Star Saga (3) JESSE You got any idea how to get rid of these pests? LANGDON You're the one who told me to come down here, remember? JESSE Hey, I just wanted to see how badly they damaged things. Langdon sighs. LANGDON Follow me. JESSE Aye, aye, captain. Jesse follows Langdon around burnt sagging structures when they approach a crippled bridge. LANGDON All right, stay close to me. JESSE You got it. Langdon flips an array of switches and then hits a button marked PHOTON TORPEDO. A small green light departs from his craft and blasts the bridge. The two fly under it just before its crumbling remains crushes one of the Bulgata fighters. JESSE Ha hah, I bet he didn't see that comin'. LANGDON We're not out of the woods yet, we've still got that other one to deal with. JESSE No problem. Follow my lead. Jesse leads Langdon around the charred remains of buildings structured in the form of columns, all while being fired upon by the Bulgata fighter. Jesse makes reference to a bigger column coming up in the horizon. JESSE Let's circle around that one. LANGDON We'll have to speed up to trick him. The two fighters receive a sudden boost and head toward the gigantic column. They fly around it and the Bulgata fighter does only a half circle around it. The Myrmidion looks to and fro in his fighter, but can't find them. The fighters approach him from behind. JESSE We're behind you, ya jack ass. Lasers depart from their ships and destroy the fighter, sending its remains every-which-a-way. LANGDON Let's get back to the academy. The two crafts ascend past the clouds. INT. OMEGA SQUADRON, SHIP PORT We watch as Langdon and Jesse's crafts enter the ship port. They land. Near the entrance of the port, Czar Shepard, along with Commander Wecker, speak to the cadets. Langdon and Jesse unstrap and head toward the massed crowd. CZAR SHEPARD Ladies, gentlemen, I just want to reiterate to you just how very pleased I was. That was some fine fighting. If we keep up this level of excellence we shouldn't have any problems ridding ourselves of this alien threat. As a token of our appreciation, we have arranged, for your pleasure, an assortment of refreshments in the mess hall. The cadets look on with uninterested expressions on their faces. Shepard looks from face to face. Wecker speaks up. COMMANDER WECKER Free of charge, of course. Upon hearing that, the cadets hurriedly make their way out of the ship port. COMMANDER WECKER You've just got to speak their lingo. CZAR SHEPARD Yes I'll...make note of it. Langdon and Jesse approach the two. COMMANDER WECKER Langdon Hughes and Jesse Faundoo, you came in much later than the other cadets. We expect an explanation. JESSE We led the some of the enemy to Earth, for uh...tactical reasons. COMMANDER WECKER Next time stick to protocol. We can't afford losing some of our finest cadets to what pretty much amounts to horseplay. JESSE Yes, sir. CZAR SHEPARD There's been an assortment of refreshments prepared in the mess hall. Enjoy yourselves. You are dismissed. LANGDON Sir, if I may? Now that you've gotten a chance to see what they can do, wouldn't an attack of our own suffice? Shepard sighs. CZAR SHEPERD This again. COMMANDER WECKER Langdon, you are in no position to be asking of such things. CZAR SHEPARD It's all right, Wecker. Langdon, we are planning something. But we won't see the results of our planning until at least another three days. I'm sorry, but spontaniety and the military just don't mix, at least not in my view. Langdon nods accordingly. LANGDON I understand, sir. JESSE Come on, Langley, let's go fill up on some of those refreshments. Jesse heads off. Langdon trails behind him. He stops. LANGDON Sir, I don't want you to think that I'm over stepping my bounds or anything, but...I just don't think they'll be anything to rescue in three days. Langdon leaves. Shepard contemplates. COMMANDER WECKER Sir, I... CZAR SHEPaRD No, no, the kids got a point. And if there was something I could do, I'd do it. Shepard sighs. CZAR SHEPARD (continuing) Let's see if we cannot iron out the rest of our plan. COMMANDER WECKER Yes, sir. The two head for the sliding door and exit. INT. DORMS, LANGDON'S QUARTERS Monafia