Star Saga: Swarm Of The Bulgata (5) ATLA (considering) Young Feros is too young to ascend to the throne, certainly too young to lead the Bulgata from world to world. I've never considered this option, but it might just prove viable. Wynn hunches over her food again. WYNN (continuing) See? All we have to do is get Gindred here to convince the Myrmidions in the Confinement House to our cause. Gindred waves his fork in the air. GINDRED (continuing) Don't tell me you're succumbing to her ideas of foment, Atla. We'd be crushed. Atla lowers her gaze. ATLA (continuing) I was only entertaining the possibility. Assassinating the commanding couple is viable-- Suddenly, a Myrmidion walks right behind Atla and she silences herself. He looks at them all and they seem on edge. He then walks away without saying a word. WYNN That was far too close for my liking. GINDRED That was a sign that we should leave this idle talk. No more assassination nonsense. We could be killed. Wynn looks at Gindred disconcertingly, and reluctantly begins eating her meal. EXT. SPACE, HIGH ORBIT OVER EARTH - SUPER - OMEGA SQUADRON AT EARTH Pairs upon pairs of capital ships and a sea fighters issue forth from the docks of the Omega Squadron Academy while the blue Earth serves as a backdrop. EXT. SPACE, HIGH ORBIT OVER SORDAAN - SUPER - SIGMA SQUADRON AT SORDAAN Similarly, pairs upon pairs of capital ships and a sea of fighters issue forth from the gigantic Sigma Squadron Academy while the planet Sordaan serves as a backdrop. EXT. SPACE, HIGH ORBIT OVER MARUNE - SUPER - ALPHA SQUADRON AT MARUNE Capital ships extend sweepingly across the graphite and swarms of fighters are interspersed everywhere around Alpha Squadron Academy while the planet Marune serves as a backdrop. They begin moving and an all encompassing humming noise can be heard, as they enter hyperspace, causing the universe to bend. EXT. DORRIDION, OUTSIDE OF INITIATE CENTER - EVENING Simon hustles in a crouch as he makes his way through the wooded area and sees in the distance the Initiate Center. From his vantage point Initiates as well as Cadets are all lined up on the ground in an open area with their hands tied and linked through interconnected straps of bondage. He looks on with concern. He speaks softly to himself. SIMON Simone--no-- A rustling in the woods catches Simon's attention and he quickly scurries about to hide himself. Two Myrmidions walk past on patrol with laser guns hoisted to their shoulders. Simon waits until they are out of range until he repositions himself back into the open. SIMON I've got to do something. Before he can decide on a plan of action his attention is arrested by the voice of a Myrmidion, who appears from behind him. MYRMIDION Hey you! Put your hands in the air. Slowly. Simon turns around and does as he's told. But as the Myrmidion closes the gap between them Simon jumps up into the air and gives him a spin kick, knocking him to the ground. He picks up the laser gun and drags the Myrmidion into the woods. He looks at the unconscious Myrmidion and suddenly a plan introduces itself unto him. EXT. SPACE, EXTENDED VIEW OF OMEGA SQUADRON FLEET Half of the Omega Squadron Academy exits hyper space with Dorridion in view. The capital ships, fighters, and drop ships then remain stationary. INT. DROP SHIP Langdon and Iris sit across from one another in the drop ship with other members of Omega Elite. They will be in infantry duty in the conflict with the Bulgata. Langdon moves to the front of the extended drop ship and sneaks a peak out of the captain's window at Dorridion and the destroyed Delta Squadron, which has pieces of its exterior floating about in space and looks a shell of its former self. Iris as well as many other cadets comes from behind him to observe LANGDON They've completely demolished it-- IRIS (in reflection) The Bulgata--they've destroyed so much of what makes us a people. LANGDON (wistful) So many people died in the attack on Earth. And now they've bent their will on the colonies and the symbols of our military might, the Academies. The two look at one another and then return to staring back at the ruined Academy. EXT. SPACE, EXTENDED VIEW OF OMEGA SQUADRON FLEET Countless fighters are all grouped around the many capital ships. We are now inside of Jesse's fighter, who observes the ruined Academy. JESSE (in shock) --No way. The fighters and capital ships remain motionless in the deep space. EXT. DORRIDION, OUTSIDE OF INITIATE CENTER - DAWN Simon walks around pretending to patrol the area in a Myrmidion get up. Now that morning is presenting itself, and thus light, he moves closer to the bound Initiates and cadets. The woods are about twenty yards away from where the youngsters are bound. Other Myrmidions occasionally walk amongst the chained, though Simon is largely alone at this point and time. Finally, he sees who is looking for, Simone and Matt. He looks to unbind them, but the material of which they are bound is very sturdy. They look on curiously. Finally, he takes the laser gun from his side and fires at the cords, severing them. They stand and look confused and Simon grabs them by the arm and leads them into the woods. When they are safe he takes off the helmet and Simone rushes towards him and they embrace. SIMONE Simon! MATT Man, I didn't know what was going on. SIMON I may not could do anything for anyone else, but--I just couldn't--I had to try something. SIMONE It's alright. We're safe now. SIMON We can hide in the woods until the calvary comes. Matt looks about him. MATT (continuing) Where's Jason? Simon looks towards Matt and grief reintroduces itself unto him. SIMON (downcast) Jason--fell in battle. Simone and Matt look sourly at Simon. INT. INITIATE CENTER, CONFERENCE ROOM - CONTINUOUS Raphsidy enters into the conference room as Fedos and Fedora examine the Dorridion computer terminal. Commander A.P. Holton is also in the conference room. He is being watched by a Myrmidion who is on guard. Illzar is present, he stands near the exit of the room with his arms folded. RAPHSIDY They have finally arrived, my lord and my mistress. Holton looks towards Raphsidy with a glimmer of hope. Fedora notices this. FEDORA (continuing) Oh, do not worry, little Holton. This will indeed be the last of the resistance of your puny Earth Empire. FEDOS Yes, prepare for a lifetime of servitude and bondage. Since you are not Czar Shepard, we could spare your life and allow you to aid us, to strengthen our empire. But, if you'd rather-- COMMANDER HOLTON (bitterly) --I'd rather die then aid you. Fedora laughs wickedly. FEDORA (continuing) Then die you shall. FEDOS We shall allow you to live long enough to see your people's overwhelming defeat before us. Come, Fedora, Raphsidy, Illzar. FEDORA We should gather our infantry near grassland, to better facilitate the battle. FEDOS Yes, there is hardly much room for open warfare in this wooded area. RAPHSIDY I can have our forces rallied in no time at all. Fedos speaks to the Myrmidion. FEDOS (continuing) Watch him closely. MYRMIDION Yes, my lord. The quadruplet exit the conference room. EXT. HIGH ORBIT OVER DORRIDION The very large Czar Star Cruiser leads a vast amount of fighters and capital ships, breaking through the atmosphere of the planet Dorridion. INT. CZAR'S STAR CRUISER Czar Shepard is surrounded by three of his four Academy Commanders and two of his aides. They are all standing around the radar terminal near a MALE OPERATOR. MALE OPERATOR Sire, the Bulgata have gathered infantry near the HINTARA GRASSLANDS while their fighters and capital ships are stationed near the Initiate Centers. CZAR SHEPARD Have our forces assemble where appropriate. EXT. HIGH ORBIT OVER DORRIDION The dropships of the Earth Empire head one way while the fighters and capital ships head another. EXT. HINTARA GRASSLANDS - MORNING A flock of alien birds fly over the vast Bulgata army. Myrmidions are all lined up in rank and file, with Tuskans at the ready and laser pistols at their side. An eerie silence has enveloped the area as we see the seemingly stoic Myrmidions awaiting battle. Now the dropships of the Earth Empire begin moving from the distance and to situate themselves above the Hintara Grasslands. Hoards upon hoards of dropships hover above ground and cadets from all of the three remaining Academies (Omega, Sigma, and Alpha) all wearing distinct uniforms begin jumping out of the dropships and running with much vigor and a battle cry towards the Myrmidions, who too now begin rushing towards the conflict. We watch as Langdon and Iris positions themselves to depart from a dropship. They do so and also rush towards battle. The first wave runs into one another and cadets and Myrmidions engage in a titanic struggle, with cadets using their Killimari swords while their pistols remain strapped to their sides, and Myrmidions their Tuskans which come with wide blows. EXT. DORRIDION, WOODED AREA - CONTINUOUS Fighters and capital