Star Saga: Swarm Of The Bulgata (3) I can't believe it-- IRIS (happily) Yes, it is a miracle. You wouldn't think it to look at the surface of the planet, but a great many of Earth's populace survived the attack. JESSE Looks like the Bulgata isn't as all powerful as they originally thought. I mean, they virtually wipe out Earth, and people still survived. LANGDON Yes, and they'll pay for the damage and death they've already caused. Too many lives have been lost. They've picked the wrong people to bully. Langdon and Iris begin speaking to one another in hushed tones. After a time, Monafia's sullen nature overtakes her. MONAFIA Langdon, perhaps tomorrow I can show you more of the history of the Uniseeian people. LANGDON Sure. Commander Wecker has already given me some information on it, but I wouldn't mind learning more. Iris, you wouldn't believe the story behind these people. I know it must seem odd that they speak English and all. IRIS Well, that does seem odd, if not a bit unbelieving. Why don't you tell me. LANGDON No, no. It would be better if someone with more grasp on that history shared it, like Monafia. MONAFIA I could share with you also about the history of our people, Iris, if you wish to know it. IRIS I would be very much interested in it, Monafia, thank you. No thanks to you, Langdon. LANGDON What did I do? Monafia's plate is three quarters of the way full. She looks sullen and distraught. She stands. MONAFIA I'm not very hungry. Father, if I may be excused. She walks away without waiting for his reply. Lord Dalaysis looks confused, as does Langdon, Jesse, and the Aides, while Iris reflects inwardly, as the soft music plays on. EXT. HIGH ORBIT OVER DORRIDION, EXTENDED VIEW OF DELTA SQUADRON The colossal Delta Squadron Academy sends out scouting ships that scour the perimeter of Dorridion. INT. DELTA SQUADRON, TRAINING FACILITY Lined rows of cadets go through the warmups as their MALE INSTRUCTOR leads them. INT. CLASSROOM - CONTINUOUS Students sit at their desks quietly, looking over a touch sensitive GUI that's built into the desk, while their FEMALE TEACHER paces about the forefront of the classroom. INT. MESS HALL - CONTINUOUS Some students stand in line, waiting to serve themselves, while others sit and converse with their peers. EXT. SPACE, EXTENDED VIEW OF DELTA SQUADRON A MALE CADET leads a FEMALE CADET through several flying exercises. They continue to pull away from the safety of Delta Squadron, and from the planet Dorridion. MALE CADET That's it. You're doing great. Here, follow my lead. The Male Cadet embraces a method of boost and his fighter begins to fly further and further away from Delta Squadron. The Female Cadet trails after him. They now enter into an asteroid field, and continually maneuver about the small to giant rocks. The Female Cadet puts on a smile and turns on a laugh. FEMALE CADET (continuing) JONATHAN, I am getting better. I couldn't do this not six days ago, and now look at me. JONATHAN What I tell ya? Keep it steady. We're almost on the other side. The Female Cadet notices a blip on her radar. A red dot appearing on radar detect ability. She then looks more intently and notices that many red dots are appearing on the radar. She gasps. FEMALE CADET Jonathan, I think we're being attacked. We have to warn Delta Squad-- JONATHAN --I know--shi--Pull up! Try to make it out of the asteroid field. They're right in front of us. FEMALE CADET (whimpering) I don't think I can make it. JONATHAN You have to. I'm not leaving you behind. The Female Cadet's face becomes one of resolve and she follows Jonathan up and up into the asteroid field. Sweat begins to bead on her face. She looks as if she is exerting a lot of energy to make it out of the field. Finally the two of them make it out and as they begin to level their fighters towards Delta Squadron the swarm of the Bulgata can be seen in the distance. Great capital ships and many fighters, the Intimidator stationed in the midst of it all, with an endless sea of fighters and capital ships trailing afterwards. Both Jonathan and the Female Cadet look on in horror, and then become fired upon by a few Bulgata fighters who have moved up in the advance. JONATHAN We have to warn Delta Squadron. Jonathan fumbles with turning on a few switches and then speaks through his headset, all while avoiding laser fire from the Bulgata fighters. JONATHAN (frantically) This is Jonathan Kent of DELTA ELITE. A massive Bulgata armada is heading straight for Delta Squadron and Dorridion. I repeat: this is Jonathan Kent of Delta Elite. A massive-- Just then the Female Cadet screams as her fighter explodes into smithereens. JONATHAN JEA-NETTE! INT. DELTA SQUADRON CONTROL ROOM The MALE OPERATOR