sits alone near the desk when Langdon enters. MONAFIA You're back. All went well, I assume? Langdon nods. MONAFIA What is the matter? Langdon sits on the bed. LANGDON I tried talking with Czar Shepard again and...it doesn't look they'll be making a move for a while. Monafia looks saddend. MONAFIA It is OK. You tried, and for that I am grateful. Langdon stands and walks around the room in deep contemplation. He looks toward Monafia. LANGDON Look...I might not be able to save everyone but...your father, we could at least attempt to rescue him. Monafia gasps. She rushes toward Langdon and hugs him. MONAFIA (continuing) I don't know what to say...thank you, Langdon. Langdon heads toward his closet and pulls out a Killimari weapon and a laser gun, both of which are encased in their sheaths. He flings the Killimari around his back and the laser gun along his side. LANGDON (continuing) You shouldn't. I'm going to get in so much trouble for this...but, it's the right thing to do. MONAFIA You are a saint. He smiles. LANGDON (continuing) Come on. The two head through the sliding door. INT. HALL OUTSIDE OF SHIP PORT Langdon and Monafia walk cautiously toward the ship port. They stop in front of the sliding door. LANGDON You do know how to get back to your planet, right? MONAFIA Yes, I remember. LANGDON OK, let's... A male UNIFORMED OFFICER approaches them from down the hall. They stop and stand in front of the sliding door. Langdon nods at him, he nods back. LANGDON Hi. UNIFORMED OFFICER Hey. By this time, the officer has made some headway down the hall. MONAFIA Hi. The officer turns and stares at Monafia briefly, whose smiling. The officer exits their range of site. The two hurriedly enter the ship port. INT. SHIP PORT Langdon and Monafia head toward Langdon's ship. The hatch opens and they enter. LANGDON Can you show me on here? A screen turns on in Monafia's compartment, revealing an array of star systems. She looks down toward it. LANGDON It's touch sensitive. Select your world. Monafia does as she's told and encircles a star system located in the upper right hand corner. MONAFIA Here. The circle reveals itself on Langdon's screen. LANGDON Which world? MONAFIA The blue one. Langdon flips an array of switches and the ship begins to hover. LANGDON Next stop, Unisee. The ship flys out of the port, producing a motion blur effect. INT. OMEGA SQUADRON, CONTROL ROOM The male Operator informs Shepard and Wecker of an occurence on the radar. OPERATOR Sirs, the radar's acting up again. The two head toward him. OPERATOR (continuing) It looks to be one of our own. CZAR SHEPARD It's leaving the ship port. COMMANDER WECKER That's Langdon's ship. EXT. SPACE, LANGDON'S CRAFT Wecker speaks to Langdon through his helmet. COMMANDER WECKER Langdon, what in God's name are you doing? Get back here now! LANGDON I'm going to rescue her father, with or without your help, sir. And you're not going to talk me out of it. Langdon out. Langdon presses a button blocking further transmission. The ship flys on through space. INT. OMEGA SQUADRON, CONTROL ROOM Commander Wecker speaks through the head set. COMMANDER WECKER Langdon? Langdon?! Wecker takes off the head set. COMMANDER WECKER (continuing) He blocked my transmission. CZAR SHEPARD Hmm. Shepard walks away from him. CZAR SHEPARD (continuing) That girl is the only one who knows where her planet is. If she dies then... COMMANDER WECKER We'll be sitting ducks. CZAR SHEPARD I want them followed with as many cruisers and fighters as we can muster. INT. MESS HALL Jesse sits alone with a spread of various dishes in his sight. He picks up a hamburger and starts to bite when the alarm goes off again. FEMALE VOICE All cadets report to your ships immediately. This is not a drill. All cadets report to your ships immediately. Cadets scramble out of the mess hall. Jesse looks at the food in dismay. JESSE Aww man. He takes the hamburger with him and goes about his way. EXT. SPACE, EXTENDED VIEW OF OMEGA SQUADRON We watch as the gargantuan star cruiser gets escorted by the smaller star cruisers and a swarm of fighters. INT. THE CZAR'S STAR CRUISER, BRIDGE Czar Shepard stands with Commander Wecker in the