larisa: No. I’ve heard rumours about this sort of thing. It had something to do with MAD running an operation for creating Manchurian candidate style assassins. Dr Clifford was supposedly heading it up.

Valentine: I don’t have time for this.

He gets up, lights a cigarette.

Larisa: Where are you going?

Valentine: Well, I call it “Valentine’s Folly”. (to Prince) I’d have invited you along, seeing how you like a good shindig, but it seems you’re rather the worse for wear.

Larisa: Where are you going?

Valentine: Who do you think you are, my wife?

Prince: He is going to settle things with Shadowhite.

Larisa jumps to her feet.

Larisa: By yourself!?

Valentine: I have Seth… Wait… yeah, I see what you mean. You got a problem with that?

Larisa glances at Prince.

Larisa: No.

She sits down. Valentine makes for the exit.

Prince: Mercy is a powerful virtue, Marco.

Valentine exits without acknowledging.

INT. VALENTINE’S CAR

Seth drives, Valentine stares out of the window.

Seth: I wore the uniform like you said. No one noticed me. I guess they’re preoccupied with… other things.

Valentine: Hmm.

They drive along in silence.

EXT. REICHSTAG BUILDING

Seth and Valentine walk along dressed in suits, with shades and briefcases. They enter the building.

INT. REICHSTAG BUILDING

They make their way through the lobby, nodding and smiling at people. Then they get to the metal detectors. Marco goes through it, making it beep. He just keeps straight on walking. The security guard gets up.

Guard: Hey!

Seth shoots him, passes through. More guards start coming. The boys run, make it to the lift as the bullets batter the doors. Seth takes a detonator from his case and blows up the loby. The lift carries them up, then starts to stop.

Valentine: This ain’t the top.

Seth takes another detonator and sets it off. A series of muffled explosions sound. The doors open up and the charred remains of the level can be seen. A dead guy holding a gun falls into the lift. Seth kicks him out and Valentine shuts the doors. As they near the top, Seth takes out his sub-machine guns and Valentine readies grenades. The doors open and they hide by the sides. Guards are gathered aiming rifles into the lift.

Shadowhite: Stand down, men.

They do so. Valentine hears this and peers out, then walks out.

Shadowhite: Leave us.

Soldier: But sir-

Seth takes another detonator and explosions downstairs rock the building.

Shadowhite: Get out while you still can, why don’t you?

The guards leave and head for the stairs. Valentine nods to Seth. Seth throws him an SMG, then takes the lift back down.

Shadowhite: What do you hope to achieve here?

Valentine looks over to the back of the room. Mei and Jane are unconscious and chained to the wall.

Shadowhite: Oh yeah, them. I haven’t done anything yet. I was waiting for you. You know, so you could watch. Although, I was rather expecting you to be beaten and tortured, or at least bound and gagged. I would even have settled for mildly scathed.

Valentine: We never do get the things we wish for.

Shadowhite: That is the truth, it can’t be denied. I hear you took care of a little problem for me with your massacre earlier today. That was very much appreciated. It’s a shame though about your harbouring of a certain criminal overlord, especially so soon after our recent agreement. Not to mention that you’ve left your mark on my lady in red.

Valentine snorts.

Shadowhite: When were you planning on telling me about that?

Valentine: Pretty much now. Why are you taking this so personal?

Shadowhite: Oh, I’m not. My gripe with Jane has nothing to do with you. Well, I suppose it is… But you weren’t to know about any of our… issues. My disappointment is invested solely in her. And as for your daughter…

Shadowhite smiles.

Shadowhite: That one is an interesting tale. Somebody has been keeping secrets.

Valentine: Enlighten me.

Shadowhite: No, I feel as though it’s just me talking here. My mouth has run dry. Now, this here, it’s important, we two men, talking and bonding. Tell me, how are you feeling?

Valentine gives Shadowhite a dirty look and shifts his gun to his other hand.

Valentine: I am forever myself. My brutality never knew limits. I always thought the things I did were justifiable. I was doing the right thing, or some such self righteous excuse. But earlier today, hacking those worthless beings to shreds, I realised something… I’m in love with it. I love everything about it. I don’t know if I’ll ever be happy unless I’m hurting someone.

Shadowhite: And how do feel about that?

Valentine: Pretty crappy.

Shadowhite: So will hurting me make you happy?

Valentine smirks.

Valentine: It’ll be orgasmic.