has heard enough of Jonathan's message. He turns towards the ACTING COMMANDER. MALE OPERATOR Commander, the Bulgata, they are attacking us! ACTING COMMANDER (in anger) Sound the alarm! INT. DELTA SQUADRON, TRAINING FACILITY The day's activities have largely come to an end as Cadets make their way to their duffle bags when their reveries are broken with the sound of the alarm. FEMALE'S VOICE All cadets report to your ships immediately. This is not a drill. All cadets report to your ships immediately. Chaos ensues as the cadets scramble to get to the ship port. INT. CLASSROOM - CONTINUOUS The students in the classroom rush out of their seats and head through either one of the two doors which lead into the hallway. INT. MESS HALL - CONTINUOUS Students in the mess hall vault upwards from eating their meals to get to the ship port. INT. SHIP PORT - CONTINUOUS Hoards upon Hoards of cadets make their way to their ships and into the very large ship port, the alarm still buzzing in the background. We watch as nameless cadets flip a few switches and their ships begin to hover above ground a bit. Many ships then fly out of the ship port in a continuous manner. EXT. SPACE, EXTENDED VIEW OF DELTA SQUADRON The many ships pour out of the wide mouth of the ship port and head toward the vast Bulgata fleet. Jonathan's ship has by now made it back to Delta Squadron and with a handful of other cadets were able to repel the few Bulgata fighters who pulled ahead. He speaks through his headset to the others. JONATHAN Woo-whoo! Let's give em a welcome party they'll never forget, boys. INT. INTIMIDATOR WARSHIP, BRIDGE Fedos and Fedora look on through the observation screen as Raphsidy awaits his orders. They continue to speak in the alien tongue. FEDOS Send several squadrons of fighters towards their outpost. I want to assail the planet before we are done. Fedora hums and smiles a wicked smile towards her husband. FEDORA (continuing) Hmm--this will be a monumental victory for us. The children of our race will extol generation upon generation of how we vanquished the impudence of the Earth forces, how this battle was key to making them subservient to us. FEDOS (with a wry smile) Indeed. EXT. EXTENDED VIEW OF DELTA SQUADRON - CONTINUOUS We see that Jonathan is leading a band of fighters into the Bulgata forces. Several other bands are stationed at varying points around and about him and they form a grouping of fighters. A band of Bulgata fighters fire into them and they all split, each going their separate ways but as a whole miniature unit. JONATHAN Let's show em the superior air power of the Delta Squadron, boys. Yee-haw! Jonathan flies alone in free space after a Bulgata fighter, in the very midst of a titanic battle waging between the Bulgata forces and Delta Squadron. At times he seems to have the fighter in his cross hairs but the Myrmidion makes last second changes to his piloting which prevent it. Finally, Jonathan has him where he wants him and sends a continuous stream of laser fire that sends the Bulgata fighter's ship parts every-which-a-way. EXT. SPACE, NEAR CRUISER HOLDINGS - CONTINUOUS A gigantic sliding door opens on the superstructure of Delta Squadron and Star Cruisers begin pouring out two by two. They are equipped with laser cannons on the exterior of their structures and as soon as they make it out of the Academy they begin firing on unsuspecting Bulgata fighters. EXT. SPACE, IN THE HEART OF THE BATTLE - CONTINUOUS After taking out a Bulgata fighter, Jonathan notices that the Star Cruisers are departing from the safety of the docks. The Acting Commander speaks through the headset. ACTING COMMANDER Let's get some assistance for our capital ships. We don't want the Bulgata taking out our heavy artillery. JONATHAN I'm on it, commander. Wingmen. Pointmen. Form up. Some fighters disengage themselves from the chaos of battle and form bands of fighters and head for the capital ships, some of which have by now reached the edges of the battle and are being fired upon by Bulgata fighters. INT. INTIDMIDATOR WARSHIP, BRIDGE Fedos and Fedora look on while Raphsidy relays commands to the fleet. Illzar stands to the exit of the bridge with his arms folded, a laser gun at his thigh, and Tuskans to the ready. The words they speak appear onscreen. FEDORA We have held off our advance for too long. Let us strike now while their capital ships are orienting themselves. Raphsidy, send an arm of our forces toward their command post. RAPHSIDY As you wish, my mistress. EXT. SPACE, NEAR THE BULGATA ADVANCE Two capital ships disengage from the Bulgata contingent along with a plethora of fighters and head toward Delta Squadron. Jonathan as well as his wingmen notices this