bridge of the Czar's Star Cruiser. CZAR SHEPARD Looks like the boy got his wish afterall. EXT. SPACE The Star Cruisers and fighters enter hyper space, flying at ridiculous speeds and causing the universe to bend. EXT. EARTH, RUINS OF METROPOLIS Cadets exit the submarine and look in horror at the burnt remains of Earth, one of which is Iris. She gasps. A dropship begins to descend from the sky. It lands on the rubble. The cadets begin entering. EXT. SPACE, LANGDON'S CRAFT Langdon looks at his radar. In the distance a few green points reveal themselves. LANGDON Looks like we're being followed. MONAFIA Followed? By whom? LANGDON Probably the Czar, the Commander, and all of Omega Squadron. I guess he changed his mind. Silence engulfs the ship. MONAFIA Langdon? LANGDON Yes? MONAFIA Why are you doing this for me? Langdon remains silent. MONAFIA (continuing) Is it for revenge? For what they did to your friend? LANGDON It's...because of a lot of things. Monafia puts on a small smile. MONAFIA My father will be ever so grateful to you...that is if the Bulgata haven't... LANGDON Don't talk like that. I wouldn't be in this ship now if I didn't believe he was still alive. In the distance, we can see the emergence of a blue planet. LANGDON Is that it? Monafia looks toward its direction. MONAFIA Yes. The ship flys toward Unisee. EXT. HIGH ORBIT OVER UNISEE, LANGDON'S CRAFT Langdon flys over green terran and through thick white clouds, clouds that obscure visibility. He looks to and fro. LANGDON I can't see through this stuff. Where is it? MONAFIA Head west...I think... Langdon does as he's told. In the distance, the light shaded blue and pink structures of Unisee comes into view. MONAFIA There, it's there. The ship flys toward the structures. INT. INTIMIDATOR WARSHIP, BRIDGE Raphsidy enters the desolate bridge and heads toward the controls. He notices a red dot on the radar. He observes. A swarm of red dots then enter within the radar dectability. He gasps and leaves. EXT. UNISEE, EXTENDED VIEW OF LANGDON'S CRAFT - MIDDAY The craft flies over the colorful structures of Unisee. From the ship's point of view we can see that the Uniseeian people have been massed near the palace balcony again. Monafia makes reference to the ship port. MONAFIA The ship port is there. INT. UNISEEIAN PALACE, SHIP PORT -CONTINUOS The craft flys into the ship port and lands. The hatch flys open and Langdon and Monafia depart. MONAFIA We must hurry. Langdon follows hurriedly after her. INT. UNISEE, PALACE BALCONY - CONTINUOS Fedos, Fedora, Lord Dalaysis, and Illzar stand in the palace balcony. Fedos addresses the Uniseeians. Lord Dalaysis looks on heartbroken. The people speak nervously amongst themselves. FEDOS The time has come, my lovelies. From the palace balcony we can see that the Myrmidions are gathering the people into drop ships. The people begin to quiet themselves while looking toward the balcony. FEDOS (continuing) Do not fear, for we are taking you away from the majesty of this place, from its warm embrace you will go, to a most cold world. A world where you'll get one meal a day, if that. A world where the sky sheds no light. A world where you'll contribute to the technological advancement of the Bulgata. Fedos pauses and contemplates. FEDOS (continuing) I take that back. You should be very fearful. Let fear consume your very being, your every thought. Let nothing come across your puny minds but fear. Fedora laughs hysterically. FEDORA (continuing) That's enough brain washing for today, my love. We'll have plenty of time for that later. FEDOS Yes, Bulgata awaits. Come. The four exit the balcony and walk into the throne room. FEDOS You did well, Lord Dalaysis. The transition from you to I is complete. Unfortunately, we have no more use for you. Lord Dalaysis looks at them in shock. FEDORA Oh please, don't start with that. Allowing you to live would give the people hope. Hope is not good. Hope, is bad. FEDOS Indeed. Illzar, dispose of him. Illzar advances toward Lord Dalaysis just as Fedos and Fedora make their way to the exit. Langdon and Monafia enter. MONAFIA Father! She rushes toward him, disregarding Fedos and Fedora, and embraces