ships of the Bulgata blanket the skies, currently in hover mode. In the distance, the forces of the Earth Empire come into view. The Earth forces too are vast. Capital ships and fighters now from the opposing forces carpet the sky in pretty much all directions. Fighters from both forces begin advancing towards one another and engage in combat, while the capital ships slowly make their way towards the fight. Jesse follows after a Bulgata fighter religiously. He at times has a hint of locking on to the fighter but the fighter weaves and dodges Jesse's pursuit. Now the fighter embraces a method of boost in an effort to escape but Jesse embraces a similar method of boost. JESSE You won't get away from me that easy, buddy. Jesse continues his pursuit of the craft and finally after a brief time his fighter lets him know that he has the Myrmidion locked on by beeping. He presses a button marked photon torpedo and sends the Bulgata fighter crashing into the wooded area. EXT. DORRIDION, HINTARA GRASSLANDS - CONTINUOUS Illzar plows through cadet after cadet. He meets newfound prey and slays them without much effort. Langdon and Iris battle side by side, sending Myrmidions to their demise. We can see that they are getting closer to one another, though Langdon or Illzar specifically haven't spied their enemy from the conflict on Unisee. Finally they do notice one another amidst the chaos of the battle, and Langdon speaks to Iris. LANGDON This one is strong. We're going to have to separate now. IRIS No, I won't leave you. I can fight. Langdon considers. By now Illzar has cut his way through cadet after cadet and stands before his new opponents. ILLZAR You. The insolent one. LANGDON And you. The one of arrogance. Illzar smirks. His attention is then arrested by Iris. ILLZAR (continuing) And from the looks of things you've bought another to share in your demise. Iris has a look of determination in her eyes. ILLZAR (continuing) Come then. The both of you. Today is as good as any to die. The two rush towards Illzar and he does an array of spins and sidesteps to avoid being struck with their weapons. He then reaches for Langdon with his Tuskan arm weapons, which Langdon blocks with his Killimari while Iris spin kicks Illzar in the face, causing him to stumble and blood to trickle from his lip. He places a finger to his lip and smirks at her, while both Langdon and Iris remain set and determined. INT. INTIDMIDATOR WARSHIP, BRIDGE Fedos and Fedora observe the chaos of the battle through the viewing screen. Raphsidy relays their status. RAPHSIDY They have come with a very large armada. I am surprised that they responded with so much brute force. Fedora turns towards him. FEDORA (continuing) Can we win? Raphsidy hesitates. RAPHSIDY (continuing) I can't say for sure. I was comfortable with how many infantry we bought from Bulgata, but a little leery about our fleet. FEDOS We have more than enough fighters and capital ships split among the colonies. We shall see how potent of a people they are this day. EXT. DORRIDION, WOODEN AREA - CONTINUOUS Jesse flies through the onslaught of battle. A Myrmidion chases after him and fires continuous laser fire as Jesse twists and turns through the air. Now a beeping sound can be heard as the Myrmidion has locked onto his craft. JESSE Crud! Jesse vaults his fighter into the air as the torpedo follows him like a shadow through chaos. Finally, he comes close to crashing into a Bulgata fighter and immediately he dips his fighter before it happens and the missile explodes the Bulgata craft. He has also now lost the Bulgata fighter. JESSE Whew. That was a close one. He begins firing on an unsuspecting Bulgata fighter. EXT. DORRIDION, ISOLATED WOODED AREA - CONTINUOUS The Czar's Star cruiser is positioned in an out of the way area of the woods, the mayhem of battle some distance away. INT. CZAR'S STAR CRUISER Czar Shepard stands near Commander Wecker and the Male Operator of the capital ship. The Male Operator relays the goings on of battle. MALE REPORTER Sire, I'm getting numerous reports from captains of capital ships throughout the Initiate areas that we are pushing the Bulgata to the limit. They feel that we will soon have them on the run. Czar Shepard breathes a sigh of relief and then looks towards Wecker. COMMANDER WECKER We've expended a lot of our military might in this crisis, but it looks as if we'll pull through in the end. CZAR SHEPARD From the looks of things, yes. Shepard turns