in their fighters. JONATHAN They're heading for the Academy. We'll have to take them head on, boys. This arm of the Delta Squadron has three capital ships flanked with fighters in comparison. However, the Bulgata forces have a good deal more fighters. The two forces engage, with the ships cannons from each contingent taking out those fighters who went ahead of the advance. Jonathan looks around in his fighter and notices that their support is growing thin, though he still has his wingmen intact. JONATHAN We're losing em left and right. We've gotta protect the Academy. In one last bastion of hope the fighters as well as the cruisers take out a good deal of the Bulgata forces. This microcosm of the battle tells the tale for the whole conflict as well, with Delta Squadron losing too many fighters to hold off the Bulgata advance for too much longer. Jonathan has a resigned look on his face as he gets the news from the Acting Commander. ACTING COMMANDER That's it. We can't hold them off any longer. Depart for Dorridion for a last stand. INT. DELTA SQUADRON, LIGHTED HALL The words 'evacuate, evacuate' bellow on as many instructors and other Academy leaders rush for the ship port. INT. DELTA SQUADRON, SHIP PORT The Acting Commander with several other high level dignitaries as well as many instructors rush for drop ships. The ships hum, hover, and fly out of the port towards the planet in a continuous stream. EXT. SPACE, INSIDE JONATHAN'S SHIP Jonathan swears under his breath as the remaining fighters depart and head for the blue planet. INT. INTIMIDATOR WARSHIP, BRIDGE Fedos and Fedora look on excitedly through the observation screen as the Delta Squadron fighters head for Dorridion. Fedos has a gleam in his eye as he says the following words with a motion of his arm, signifying an all encompassing area: FEDOS (continuing) Destroy it. All of it. EXT. SPACE, EXTENDED VIEW OF DELTA SQUADRON The Bulgata fighters as well as the capital ships converge on the colossal Delta Squadron and let loose unwavering fire as the straggling fighters in the background are allowed to escape to Dorridion. EXT. DORRIDION, SPRAWLING METROPOLIS - NOON The sun is at the height of its power and reflects brilliantly off the buildings of the metropolis, which seem to extend beyond the clouds. It is like a city that goes on without end. A ship flies high in the sky, giving off an alarm that blares, letting people know that war is coming. People hurriedly make their way to their homes on the ground as well as in their flying vehicles. EXT. DELTA SQUADRON INITIATES CENTER #1 - CONTINUOUS Chaos reigns throughout the Initiate Center, with young people running to get to the assembly hall. INT. ASSEMBLY HALL The assembly hall is big enough to hold around five hundred people and has a balcony. Commander A. P. Holton and Overseer Jack Hoft stand on the stage and delay speaking until the last of the stragglers make it inside. They both have headset microphones which broadcast their voices across the entire hall. Simon, Simone, Jason, and Matt sit right beside one another. COMMANDER HOLTON We're going to have to begin. We don't have any time as it is. Hoft? Jack pauses for a second and considers, then he moves to the forefront of the podium. JACK About an hour ago, a large Bulgata fleet attacked Delta Squadron, and the cadets were unable to hold them back. They are now heading here, for Dorridion. The murmuring of the Initiates seemingly cannot be silenced. Simon, Simone, Jason, and Matt all look at one another worriedly. JACK (continuing) We have gathered you all here together because you as well as the stragglers who fought on behalf of the Academy and traditional soldiers will serve as this planet's last line of defense. The murmuring returns. Holton steps forward, speaking over the tumult. COMMANDER HOLTON We have broadcast transmission since it was discovered that Delta Squadron was under attack. Since the attack took even us by surprise, it is not expected that all of the citizens will hear the message of the invasion. JACK We are splitting you up in tasks. Some of you will pilot fighters, while others will patrol the streets and insure that the Bulgata does not harvest the planet. COMMANDER HOLTON We have very much been in the dark throughout the inception of this conflict, but we have some idea of how the Bulgata operates. We know that they will try to shuttle the planet's citizens and use them as pawns to increase their military might. We know this from the conflict that was spawned with Unisee. JACK We understand that you all are affrighted. But you must also understand that you are this planet's only hope. Jack looks at Holton, who then turns his glance at the sea of