him. Langdon pulls out the Killimari. Illzar rushes toward his king and queen. LORD DALAYSIS My daughter. Langdon paces back and forth while speaking to them. LANGDON (continuing) On behalf of the Omega Squadron Academy, High Command, and humanity, I hereby order you to cease and desist any and all... Fedos and Fedora disregard his statements. FEDORA He's from Earth. FEDOS That little wench must have led him here. LANGDON (continuing) ...actions against these people. FEDOS Are you done? LANGDON If you do not adhere to my request, I, Langdon Hughes, will have your heads on a platter. Fedora laughs wickedly. FEDORA (continuing) Highly unlikely. FEDOS He's quite the court jester, isn't he my sweet? Raphsidy enters the throne room out of breath. RAPHSIDY (panting) My lord, my mistress, a large fleet has gathered here. FEDOS How unfortunate, I so wanted to enjoy this. Illzar, dispose of them and this...Langdon. ILLZAR Consider it done, my lord. Fedos and Fedora exit with Raphsidy not far behind. Langdon speaks to Monafia. LANGDON Go back to the ship and wait for me there. The two head for the exit, staying as far away from Illzar as possible. The two pace about each other. ILLZAR Your insolence will cost you your life. LANGDON Your arrogance will cost you yours. Illzar smirks and charges him. He attacks using his Tuskan weapons, and for one of his size, moves about with ease. Langdon counters his wide blows with his Killimari, as the two fight throughout the throne room. INT. CZAR STAR CRUISER, BRIDGE Czar Shepard and Commander Wecker stand over a different operator, this time female. FEMALE OPERATOR I've tracked the whereabouts of the cadet's craft, sir. CZAR SHEPARD Have all the cadets rendezvous with it. INT. JESSE'S CRAFT The operator speaks through Jesse's helmet. FEMALE OPERATOR All cadets head toward rendezvous point with stationary craft. I repeat, all cadets head toward rendezvous point with stationary craft. JESSE You got it. Jesse leads the fighters toward Unisee. INT. INTIMIDATOR WARSHIP, BRIDGE Fedos, Fedora, and Raphsidy enter the bridge. Raphsidy immediately checks the radar. RAPHSIDY They've entered the atmosphere. FEDOS We'll don't just stand there, deploy the fighters! EXT. UNISEE, EXTENDED VIEW OF INTIMIDATOR SHIP PORT - MIDDAY A plethora of fighters fly out of the ship port and engage the oncoming cadets, immediately firing upon them. The Uniseeian people look upward in sheer curiosity as fighters from the respective units try to one up each other. We watch as Jesse follows a Bulgata fighter around the vibrant Uniseeian structures. Jesse tries to line up the fighter in his cross hair. JESSE Come on...come on. A buzzing sound is heard, indicating the target has been locked. Jesse fires a Photon Torpedo toward the fighter and destroys it. He speaks to himself. JESSE Bravo, bravo Monsieur Faundoo. Lasers fly past him. He turns to see two Bulgata fighters in hot pursuit of his craft. JESSE The people crave an encore, Monsieur Faundoo. Can you deliver? Damn right. Jesse alludes the attacks by flying around the Uniseeian structures. Occassionally, the lasers of the Bulgata fighters engage the structures. Jesse shakes his head. JESSE You guys aren't even coming close. Here, let me show you how it's done. Jesse descends his craft and flys along the ground. He presses a button and his ship receieves a sudden boost. Seeing Jesse's craft pulling away, the Myrmidions embrace a similar method of boost. They begin to gain on him while firing. Jesse flys around the towering structures and along the ground at break neck speed. He then notices a larger tower coming into view, both in vertical and horizontal measurements. It is the palace. He flys toward it. He gets as close as he can get without dying and begins to pull up. The Bulgata fighters try to mimick his actions, but aren't as skilled. One fighter crashes into the tower while the other tries to turn, but the tower is too wide, and the wing of his craft gets ripped off. The remnants of the ship falls to the ground and explodes. Jesse barely makes it over the structure, but makes it nonetheless. JESSE Next. INT. UNISEEIAN PALACE, THRONE ROOM The palace