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FADE IN:
INT. AMADEUS CAMP - REYGO HOUSE - EARLY MORNING SUPERIMPOSE: "19 YEARS EARLIER" Over a valley of mountain tops, the sun rises. ARTEMIS (O.S.) I already know how to defend myself, Yan. KRONTICOUS This will be different than our daily sparing. If you can survive this, then you will be able to survive any skill your enemy possess. Understood. ARTEMIS (smiles, nods) Falo. Artemis and Kronticous sit across from each other at a wooden table. Both only half dressed, with their swords leaning on the table beside them. LEA (O.S.) The first thing you must do to survive is keep your strength up. A shapely LEA REYGO, 28, stands around the corner adding berries to two plates of cooked meat and sliced bananas on the long wooden counter. LEA The morning meal is the most important one may have. Lea picks up both plates and waddles around the corner with them. She sets them in front of the boys. Lea and Kronticous kiss as she sits on his lap, throwing her dark purple hair over her shoulder. Kronticous' hand slowly caresses her stomach. LEA It's almost time. Lea giggles, nuzzling his forehead. ARTEMIS When will I get to met her? KRONTICOUS Her? Artemis nods, picking up the slab of meat. Kronticous and Lea are both curious. KRONTICOUS (CONT'D) How can you be so sure it is a girl? What if you have a brother? The Reygo men have born sons for generations. It has have never changed. ARTEMIS No, but I saw her in my dreams. Lea and Kronticous exchange glances and a smile. LEA (teasing) Oh really? And what did she look like? Kronticous begins devouring the food on his plate. Lea picks off one of his slices of banana to eat. ARTEMIS She was as small as a jaguar cub and she was bathed in a dress. We sat in my bed with Alta Xeno. There was singing... And she had hair like you, Pan. Uncle Amadeus and the Xenos stood over her with their packs behind them. Artemis pauses. He stares at his hands. ARTEMIS She was as light as a feather and as soft as a duckling. Her eyes had a shine in them, like the stars. Lea and Artemis talk and laugh. Kronticous furrows his brow. His skin goes pale. A breeze of anxiety sweeps across his face. KRONTICOUS Eat quickly my son. Their laughter stop. Both stare at a serious Kronticous. LEA Jontunka? Lea runs her hand across Kronticous' chest. KRONTICOUS It is a man's duty to protect his lifeblood. When this young one comes into this world, they will need you. The people of this world will need you someday. Eat. Fill your body with strength so we may train. ARTEMIS Falo, Yan. Lea stares at Kronticous. She rubs her stomach gently. Her eyes never leave her husband. INT. ARCADIA - BUTTERFLY BUILDING - HEAD- COUNCIL ROOM SUPERIMPOSE "PRESENT DAY" Chairman Richard signs the last paper and adds it to the pile under a dim lamp. He leans back in his chair and looks around the oval room. A giant self portrait with his legs crossed, hangs across from him. Next to it, a picture of former Viceroy Hector Hayter with his family followed by the previous Chairmen and their respective Viceroys. Richard stares at the empty chair next to him. Closing his eyes, he FLASHES BACK to SUPERIMPOSE "29 YEARS EARLIER" An exuberant, yet exhausted, MARY HAYTER, 26, smiles at the other council members at the table. Her hair flows like the waves of a gentle stream. Her eyes enchant Richard. His longing gaze never leaves her. Councilman ALEXANDER STEWART's, 24, eyes are wide as he looks Mary up and down. His eyes trail off in every direction. He rubs his arms as he questions Mary. ALEXANDER You about ready to pop any day now, aren't you? MARY Yes. Any day now. Oh! Mary looks down at her stomach, bulging in her yellow sundress. MARY Does that make you uncomfortable, Professor? ALEXANDER (takes a breath) Just don't do it here, okay. Mary laughs. Alexander lets out a small chuckle. SUNNY Can I touch? MARY Of course. He's over here today. SUNNY MAYS, 31, kneels beside her. Mary moves Sunny's hand toward the side of her stomach. MARY How old is your son now? Seven? SUNNY Almost. Two more months. He's so excited. Yesterday he complained about not having anyone to play with after three straight hours of tag between me, his dad, and Uncle Ryan. I told him he'll have someone to run ragged real soon. ALEXANDER I'd love to see that. Alexander laughs at the both of them. SUNNY What's so funny over there? ALEXANDER Chase having a little brother. One of him is enough to wear out 20 men... in less than an hour... on a good day. Can you imagen the kind of hell that would be unleashed with two of them running, jumping, wrestling, puking, eating, hair pulling, puking, wrestling, questioning, and not to mention running and puking everywhere on anyone all day? You and Greg can barely get a break on your off days. SUNNY Well parenting is a full time job. ALEXANDER More like a life changing workout with the way they run you to the ground. SUNNY You know, he's only that hyper when he's around you. ALEXANDER I doubt it. MARY It's true. When Hector and I watch him, he's a quiet as can be. He just sits and plays with his toys. He's a lot more talkative and active with you. He really- Richard clears his throat. CHAIRMAN RICHARD Have you decided who will take your place while you rest, Mary? Richard's words are almost a whisper. He gently reaches for her fingers on the table, but quickly pulls away at the sound of the double doors swinging open. Hector takes his seat across from Richard. He tries to straighten the grin on his face. MARY Yes. Leanne Groves and Daniel James. They agreed to-- SUNNY (in disgust) Ugh. I hate him. Sunny and Mary giggle as she moves around the table to her seat. MARY (sarcastic) Why ever so Mrs. Mays? Sunny glares at her. ALEXANDER How's it going Hector? Alexander and Hector bump fists. Hector adjusts the golden dragon shaped Viceroy pin on his blue sweater. HECTOR Just finished baby proofing the kitchen. Linus wont be getting into anything. ALEXANDER Preparing for Doomsday early? Hector and Alexander strike up conversation. Richard lowers his head. He picks at his nails. He places his hands under the table. The Councilmen voices drown out. He takes a deep breath. CHAIRMAN RICHARD Well, lets begin shall we? The council members sit upright in their chairs. Richard adjusts his tie. END FLASHBACK Richard is brought back from his memories by commotion outside the double doors. He looks toward the empty chair once more. INT. HALLWAY Two male security guards stand outside the doors in the long white hallway. They push back the frail Doctor BLANK THORTON, 51, who stumbles to the floor. The doors open behind the soldiers. Richard, confused by what he sees, rushes to help Blank up. CHAIRMAN RICHARD What is the meaning of this? Step aside. SECURITY GUARD #1 Sir please, go back inside and finish your paper work. Everything is under control here. Security guard #1 grabs Richard's arm, but he pulls away. CHAIRMAN RICHARD Unhand me! I asked a you question. Now answer me. What is the meaning of this? Richard approaches Security Guard #1. Blank brushes himself off behind Richard. BLANK (angry) I came here for answers, but these muscle headed idiots refuse to let me in! CHAIRMAN RICHARD Answers? BLANK Why is my research team being denied access to the land outside the walls? I thought we agreed- SECURITY GUARD #2 Sir, please. Security guard #2 steps between Richard and Blank while Security guard #1 places a hand on his shoulder. Security guard #2 uses a tone with more command than respect. SECURITY GUARD #2 Go back inside and finish your paper work. Richard looks from one man to the other, then directs his attention back to Blank. He quickly turns from confused to defensive as he tightens his fists. Blank takes a step back. CHAIRMAN RICHARD Step aside or the both of you will be severely disciplined for your disobedience. Neither guard say a word. CHAIRMAN RICHARD I am your Chairman. Now, I order you both to stand down. Richard tries to walk around Security guard #2, but he steps in front of him. Richard looks the guard up and down. CHAIRMAN RICHARD I said stand down. SECURITY GUARD #1 I'm sorry Sir, but we just can't do that. CHAIRMAN RICHARD Allow me to help you then. Security guard #1 tries to pull Richard back into the council room by the arm. Richard pulls away. Security guard #2 quickly removes his HANDCUFFS from his waist and takes hold of Richards wrist, slapping only one on. Security guard #1 reaches for Richard again, but the old man punches him in the face. BLOOD oozes from his nose as he falls back and hits the ground. Richard turns around to the other guard and headbutts him twice, knocking him out cold. As security guard #1 gets to his feet, Richard straightens his blazer behind him. Blood falls between his eyes. The guard turns around to Richard's hand taking him by the neck and lifting him up against the wall. CHAIRMAN RICHARD I pray, for your sake, you're not the fool I take you for. Now speak, boy. Who put you up to this idiocy? Blank watches in awe with his mouth wide open, at Richard's strength. INT. ELIZA'S CAMP - NIGHT Burly lays on the ground. He looks up at the sky, staring at the stars with RINGING EARS. He looks over at the bullet hole in the ground next to his head. Taking a deep breath, he rolls over on his side. The decapitated bodies spread out before him. He looks almost like he might cry. BURLY You don't know what you're messing with kid. He rises to get to his feet. BURLY (CONT'D) She's no normal woman. Burly stands with his hand over his ringing left ear. He heads back inside Command Post Two's tent. INT. ELIZA'S CAMP - COMMAND POST ONE - NIGHT Two soldiers stand guard at the door while several others try to make sense of the CHATTER over the radios muffled by STATIC and GUN SHOTS. In the middle of the tent two soldiers, DONNA RAIDER and Donovan Train, sit at the main radio on the table next to a map of the land. The Raider adjusts the radio for a clear signal while the Train looks over the map. MAN #1 (O.S.) Attention at General Fields. Eliza storms through the door of the tent in rage. Every man and woman in the room stands at attention. ELIZA We have orders from Mother Bird? The Raider stands to salute Eliza. Raider Yes Sir. ELIZA Patch me through. RAIDER Yes Sir. ELIZA (shouts) Now! The Raider sits down and hands Eliza a headset. Eliza snatches it from her and makes her way around the table. INT. ARCADIA - BUTTERFLY BUILDING - HEAD - SECURITY ROOM Linus slowly paces the floor behind Chase with his hands behind his back. He keeps his head down in thought. Commander Chase stands at the command post, impatiently tapping his fingers on the podium. The entire room is silent, anxious. STATIC COMES IN OVER THE RADIO. A woman quickly adjusts to the signal and nods to chase. COMMANDER CHASE General Fields, come in. A beat. Everyone waits for a response. Linus stops and makes his way towards the podium. COMMANDER CHASE General Fields do you read? ELIZA (O.S.) Go ahead for General Fields. Linus releases a breath of relief and begins pacing again. COMMANDER CHASE General Fields, update on Eradication AX6. INTERCUT BETWEEN ELIZA/LINUS/ AND CHASE Eliza inhales. She tries to calm herself, tilting her head from side to side. ELIZA (irritated) We are in position for take over. COMMANDER CHASE (o.s.) We are set up to receive on this end. Chase looks back at Linus. Crossing his arms, Linus nods and starts gnawing on his thumb nail. COMMANDER CHASE You are cleared to begin take over. Eliza shakes her head and slams her hands on the table. ELIZA (hesitates) It may take a little longer than expected. Surprised Chase looks to the already concerned Linus. COMMANDER CHASE (O.S.) (uncertain) Wh-? Repeat, General. Eliza paces around the tent. ELIZA We are being delayed, but I can assure you it is being taken care of as we speak. Linus pulls Chase back by the shoulder and takes command. LINUS HAYTER Dammit Eliza, what's going on? Have they spotted you? ELIZA No. LINUS HAYTER Are you under attack? ELIZA No, Sir. LINUS HAYTER Then what the hell is the hold up? Eliza stops in the center of the tent. She leans on the table. ELIZA One of the rats found his way into camp, but he's surrounded. Major Green is taking care of him now. We will be back on task soon Viceroy. Linus walks away. He covers his mouth with his hand. His face burns with furry. He paces around for a moment, then heads back to the podium. Linus leans into the radio. LINUS HAYTER (almost whispering) Eliza I did not pull you from the slums to watch you screw me over. We had a deal you wily wretch! You make one mistake on this and I promise you will never get the taste of freedom or even breath fresh air again. I will throw you back into the pit I found you in faster than the troops you train turn tail and abandon you. ELIZA (O.S.) Understood, Sir. LINUS HAYTER Then bring them to me now! I don't care if you call yourself making an example out of one or ten of them. Burn a child alive if you have to! Just make sure you bring me every last warrior they have! Linus storms away. Chase motions for the transmission to be ended. Eliza waves a hand to Raider to cut the transmission on her end. She throws the headset down and pulling her gun, shoots it three times. She flips the table and throws a chair as she screams. All of the soldiers remain quiet. The a female soldier shakes in her chair. ELIZA (shouting) I wont stand for this! I will not be made a fool of by some jungle feral! Eliza takes a knife from her back and throws it at a random soldier standing near the wall. It impales him in the head. He drops to the floor, dying instantly. ELIZA (to Raider) Call for my Lieutenants. Eliza rips the blade free, slowly licking the blood on one side. She turns around and looks at everyone one in the tent. Everyone frightened, avoiding eye contact. Her voice is the calm before the storm. ELIZA (CONT'D) It's time for war. Eliza walks out. INT. ELIZA'S CAMP Black boots pound the dirt. KRONTICOUS (V.O.) You must keep your mind as healthy as your body in the midst of battle. Artemis runs between the tents, dodging soldiers lfet and right. KRONTICOUS (V.O.) Stay focused. Use your surroundings. Artemis breaks left from two soldiers in front of him. He dives into a tent as they open fire, forcing them to shot two of their own. KRONTICOUS (V.O.) Knowing your environment will give you an edge. In the tent four guards immediately stop what they are doing and reach for their guns in a panic. It is close quarters. Artemis has the upper hand. He throws his knife at the first guard straight across. A direct hit to the heart. Guard two is spun around and kicked outside the tent door, blocking the other soldiers coming in. Grabbing the chair close to him, Artemis throws it at guard three as he shoots. Forcing him to stumble back into guard four's line of fire. Guard four pushes the man aside. Artemis uses the distraction to cut an X through the back of the tent with his swords and jumps through. Porter and Grey appear on the other side with their weapons drawn. Grey is aimed to kill. Porter is nervous, sweating and Artemis sees it. PORTER Surrender! Now! GREY Lay your weapons down on the ground and I promise we won't kill you. A soldier jumps through the X, giving Artemis a way out. He quickly takes the soldier by the neck using his blades and slowly makes inches around Porter and Grey. GREY Let him go! Artemis keeps walking until he is behind them. Grey takes a step forward. GREY (shouts) I said let him go! Now! Grey aims at the