Shadowhite: I hope you’re not going gay on me.

Valentine: I came here to make amends. Your personal Gestapo, MAD, has disintegrated. Your syndicates will follow. You’ve been nothing but a disease to this country. The slums here are a disgrace. Corruption is not only common place, it’s encouraged. I should never have allowed you to take the Presidency. And I’ll be damned if I’m going to let you take the sovereignty.

Shadowhite: Is that so?

Valentine: Yeah… But mostly though, you know what? I should never have let you kill Matthew Armside.

Shadowhite takes off his robe and throws it aside to show off his sleek, streamlined, unarmed body.

Shadowhite: No touching guns.

Valentine tosses aside his weapons and charges with a bloodthirsty scream.

Valentine: You’re gonna pay, you bitch!

They run at each other, impact against each other and scatter aside. Valentine comes back first, punches, slugging Shadowhite hard on the jaw. Shadowhite rolls with it, then catches Valentine’s fist and twists it.

Shadowhite: Whoa there. Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten already!

Shadowhite grabs Valentine and flips him over his shoulder, smashing him into a table, breaking it. Valentine stumbles to his feet and gets kicked back down by Shadowhite, who then grabs him and flings him into more furniture, breaking that too.

Shadowhite: I didn’t get to the top on looks alone.

EXT. REICHSTAG BUILDING

Seth exits the building, flanking upwards anxiously. He holds his detonator and more explosions wrack the building. Droves of people are fleeing in terror now as it burns. Beaufort comes running out. Seth spies him, recognises him, leaps across, grabs him by the throat and throws him to the floor.

Seth: Where do you think you’re going?

Beaufort: What do you want with me?

Seth: What do I – Hey! I’m not a moron! (Even though I sometimes dream I am) John Beaufort, boss of the Red Swallow syndicate, and vice-president of the nation. You hold the power that’s destroying us all! I’m not gonna just let you run free!

Beaufort: I’m just a puppet. I may have the smarts and the money too. But the truth is that I have no real power! I’m nothing more than a figurehead, the least of your problems! In fact… he’d be the one you’re looking for.

Seth: Who?

Beaufort looks up. Seth follows his gaze as a helicopter flies overhead and descends towards the roof of the building. Beaufort scrambles to his feet.

Beaufort: He’s the one you should be pursuing. He leads the Blue Dragon syndicate, the most powerful in the country. He has money, he has power. He came and commandeered MAD whenever he felt like it, for his own ends. He flies around from place to place, answering to no one and setting his little games in motion, making his power plays.

Seth runs back inside the building. He runs back out, picks up his briefcase and runs back in again. Beaufort looks from side to side, and then runs away.

INT. REICHSTAG BUILDING, SHADOWHITE’S QUARTERS

Valentine, beaten black and blue with cuts and blood staining his shirt, picks himself up off the floor and assumes an aggressive stance.

Shadowhite: Give up. I don’t want to have to kill you.

Valentine: That’s the only way you’ll survive this.

Shadowhite charges forward, punching. Valentine deflects and hits back weakly. Shadowhite kicks Valentine in the side, sending him sprawling.

Shadowhite: What is it with you? Do you actually think you have a chance?

Valentine: I know I do…

Shadowhite: I’m just trying to find the best deal for myself. A concept I understand you’re familiar with.

The door from the staircase opens and Yukio enters quietly. An explosion sounds nearby and concrete falls behind him. Shadowhite looks over and half-smiles.

Yukio: What’s going on here?

Shadowhite: I believe that the realm would be served better by all of its most powerful and influential people… coming together, working together in harmony. But your brother has other ideas. I’ve been trying to convince him otherwise. He has been very resistant. Perhaps you can help.

Yukio: I can.

Yukio quick draws and shoots Shadowhite dead, clean between the eyes. Shadowhite falls. Valentine staggers to his feet.

Valentine: What?

Yukio: I’ve always admired you for your sense of honour. You remind me of our father with your courage. But sometimes, you know, you take it too damn far.

Valentine spits some blood. Yukio pockets his gun.

Valentine: Oh, I was doing good. I was about to take him down myself, you know. I have moves.

Valentine stumbles over to Shadowhite, takes a key from his pocket, then stumbles over to Jane and Mei and unlocks their chains. He sets their unconscious forms leaning against the wall.

Yukio: I suppose we should get them out of here.

Valentine: Mm.