shakes and quivers from the crash of the fighters. Langdon and Illzar stumble. ILLZAR You fight well, for a human. Illzar pulls out a small rod. He presses a button on it and it extends. Langdon observes. ILLZAR (continuing) But the Bulgata is superior to humans. He takes the Tuskans off of his arms and connects them each to a separate end of the rod. ILLZAR (continuing) Try as you may, but you and your people will be enslaved by us. LANGDON Doubtful. I think you'll find that humanity is more than a match for you and your masters. Illzar spins his newfound weapon circularly and charges Langdon. Langdon blocks, counters, and parries his attacks and attempts to get in attacks of his own. He roundhouse kicks Illzar and he slides along the floor. Illzar flips to his feet and the two become locked in combat once more, both moving at lightning speed. Illzar attempts to sweep him, but Langdon flips over him. Their weapons continue to clash and they continue to perform feats that awe inspire until Illzar punches Langdon in the face and follows up with a swift kick in the stomach. Langdon falls to the ground. Illzar laughs while approaching him. ILLZAR See? There is no use in resistance, you'll only perish. Why not submit to enslavement? Langdon speaks while still on the floor. LANGDON Why not kiss my ass? Illzar looks confused. ILLZAR Given your situation, I assume that's something you humans use as an insult. Langdon stands and rushes him. Illzar is well prepared. INT. INTIMIDATOR WARSHIP, BRIDGE Fedos, Fedora, and Raphsidy look on through the observation screen as the battle continues. Fedos and Fedora show signs of discontent as one of their own gets blown out of the sky. RAPHSIDY We can't win. There were too many of them to begin with. FEDORA How much longer until our army gets here? RAPHSIDY You don't want to know. The Intimidator shakes and quivers. Fedos, Fedora, and Raphsidy stumble. EXT. UNISEE, EXTENDED VIEW OF THE INTIMIDATOR - MIDDAY With most of the Bulgata fighters eliminated, some of the Earth fighters have begun focusing their attention toward the Intimidator. JESSE Let's send em' to hell, boys. Cannons mounted on the Initimidator fire on some unsuspecting Earth fighters and destroy them. Jesse fires a Photon Torpedo at the Intimidator. INT. INTIMIDATOR WARSHIP, BRIDGE Again, Fedos, Fedora, and Raphsidy observe through the observation screen. RAPHSIDY We can't destroy them all with just the Intimidator. Jesse's photon torpedo strikes the Intimidator and it shivers violently. FEDOS Get us out of here! INT. UNISEEIAN PALACE, THRONE ROOM Langdon and Illzar's battle has gotten bloody. Langdon's shirt now carries a large cut along it and we can see flesh, whereas Illzar's arms are rife with cuts. However, the two show no signs of letting up anytime soon. Langdon spin kicks Illzar. He does an array of spins and crashes into the ground. He feels along his lip and uncovers blood. ILLZAR Foolish human. Langdon smirks and enters his stance. Fedos contacts Illzar through his headset. FEDOS Illzar, we are leaving. Get up here, now! ILLZAR But, my lord, I have yet to dispose of the... FEDOS Get up here or stay down there. Your choice. Illzar stands. ILLZAR (continuing) Your death shall come another day, weak human. LANGDON Indeed it will. But it won't be by your hands. Illzar takes one last disgusted look and leaves. Langdon falls to his knees and pants. EXT. UNISEE, EXTENDED VIEW OF THE INTIMIDATOR - MIDDAY Black smoke billows from the Intimidator. The ship begins pulling away from the Uniseeian structures and flys into the unknown, producing a noise on par with the sonic boom. Uniseeians cover their ears. INT. CZAR STAR CRUISER, BRIDGE The personnel of the bridge celebrate the retreat of the Bulgata. Czar Shepard speaks with the Female Opearator. CZAR SHEPARD Take us down to the surface. FEMALE OPERATOR Yes, sir. INT. UNISEEIAN PALACE, THRONE ROOM Monafia and Lord Dalaysis enter with Langdon still on his knees. Monafia rushes toward him. MONAFIA Langdon, you are hurt. LANGDON I'm just a little sore. Monafia helps him up. Lord Dalaysis approaches them. LORD DALAYSIS My daughter informed me of how you defied