soldiers chest and slowly starts to squeeze the trigger. PORTER Don't! Porter inches closer beside him. PORTER You'll kill him! GREY He'll kill him! PORTER He's one of us! AARON (O.S.) Then consider it a mercy killing. Behind Grey and Porter Aaron and Alicia stand on both sides of the tent. Neither hesitate or show any sign of regret as they raise their guns. Artemis pushes the soldier away and dashes behind the nearby tent as they pull the trigger, killing the man. A bullet grazes his left shoulder. Aaron shoots straight through the tent as Artemis runs behind it, barely dodging each shot. In the tent we can see blood line the walls as bodies drop. Aaron empties his clip. He quickly reloads and shoots one of the soldiers behind Porter in the head. AARON (to soldiers) Either kill him or I kill you! The soldiers take off after Artemis. Aaron approaches Grey and Porter. AARON If you can't do this, I don't need you. He stands face to face with Porter. Porter avoids the eyes staring him down under a furrowed brow. AARON They are our enemies. They don't get mercy and second chances. Not when they have kept our people living in fear and hiding for over 400 years. They walk this land like they own it! But not for much longer. I will not allow one man to stop our cause. Will you? PORTER (mumbles) No, Sir. Aaron stands nose to nose with him. AARON (shouts) I can't hear you soldier! PORTER Sir! No, Sir! AARON Then follow me! The three fall in line beside Aaron as he walks on toward the SHOTS and SHOUTING. Two soldiers met up in front of a tent. SOLDIER #1 Any sign of him? SOLDIER #2 Not yet. SOLDIER #1 Dammit! SOLDIER #2 Come on. The soldiers take off between two tents, stepping over five bodies piled together. As the soldiers run ahead, Artemis slowly emerges from underneath the bodies. He crouches down against the tent. Blood drips from his left shoulder and his right leg. Grunting, Artemis opens the small pouch around his waste. He takes out white flower pedals and plugs both wounds. The bleeding stops temporarily. He tries to catch his breath. Two more soldiers creep past the tent. Artemis follows behind, grabbing the soldier bringing up the rear. Artemis puts him in a head lock and quickly stabs him in the neck with his dagger. The soldier ahead crouches at the tent before them and waves her partner ahead. A swift and steady hand snatches her up by the hair and slits her throat. Artemis stumbles to his feet. KRONTICOUS (V.O.) A man must be ready to protect his people at any cost. Artemis looks to the NORTH STAR behind him. SOLDIER (O.S.) (shouts) Over here! A group of soldiers appear before him, raising their guns. Artemis breaks through the tents. Aaron and the Lieutenants appear from the row of tents as the soldiers chase after Artemis. Aaron kneels beside the dying woman. She covers her throat with her hands, but it doesn't help. Porter kneels beside them. PORTER Let me... AARON Leave her. Porter freezes, watching Aaron loot her body for bullets. AARON Everyone came here, knowing they might die. PORTER I can save her! AARON She's already dead. PORTER I can at least--! Aaron grabs Porter's wrist as he reaches out to the woman. AARON We have medics in the camp. They can deal with this. We go after him. Aaron stands. He distribute the clips between the Lieutenants. Porter looks at the woman. Dead. He covers her face with the handkerchief tucked in his side pocket. ALICA (to Aaron) He wont get away. The snipers are perched up in the trees through there. AARON Have them immobilize the boy. GREY Now we're not killing him? AARON No (a beat), you're not. Aaron continues to lead the soldiers after Artemis. RAIDER (O.S.) (over radio) Major Green come in. Aaron holds the button down on the radio over his shoulder. AARON Green. Porter gets to his feet. FEMALE SOLDIER (O.S.) Command to begin operation Eradication AX6 has been received. All Lieutenants are to report to their primaries. AARON Copy that. ALICA What about him? AARON Like I said, I'll take care of him. Go. Gather your men. GREY (sarcastically) If they're still alive. Grey kicks the woman's body. PORTER Hey! Porter pulls Grey away. GREY (to dead soldier) So sorry to offend you, Ma'am. He shrugs at Porter ALICA Knock it off. Aaron watches the Lieutenants head off the way they came. He looks to the sky as he walks on. As he pauses, staring at the North Star. Aaron looks back at the Lieutenants and again at the direction Artemis ran. GREY (O.S.) (over radio) This is Lieutenant Grey, commanding all assault unit members to return to their posts. I repeat... Aaron's eyes widen. AARON (chuckles) You clever little wretch. Aaron sprints off through the tents. AARON (in radio) All units stand down. The Lieutenants stop in their tracks, looking to each other. EXT. FOREST - NEAR RIVER'S BANK - ELIZA'S CAMP Eliza stands at the edge of the camp loading her guns. As she picks up her umbrella she hears Aaron's voice. AARON (O.S.) All units stand down. I repeat, stand down. ELIZA (in radio) Aaron-- What the hell are doing? AARON (O.S.) General tell your men chasing the intruder, to stand down. ELIZA I want his head, Major Green! AARON (O.S.) It's a diversion. He's luring all of our men away from the front line. They're wasting what little ammo we have! He's running into a snipers nest. They'll get him. Tell the rest to stand down. Aaron stops and looks at the stars. Eliza's breathing is heavy, squeezing her umbrella. Her hand begins twitching as she closes her eyes, gritting her teeth. Aaron speaks low. His words ride with the nightly breeze in her ears. AARON (O.S.) Liz... I got you. Eliza relaxes. She looks back at the stars over the camp. ELIZA (in radio) All units stand down. Return to your positions. I repeat all units stand down and return to your positions. INT. ELIZA'S CAMP Artemis sees an opening into the forest just ahead. As he gets there a group of soldiers cut him off. He looks to his left, but there are soldiers there. More appear to his right. Artemis turns to go back, but those chasing have caught up. Artemis is tired, surrounded, and bleeding out. The soldiers raise their few guns. Artemis pulls both swords from his back. ELIZA (O.S.) (over radios) All units stand down. Return to your positions. The soldiers look from one another. They question each other: SHOULD WE KILL? WE HAVE HIM SURROUNDED. WHAT DO WE DO? WE GOT HIM! AARON (O.S.) Stand down! The soldiers make a hole for Aaron to walk through. male SOLDIER We have him surrounded! AARON Return to your positions. MALE SOLDIER But we can...! Before the man across from Aaron can finish his sentence, his throat is pierced by bullet. Aaron hands the gun back to the soldier beside him. Artemis doesn't move, but his eyes follow Aaron as he walks around the gathering. Aaron smiles at him as he addresses the small crowd. AARON This boy? He's nothing, but a distraction to break our camp and throw us off course. Aaron paces around the soldiers, never once looking back at Artemis. AARON Now, if I'm not mistaken, our General gave an order. And, well, as the Major of this army, I feel that it is my duty to enforce it. So, that being said my over zealous brothers and sisters Aaron stops before a female soldier and places his hands on her shoulders. He squeezes tightly. AARON (CONT'D) I suggest you all get back to work. We all know how cruel and unforgiving she can be. If not I'll have to punish each and everyone of you myself. Aaron flicks a man's nose and continues walking around. AARON And I just don't wanna have to do that. Aaron pauses before another female soldier and pulls his gun on her. There is no hesitation as he pulls the trigger. The man next to her looks on in disbelief as her blood splatters across his face. Aaron glances at the rest of the soldiers. They all quickly disband. Aaron slowly approaches Artemis. AARON What's your name boy? Artemis says nothing. His legs shaking. His vision slowly starts to blur. AARON I said what's your name? You. Name? Hell, maybe you don't understand me. Aaron stands in front of Artemis, blocking his way into the forest. Artemis tightens the grip on his blades AARON Right. I'm a fighter myself. Aaron tosses his gun away and rolls up his sleeves. AARON Show me how you boys get down in jungle town. EXT. FOREST - NEAR RIVER'S BANK - ELIZA'S CAMP The Second Lieutenants stand side by side at the camps edge before the small army. From right to left, arms length apart The young and petite Alica grips her life sized MODIFIED M82 BARRETT SPECIAL APPLICATIONS RIFLE with both hands. Her lean calves glow in the moonlight. The pink highlights give color to her black ponytail through the back of her hat. Her short bangs fall to the right of her emerald eyes on her lightly freckled face. She looks ahead into the forest with determination. Burly mutters words of encouragement to himself with his eyes closed, bouncing in place on his heels. He flexes his fingers as he slips on the navy fingerless gloves with metal covering the knuckles and backs of his hands. Briefly lifting his hat, Burly brushes his hand across his brown buzz cut. His hazel eyes reflect the stars. His rosy checks impossible to distinguish from his flushed face. GREY Calm yourself Lieutenant Allen. These wolves can smell fear. Grey's silver stare is locked straight ahead on Eliza who paces back and forth before her army. The veins on his bald head show as much as the ones on the mountains he calls arms. With two loaded colt .95's in each hand, Grey stands with no fear. He is excited, grinning. His short sleeves show the 32 cuts up his right arm and the 16 on the left. Porter says not a word. He glances back at the wounded. He holds a pistol in his left hand, but grips the small medicine bag on the back of his belt with his right. His short brown hair is almost blond in the moonlight. Grey turns his nose up at him. GREY They're fine. Focus. Porter reluctantly turns his attention back toward Eliza who is twirling her black umbrella in her hand. His lip quivers into a snarl. With outstretched arms she leans her head back. Eliza bathes in the moonlight. ELIZA Oh, my sweet brothers and sisters. As we stand here under this beautiful starlit sky, I keep asking myself this one question; How badly do you want your freedom? How much of yourself are you Willing to give in order to gain control this self sustaining new land? How much have you already given to obtain it? And then I think; Tonight-- Every soldier stands before her hungry for human flesh. Those armed stand in back. Those without guns clench knives, nightsticks, tazers, and riot shields. ELIZA (CONT'D) The Viceroy wants them captured alive, but I say 'What would he say we should do we do to murders and mad men? Surely he wouldn't want them behind our walls. Surely he wouldn't want them near our families and friends would he?' Of course not. No one would be mad enough to want such dangerous creatures in their own home. Especially not when we are dealing with the most violent life forms on the face of the planet. This is not some 'taming of the crowds'. This is not a break up 'violent protesters'. This is war and we are the heroes of tomorrow. Tonight we drink the blood of mighty men and devour the flesh of the innocent! The soldiers, including Grey, cheer General Fields on. Porter is disgusted by his barbaric gestures. Alica is unaffected by her words or the men around her. Burly takes steady breaths with his eyes closed. Cheering goes on as Eliza speaks. ELIZA No more sneaking around like snakes in the grass. We do not cower like possums. We are the Predators! And those wild dogs stomping around in our backyards need to be put down. We've lost too many men tonight to just let them walk away without feeling our pain! We are not savages. We avenge our dead! March for your wives. March for your sons and daughters. March for your freedom. March for Arcadia. Eliza turns toward the forest, glaring into the darkness. ELIZA Feed the earth with their blood! Eliza walks with the Lieutenants by her sides, while the eager soldiers run into the forest like mad men. INT. ARCADIA - BUTTERFLY BUILDING - HEAD - SECURITY ROOM The oval room is silent as they wait to hear from Eliza's army. Linus anxiously paces around the entire room questioning any strange frequencies over the radios or outside surveillance monitoring units. Chase leans back on the rail at the Command Post, staring at the podium in front of him. He taps his fingers on his crossed arms. LINUS HAYTER What is that? Linus points to a blinking red dot on one of the radars, leaning in over a man's shoulder. MAN #1 What? LINUS HAYTER That! There! What is that? Is it one of them? MAN #1 No, Sir. That's coming from the southern desert. Linus stares at the radar as if looking directly at whatever is moving. COMMANDER CHASE What's the weather report? Chase doesn't move at all, nor does he really seem to care. Linus walks briskly toward the four at the end of the third row in the center of the room. MAN #2 The activity in the area is picking up greatly. WOMAN #1 A powerful storm rolled in from the seas in the Southwest and is pushing its way through the sands. WOMAN #2 The people close to that area may be suffering from its affects. COMMANDER CHASE It's about that time of year for them to migrate inland, right? Chase looks to the Security Commander, who nods. Chase then turns to Linus and watches, as he makes his way toward every monitor and communication station. LINUS HAYTER (to himself) What's taking her so long? The light above the automatic door glows red as an alarm sounds in the room. A loud BEEPING disrupts everyone. LINUS HAYTER What is that? Linus rushes up the ramp toward the command post panicked. LINUS HAYTER What the hell is that? GUARD #1 Someone's trying to get in, Sir. One of the guards at the door pulls up the cover over the screen to the outside camera. INT. HEAD - HALLWAY Blank stands back from Richard, while he looms over the shoulder of the crying female guard. Blood from her nose drops on her shaking hands. She slides her card into the scanner. It FLASHES RED. Richard speaks low, but his commands are clear. CHAIRMAN RICHARD I said, open this door. FEMALE GUARD (frantic) I can't. It-it's locked from the inside. I-I don't have the override cle-- Blank cuts her off. His arms are crossed. He curiously stares at the body of another guard on his stomach with his head bashed in. One of the arms is barely attached by loose hanging skin over broken bones. BLOOD covers the body and the floor. The same BLOOD that covers Richard's shoes, blazer, and hands. BLANK That is not an intuitive retort on your part young lady. INT. HEAD - SECURITY ROOM The guard pulls away from the screen as Linus approaches. GUARD #2 It's the Chairman. Linus stops in his tracks. Under his breath. LINUS HAYTER No! ON THE SCREEN Richard is tired of the empty attempts of the female guard trying to open the door. He grabs her by the back of her head and starts smashing her skull into the door repeatedly. He lets her drop as he pulls his own GOLD SECURITY CARD from his breast pocket and swipes it. LINUS HAYTER No. No, no, no, no. (to Chase) Find out where she is! Linus and Chase slowly inch away from the door. COMMANDER CHASE Not a good idea. LINUS HAYTER (shouts) Do it! Chase hurries over to the radio at the podium. As he goes to push the button, the light above the door flashes GREEN as it slides open. The entire room is mute. Blood drains from Linus' face. His eyes widen. Chase stumbles back from the podium. Blank enters