Valentine goes over to Shadowhite’s table, finds a bottle of port and swigs from it, rinsing his mouth.

Valentine: We’ll do that. But first, you have some explaining to do.

Yukio: I feel I’ve done enough explaining for one day already. I just saved your life, lest you forget.

Valentine: Why?

Yukio: I couldn’t let him kill my little brother.

Valentine: Why? When you tried to manoeuvre me into going to save Chris which would have gotten me dead anyhow?

Yukio: What are you talking about? I understand there were… complications, but how was I to-

Valentine: Oh, give me a break! I’m not a moron! When you walked in here just now, Shadow treated you like an old and trusted friend. You’ve obviously been plotting with him, and now you’ve killed him probably just to reach in and steal his power!

Yukio: …Alright. I was on the level. And you were a threat. But I meant what I said. I didn’t want to see you dead by his hand. I am interested in the power. I never thought I would be, but when things opened up the way they did… I found I couldn’t resist. I saw an opportunity for me to change the way this country does business. An opportunity for us.

Valentine: Us?

Yukio: We could do wonders here together. Make Mom and Dad proud of us.

Valentine: Right. Hey! I have an idea. Let’s experiment with people’s minds, so we can use subliminal triggers. You know, to make them compliant and stuff.

Yukio’s demeanour shifts towards the wary and icy.

Yukio: What?

Valentine: Lydia paid me a visit.

Yukio: And what did she say?

Valentine: It’s bad enough you kept them hidden away for so long, Yukio. But experimenting on their brains?

Yukio: Their?

Valentine: It’s not a great leap of intuition to work out that if you were willing to ‘modify’ Lydia, you did it to Mei as well.

Yukio: You’re being ridiculous now.

Valentine: Wish I was. Hey! I’m not angry, brother. It’s not like you killed my wife. Not like you’ve tried to steal every single girlfriend I’ve ever had. Not like you abducted my daughter and – Hey. Did you know that I’m Lydia’s Godfather? Did you ever see that film? Particularly Part two with Michael having Fredo-

Yukio pulls his gun out. Valentine has already sneaked out a pistol from Shadowhite’s drawer and shoots Yukio’s gun from his hand.

Valentine: I don’t like being interrupted.

Yukio shakes his hand in pain.

Valentine: Now where was I?

Yukio: We can work this out.

Valentine: Emphatically not. I think it’s time for you to leave. And when say leave, let me be clear, I never want to see you again. Stay out of my life. For our own good.

Yukio: Ok.

Valentine is a little surprised. Yukio turns to leave, then thinks twice, and turns back.

Yukio: Don’t you want to know what her trigger is? What it makes her capable of? How to stop her?

Valentine: I kind of do.

Yukio: We should find out.

Valentine: ?

Yukio takes out his cell phone, and dials something into it. It starts to play an Aerosmith song. Mei’s eyes open and she stands up, dazed.

Yukio: Mei-mei. You recognise my voice?

She nods uncertainly.

Yukio: Good… Why don’t you kill this guy for me, daughter of mine?

She sprints over and takes a ceremonial spear from the wall. Valentine looks on, confused.

Yukio: Actually… I have a better idea… Kill her first.

Valentine: Oh, no, you’re one gorram dead son of a bitch!

Mei throws the spear at Jane.

BREAK - END OF ACT THREE

INT. REICHSTAG BUILDING, SHADOWHITE’S QUARTERS

Valentine runs hard, and dives in the way The spear embeds itself in his arm. He gets up, tears it free.

Yukio: Mei, show no mercy!

Mei attacks Valentine. Her movements are fast and she catches the injured Valentine cold, giving him a solid beating. Eventually, he grabs her arms to stop them moving. She starts kicking. He drags her and slams her against the wall.

Valentine: Stop it, Yukio! Make her stop!

Yukio: Can’t.

Valentine: I’ll do anything you want!

Valentine throws Mei to the floor. She back flips to her feet, screeches a battle cry and attacks. He defends.

Valentine: Anything!

Yukio: Sorry, but, can’t!

Valentine: What do you mean?

Yukio: Mei! Why don’t you stop that?

She doesn’t stop.

Mei: It’s ok. I can handle it.

Yukio: She was an advancement on previous subjects. Once she is given an order, she won’t stop until it is completed. Killing folk takes priority of course.

The only failsafe is a command for her to commit suicide.