towards the Male Operator. CZAR SHEPARD Keep me informed of anything of significance. MALE OPERATOR Yes, sire. EXT. DORRIDION, HINTARA GRASSLANDS - CONTINUOUS Langdon and Iris continue their tussle with Illzar. Illzar with his Tuskans back hands Langdon and sends him to the ground. Iris looks towards Langdon and now she begins to size up Illzar. He smirks the entire time. Finally, she charges after him and they enter into a struggle of nicks, near misses, and avoidance maneuvers. Langdon shows movement on the ground. Illzar sees this. Now he swipes with fury towards Iris and puts her on her heels. Finally he swipes at her stomach, exposing flesh, and spin kicks her in the face, knocking her a good deal away from him. Langdon sees this. LANGDON No! Langdon stands and rushes towards a smirking Illzar who is somewhat unprepared for the fury that Langdon exhibits. Langdon counters every move of Illzar's and showcases a will to kill that Illzar has yet to see. Illzar soon has blood streaking from his arms and a scar on his face. Langdon has only the scar from the back handed blow. Finally, Langdon manages to spin kick Illzar into oblivion, sending him crashing into the ground. Illzar's movements are not so pronounced. Langdon rushes towards the aid of Iris, holding her in his arms and trying to awaken her by gently tapping her face. LANGDON Iris! Iris?! Speak to me. INT. INTIMIDATOR WARSHIP Raphsidy relays the goings on of battle. FEDOS Well? How goes it? RAPHSIDY I--think we should leave now. Our fighters are depleted and even our capital ships are beginning to show strain. Fedos looks angry. FEDOS (continuing) I will have this people. I will not be denied this glory. FEDORA Perhaps we should wait it out? We may very well still be able to win this. FEDOS (disgustedly) No--we're leaving. Transpose them, Raphsidy. Raphsidy presses a button on the computer terminal and relays a message to the remaining Bulgata forces, both capital ships and fighters. EXT. DORRIDION, HINTARA GRASSLANDS - CONTINUOUS Langdon still tries to revive Iris. She shows some signs of recovery. He breathes a sigh of relief. Behind him, Illzar has recovered, and now he comes towards the two of them with the intent to kill. Just before he can swipe however, he is beamed up in a shaft of light into one of the many capital ships. Similarly, other Myrmidions on the Hintara Grasslands are beamed up. Now the entire forces have been beamed up. Langdon and many other cadets look about them confusingly. Langdon now returns to caring for Iris. EXT. DORRIDION, INITIATE CENTER #1 - CONTINUOS Simon and Simone observe the Myrmidions patrolling about getting beamed up in the shelter of the woods, look at one another confusingly, and advance slowly. INT. INITIATE CENTER #1, CONFERENCE ROOM The Myrmidion guarding Commander A. P. Holton disappears in a beam of light before him and Holton nearly jumps out of his seat. EXT. SKY VIEW OF DORRIDION - CONTINUOUS The Bulgata armada collectively pulls away from the Dorridion atmosphere. INT. CZAR'S STAR CRUISER Czar Shepard along with Commander Wecker and the two other NAMELESS COMMANDERS rejoice at the departing Bulgata. Shepard hugs Wecker and they all generally embrace one another. EXT. OUTSIDE INITIATE CENTER #1 - CONTINUOUS Simon goes around and frees the Initiates and cadets who were bound using the laser gun, one of which is Overseer Jack Hoft. The cadets and Initiates all stand excitedly, some of which cry. Just then, Jason can be seen walking from the woods, looking confused. He approaches Simon, Simone, and Matt. JASON Guys, how did the battle go? They all look towards him surprisingly and run to hug him. SIMONE (continuing) We thought you were a goner. Jason looks flushed. JASON (continuing) Yeah--I managed to eject before my fighter crashed. Although I got kinda lost trying to make my way back here, with no road to follow and all. SIMON I'm so glad you're safe. Jason smiles. EXT. DORRIDION, HINTARA GRASSLANDS - CONTINUOUS The cadets celebrate loudly at the departing Bulgata. Dead infantry from both the Bulgata and Earth Empire lay sprawled about the grasslands. Langdon has managed to revive Iris, though he still holds her in his arms. LANGDON You're wounded. We need to get you to a medic. Iris breathes heavily. IRIS (continuing) It's just a scratch. I'll be fine. LANGDON I thought--I had lost you again. Langdon strokes her hair. He then kisses her softly. 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