first, stepping aside. His eyes never leave Linus. He has no words, but the knowing smirk on his face speaks volumes. Richard enters behind him. There is no tell of emotion on his face. Richard searches the entire room before bringing his attention to Linus. Linus swallows hard. CHAIRMAN RICHARD I would ask what you are up to, but I have a strong feeling you are going to lie to me. Richard takes a step forward and Linus takes a step back. LINUS HAYTER What do you expect? Richard's neck involuntarily jerks to the side. He squints at Linus. CHAIRMAN RICHARD What did you say to me, boy? LINUS HAYTER All these years you forced us to sit by CHAIRMAN RICHARD Us? Richard glances around the room again. Chase hangs his head as most others turn towards their equipment. Richard takes another step forward. Linus, again, steps back. CHAIRMAN RICHARD (intrigued) And just how many of my people do you have playing this little game of Cowboys and Indians, exactly? LINUS HAYTER None. The volunteers I sent out CHAIRMAN RICHARD (chuckles) Volunteers? Don't lie to me, son. Richard approaches Linus. Linus inches back. Richard turns slowly turns toward Chase. CHAIRMAN RICHARD What's wrong Mays? Chase keeps his head down and away. CHAIRMAN RICHARD I hope there is no shame in your actions now, Commander. Especially not after you've been tasked with keeping your disobedient little brother in line. Be a man. Speak up. I welcome you to. As Richard talks, he continues approaching Linus until he is in arms reach. Linus backs into the podium. Richard takes Linus by the neck with his bloody hands. Without a second thought, Chase immediately grabs one of Richard's arm and elbows him in the face. It doesn't affect him in the least bit. Chase goes to punch him. Richard, still holding Linus with one arm, hits Chase's fist away with the other. He strikes Chase in the chest and nose before taking hold of him by the collar. Chase is stunned by a swift headbutt and drops to the floor. Richard turns his attention back to Linus. CHAIRMAN RICHARD Call my people back. Linus holds Richard's stare as his face turns red. CHAIRMAN RICHARD Why must you always be this way with me? I love you. You can understand that, can't you? Chase rolls over on his stomach, holding his bleeding forehead. CHAIRMAN RICHARD (V.O.) Do you really believe that I don't know the pain you all feel? Having to sit behind these walls day in and day out watching the free-runners of the world live wildly while we have to stay behind the walls. We are safe here. We have everything we could ever need and more. Starting a war with foreigners in their own turf will not give you the freedom and excitement you're looking for. (whispering) The agony of losing Mary was great for many of us. Chase pounds the ground with a single fist. As he slowly gets to his feet, he removes a knife hidden in his jacket. Richard looks around the room at the frightened faces. CHAIRMAN RICHARD Starting a war with a people who can barely stay alive is a waste of our resources and lives. All of the untrained 'volunteers' you sent are most likely already dead. Those people are someone's children, husbands, wives... Chase comes at Richard again, swinging. The first punch is a miss as Richard tilts his head back to dodge it. He looks disappointed at Chase. CHAIRMAN RICHARD Truly not your best effort, son. Chase swings again with his knife in hand. Richard tilts his head back again to dodge. The blade kisses his cheek. Richard frowns. He gently wipes away the blood. Richard pulls and twists Chase wrist around, forcing him to his knees. Chase holds in any screams of pain a weaker man would possess as his wrist CRACKS. He GROANS from the pain. CHAIRMAN RICHARD (to Linus) Call my people back. Linus remains silent, his eyes focused on Chase. Richard turns to face Chase, still holding them both. He looks to Linus one more time to give him a chance to cooperate. Linus silently glares at Richard Richard gives Linus a slight nod before giving Chase's shoulder a hard STOMP. The pain is felt through Chase's scream. LINUS HAYTER Stop! Richard smiles and stomps Chase's shoulder again. It CRACKS. LINUS HAYTER (contd, shouts) Stop it! Richard rests his foot on Chase's neck and looks to Linus once more. A single tear roles down Linus' cheek. LINUS HAYTER (whispers) Please. Don't. CHAIRMAN RICHARD Call my people back. Richard slowly begins pulling Chase close by his arm, choking him. LINUS HAYTER (shouts) Enough! Richard's attention stays with Chase. CHAIRMAN RICHARD (to Linus) I gave you an order. LINUS HAYTER Yes! Richard releases Chase, letting him collapse to the ground. Richard slams Linus' head on the podium and presses the button near the mic for Linus to speak. Richard loosens his grip on his neck. CHAIRMAN RICHARD Call them. Now. Chase coughs and gasps for air, holding onto his shoulder. He curls up into a ball. He watches Linus and Ricard through watery eyes under a furrowed brow.
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FADE IN:
EXT. ARCADIA - BUTTERFLY BUILDING - RIGHT WING FRONT GATE - AFTERNOON SUPERIMPOSE: "17 years earlier" MALE GUARD (O.S.) Open the gate! SIRENS ring over megaphones on top corner of the towers as giant steel gates swing open. A man, bloodied and scared, staggers through. His clothes torn from head to his bare feet. Soaked from his own sweat, he shakes and mumbles to himself. One of the guards approaches. None are brave enough to touch him. MALE GUARD Hector? Hector? HECTOR HAYTER's, 42, ears are covered in blood. His face is covered by the long brown hair coming undone from the ponytail. The guard hesitantly grabs Hector's shoulders. He tries to snap Hector out of his delusions. MALE GUARD Hector? Hector? MARY (O.S.) Hector! A beautiful honey blond, MARY HAYTER, 38, beats the rest of the medics to Hector as she jumps out of the truck pulling in. In tears she tries to comfort him. She disregards the filth and blood dripping on her pink scrubs. They both drop to their knees. As she looks up at Hector. His green eyes are bloodshot red and his face scratched straight across from ear to ear over his nose. MARY Hector?... My God, what happened to you? Hector speaks, but his words are barely understandable. All that can be made out is HECTOR Armada... Armada... Armada... Mary tries to hug Hector. She pulls her arms away from shock and disgust. The back of Hectors shirt is completely gone. His skin has been scarred from burns, cuts and slashes. Mary can't bring the words, but the terror on her face says it all. MALE GUARD Let's get him inside, now! Hector is quickly loaded on a stretcher in back, with Mary by his side. The guard watches them ride off into the white butterfly shaped building. INT ARCADIA - BUTTERFLY BUILDING - UPPER RIGHT WING - MEDICAL WING From Hector's POV as he fades in and out: The lights on the ceiling are too bright to look at; they blur everyone's faces. A woman shouts. MEDIC #1 (O.S.) Make a hole! Blurred figures scatter to either side of the hall. All whisper to one another. Mary's words are faint. She leans over him. Her face glows like an angel in the light. MARY You're going to be okay, I promise. I wont let anything happen to you, baby. Just stay with me, okay. Stay with me. A loud BANG The double doors are forced open by the stretcher. Against the wall stands a 12 year old boy, his hands clenching a big red book to his chest. MARY (O.S.) Chase, get Linus out of here! Everything fades into darkness. A young boy's voice echos. LINUS HAYTER (V.O.) Dad? FADE IN: INT. ARCADIA - BUTTERFLY BUILDING - HEAD - SECURITY ROOM - MORNING SUPERIMPOSE: "Present Day" The room is silent, full of tension, as if waiting for a bomb to drop. ELIZA (O.S.) (in radio) No sign of him at all. Commander Chase leans in over Linus' shoulder. COMMANDER CHASE (softly) Sir, he was injured in the last attack. If he was alive I'm sure he'd be there. There was no one left in the village. And if he had lagged behind with a group of warriors, Eliza's men would have spotted them already. Linus smiles. He looks once again at Chairman Richard on the monitor, now on the phone, then back to the Radio. There is no stopping now. It must be done for all of Arcadia. LINUS HAYTER Take them all. Chase covers the microphone on the radio with his hand. ELIZA (O.S.) (in radio) Transmission was interrupted. Repeat Mother Bird. Linus stares Chase down. He turns to face the clearly superior man in strength. Neither budge. No respect is given to a leader that backs down from his own men, even if it is his brother. LINUS HAYTER What the hell do you think you're doing, Commander? Chase speaks in Linus' ear. COMMANDER CHASE Viceroy, why attack now? We've waited for this moment for years. Why not savor every life they lose? Why not make them suffer, like they've done to us so many times over? Their people took everything from us. We can't even go outside for a walk without being cut down at our own doors. LINUS HAYTER You doubt me now, Chase? After all these years, I thought you of all people would know me better than that. Chase steps back, He removes his hand. Linus hides his secrets well behind a heart of stone and fearless façade. ELIZA (O.S.) Mother Bird respond. LINUS HAYTER You are cleared for crowd control Lady Death. Take them all. EXT. FOREST - NEAR RIVER'S BANK The air in the forest is still, not even a cricket sings in its stillness. Amadeus marches his people along on a cleared path between the tress, just a few feet along the river. One of the bulky warriors beside him, ELAN, 42, whispers in his ear. Amadeus acknowledges him and sends him off. The warrior slows his pace until he is in the back of the group with Selene. ELAN Lady Selene. SELENE REYGO Elan Xeno. Selene keeps her head high and her eyes on the children before her. Troy is close by her side, ready to defend her if necessary. ELAN It has been brought to my attention that Artemis Xeno has wondered off. SELENE REYGO Is that so? I hadn't noticed. Knowing she is protecting her brother, Elan tries to negotiate with Selene anyway. He looks at Troy who quickly turns his head. ELAN It would be a shame if he has gotten lost as we travel. SELENE REYGO Artemis knows this forest as well as any of us, maybe even more so. He is well trained. He will track us if we get to far from him. ELAN Artemis Xeno is a skilled warrior indeed. He is one of the best we have... which is why it is so important that he stays close. Selene turns on a glare towards Elan that makes the hair on Troy's neck stand. Her tone is firm. She gives up nothing of her brother. SELENE REYGO Yes he is. Artemis is a grown man. I will not hold is hand like a child and Amadeus shouldn't either. Elan holds her icy stare a moment before walking away. TROY For such an flower, you scare me sometimes Lady Selene. SELENE REYGO My brother is my lifeblood. He does what is necessary to keep us all alive. I will not betray that devotion. TROY Devotion. Troy takes a glance back at the wounded and the other medics on their heels. Over twenty of their warriors are unable to fight. TROY Artemis is well trusted by our people, but it does not mean he is without flaw. The two stop for a moment, holding each others stare. SELENE REYGO You of all people know what he has sacrificed for us. What he has done for our people. The man he becomes in the heat of battle is what has kept many of our warriors and hunters alive. TROY And we are all grateful, I assure you. I mean no disrespect to Artemis Xeno. All I am saying is that our people would feel safer if he was actually here with us. They continue on. Selene grabs at the small hole in the waist of her dress. Squeezing tightly the knife she has stored away. SELENE REYGO If feeling safe is what you're after, I suggest you stay in Rejuvenation Pass when we get there. Artemis is to be our next Overseer. I trust he will keep us safe. TROY Let's hope so. Against the Arcadian's weapons of metal and body armors, Artemis has only his flesh. Selene lets a tear roll down the check of her blank face. She can't be weak in her brother's absence, but she can't help worrying as well. Troy opens his mouth to comfort her, but one of the medics calls to him. An injured child's wounds have opened. Troy heads back to help. Selene alerts one of the young men. SELENE REYGO You there. Let Overseer Amadeus know our wounded need attention. We're stopping. The young man nods and runs ahead. Selene is quick to issue orders to the medics. They waste no time checking the injured, replacing bandages, giving out water, and rationing food. Selene watches with a hand over her heart. Closing her eyes she whispers to herself as if in prayer. The strong and beautiful Esscha, nuzzles Selene's cheek with her nose, neighing softly. SELENE REYGO Oh Esscha. Selene snuggles the giant black beauty. She notices the white rose wrapped in her long braided black mane by her ear. She immediately breaks into tears. She takes the flower, twirling it between her fingers. SELENE REYGO I know you're still here. I don't need you to remind me, yanda (brother). INT. ARCADIA - BUTTERFLY BUILDING - UPPER LEFT WING = HECTOR'S OFFICE - MORNING SUPERIMPOSE: "15 years earlier" Physically and mentally broken, Hector limps from the glass desk to the center of the floor with a stack of papers in hand. Collapsing on the navy blue carpet, Hector drops the papers. They scatter across the floor as he reaches down at his broken right leg. Shaken and afraid, Hector looks at the mess of papers, books, and maps across the floor. He searches for some sort of answer. HECTOR It's not possible. It's not possible. Hector mumbles to himself. He scatters the papers around, briefly scanning each one. The glass double doors slowly open as the young Linus hesitantly enters, stepping an Atlas opened to the map of Mount. Helios. Linus hugs the red book tightly in his arms. LINUS HAYTER Dad? In Linus' POV: The sun shines bright through the crack of the long red curtains hanging above the large window. The rest of the office is dark. The glass coffee table in front of the black leather couch is full of plates of spoiled, untouched food. The medals and certificates were thrown to the floor against the walls. All of the books carelessly lay all over the floor. Both bookshelves on their sides, on both sides of the desk. The only thing untouched is the grand piano in the corner by the door. A single picture of the Hayter family rests on it. Linus steps forward again. LINUS HAYTER Dad? Hector's hair a mess over his face as he flips through one of the books labeled, Immortals. His blue shirt wrinkled and unbuttoned. His sleeves are rolled just above the bandages on his forearms. Linus stares at the blood seeping through his father's shirt just under his ribs. LINUS HAYTER Dad, you're bleeding... Hector completely freezes in place. His mouth open, but no sound is freed. Linus hesitantly sits before his father on the floor with tears ready to roll down his eyes. LINUS HAYTER Dad... I brought you something. Linus holds out the red book. The words on the cover are too faded to read. LINUS HAYTER You gave it to me when I was scared. It's the... HECTOR The Armada... Linus jumps at Hector's out burst. He swallows hard. LINUS HAYTER They can't hurt you here. Nobody can. It's safe behind the walls. HECTOR (O.S.) Don't! Linus reaches out to his father to comfort him, but Hector snatches him up first. He squeezes Linus' shoulders so hard, the boy can barely move. Linus' eyes are wide open as he sees his father's face for the first time in over