Valentine’s face is blank. He gets hit in it, and rolls back to take it. Then he strikes back for the first time, hitting her face. She rebounds and attacks again. He dodges, punches like a boxer, hitting the abdomen, the side of the head, the forehead, the side of the head again. She falls, gets up and gets hit hard again in the back of the head. She falls, and this time, doesn’t get up. Valentine stands, blood dripping from his hands now. Yukio decides that now would be a good time to skedaddle. Valentine runs, grabs the spear and throws it, lancing Yukio through the shoulder, making him fall. Valentine stalks over to him and punches Yukio square in the face. He whips his pistol out and aims it between Yukio’s eyes.

Yukio: What about honour?

Valentine: I think I took it far enough.

Yukio: So be it.

Valentine: Any last words?

Yukio: I guess “sorry” won’t cut it?

Yukio smiles, drops something and in a flash of smoke and light, he is gone and Seth is standing in front of Valentine.

Seth: What’s going on?

Valentine: …

He runs back over to Jane, who ahs come to and is rather groggy.

Jane: I really hope I dreamed having a javelin thrown at me.

Seth: You’re ok now. Safe.

The building starts shaking.

Seth: Sort of.

Valentine goes over to Mei, picks up her fallen body and hugs her close, shutting his eyes.

Valentine: She’s still breathing. We need to get out of here.

He picks her up. Seth helps Jane to her feet and they make for the exit.

INT. STAIRS

The stairs face windows, mostly broken. A helicopter starts to fly away.

Seth: Yukio’s chopper!

Valentine: He’ll not get away with any of it. He can go to the ends of the Earth, I’ll hunt him down, and make him beg for life, and then I’ll make him eat lead.

Seth reaches into his pocket, takes out a detonator and offers it to Valentine.

Seth: My last one.

Valentine stares at the helicopter, feels the blood, watches it float away. He licks his lips.

Valentine: No. I can’t.

Seth takes the detonator back.

Valentine: Whatever he has done… He is still my brother.

Seth: I know, I’m not sure I can either. I mean, for all we know-

Jane: Oh, give that thing to me.

She snatches the detonator and presses the button. Valentine looks away as the night sky turns orange. He continues down the stairs, turning his back on the explosion.

INT. CITY HOSPITAL

Doctor Tam is with Valentine as they stand over Mei, unconscious in her bed.

Doctor: In conclusion, the exploratory surgery was inconclusive. There is no telling what effects the damage will have had on her, and the… modifications are embedded deep. We’d probably make it worse. But the longer she stays comatose… the less her chances of waking will be.

Valentine: Is that so?

He brushes a stray hair from her forehead.

Valentine: Thank you.

He exits the room and bumps into Seth, who looks tired. They nod to each other.

Seth: Leaving?

Valentine: Yeah.

Seth: Well, I’ll see you later.

Valentine: Later it’ll be.

Seth heads into the room and Valentine walks to the lift and gets in, heading to the ground floor. When he gets there, he steps out and a nurse pushes in Lydia in a wheelchair, her head bandaged heavily. She smiles weakly at Valentine.

Lydia: There’s hope.

He smiles, and heads for the exit. At the reception desk, Jane is checking out. She walks with him ton the doors.

Neville: Thanks for saving me.

Valentine: It was my pleasure.

Neville: I’m beat. I’m going to go home. Have a nice soothing bath.

Valentine: Maybe I’ll call you later.

They walk outside.

Neville: Thanks.

Valentine nods. They walk away in separate directions. Valentine reaches his Jag, opens the door, sits down, shuts the door, rolls down the window, lights a cigarette. A shadow falls across him. Valentine puts his key in the ignition.

Valentine: Hey Chris.

Prince: You’re leaving?

Valentine: With Deim dead, I’ll be taking over the head position at Roy’s Palace.

Prince: Well, hopefully, we’ll be integrating.

Valentine: You’re confident.

Prince: Beaufort has disappeared. Larisa will stand for the presidency virtually unchallenged. It’s all going according to plan.

Valentine: This plan seems to be made up as you’re going along.

Prince: There’s no kind of point there at all.

Valentine: You take care of yourself, Chris. When you mess up, I’ll be back for you.

Prince: Right. You go one home then.

Valentine starts the engine, takes off the parking brake, shifts into gear and speeds off. He cuts through the streets and hits the oddly deserted motorway, looks around to find himself alone with his thoughts.

Valentine: Home.

FIN