Initiates. COMMANDER HOLTON We have already divided up the lot. You are to report to your dorms and access your computer terminals. Emails have been sent. You will of course be supplied with the necessary equipment. We have enough to go around for everyone at this Initiate Center. JACK That is all. You all are dismissed. For the sake of Dorridion, keep in mind that you are the planet's, and perhaps humanity's, only hope. � The Initiates stand and begin heading for their dorms. EXT. SKY VIEW OVER INITIATES CENTER #1 - CONTINUOUS The multi tiered white structure of Initiate Center #1 comes into view as the members from the Academy have largely made it to Dorridion. They are akin to a medium sized armada. We are now inside of Jonathan's ship. He as well as everyone else gets instruction from the Acting Commander. ACTING COMMANDER Holton wants some of you cadets to remain stationed here, to assist the Initiates at this center. Others of you are being asked to shuttle across the planet to other centers. Teams Blue, Green, and Black, you are to remain. Teams Yellow, Orange, and Red, head toward Initiate Center 2. White, Gray, and Scarlet you are to be stationed at Initiate Center 3. Alright cadets, let's get moving. The different teams consisting of fighters as well as star cruisers splinter off and begin heading in their different directions. Jonathan remains stationed here. INT. INITIATE CENTER #1, DORM AREA - CONTINUOUS Simon hurriedly makes his way through the lighted hall of the dorm area, swimming through a sea of Initiates. He finally gets to his dorm and places his hand on a hand print scanner and the doors slide open before him. He makes his way to his desk and types on his keyboard for a brief moment and a window pops open showing him which task he is assigned. He stands and begins heading back from whence he came. He pauses a moment and can see Simone making her way towards him. After much jostling they make it towards one another and begin speaking over the commotion. SIMONE I'm assigned to patrol the metropolis. SIMON (pausing) I'm--assigned fighter duty. They stand where they are as everyone continues to pass by them, saddened by their soon to be separation, and by what it can entail. INT. UNISEEIAN PALACE, HALL OUTSIDE MONAFIA'S ROOM - MORNING Light spills in through the tall windows of the hall. Langdon passes by a Uniseeian SERVANT WOMAN. She smiles at him as he passes, as does he. He looks back toward the way he came and then softly knocks on Monafia's door. She speaks. MONAFIA Come in. Langdon opens the door and steps inside. The room is designed with an extravagance of beauty, brilliantly bright white and pink colors are arranged in designs about the room. It is like a microcosm of the designs of the Uniseeian structures. Monafia sits at a wood carved desk with a mirror mounted above it and a high chair with its back colored in red. She is brushing her very long hair as she turns and sees Langdon. He approaches, but she says nothing. LANGDON Iris and I were wondering if you were still going to instruct us in Uniseeian history. Now would be a pretty good time. We've already done a bit of remodeling earlier this morning, so if you're still-- Langdon let's the remaining of his remark hang in the air and looks towards Monafia with expectancy. She doesn't glance towards him though. She sighs after the first pause. MONAFIA (continuing) Perhaps--perhaps it would be best if you allowed some one other than me to instruct you. I wouldn't--I wouldn't want to interfere. Langdon looks confused. LANGDON (continuing) Interfere? How would you be interfering in anything? Monafia considers. Langdon takes a step closer towards her. MONAFIA (continuing) I--see the way you look at her. And I--can imagine the way she makes you feel. LANGDON (considering) Is--is that why you left last night? Because of Iris? Monafia looks towards him for only the second time. MONAFIA You didn't know? Langdon puts a hand to his head. LANGDON (continuing) I--didn't. I guess I was still too excited to know that she still lived. MONAFIA She obviously means a lot to you. LANGDON (considering) Well--I love her. Monafia looks downcast. MONAFIA (continuing) I thought that was how you felt about her. I shall--leave you alone now. Langdon advances closer to Monafia and stretches out his hand. LANGDON (continuing) No--wait. It's not like how you are thinking. She and I have never been romantically involved. I've just--known her for a very long time. Monafia looks up into Langdon's eyes, as hope seemingly reintroduces itself unto her. MONAFIA (continuing) You--haven't? Langdon shakes his head. Monafia stands and rushes towards Langdon and they embrace. Tears come down Monafia's face. Langdon