a year. Hector shakes him as he speaks. His breath foul and his eyes are a deep red. Tears run over the scars across his face. HECTOR Don't trust them. Don't trust them. The Armada... The Armada... Linus, terrified, bursts into tears. LINUS HAYTER You're hurting me... HECTOR They will lie. They will deceive you. Don't let them. Artemis... Hector's eyes begin to wonder in every direction. LINUS HAYTER Dad please! Linus falls back as Hector releases him and begins searching through the papers and books again. HECTOR We have to find him... MARY (O.S.) Linus? Mary stands at the door a worried mother and frustrated wife in her dark blue scrubs. She hurries to Linus and helps him up. MARY Are you okay? LINUS HAYTER Dad's hurt. I just wanted... MARY I told you not to come in here without me. Never! Linus stares at Hector. LINUS HAYTER But MARY Hey! Never. Do you understand me? Linus remains quiet as his mother takes hold of his hands. Hector rocks back and forth, shaking his head. He cries. HECTOR (O.S.) No. No one is safe... Both Mary and Linus watch Hector. Hector stares at his hands in horror. MARY (to Linus) Go to your room. Mary picks up the red book and hands it to Linus. LINUS HAYTER I want to stay with dad. MARY I know. Trust me I know, but right now he needs time to heal. Okay? They hold each others stare for almost an eternity. Linus nods and heads for the door. Mary comforts her husband, pulling him close. Linus catches wind of Hector's last words as he walks through the doors. HECTOR (O.S.) Not my son. They can't have my son. Mary pulls Hector close, hushing him. Hector pulls back from her, locking his eyes with Mary. She is afraid. Her husband looks like a mad man. HECTOR We have to find him! We have to find Artemis first! EXT. FOREST - RIVER'S BANK - NIGHT Amadeus stands just outside the temporary camp, watching the woods. ELAN (O.S.) We shouldn't have stopped here. Amadeus turns around. Disappointment covers his face. He turns back. ELAN You were expecting Artemis. AMADEUS I expect no one. Elan stands beside Amadeus. ELAN It wasn't a question. Amadeus glances at him out the corner of his eyes. AMADEUS He has returned? ELAN Not yet. He's sure to be close. AMADEUS I know he is. He won't go far without Selene and Alta. And the two of them remain here. Amadeus sighs. He crosses his arms. Turns to face camp. ELAN (O.S.) Amadeus. Amadeus faces Elan. ELAN Why are we held up here? AMADEUS The wounded Elan places a hand on Amadeus' shoulder. ELAN Why are we held up here? Rejuvenation Pass is only a day and a half from where we were. Had we continued on, we would've been there by now. Why do keep you keep our people held up here? Amadeus looks away from Elan, his face full of concern. Looking towards the camp, Amadeus lets his arms drop. AMADEUS I won't leave my brother's son alone to die. ELAN You sacrifice all of our people for one? Amadeus inhales deeply as he steps face to face with Elan, keeping his head held high. AMADEUS I sacrifice myself for my son. The people will be led on without me if necessary... Elan stands at attention. His hands clasped together behind his back. AMADEUS ...by Alta. Elan nods. Amadeus leaves. Elan glares at Amadeus as he departs. AMADEUS (o.s.) If you catch wind or spy of anything ELAN I will eliminate it, Overseer. Amadeus heads back. He notices Selene, restlessly trying to sooth a crying child and feed two others by the small campfire. SELENE REYGO Everything's going to be fine, you'll see. Our leaders are working themselves hard to keep all of us safe. The young farmer boy, JONTUS, 12, holding his little brother SCOFFS at her. JONTUS You don't know that. Rejuvenation Pass is still another day out. Arcadia could attack us at anytime. Selene tries to smile through her sweat and exhaustion, but she knows what the boy says is true. AMADEUS (O.S.) So. Selene and the children all acknowledge Amadeus' authority and immediately silence themselves. Even the crying child stops. Jontus lowers his head in shame. AMADEUS Will you give up just because they may come again tonight? Amadeus places a hand on Jontus' shoulder as he crouches next to him. AMADEUS What of him? Is he not your brother? Jontus nods as Amadeus points at the young child in his arms, squeezing his shirt. AMADEUS Will you give up and leave him alone? Will you make him surrender to Arcadia? Or will you press on for him and show him that this is not the end? Jontus stares into his brother's eyes. It is a question that needs no answer. JONTUS My brother is my lifeblood. Of course, I will fight for him. AMADEUS Then why do you teach him doubt and fear? Jontus' face relaxes as his eyes wonder. AMADEUS You are his Xeno. His life will be molded based on your actions. It is unfortunate that we lose the ones we care for, but there many left that still need us. If you could teach them a better way to live, would you not? Amadeus briefly looks at Selene and the rest of the children. AMADEUS If you won't fight for yourself, than fight for those around you. Live for your surviving family and friends. We need all of you. You are the hope for a better life, a new world. We can not build again our villages without children to live in them. TROY (O.S.) Selene. Troy hustles over covered in blood. He whispers in Selene's ear. Tired and sweaty, he turns to Amadeus. TROY Overseer Amadeus. With a nudge of the head Amadeus stands, patting Jontus on the back. Selene passes off the child to one of the older children. Selene, Troy, and Amadeus make their way over towards the river, out of ear shot. AMADEUS What is it? Troy looks to Selene before speaking, his face drained and his body weak. He rubs the back of his neck. TROY This isn't going to work. AMADEUS What? Selene holds her breath, biting down on her thumb with her arms crossed. TROY There's too many wounded for what little medicine we could carry. We will lose at least half our wounded warriors by morning. And most of the wounded children wont even... AMADEUS Save the children. Selene and Troy are both surprised by Amadeus' quick decision. SELENE REYGO What of the warriors? And the women? Our elders?! AMADEUS Let them die. Troy swallows hard as he nods and turns to leave, but Selene steps in front of him. Tears begin rolling from her eyes. SELENE REYGO (to Troy) We should try to save everyone. Troy silently looks behind Selene at the broken souls. A beat. Selene goes from Troy to Amadeus, cutting him off. SELENE REYGO Rejuvenation Pass isn't that far. AMADEUS (shouts) It is now! Some of the people in the camp look back at the three. Amadeus steps closer to Selene and Troy. AMADEUS It was you who demanded we stop for them. If some of them should die for our children, so they that they may live to see tomorrow... Amadeus glances at his people, sad and worn out. He returns his glare to Selene. AMADEUS So be it. Selene shakes her head. She opens her mouth, but no words come. Amadeus looks from her to Troy, who avoids his stare. Amadeus heads back towards the camp. SELENE REYGO Artemis would spare them. Amadeus stops, but doesn't face either medics. AMADEUS Artemis is not the Overseer. Amadeus leaves and Troy quickly follows suit. SELENE REYGO Troy? TROY We can't save them all, even if we wanted to. Troy walks back over to Selene almost whispering to her. TROY I know its painful, but its a weight that we don't have to bare. SELENE REYGO Letting them die is a weight we have to bare. We are the ones killing them. TROY No, Amadeus is... Selene shakes her head in disbelief. TROY (contd) and he knows that. He could have said no and kept our people moving. In fact he should have... but the wounded would, then die along the way and be left where they are. Alone. This way their loved ones can sit with them and say goodbye. This way we have a moment to bury them when they pass. Selene turns to the river, looking at her reflection. She drops to her knees and silently cries, hugging herself. SELENE REYGO We can't just kill them. TROY Leading our people is not an easy task. Artemis would know this as well. We have to trust our leaders, all of them. Selene turns her head away from her reflection. TROY You and Artemis have to let go of your hatred. Amadeus only does what he believes is best for us. Troy sits next to Selene with his arms around his knees. SELENE REYGO My family is dead and he did nothing to help us. He did not heed Kronticous' words. TROY Selene. SELENE REYGO (angry) He sent my father to be executed and did nothing to save Dregada. Troy puts his arm around Selene and pulls her close, kissing her forehead. SELENE REYGO I'm tired of losing people. TROY We all are, Lady Selene. INT. AMADEUS CAMP Artemis stands outside, staring at the broken walls of his former home. He heads inside, stepping over the remains of their fences. The bodies of his people lay wasted across the ground. Artemis stops over the body of a young girl in the middle of the camp. The girl is completely burned from head to toe. Artemis drops to his knees and takes her hand. As he closes his eyes, he pictures Children playing tag around the camp Hunters training teenage warriors how to fight with spears and swords Artemis sits around a campfire in the night laughing with several young men his own age Selene laughs at Artemis as he intentionally loses a sparing match against a small group of children. Kronticous lies lifeless in Artemis', 9, arms in the middle of the forest, covered in blood with a sword in his heart. Artemis opens his eyes and inhales deep. He looks at the girl one more time, squeezing her hand. ARTEMIS REYGO I'm sorry. INT. HEALING HUT Artemis snatches the tarp of the healing hut down and rolls it up in his arms. He lays it on an empty bed as he looks around. Taking one of the knifes tucked away at his breast, Artemis cuts the tarp and spreads it flat across middle of the floor. He quickly gathers any medicine and bandages left behind from the floor, beds, tables, and anything left on the remaining bodies. He places them in the center of the tarp. Tying the tarp into a sack Artemis makes heads out. EXT. FOREST - NEAR RIVER'S BANK - ELIZA'S CAMP Eliza takes a seat in the chair folded out before her by one of the soldiers just outside the camp. She takes a sip from the steaming mug in her hands. Eliza closes her eyes as she enjoys the smell of her drink. The soldier unfolds a small table and sets it before her, laying out a map of the land. AARON (O.S.) Is that all you drink? ELIZA Chocolate is good for the soul. It's much healthier than what you drink, Major Green. Eliza waves a hand at the soldier and he disappears. AARON Has anyone ever told you that you have the drawl of gorgeous red-headed warrior descended from the goddesses womb herself that can only be tamed by the son of a god? The incredibly lean and boyish AARON GREEN, 29, kneels beside Eliza, gently squeezing her knee. His perfect teeth glows in the moonlight. Eliza can't help, but smile back. ELIZA Has anyone ever told you that such a grand ego is not appealing? Eliza pushes Aaron's hand away. AARON My ego didn't seem to bother back in Arcadia. A beat as they gaze into each others eyes, Aaron slowly moves his hand back up from Eliza's ankle toward her knee. AARON (contd) When you called for me in your office, remember? Something about you needing my use of excessive force and savage nature. Eliza crosses her legs, holding Aaron's hand in place between her thighs. He presses his lips against her leg. ELIZA In reference to killing savages, Major Green. AARON Right. Savages. And the several times before that? Eliza leans in to Aaron. They come almost nose to nose. BURLY (O.S.) General Fields. Disappointed, Aaron quickly slides his hands down to his side as he stands and faces the approaching soldier, SECOND LIEUTENANT BURLY ALLEN, 44. They salute each other as Eliza stands, crossing her hands behind her back. ELIZA Have my scouts returned? BURLY Yes, Ma'am. Eliza squints at him as she steps forward. Aaron smiles to himself, running his fingers back through his short black hair. Burly clears his throat. BURLY The Armada have set up camp at the river's bank like you said, Sir. They're attempting to treat their wounded. They have a few standing watch just outside their camp. ELIZA And the leader? Is he still with the camp? BURLY Yes, Ma'am. Sir. Eliza looks to Aaron. AARON Can they be quietly taken, without alerting any of the others. BURLY No, Sir. Eliza tilts her nose up at Burly and turns away. A soldier approaches her, handing her a sheet of paper. She glances at it, then passes it to Aaron. ELIZA Why not? BURLY They are positioned to close to each other. Anyone we take out in the perimeter will be seen by the others. ELIZA You mean to tell me of all the soldiers we have, of all the snipers, it is absolutely impossible to take out their guards? Aaron shakes his head, still with his eyes on the paper. Keeping his head down, he shoots a quick glance at Burly. BURLY (stammering) No, Ma'am. Sir. I just meant that... Confused, Burly looks to Aaron for an answer. Aaron grins and lowers his head. There is an air of uncertainty in Burly's words. BURLY We would have to kill them all at once to be undetected. Eliza approaches Burly, standing too close for comfort. Burly starts to sweat. ELIZA (playful) Then I guess that has to be the plan, huh? Eliza gently slaps Burly's rosy cheeks. ELIZA Be gone now. As Burly leaves, Aaron takes Eliza's hand. AARON Why can't you play nice? ELIZA I am nice. Aaron scoffs as he rolls his eyes. ELIZA Hey. I didn't kill a single Arcadian today. Aaron frowns at her. AARON The night's still young, Lady Death. Eliza giggles as she shrugs. ELIZA Get my men ready for battle. Eliza brushes Aaron's shoulder as she passes and sits back in her chair. He walks away. Eliza opens her umbrella and holds it over her shoulder. EXT. FOREST - RIVER'S BANK The farmers, young and old, try to sooth the few restless pigs, chickens, sheep and wolves. Esscha prances back and forth, not allowing any of the farmers to touch her. She cries out loudly, waking many of the sleeping Armadanites. Amadeus and Alta take notice. Selene passes the mug of water to a nearby medic to take her place handing out water and goes to the horse. SELENE REYGO What is it Esscha? ALTA It is time. Alta looks on at the horse behind Selene. Amadeus inhales deeply. AMADEUS Send her off. Alta and Selene take the bags from Esscha, that Artemis had placed on her before. She dashes off into the darkness. AMADEUS (to hunters) Wake the people. We move now. SELENE REYGO Alta. Selene takes Alta's hand. ALTA He knows what he's doing. Alta brushes a strand of hair from Selene's face. ALTA The wounded are slow. This will buy us time. Troy runs over to Selene, pulling her arm. TROY Lady Selene, we need to get the wounded up. Selene nods as she heads off with Troy. She allows her eyes to wander back into the darkness where the horse disappeared. EXT. FOREST - NEAR RIVER'S BANK - ELIZA'S CAMP From the shadow of the trees an assassin appears in the branches. All of his body covered by black rags and a scarf around his mouth, his black hair sitting on his forehead and hazel eyes. He paints his face with three black lines across his left eye. The assassin makes not a sound as he swings from tree to tree, watching Aaron walk past the tents beneath him with two other soldiers. The soldiers follow Aaron into one of the tents. INT. ELIZA'S CAMP - COMMAND POST TWO Aaron enters the tent, joining Second Lieutenants Burly and ALICA CAMP, 19, at the table in the middle of