authority to get here. You not only saved my life, but the Uniseeian people's as well. Whatever you want, you may have it. LANGDON Sir, I couldn't possibly impose on you and your... LORD DALAYSIS No, no, I insist. We have rare treasures here. Perhaps that would tickle your fancy. MONAFIA Father, Langdon didn't do it for a reward. He did it because...that's just the kind of person he is. Langdon smiles. Monafia escorts him out of the throne room. Lord Dalaysis tries to catch up to him. LORD DALAYSIS What of our women? Surely you'd enjoy the pleasure that they'd bestow upon you. EXT. UNISEE, OUTSIDE OF PALACE - MIDDAY The crafts of cadets have been landed and they walk amongst the Uniseeian people, getting aquainted with them and the like. A plethora of female Uniseeians are encamped around Jesse's craft. They listen to his words with much interest. JESSE So I'm up there, flying around and stuff, and all of a sudden, four...no, it had to be ten, ten fighters started chasing after me. FEMALE UNISEEIAN #1 And you defeated them all by yourself? JESSE Well, some of the other guys might've taken out like two or three, but I killed the rest of em'. FEMALE UNISEEIAN #2 Jesse is so brave. FEMALE UNISEEIAN #3 He's the Hero of the Galaxy. Jesse smiles. JESSE Hey, I like that. Faundoo: The Hero of the Galaxy. Langdon, Monafia, and Lord Dalaysis exit from the huge double doors of the palace. Jesse spots them. JESSE I'll be right back, ladies. Don't go anywhere. Jesse catches up to them. JESSE Langdon, Monafia. I thought you guys were gonners. MONAFIA Langdon saved my father. JESSE How ya doin', pops? The name's Faundoo, Jesse Faundoo. Jesse reaches out to shake his hand. Lord Dalaysis looks at him confusingly. He then shakes. LORD DALAYSIS I am...very pleased to meet you, Faundoo. I am Lord Dalaysis. JESSE Hey, the feelings mutual. LANGDON Where's the Czar? With that, the Czar's Star Cruiser begins to descend from the sky. Uniseeians look up in awe. An escape pod flys out of the ship port and heads toward the surface and lands. Its hatch flys open and Czar Shepard and Commander Wecker exit. Again, the Uniseeian people look on with curiosity. Shepard and Wecker head toward Langdon, Monafia, Jesse, and Lord Dalaysis. CZAR SHEPARD Langdon, Monafia, Jesse, I want to congratulate you on a job well done. Shepard turns toward the remaining cadets. CZAR SHEPARD (continuing) All of you, you fought well. You should not only be proud of yourselves, but proud of each other. Nameless cadets smile to themselves. CZAR SHEPARD (continuing) And you, I assume, are Monafia's father. LORD DALAYSIS That is correct. I am Lord Dalaysis, ruler of Unisee. CZAR SHEPERD Then, I invite you to come to my ship, Lord Dalaysis, where we can discuss things. I feel there's a lot we can learn from each other. Czar Shepard escorts Lord Dalaysis to the pod. LANGDON So, I guess I'm suspended or something, right Commander? COMMANDER WECKER Huh? Oh ugh...well, we didn't really discuss a punishment for you. MONAFIA Please sir, don't punish him. Langdon did something today few men would never think of doing. He doesn't deserve punishment, he deserves praise. Langdon smiles. JESSE Yeah, come on Commander, even I have to take my hat off for him. Wecker contemplates. COMMANDER WECKER Czar Shepard didn't seem too upset, so...I guess I could forget about it. LANGDON Thank you, Commander. Wecker nods. COMMANDER WECKER You're a good kid, Langdon. A real good kid. Wecker heads toward the dropship. JESSE Well, I'd better get back to my fans. You two take it easy. Langdon nods. Monafia smiles. Jesse heads back toward the Uniseeian females. They light up when he arrives. Monafia and Langdon head toward the dropship. MONAFIA Are you...going to accept anything from my father? LANGDON Should I? MONAFIA I don't know. Doesn't the prospect of the women excite you? LANGDON Not really. Maybe if I...knew one of them. MONAFIA You know me. The two stop and stare into each other's eyes. MONAFIA What if you could have me? The two kiss, ever so softly. They then stare at one another and put on small smiles. Monafia escorts Langdon to the dropship. FADE OUT:
Copyright © 2004 Michael Harris |