wipes them away. MONAFIA (continuing) Oh--Langdon. I was so frightened that I was going to lose you. They embrace once more as Langdon runs his hand down Monafia's hair wearing a look of concern. EXT. DORRIDION, FRONT OF INITIATE CENTER #1 - MIDDAY The front of the Initiate Center is wide and expansive, allowing for much room for many dropships. Initiates equipped with rifled laser guns propped up in their hands are boarding those dropships that will patrol the planet for any sign of Myrmidions harvesting Dorridions. Simone and freckle-faced-red-haired-Matt are heading to one such dropship. They board and strap themselves in as the dropship, along with several others, lifts off, all while being escorted by fighters, and head for the Metropolis, which can be seen in the distance. EXT. DORRIDION, BACK OF INITIATE CENTER #1 - CONTINUOUS A sea of fighters are lined up in the back of the Initiate Center. Simon and Jason rush towards two ships that are beside one another and board. Several ships take off before either Simon or Jason have had a chance to flip a few switches and enter hover mode. After doing so, they head toward the destination of units Blue, Green, and Black, and with all considered and all ships together the host of which are transformed into a formidable fighting force. Overseer Jack Hoft speaks through their headsets. HOFT Alright Initiates, listen up. Think back to times in which we staged mock training exercises. Form up in those point men and wingmen assignments. Everyone, move out. Simon speaks through his headset. SIMON Jason, GARNET, GREGORY, WILLIAM, form up. The fighters come to Simon's side. Similarly, fighters converge around other point men and the newly formed fleet begin heading toward the atmosphere. EXT. HIGH ORBIT OVER DORRIDION - CONTINUOUS The large and impressive Bulgata fleet has now made it to within atmospheric range of Dorridion. The fleet moves ever closer, plowing through a cloudless sky. INT. INTIMIDATOR WARSHIP, BRIDGE Raphsidy is using what is called by the Bulgata the DEEP SCANNER, a devise the Bulgata use to probe the universe looking for new targets. He pulls up video of the Dorridion world for Fedos and Fedora's perusal. They look on through the observation screen as he shows the architecture of the planet, video which shows how populous the world is, and its technological progress. Again, their words appear onscreen. RAPHSIDY As you can see, it's a very populated world. It will provide many an able bodied worker for use on Bulgata. FEDORA Yes, you were right, Raphsidy. This planet and its people will serve our designs most excellently. FEDOS Have you discovered where they are mobilizing? RAPHSIDY Through the Deep Scanner I have uncovered three places which they call 'Initiate Centers.' These areas will spawn the last of the planet's resistance. FEDOS Splinter off portions of the armada. Send attack forces towards these outposts. RAPHSIDY As you wish, Lord Fedos. EXT. HIGH ORBIT OVER DORRIDION - CONTINUOUS Three sections of the Bulgata armada pull away from the main contingent of forces and head toward three separate destinations, sizable divisions of the invading forces. The rest of the military force remains stationary. EXT. ORBIT OVER WOODED AREA - CONTINUOUS The newly formed Dorridion fleet flies ever higher over the planet Dorridion. Simon leads his wingmen through a thick cloud filled sky. There is very little visibility. We see the insides of their ships as Simon and his wingmen speak to one another through their headsets. Garnet is a female. JASON (thoughtful) I never thought I'd make it into Delta Squadron. And now here I am fighting beside cadets in defense of my home planet. SIMON This is my home too. I'm not about to let the Bulgata run roughshod here. This world means too much to me. GREGORY We'll rip em a new one, guys. They begin to leave the thick clouds behind. GARNET Do you boys see what I see? WILLIAM (in shock) That's them. That's the Bulgata. This contingent of forces which broke away is vast indeed. Fighters and capital ships in the distance bespeckle the blue sky. Overseer Jack Hoft speaks to the Initiates. JACK Don't be intimidated by them, young ones. Think on a mother, or a father, or a sister, those people you wish to protect. Whatever it takes to keep you alive. Our ideals are superior to theirs. They fight for enslavement, in support of tyranny. We fight in the name of freedom. The distance between the Bulgata and Dorridions shortens ever the more. During that time we see the faces of Gregory, William, Garnet, Jason, Jonathan, and Simon in that order. Finally the fighters from the two armadas converge on one another and begin firing.
Copyright © 2008 Michael Harris |