the tent. The rest of the soldiers in the tent salute Major Green. ALICA Sir. Aaron nods at Alica as the two soldiers with him, SECOND LIEUTENANTS MARCUS PORTER, 36, AND ASH GREY, 52, take their place around the square table. AARON Where are we? Aaron rests his massive hands on the table as they go over the marked areas on the map. BURLY The scouts are in position for first strike. Alica points to an area marked with a red X on the map. ALICA The enemy is here. Sniper team one is in position here, across the river. They're set up on the hill, looking over our camp and theirs. Team two is here... She circles another area with her red nails. ALICA From this vantage, we'll be able to cover the scouts in their preemptive strike with silencers. AARON Porter? PORTER Sir. Four tents have been set up around the area for maximum response time in regards to any number of casualties. There are a total of twenty medics in base camp, ten for each tent. Ten at nest two... Porter nods at Alica. PORTER (contd) ... and five at nest one. Burly crosses his arms. He looks at Porter with confusion written across his face, as he shakes his head. BURLY Why? Sniper Nest one is across the river. Even if they resist, their arrows shouldn't be able to hit from down hill in the middle of the night. PORTER Have you ever known these people to go down without some sort of resistance? ALICA It's understood that the savages shouldn't be capable of reaching team one, but in the off chance that they have warriors set up across the river, a small medical unit should suffice in regards to any injuries sustained. AARON Right, that's good thinking. Although the scouts haven't spotted any break offs from the group, we still want as few casualties as possible. There's no telling what they have up their sleeve or why they stopped at the river where they did. Burly lowers his head, blushing from embarrassment. AARON (contd) Grey, what's the condition of our assault unit? GREY Unfortunately, due to Chairman Richard's precautionary measures... AARON Former Chairman. Grey clears his throat. GREY Former Chairman Richard's precautionary measures, the number of trained units we have to man the frontal assault is low. On the upside we've pulled plenty of volunteers from the Lower Left Wing to compensate. The first forty we send are a diversionary unity. They will cause an uproar that will bring all of their warriors out from the camp. Their women and children will run the opposite direction, where our shooters will cut them off. They will be taken first and used as leverage against the hostiles. Since we were only able to secure a limited amount of guns and ammunition, we can only afford to send ten armed men. Eliza quietly enters the tent. The soldiers standing guard salute her. AARON Perfect. ELIZA (O.S.) It better be. Aaron jumps, startled by the unnoticed voice in his ears. He plays it off well in front of the Lieutenants. ELIZA For all your sakes. I wont tolerate anything less than. Aaron stands straight, crossing his arms. ELIZA Don't hesitate like it's your first time. When you get in, you hit them hard. Aaron stares at the table as Eliza addresses the Lieutenants. ELIZA Don't hold back. This isn't the time to worry about what type of protection we have. Be firm. Be quick. Let the passion of our cause pierce through their bodies like a mighty spear. Let their screams drive you to press on. Burly. BURLY Ma'am. Sir. Ma'am. ELIZA Your men are the head out there. Get those savages riled up and ready. Give them a little warm up before we make them sweat. Burly nods. ELIZA Alica. ALICA Ma'am. ELIZA You give them everything you got and then some. Don't let them tap out until the end. Knock them down and if they try to get back up... pin them to the floor. Grey. GREY Yes, Sir. ELIZA When you get in there, make them beg for mercy and when they do, beat them even harder. Eliza walks around the table and leans over Grey's shoulder. ELIZA Make each and every one of those weak, pathetic, cowardice, animals scream. ELIZA We are the mighty. We are the new world. And we will not hide behind Arcadia's walls any longer. The Armada will perish tonight. ARTEMIS REYGO (O.S.) Qwuen-ha jaygo (Says who)? Masked and armed, Artemis stands closely behind Aaron. PORTER How the hell? All eyes widen. Aaron clenches his fists. ELIZA (furious, shouts) Kill him! Now! Aaron spins around swinging hard. Artemis doges, back flipping out of the tent. Aaron, the Lieutenants, and Eliza follow. INT. ELIZA'S CAMP Eliza and her men stop outside the tent, surprised by the ten soldiers that lay in a pool of blood before them. Each head lined up, facing the tent. Artemis hangs upside down from a tree with his arms crossed staring at them. ELIZA Aaron! AARON (to lieutenants, pushes Porter) You need an invention? Go! Grey and Alica pull their guns to shoot. Artemis drops and dashes behind the tents. Aaron is the first after him. A furious Eliza snatches Burly by the collar. They are nose to nose. ELIZA Didn't I order you to set up scouts on the outer perimeter? BURLY (frantic) Yes Ma'am. Sir. Ma'am I-- ELIZA How in the depths of hell did that animal get in my camp? BURLY I don't know. Eliza kicks Burly's knee and pushes him to the ground. She puts a gun to his head, breathing heavy. ELIZA What was that? BURLY I'll find out! Now. ELIZA Oh really? Now? Eliza stands above Burly. Her gun still focused on him. MAN #1 (o.s.) (shouting) General! Eliza turns to a sweaty MAN with a bulletproof vest. The Man stops. He stares at the bodies before her. ELIZA The hell do you want soldier? MAN #1 (gagging) We've received transmission from Mother Bird. The man turns away. He vomits between tents. ELIZA It's about time. Eliza looks to Burly. Pulls the trigger. She walks off. FADE OUT , FADE IN
EXT. FLOWER FIELD - MORNING SUPERIMPOSE: "19 Years Earlier" Covered in scars, the burly KRONTICOUS REYGO, 32, creeps barefoot through the waist-high field of white roses. An old longbow in hand. Kronticous’ long black hair shines in the rising sunlight on his brown back. His face hardened. His breath steady. He crouches in the center of the field. He lays the bow down. Kronticous wipes his hands on his tattered pants. He closes his eyes. He smiles. He mumbles to himself. His voice husky. KRONTICOUS You have to be better than that Artemis. Young and aggressive, ARTEMIS REYGO, 7, leaps at the giant with a wooden spear in hand. Kronticous balances his body on his hands. He swiftly dodges. Artemis impales the ground. Kronticous smiles at the furious boy. KRONTICOUS (CONT’D) Were you aiming at me? Kronticous kicks the boy hard in the chest. Artemis kicks up off the ground. He pulls the two daggers from his pant legs. Kronticous is gone. Artemis puts his daggers away. He pulls his spear from the ground. Artemis lays down. He puts an ear to the Earth. He closes his eyes. Listens. A TWITCH of a broken twig forces Artemis’ eyes open. He scowls at the stillness of the flowers. He breaks left at top speed. Artemis stops in his tracks. He checks his surroundings. One of the stems is missing its flower. Artemis follows the tracks. He creeps through the flowers. The grass split from heavy steps. The leaves barely hang on the stems. Artemis follows the trail to the end of the field. He stands at the edge of the forest. Kronticous sits on a branch above Artemis. KRONTICOUS (O.S.) (CONT’D) It’s foolish to follow an obvious trail. EXT. FOREST Kronticous lands behind him. He punches Artemis in the face. Artemis back flips to gain distance. Kronticous stays on him, swinging. KRONTICOUS You can’t protect anyone by running away, Artemis. Artemis tries to run. Kronticous tackles him to the ground. KRONTICOUS (CONT’D) Fight for your people, Artemis. Kronticous beats Artemis in the ribs. KRONTICOUS (CONT’D) Fight for your mother. Kronticous swings at Artemis’ face. Artemis raises his arms to block. KRONTICOUS (CONT’D) They’ll die if this is all you are willing to sacrifice! Artemis grabs his giant fist with both hands. Kronticous grins. He takes hold of Artemis’ wrists. Kronticous throws Artemis over his head into the dirt. Artemis looks up at the clear sky, through the trees. One of his eyes already swollen. The gentle breeze brushes a leaf across his hand. KRONTICOUS (O.S.) (CONT’D) Will you at least try... Artemis wipes the blood from his mouth and nose. He kicks off the ground. He turns to face Kronticous. KRONTICOUS (CONT’D) If you can’t win for your people or your mother, Kronticous steps forward. KRONTICOUS (CONT’D) Fight for your unborn brother. Give him a new world to live in. Artemis spits blood. He stares Kronticous down. The determination in his eyes and voice make Kronticous smile. ARTEMIS REYGO I will. I will make a new world for everyone. Our people will have peace! Kronticous raises his fist. Both wait for the other to move. KRONTICOUS Then stop running and fight. You cannot free our people by hiding from your enemies. You must face them. They come for blood. You must be the one who gives it to them. Artemis looks from Kronticous’ feet to his arms. He analyzes his stance. They charge each other, both fists aimed at the others face. INT. ARCADIA - BUTTERFLY BUILDING HEAD - SECURITY ROOM - DAY SUPERIMPOSE: PRESENT DAY Two armed guards stand beside a metal door. Several men and women tirelessly TALK OVER RADIOS about ongoing activity on the monitors. The keyboards CLICK under thieir fingers. The light above the door flashes green. It automatically slides open. In walks the clean-cut and irritated LINUS HAYTER, 29, adjusting his grey suit and tie. He approaches the command post in the center of the room. The ceiling lights give color to his pale skin. LINUS HAYTER How is everything coming along, Commander? The SECURITY COMMANDER salutes Linus. SECURITY COMMANDER Sir, so far so good. No sign of unusual activity in or outside the walls. There was a small leak in the acid containment area, but maintenance patched it right away. Medical has been a little... LINUS HAYTER Any sign of Armada presence? The SECURITY COMMANDER pauses. Shocked by the disruption. Linus has no patience for small talk. SECURITY COMMANDER No Sir. There’s been nothing on the monitor for three... Before the Commander can get another word in, Linus cuts him off. LINUS HAYTER Keep looking. SECURITY COMMANDER Yes Sir. Linus makes his way towards the door frustrated and disappointed. A WOMAN in communications calls the Security Commander over. WOMAN (O.S.) Commander, Sir! The Commander rushes down the steps to the Woman sitting against the wall. Linus anxiously behind him. SECURITY COMMANDER What’s the situation? WOMAN We’ve received a radio transmission. She catches sight of Linus in all his beauty. His sea blue eyes stun her. She presses the button near her microphone. There is some STATIC. WOMAN (CONT’D) Repeat soldier. CAPTAIN #1 (O.S.) We’ve picked up movement 15 meters just beyond the brush. LINUS HAYTER Is it them? The woman takes note of Linus’ desperation and excitement. He starts tapping his foot. WOMAN (into the radio) Do you have a visual? EXT. FOREST CAPTAIN #1 slowly creeps forward, resting his assault rifle on his shoulder. He steadies his breathing. Staying close to the trees, he signals another, a few feet to his right to move forward. Before him stands two exhausted HUNTERS preparing to carry off a dead brown bear in the small ravine below, tying ropes around its arms. CAPTAIN #1 (into radio on his shoulder) Two hostiles spotted in the ravine. Anyone else have a visual? FEMALE CAPTAIN #1 (O.S.) No sightings. CAPTAIN #2 (O.S.) We got nothing down here, near the Dead Lands. INT. ARCADIA - BUTTERFLY BUILDING - HEAD- SECURITY ROOM Linus crosses his arms. He starts gnawing on his thumbnail. The suspense builds in his chest. CAPTAIN #1 (O.S.) Unit one is in position for takeover. Awaiting command from Mother Bird. The Security Commander looks to Linus who, with no hesitation nods. SECURITY COMMANDER Command is giving. Take them down and return to the nest, Foxhound. EXT. FOREST Captain #1 looks to his left and gives a quick signal of the hand. They begin to open fire on the Hunters. Two more hunters appear from the trees startled by the SHOTS. The Hunters fire back with their arrows but aren’t fast enough. The firing doesn’t last long. Captain #1 rises and staggers down the ravine calling out to his men. CAPTAIN #1 All clear! Everyone good? One of the soldiers stands from his crouched position near a bush. MALE SOLDIER #1 Yes, Sir! CAPTAIN #1 Then get down here. Captain #1 hesitantly checks the necks of the two bodies by the bear, neither moving. The bear’s mouth wide open, it’s teeth like razors. Its eyes staring through his soul. MALE SOLDIER #1 (O.S.) Sir! Captain #1 gets to his feet as two of his men carry down an injured man, MOANING in pain. An arrow stuck in his stomach. Captain #1 checks the wound. CAPTAIN #1 It’s deep, but not fatal. Give me some bandages. Captain #1 pulls out his knife and takes hold of the injured man’s shirt. They hear faint MOANING. Captain #1 looks back at the Hunter lying against a rock and makes his way over to him. His body leaks blood as he struggles to crawl away. Captain #1 blocks his path and for a brief moment, takes in the Hunter’s agony. CAPTAIN #1 (CONT’D) Sorry, but your people started this. Captain #1 removes a handgun from his side holster, a beat. Before it can go off, the wounded soldier lets out a heavy GRUNT as an arrow pierces the center of his back, going right through his chest. He dies almost instantly. The two men drop him. Frightened they focus their aim on the trees at the top of the ravine, SHOOTING wildly. CAPTAIN #1 (CONT’D) Take cover! Captain #1 ducks behind a tree as one of the men use the dead bear as cover in a panic. The other two hide behind a large rock just in time for an arrow to hit the ground, narrowly missing their feet. The soldiers fire back. CAPTAIN #1 (CONT’D) Anyone with eyes on? INT. ARCADIA - BUTTERFLY BUILDING HEAD- SECURITY ROOM SECURITY COMMANDER (to woman) What’s going on? WOMAN (surprised) Th-they’re taking fire. Unit one respond... This is Mother Bird, respond. CAPTAIN #1 (O.S.) (in radio) We’re taking fire from high ground. No eyes on the enemy yet. Linus injects himself into the exchange. His voice deep and his hand twitching. LINUS HAYTER Send units their way. Kill every last one of those savages! The Security Commander says nothing seeing the bloodlust in his eyes, but nods to the Woman instead. WOMAN Units two and three come in. This is Mother Bird do you read. FEMALE CAPTAIN #1 (O.S.) Loud and clear Mother Bird. WOMAN Unit one is taking fire, with no visual on the enemy. CAPTAIN #2 (O.S.) (concerned) Roger that. The Ravens are headed their way. FEMALE CAPTAIN #1 (O.S.) (excited) Crane copies. Heading out. Linus paces back and forth with fists clenched so tight, a trickle of blood seeps through his fingers. EXT. FOREST One of the men behind the rock stops firing, he has a plan. REYES #3 (to the man by the bear) Try to draw their fire. We’ll head around. The man behind the bear nods as he fires in the trees and sprints toward a knocked over tree near him. The other two men break around the trees and head up the ravine. Captain #1 empties his clip and takes cover behind the tree to reload. Shaking from the adrenaline, he turns back to fire but notices the injured Hunter’s body is gone. He looks around in confusion, but sees nothing. Suddenly he is struck on the side of the head and blacks out. The arrows stop. The man by the rock sees and hears nothing. The man slowly peaks up the ravine at the trees. MALE SOLDIER #1 (into his radio, terrified) Are they down? Reyes, Flender you copy? Male Soldier #1 cautiously gets to his feet, still with his aim on the trees. With his legs shaking, the soldier slowly makes his way up the ravine. As he gets to the top one of the soldiers appear before him, both pull their weapons on each other out of fear. MALE SOLDIER #1 (CONT’D) (lowering gun, relieved) Reyes?! Where’s Flender? REYES (breathing heavy) I don’t know. We were together one second then he was just gone. We chased... whatever that was to a hill, but they just vanished. He was too fast. When I turned around Flender was gone too. Where’s the Captain? A beat as both men realize they haven’t heard from their Captain. They quickly head back down the ravine calling out for their Captain and FLENDER. REYES spots a leg sticking out behind a tree and dashes over in a panic. REYES (CONT’D) Captain!? The soldiers run over to a bloody severed leg and an eye stuck to the tree with a knife. MALE SOLDIER #1 Oh my God! Disgusted, Male Soldier #1 gags as he staggers back into a rope hidden in the leaves on the ground, tightening around his leg and pulling him off across the forest floor. Reyes follows after as fast as he can while his comrade screams in terror, but he isn’t fast enough. The soldier’s screams become faint as Reyes loses sight of him and trips in the mud, losing grip of his pistol. Reyes frantically jumps to his feet. As he reaches for his gun a YOUNG HUNTER, 26, covered from head to toe in all black torn rags slides across the forest floor kicking it away. Crouched to the ground like a beast, he stares Reyes down. The Young Hunter’s face is covered by a black hood and scarf around his mouth and nose, but the hatred in his hazel eyes are clear as day. REYES You really wanna do this kid? Alright, come on. A beat as Reyes cautiously puts a hand on the assault rifle hanging across his back. He tries to shoot, but the Young Hunter grabs the gun and cuts the strap from Reyes’ body, tossing it aside. The young Hunter knocks Reyes down with a swift kick to the chest. Reyes pulls his own knife and the two dance around the forest floor with their blades. The Young Hunter flawlessly disarms Reyes, putting him in a headlock between his lean, muscular arms. Reyes struggles to get free, but it’s no use. He knows this is it. REYES (CONT’D) (chuckles) Go to hell. The Young Hunter snaps Reyes’ neck with no effort and sprints off into the forest. INT. ARCADIA - BUTTERFLY BUILDING HEAD - SECURITY ROOM Linus breathes heavily, brushing his brown hair back from his face. He starts to sweat from all the tension. LINUS HAYTER Where are they? WOMAN I don’t know Sir. LINUS HAYTER Find out! SECURITY COMMANDER Viceroy... Linus begins to pace the floor again, his face burning red. The Security Commander is nervous. Linus’ short temper is nothing to play about. SECURITY COMMANDER (CONT’D) We will find them, Sir. LINUS HAYTER When? Today? Tomorrow? Another three days from now?! I want them all dead! I want their leaders heads as a chandelier in my bedroom! Now! Linus leans into the Security Commander. The hairs on the back of his neck stand, but he hides his fear. LINUS HAYTER (CONT’D) (whispering) Or I’ll have yours. The Security Commander lets out a deep breath of relief as Linus storms out. EXT. FOREST Flender shakes violently, trying to free himself from the ropes that bind him to a tree. A giant dark-skinned Hunter dressed in the hide of a mountain lion, calmly stands before him pacing back and forth, half his face painted a deep red. The lion’s head resting over his right shoulder pad. Two more Hunters stand behind him almost as statues. MALE SOLDIER #1 Either kill us or let us go. Male Soldier #1, scared and frustrated gets to his feet. His foot still bound by the rope wrapped around another tree. He hops forward, bleeding from his head. MALE SOLDIER #1 (CONT’D) I said let us go! YOUNG HUNTER (O.S.) Gligo. (No) Male soldier #1 looks at their weapons laid against a tree, then toward the frightened Flender who slightly shakes his head. A warning that Soldier #1 takes to heart. The Giant Hunter quickly turns and kneels before the Young Hunter covered in mud and leaves, approaching from behind Flender as silent as the spider creeping across his feet. His face with black paint around his left eye, as if he’d been clawed in the face. MALE SOLDIER #1 (drained, to young hunter) If you won't let us go, then kill us already. Were not telling you anything! The Young Hunter needs no invitation. YOUNG HUNTER Alta, blegado. (Stand, Alta) ALTA, 56, rises, his long black hair dangles behind his back he shows no emotion to the Young Man. ALTA Brinka volda cho en gresa don zestos? (What would you like done with these two) YOUNG HUNTER Sinco kosca zestos. Cho salga ven andro anda. (I'll take care of these two. You take the food back) The Young Hunter takes the sword from his back. Both soldiers frantically struggle to get free. Alta nods to the Young Hunter and takes his leave with the other two giants. The Young Hunter approaches the standing male soldier slowly. YOUNG HUNTER (CONT’D) You say you won't talk... The Young Hunter runs his fingers across the blade, locking eyes with the soldier... YOUNG HUNTER (CONT’D) But I am a very persuasive man. INT. ARCADIA - BUTTERFLY BUILDING - HEAD - COUNCIL ROOM Linus storms through the double doors of the oval room where four men and two women in suits are having a casual meeting around a large round glass table. LINUS HAYTER Richard! The conversation is put to a halt, everyone in shock. The elderly man at the head of the table motions a pale hand toward the chair beside him. CHAIRMAN RICHARD Viceroy Hayter, please join us. We were just discussing the best course of action in distributing funds for Doctor Cali’s research. The long-haired Latina woman, Doctor CALI THRONDRESS, 27, smiles and nods. Linus briskly walks down the two steps and slams his hands on the table. LINUS HAYTER (leaning into Richard) I need approval. CHAIRMAN RICHARD Linus...? LINUS HAYTER We found four of them in the... The silver-haired CHAIRMAN CLIFF RICHARD, 72, bangs the table with his fist to shut Linus up. CHAIRMAN RICHARD Linus! Linus stands, taking a deep breath and calms down while straightening his blazer. He glances around the table at the startled faces. Richard easily switches back to the collected man that started the meeting. CHAIRMAN RICHARD (CONT’D) (smiling) If you all will excuse us. The men and women leave the room as Linus takes a seat, crossing his legs and stroking his chin while trying to keep calm. CHAIRMAN RICHARD (CONT’D) Linus... LINUS HAYTER I need approval to start the eradication. Chairman Richard sighs, clasping his hands together. Annoyed by Linus’ demands of murder. CHAIRMAN RICHARD Linus I told you... LINUS HAYTER (leans forward) Listen to me. We found four of them in the forest. Our men attacked, took some out, but we lost contact with the first unit. CHAIRMAN RICHARD You did what? LINUS HAYTER When the other units got there, they were gone. They have to be hiding close by to disappear that fast. Now is the time to act. Chairman Richard stands and walks around the table. With his head down and hands clasped together behind his back, he contemplates what course of actions he should take. LINUS HAYTER (CONT’D) Let me send my army. CHAIRMAN RICHARD Linus... Linus moves around the table and stands face to face with Chairman Richard. LINUS HAYTER That’s what they were made for. To wipe them off the face of this planet once and for all. Chairman Richard tries to step around Linus, but Linus places his hands on his shoulders pleading. LINUS HAYTER (CONT’D) Richard... Chairman Richard grabs Linus’ wrist and glares at him, offended by Linus’ disrespect. Richard quickly turns to anger. CHAIRMAN RICHARD I’ve told you a thousand times. Chairman Richard forces Linus back with a tight grip of his wrist as he talks. He is not the leader of his people just for show. Linus’s face burns red. CHAIRMAN RICHARD (CONT’D) I will not waste my people’s lives on those beasts. That army is not for you to play with! They are our only hope, our only force against an assault from the Titans. Linus immediately regrets touching Richard, but can’t get free from Richard’s grip. He tries to persuade the old man LINUS HAYTER The Titans haven’t appeared in over almost forty years. The Armada... CHAIRMAN RICHARD Linus I will not allow you to start another war! There has been enough bloodshed on both sides. Chairman Richard lets go of Linus, who jerks his hands away. Linus flexes his fingers, holding his hand close to his chest. Linus speaks softly, almost whispering. LINUS HAYTER They live to kill. We lost our families. They willingly sacrifice their warriors to keep us behind these walls. We lose ten for every one of them. CHAIRMAN RICHARD (shouts) I’ve heard enough! A beat, as the phone on the table rings. Chairman Richard walks over and answers it. CHAIRMAN RICHARD (CONT’D) (looks to Linus) I understand. Viceroy Hayter will be there shortly. Chairman Richard hangs up and steps toward Linus. CHAIRMAN RICHARD (CONT’D) You will go into the training field and speak to the new recruits. LINUS HAYTER Richard... CHAIRMAN RICHARD You will then meet Major Collens at the East Gate to give instructions to the gathering team and we... will not have this conversation again. That is an order. Linus fixes his lips to speak, but Richard’s deathly stare stops any attempt to talk back. Linus reluctantly walks out mumbling to himself trying to contain his rage... LINUS HAYTER No, we won't. EXT. AMADEUS CAMP The Young Hunter meets up with Alta just as he and the other two Hunters approach the wooden gate of their camp, dragging the bear and the wounded over stretchers. Alta stops just outside the gate, between the rustling trees. ALTA (to the young hunter) Cho fres ka anda. (You made it back) Alta takes note of the blood-drenched clothes. The blood of his enemies drip from his bare arms. YOUNG HUNTER How are they? Alta looks at the Young Hunter who slows down to check the men on the ground, removing the scarf and hood from his smooth tan skin. His short curly black hair drops just over his forehead and ears. ALTA Three were dead when we arrived. They stood no chance. Only the one lives. A single hunter lays lifelessly on the stretcher. His blood draining from his body. YOUNG HUNTER (to the two Hunters) Take him to the healers. The Young Hunter turns to walk away. ALTA Artemis. The Young Hunter stops but does not turn around. ALTA (CONT’D) You did well. ARTEMIS REYGO, 26, walks through the gate with clenched fist and a scowl on his face. Alta is concerned for him. ALTA (CONT’D) Where will you go, Artemis? ARTEMIS REYGO Amadeus so va. (To see Amadeus) INT. AMADEUS CAMP As Artemis enters the camp he spots A SERIES OF SHOTS Young boys practicing with wooden swords and spears, pretending to fight off enemies. Not a single one laughs or smiles. A small group of little girls are carrying baskets of flowers and berries into a small hut. Two hunters carry a deer across Artemis’ path. A chicken runs between them with two small boys chasing after it. Artemis walks into the largest wooden hut in the center of the camp. Two giants stand outside the doorway. They nod at Artemis as he enters. INT. AMADEUS HUT Artemis approaches the large brown man in the center of the room, sitting on a round stone chair sharpening his machete with a stone. The bulky man takes a drink out of the canteen of water from the floor. Artemis takes a knee, and bowing his head, he places his right fist over his heart. ARTEMIS REYGO Overseer Amadeus. AMADEUS, 61, lays the machete on the floor and lays the sword that was leaning beside him across his lap and begins to sharpen it. Never looking at Artemis. AMADEUS Artemis ingra vosh. (Welcome home Artemis) Artemis’ voice is deep. ARTEMIS REYGO Ven cruzanda lenda fenlo (The hunters have returned) Amadeus stops sharpening his blade, his face is blank until he looks toward Artemis. For a brief moment, he allows himself to show a type of concern that he could never show his people, like a father would a son he hasn’t seen in years. He collects himself before he speaks. AMADEUS Blegado. (Stand) Amadeus approaches Artemis, his neck stares him down. AMADEUS (CONT’D) Did I not order you to stay in camp? ARTEMIS REYGO Yes, my Overseer. AMADEUS Then why did you leave? Amadeus paces around Artemis, who keeps his head and shoulders high, trying to hide his shaking hands. ARTEMIS REYGO To watch over our people. AMADEUS Is that not the duty of mine, the leader of the Armada? ARTEMIS REYGO Yes, Overseer Amadeus. AMADEUS So then why did you leave? Amadeus stops in front of Artemis, again forcing him to behold the muscle under his head. Artemis’ hands stops shaking. His breaths are steady. His stare is focused on Amadeus’ eyes. ARTEMIS REYGO Because our people are being murdered. Amadeus makes his way back over to his seat. For a brief moment, Artemis allows himself to look at the ceiling of the hut. A colorful painting of a hawk, soaring over a field of white roses covers the entire tarp on the ceiling. Two small children, a boy, and a girl sit under it, their heads unfinished, but Artemis knows the picture all too well. A memory from his past. He swallows hard. AMADEUS I understand your passion to eliminate our enemies in honor of your father, but if we attack they will find our home. Our people will be wiped out. We can not risk the many for a few stray lambs in the face of great storms. Artemis clenches his fist and lets out a deep breath. He tries to control the flood of anger that washes across his face. ARTEMIS REYGO Our people are already being wiped out. AMADEUS And you believe it is the doing of the Arcadians. Artemis goes and kneels at Amadeus’s feet, placing one hand on Amadeus’ knee. He speaks low. ARTEMIS REYGO Uncle, the four that went out were attacked by Arcadian warriors... AMADEUS How can you be sure of this? ARTEMIS REYGO I saw them. I fought them. Amadeus fills his chest with air but keeps his cool. His steely eyes meet Artemis’. AMADEUS You endangered our home. Amadeus rises to his feet, narrowing his eyes. Artemis stands with no fear or regret for his actions. ARTEMIS REYGO I saved our family. The hunters were just outside of camp in the ravine. If I had let them live, they would’ve continued on their path and ended here. AMADEUS Even so... Amadeus steps past Artemis and into the doorway of the hut, pulling back the tarp. AMADEUS (CONT’D) Look at our people Artemis. Every day we wake, we risk our lives. They know this. INT. AMADEUS CAMP Amadeus and Artemis walk through the camp. Amadeus steps echo from the many blades he carries on his waist and back. AMADEUS Each man, woman, and child that passes those gates is at the mercy of the hands of death. War has long passed and yet many clans still hold hatred toward our people. ARTEMIS REYGO Our people shouldn’t have to live so cautiously. Our children should be able to run free. Even our young daughters and sisters prepare for war. Artemis glances to his left at the young, petite woman in a long sky blue dress coming out of a large hut with Alta. Her long veil holding her ponytail back from her tanned face. She catches sight of Artemis. As they talk and heads back inside, while Alta heads off toward a group of young men practicing making bows. Artemis continues on behind Amadeus. AMADEUS No... Amadeus and Artemis stop at the camp gate. AMADEUS (CONT’D) Our daughters and sisters prepare to live. We step outside these walls so they never have to. We teach them to fight so when we are gone they can carry our next generation into the next world you and your father fight so heavily for. Our enemies will never stop hunting us, but that does not mean we have to give up everything to chase them. The few lives lost today, give the living a chance to grow stronger. Amadeus places his hands on Artemis’ shoulders. Artemis looks away from him. Angered by the mention of his father. ARTEMIS REYGO Meso trounda erba odier de craska trivas. (Our people are tired of losing lives) Freedom. That’s what Kronticous fought for... died for. He knew they would not stop. They are coming for us. Artemis walks off. A beat, as Amadeus watches him, before heading over to the hunters at the walls of the gate. INT. HEALING HUT - AFTERNOON Artemis walks into a hut with beds lined on each side of the walls around him with tarps hanging around everyone. Several people walk around replacing bandages and nursing the wounds of the moaning hunters. Artemis spots the hunter brought back to camp by Alta and makes his way over to him just in time for the beautiful young woman in the sky blue dress to cover him with a sheet. Artemis pauses with a sadden face. ARTEMIS REYGO (voice low) When did he pass? The woman looks back at Artemis and sighs. Her hazel eyes avoid his. BEAUTIFUL WOMAN Are you hurt? ARTEMIS REYGO No. BEAUTIFUL WOMAN Then why are you bleeding? The woman reaches for Artemis’ cheek, but he stops her, gently lowering her hand. Her concern for him is deep. He speaks to her with a soft, caring tone. ARTEMIS REYGO Selene. (I'm fine Selene) SELENE REYGO, 19, hugs Artemis tightly, whispering gently over his shoulder. SELENE REYGO I wish you’d stop disappearing. Artemis places his hands on Selene’s shoulder, pushing her away. ARTEMIS REYGO I have to be out there. SELENE REYGO No, you don’t. Artemis looks past Selene at the motionless body. ARTEMIS REYGO Falo sin gre. (Yes I do) INT. ARCADIA - BUTTERFLY BUILDING - UPPER LEFT WING - BARRACKS HALLWAY - AFTERNOON In the cold steel hallway stands COMMANDER CHASE MAYS, 35, against the wall, watching the other soldiers come and go in his white tank and black cargo pants. He brushes his short blond hair back over his head while putting a cigarette in his mouth. His muscles pulsing through his shirt. LINUS HAYTER (O.S.) There’s no smoking in the halls, Commander. Linus stops short of Commander Chase. Chase removes the cigarette and walks down the hall with Linus beside him speaking quietly, keeping an eye on everyone around them. They speak low. LINUS HAYTER (CONT’D) Did you hear back from the scouts we sent? COMMANDER CHASE Yeah. They found some of the body parts of the first unit hung up on trees. LINUS HAYTER What? The Commander stops and waits for the hall to clear. Nodding at passing soldiers. They continue on. COMMANDER CHASE All soldiers were accounted for. Their gear was missing and their hearts were removed... EXT. FOREST - DAY Two trees drip blood as the limbs of five soldiers dangle in the fall breeze. Between the trees, the five heads sit in a circle facing each other on a giant rock just a few feet from the mouth of the waterfall. The blood from the heads paint the rock red. The gentle breeze blows the leaves across the ground. Each face shows the fear and agony the soldiers felt upon their deaths. COMMANDER CHASE (V.O.) Placed in their mouths. INT. ARCADIA - BUTTERFLY BUILDING - UPPER LEFT WING - BARRACKS - COMMANDER CHASE’S OFFICE - AFTERNOON Commander Chase holds the door open for Linus who takes a seat in front of the desk and crosses his legs. LINUS HAYTER We didn’t catch any of them? Chase sits behind the desk and rests his arms on the table. COMMANDER CHASE We didn’t catch them there, but... Linus takes a deep breath and tilts his head to the side as his temper starts to flare. LINUS HAYTER Don’t play games with me, Mays. COMMANDER CHASE Based on the lack of blood at the site and all the injuries sustained, They were placed near the waterfall for a reason. The confusion on Linus’ face shows. LINUS HAYTER And we believe that is what, exactly? COMMANDER CHASE To throw us off. I sent a unit of trackers out. A team of two. LINUS HAYTER They’ll need back up, in case... COMMANDER CHASE It’s too risky to send out a large task force. Richard made it very clear he doesn’t want anyone going out there. He doesn’t want a war. Linus scoffs and begins biting his thumb. COMMANDER CHASE (CONT’D) Who can blame him being so cautious. Think about it. You kill someone and string em up like that, you’re trying to send a message... But going out of the way to stage the bodies somewhere else, also sends a message. Linus slowly rises from the chair, grinning. He realizes instantly what it means. His heart races from the satisfaction. LINUS HAYTER We finally have the last of them. EXT. AMADEUS CAMP - NIGHT Selene sits just outside the gate inhaling the intoxicating aroma of the white roses. Her ponytail over her shoulder, allowing the full moon to illuminate the violent streaks in her black hair. Her skin glows like the stars in the sky. Alta approaches from behind. Her moment of bliss cut short. ALTA Lady Selene, Artemis searches for you. Back from her fantasy, Selene doesn’t move. SELENE REYGO They’re beautiful. Full of innocence and life. Alta looks to the stars as he recalls a more peaceful time, nodding. ALTA Like you. Selene picks one of the roses and stands, brushing the dirt from her dress. ALTA (CONT’D) Its dangerous at night. Come back inside. SELENE REYGO (scoffs, staring at the flower) It is dangerous everywhere. That’s why Artemis fights isn’t it. Her sarcasm obvious. ALTA He fights for the same reason your father did... Alta places a gentle hand on Selene’s shoulder. ALTA (CONT’D) They fight for peace. Selene and Alta head back into camp. SELENE REYGO (smiles, shaking her head) Artemis fights for love. Alta pauses and looks back into the black forest, squinting his eyes at the darkness. A cautious hand reaches for the dagger on his waist. He knows something is lurking. A rabbit runs out from behind a bush and stares at Alta before running off. Alta exhales and heads back inside, keeping his hand on the blade. INT. AMADEUS CAMP Artemis makes his way hastily towards Selene and Alta with his dagger in hand. His face full of anger. ARTEMIS REYGO Where were you? SELENE REYGO Calm down, brother. ARTEMIS REYGO Selene... ALTA She was just at the gate, sitting by the roses. Artemis sighs and paces around in front of her, frustrated. He is unsteady, breathing heavily before them. ARTEMIS REYGO Selene I told you... SELENE REYGO Artemis... ARTEMIS REYGO It is dangerous out there! Our people are being hunted, don’t you understand that? Or do you want to die? Selene smiles, trying to brush off his concern. SELENE REYGO Artemis you can’t truly expect me to spend my days hidden behind these walls. ARTEMIS REYGO Yes, I do! Our mother died to give you life! Degrada died so you could live not... ALTA Artemis! Alta grabs Artemis’ arm and pulls him back from Selene. Selene twirls the rose in her hand, avoiding her brother’s glare. Artemis puts his knife away and pulls Selene close, pressing his nose to her forehead. ARTEMIS REYGO (whispering) I can’t lose you too. I won't. Artemis’ holds back the water in his eyes. SELENE REYGO I’m not going anywhere Artemis. I promise. Selene quickly kisses her brother’s cheek and walks away toward the campfire, wiping a single tear from her eye. ALTA You will have to let her go eventually. Artemis looks over at the uneasy horses tied down. The farmers try to calm them. ARTEMIS REYGO Not tonight, I won't. As Artemis heads toward the fire. He is stopped by commotion at the front gate. A wounded Hunter staggers through holding his bloody stomach. Artemis places a hand on the sword on his back as he cautiously heads over. ARTEMIS REYGO (CONT’D) Alta. The guards at the gate quickly catch the Hunter as he falls. A single SHOT rings out as one of the guards fall, a beat. Alta turns around and YELLS to the people as Artemis rushes the gate. ALTA We’re under attack! Everyone scatters in panic grabbing any weapons they can find. Selene, hastily, starts directing children inside their homes. An EXPLOSION shakes the ground, stopping Artemis in his tracks as one of the walls is blown away. Artemis peers through the flames and smoke and his confusion quickly turns to rage. ARTEMIS REYGO Arcadians... PILOT END INT. AMADEUS CAMP - NIGHT An EXPLOSION shakes the ground. It blows away part of the camp’s wall. Artemis peers through the flames and smoke. His confusion quickly turns to rage. ARTEMIS REYGO Arcadians... Artemis charges the soldiers storming through the smoke with masks. Alta and others take the ones at the front gate. Bullets fly everywhere. Armadanites fire back with spears and arrows. Artemis makes quick work of two soldiers with his sword. He stabs the first through the chest, ramming him into the second piercing both their hearts. Alta and the other Hunters are easily out numbered five to one. Some soldiers break through the front gate firing indiscriminately. One of the soldiers throws a grenade as Alta thrusts his hook shaped dagger up his spine. ALTA (yelling) Artemis! The grenade lands a few feet from Artemis. He spots it and runs for cover. Artemis is sent flying from the blast. INT. HEALING HUT Selene runs through the tarp, frantically looking around at all the injured brought in. Her face stained with dirt and tears. One of the medics, a pale skinned dwarf man covered in blood, runs up to Selene in a panic. TROY Selene! Selene! Selene snaps out of her trance and takes note of the blood trickling down TROY’S, 32, head and tries to cover the wound with her shaking hands. SELENE REYGO Troy, you’re hurt. Troy pushes Selene’s hand away. As he speaks, he stops two farmers carrying a dead man. TROY I’m fine. Hey! Lay him there. We need these beds for the living! SELENE REYGO Troy let me help you. TROY After we help our people. That’s how we survive this, by making sure they can fight. Come. Troy heads over to a boy screaming and kicking the one leg he has left as his mother tries to calm him. Selene takes a deep breath. She looks back at the entry way where people are cramming through. She cries silently. SELENE REYGO Don’t die yanda. Please. INT. AMADEUS CAMP Artemis starts to regain consciousness. With ears ringing, he pushes a soldier’s body off and rolls over on his stomach. Across from him one of the horses falls from the shooting. Bodies fall all around him. A little girl runs in front of Artemis screaming as a soldier chases her. Artemis forces himself to his feet. He tackles the soldier down just as he grabs at the girl’s dress, ripping her sleeve. Blinded by rage and the blood from drippin from his forehead, Artemis beats the soldier to death. AMADEUS (O.S.) Artemis! Artemis! Artemis! Amadeus slams Artemis to the ground. AMADEUS (CONT’D) He’s dead Artemis! Artemis looks at the soldier and around at the chaos. He tries to get up, but Amadeus holds him down. AMADEUS (CONT’D) Artemis listen to me! ARTEMIS REYGO Get off! AMADEUS Artemis! ARTEMIS REYGO Our people need help! AMADEUS And we will help them, but blind fury will get you killed! A beat. Artemis realizes that although he may have saved a little girl she was staring at him with eyes full of fear and uncertainty. Amadeus stands and takes both blades from his back. He drops one beside Artemis. AMADEUS (CONT’D) Our children are our lifeblood. Get her to safety. Then you come for blood. Artemis takes a moment to collect himself and for a brief moment he catches a glimpse of a shooting star while laying on his back. Again Artemis forces himself up and crawls towards the frightened girl who backs away, crying. ARTEMIS REYGO It’s okay. It’s okay. I’ll take you from here. Come. Artemis picks up the blade and holds his hand out. The girl hesitates before taking it. Artemis picks up the girl and runs toward the healing hut, slicing down soldiers on the way. INT. HEALING HUT Troy frantically scurries around the hut gathering bandages and herbs, giving directions to everyone. He rushes over to a women in a burned blue dress, screaming as she tosses and turns on the bed. Other medics try to hold the woman down. Troy tries to examine her burns and gun shot wounds. TROY Hold her still! Troy cover the woman’s bleeding chest. A soldier runs through the tarp. Everyone freezes, including the soldier. The soldier readies his pistol. He is snatched out the doorway. The room is near silent besides the moans of the wounded. The people still able to fight quickly grab anything they can use as weapons and slowly close in on the entrance. Artemis plows through the tarp, carrying the little girl in his arms. Everyone is relieved, but only in that instant as they quickly get back to work. TROY (CONT’D) Artemis! Troy rushes over to Artemis and immediately questions the little girl as Artemis sets her down. Troy looks over the girl. Artemis scans the room. He catches eye of the woman in the burned blue dress lifeless on the bed. Her head turned away. The medics clear away from the woman, covering her with a sheet. Artemis approaches the still corpse. The world around him dies out. Artemis stands beside the bed, suffocating. Everything seems to move around him in a slow motion nightmare. A shaking and hesitant hand touches the blanket. He swallows hard. TROY (O.S.) (CONT’D) Artemis... Artemis looks away with closed eyes and gently slides down the sheet. TROY (O.S.) (CONT’D) Artemis... Artemis! Troy pulls Artemis back before he has a chance to look. TROY (CONT’D) Artemis, it’s not her... Artemis turns his head. His face still full of fear and uncertainty. A breath of relief slips through his lips. It’s not his sister... ARTEMIS REYGO Where’s Selene? Why isn’t she here helping with the wounded? Troy contemplates the possibilities as he answers. TROY She left. Said she we didn’t need her here. Artemis’ face turns pale. His stomach churns. TROY (CONT’D) She worries for the rest of the children. Artemis sprints out of the hut in a panic, his heart racing. INT. AMADEUS CAMP Artemis’ eyes search the burning camp. He doesn’t find Selene. He makes his way toward Amadeus’ hut and checks inside. She’s not there either. The bodies of five soldiers lay in a pool of blood in the center of the hut, with their heads on the table. Artemis storms out. ARTEMIS REYGO (panicked) Where are you? In the distance Artemis sees a woman in a sky blue dress being shot at. She rushes children into another hut. The soldiers make their way into the entrance. Selene shoves a chair through, Forcing the soldiers back. She knocks one to the ground. She swings at the other with a knife, but misses. The soldier pushes her down with his rifle. A beat. The soldier raises his gun toward Selene. She sees Artemis running over from across camp. Artemis jumps over a burning wagon. He pulls two daggers from behind his back and lands on the soldier, driving the blades through his chest. Artemis reaches for Selene as she runs back into the hut after the other soldiers. ARTEMIS REYGO (CONT’D) Selene! SELENE REYGO (in tears) There are children inside! Artemis pauses for a split second, then pulls his sword and runs in. Selene follows close behind, taking the rife from the soldier's body. INT. HUT Two small children cower in a corner. A teenage boy tries to fight off one soldier. The other lay lifelessly on the ground. A knife in his neck. The boy is overpowered. Slammed to the ground. The soldier chokes him. The third soldier catches his breath. He gets to his feet. He pulls a pistol on the two crying children. Artemis spears soldier three in the head with his sword. He throws soldier one off the boy. They wrestle. Selene helps the boy up. She aims the gun at the soldier. She can’t get a shot without hitting Artemis. Artemis slams soldier one down. He puts him in a head lock, choking his life away. Artemis drops the soldier. He looks at Selene. Both relieved to see the children and each other safe. The teenage boy holds his siblings tight as they cry. Artemis approaches Selene and takes her hand. He leans in. ARTEMIS REYGO It wont be safe to stay here. Get them to the healing hut quickly. I will watch for you as you go. Selene nods. She turns to gather the children. Artemis pulls her close. ARTEMIS REYGO (CONT’D) When you get there, stay there. Selene says nothing. She squeezes the gun. She takes hold of the of the teenage boy’s shoulder SELENE REYGO Come. I’ll get you somewhere safe. The boy picks up his brother. He pulls the knife from the soldier's throat. Selene carries his sister. They follow Artemis out. INT. AMADEUS CAMP ARTEMIS REYGO Go! Outside the hut Artemis heads toward a group of soldiers tying up woman and children. They toss the bodies of men in the campfire. Alta and Amadeus, along with several other hunters, clear out the soldiers from the gate. They spot the group by the fire. Alta runs over. Amadeus stops him. AMADEUS Alta! Artemis can handle it. The rest of you, check the huts and the outer area of the camp. Leave no survivors! Alta pauses and watches Artemis. Artemis sneaks behind the prisoners and slits one soldiers throat. He disarms the other before she can use her gun or even scream. Artemis delivers a blow to her throat. He cuts his people free as she suffocates. ARTEMIS REYGO Get out of here. Go! Now! Artemis turns his rage on the soldiers at the fire. He cuts clean through soldier one’s leg with a sword near the body of a hunter. The others open fire. To close for comfort, soldier two tries to back away from Artemis. He pulls her close. He uses her as a shield to get close to two soldiers standing side by side. Artemis kicks the woman’s stomach and slices soldier three’s head clean off. Artemis takes soldier four’s arm and breaks it as he spins around him and delivers a kick that sends him into the fire. Artemis throws the sword into the neck of a soldier across the camp beating a young girl in the face. Using the full weight of his body, Artemis spins around and drops an elbow on the back neck a female soldier behind him, trying to crawl away. Only two left. Both have their guns locked on Artemis, but neither move. ARTEMIS REYGO (CONT’D) Come! The female soldier drops her shotgun. She pleads for her life. She knows it’s over. Artemis ignores her. He slides across the ground fast. The male soldier can’t keep up. The man backs away. Artemis thrusts one of his daggers up into his heart and pushes him down. Artemis looks back to the woman. She goes for the shotgun. He flicks a knife, hidden in his pant leg, into the woman’s knee as she turns. Artemis kicks the blade deeper in. He stands before the kneeling woman with his dagger in hand, dripping blood. The woman reaches for a grenade on her belt. Artemis grabs her hand in time and kneels with her. Now eye to eye. He leans in... ARTEMIS REYGO (CONT’D) You come for blood. I am here to spill it for you. Artemis forces his dagger into the soldier’s stomach and up into her chest. She tries to speak, but chokes on her own blood. AMADEUS (O.S.) It is done. Artemis watches the soldier before him. She suffocates. Several bodies of soldiers lay about the fire. Amadeus stands beside Artemis. ARTEMIS REYGO We need to check the outer areas. Artemis tries to leave. Amadeus stops him. AMADEUS Alta is leading the groups. Artemis and Amadeus look around at 1. The many bodies of soldiers and Amadanites lining the ground. 2. People carry the dead from the Healing Hut and carry the injured inside. 3. Some of the huts are completely destroyed from the blasts of the grenades. Others still burn. 4. All of the horses, but one lay in a pool of blood. The one, Esscha has been shot in her hind leg. 5. Hunters give direction to people to check the huts for injured people or soldiers in hiding. AMADEUS (CONT’D) Go to Selene. I’m sure they could use a hand with the wounded. ARTEMIS REYGO I would better serve the scouts. AMADEUS You want to save our people? Then make sure we have people to save. Artemis looks toward the ground, then back at the bodies being brought from the hut. Most of the young men he knows. He doesn’t want to see them. AMADEUS (CONT’D) Alta can handle whatever is out there. I will take charge here. Amadeus touches Artemis’ shoulder. AMADEUS (CONT’D) Go to your sister, Artemis. Help her... Artemis slowly makes his way toward the gate, trying to hide his limp. AMADEUS (CONT’D) ...or at least let her help you. Amadeus lowers his gaze to the blood seeping through Artemis’ clothes. Artemis places a hand over the bullet wound in his side. ARTEMIS REYGO I’m fine. Like you said, ’Our enemies will never stop hunting us’... Artemis straightens his posture and walks off. ARTEMIS REYGO (CONT’D) Their safety is in your hands, Overseer de Armada... INT. ARCADIA - BUTTERFLY BUILDING - UPPER LEFT WING - LINUS’ OFFICE - NIGHT Linus sits at the glass desk in the center of the dimly lit room, signing papers. He looks over at the grand piano between the bookshelves in the corner. He stacks the papers in the center of the desk and makes his way over to the piano, leaving his blazer on the chair. His white shirt unbuttoned, revealing his bare chest. Linus takes a deep breath as he runs his hand across the piano keys. Commander Chase walks through the glass double doors in full uniform with a folder in hand. He salutes. COMMANDER CHASE Viceroy. LINUS HAYTER How did it go? Linus sits. COMMANDER CHASE The Intel we received was accurate. We found their camp and sent in a small assault unit to measure the enemies defenses. Linus picks up the picture sitting on the piano seat. LINUS HAYTER Did we get most of their warriors? COMMANDER CHASE Form the looks of it. Our scouts sent these... Commander Chase lays several pictures across the piano, before Linus. COMMANDER CHASE (CONT’D) We believe this one is the camp leader. A picture of Amadeus speaking to a group of hunters. LINUS HAYTER He still lives? COMMANDER CHASE For now. None will survive the next attack. Our Generals are preparing as we speak. As Linus continues looking through the surveillance photos he notices a common factor. LINUS HAYTER What about this one? Commander Chase looks at the photo as he flips through the folder in his hand. COMMANDER CHASE We have nothing on that one yet. LINUS HAYTER He’s in every picture. Here. Linus gives Chase one of the photos. COMMANDER CHASE There’s a possibility he’s the second in command. Some kind of general or captain... Linus begins playing a classical song on the piano. LINUS HAYTER Find out before we hit again. If we kill the leader and he’s second in command, he may still lead them to fight back. They’ve already killed 50 men. Commander Chase stares at the photo of Amadeus and Artemis standing side by side back in the folder. He looks at the picture of eight year old Linus and his parents on the piano. Commander Chase can feel the sadness in Linus’ soul through his music. He gives Linus his privacy. INT. HALLWAY Chase spots Chairman Richard heading straight for him. As they pass, Chase steps aside to salute Chairman Richard. CHAIRMAN RICHARD Commander Chase. COMMANDER CHASE Sir. CHAIRMAN RICHARD You just saw my son? Chase stays silent, but nods. There is a sense of resentment in his his. CHAIRMAN RICHARD (CONT’D) How was he? COMMANDER CHASE Calm. Peaceful, for the moment. CHAIRMAN RICHARD He usually is when he’s playing that thing. Chase is quick to correct him. The attitude in his voice loud and clear. COMMANDER CHASE His mother’s piano. Chairman Richard stares Chase down with a devious smirk on his face. CHAIRMAN RICHARD Right. His mother’s piano. COMMANDER CHASE If you’ll excuse me Sir, I need to get back to work. Chase continues on down the hall. CHAIRMAN RICHARD Before you do Commander... wont you mind debriefing me on the unauthorized attack on the Armada Clan? Chase pauses a moment, wondering how the Chairman found out about the attack. INT. LINUS’ OFFICE Chairman Richard steps into the office. Linus’ heart is plunged deep into the music. Richard paces around. He admires the bear rug in the center of the floor and the medals on the walls. The papers on the desk are neatly stacked. The large window behind the desk illuminates the office with the moons light. The flowers in the garden beneath the window dance in the night outside. The bookshelf is full of books on music, art, psychology, war strategies, and manipulation. Richard picks up the book, MIND CONTROL. The music stops. LINUS HAYTER (O.S.) Is there something I can help you with Chairman Richard? CHAIRMAN RICHARD I just stopped by to check on you. Richard returns the book. He drops on the black leather couch against the wall across from Linus. He crosses his legs. CHAIRMAN RICHARD (CONT’D) You seemed very... agitated earlier. LINUS HAYTER A unit of our people was killed today. If you cared for someone, you would be agitated to. Linus stares at the picture of his family on the piano. His face is drained from the tears. CHAIRMAN RICHARD Sounds like you think I don’t care about our people. Linus wipes his face on his sleeve before heading to his desk. LINUS HAYTER You did nothing to avenge them. CHAIRMAN RICHARD They wouldn’t need to be avenged if they were not outside our borders to begin with. Linus leans back in his chair, clearly offended by Richards comment. The fuse now lit yet again. CHAIRMAN RICHARD (CONT’D) You have been on a role as of late. Disobeying orders, performing unauthorized scouting missions, and now sending an assault force on the Armada Clan’s camp. Richard grins at the shock on Linus’ face. CHAIRMAN RICHARD (CONT’D) Did you forget who raised you? LINUS HAYTER How? CHAIRMAN RICHARD Not everyone you recruit agrees with your methods. Now, I have been over looking the scouting ops, but I draw the line at sending our people to get massacred. LINUS HAYTER A sacrifice those men were willing to make for the greater good of Arcadia. CHAIRMAN RICHARD Greater good? Richard mocks Linus in disgust. LINUS HAYTER Gathering Intel on our enemies battle strategy, their numbers, the base camp. The next attack will be sure to CHAIRMAN RICHARD There will be no next attack. Richard stands before Linus at his desk. CHAIRMAN RICHARD (CONT’D) I have over looked your obsession for far to long. I gave you the position of Viceroy for Hector’s sake. I promised your mother that I would keep you close, but that does not mean you are free to do as you please. Linus stands, resting his hands on the desk as he leans in. His arrogance bleeds through his voice, only to fall on deaf ears. LINUS HAYTER I am in this position, because I earned it. CHAIRMAN RICHARD The decision was mine to make. LINUS HAYTER The people voted me in. The council endowed me with the title of Viceroy. The casualty count has dropped tremendously due to my efforts. My so called ’obsession’ has made our people feel safer. It has kept the other clans in check. CHAIRMAN RICHARD You were eligible for nomination only through my recommendation. It CHAIRMAN RICHARD (CONT’D) is through me that you were able to continue living in your mother’s home. It is because of me that people listen to you. Do you really believe that so many of my people follow you? I am the Chairman here. I am the leader of these people. I am the one who taught you how to stand on your own two feet after your parents death. You were a disgraceful mess... and without me you will crumble beneath your own fears and hatred. You are nothing but a pathetic little boy who was handed the bronze medal for all your pain and suffering. Not so long as I breath this air, will you ever be first. Linus stands straight, staring down Richard. If only his eyes shot bullets... Richard remains unfazed by Linus’ huffing. Turning his back on Linus, Richard slowly makes his way toward the piano, his eyes focused only on the family photo. Richard carries nothing, but confidence in his voice. CHAIRMAN RICHARD (CONT’D) Killing these people will not put your family back. You will only drive yourself into chaos and eventually... Richard picks up the picture and runs his thumb across the beautiful honey blond in the dark blue scrubs. CHAIRMAN RICHARD (CONT’D) ...get yourself killed. Linus storms over and snatches the photo from Richard and lays it face down on his desk. He speaks low with his head down and back turned, but Richard can hear the threats in his words. LINUS HAYTER I suggest you leave now, Chairman Richard. After all, I’m sure you have many things to attend to that can’t wait. Especially since tomorrow is not promised to us all. Chairman Richard takes his leave. At the door he pauses. CHAIRMAN RICHARD I will not allow you to put anymore of my people at risk... remember that. As the door shuts, Linus takes the photo and throws himself across the couch. On his back, he covers his eyes with his arm and places the photo of his parents across his chest. EXT. FOREST - MORNING - THREE DAYS LATER Just outside Amadeus’ Camp, Alta stands at a nearby river, watching over Artemis in the water. The water is as still as Artemis’ breathing. The water brushes up against the bare skin at his waist. The R shaped burn on his right ribs bakes in the light of the sun. His short curly black hair hangs over his forehead. Artemis balances both his daggers on his wrist with his fists pressed together in meditation. Everything is silent around him. HELIX APHERDOX (O.S.) Alta Xeno? (Master Alta) Alta turns around to the thin one eyed, HELIX APHERDOX, 16, standing in the shadow of the trees. All, but his brown face is covered by the long dark brown hood. He keeps his head down, trying to hide the deformed face underneath. ALTA Helix... Novack ton. (Come here) Helix doesn’t move, instead he lowers his head more. ALTA (CONT’D) Ka-z heir. (It's alright) Helix steps forward, but only by an inch still hugging the tree. HELIX Overseer Amadeus je olga som undos. (Overseer Amadeus is calling for everyone) ALTA Heir. (Alright) They turn to Artemis. Artemis practices his technique with his blades. He moves flawlessly. The water barely touches him. Artemis’s focus is strong. He envisions his enemies before him. With every slash, punch, and kick, he recalls the attack on his people two nights prior. He HEARS THE SCREAMS of his people. He sees the blood pouring over their crops. He hears his fathers voice in his ears. KRONTICOUS (V.O.) A man must be ready to protect his people at any cost. Every life is precious. Every moment counts. The day you let your guard down, in that moment... in that small instant all can be lost forever. You must do what you believe is right. Even if it goes against the words of our leaders. Even if you are hated for it. You must save your people. You must always do what is right in your heart. Artemis thrusts his daggers into the water before him. ALTA Artemis! Artemis inhales deep. He looks up, surprised to see the young man behind Alta. ALTA (CONT’D) Ka-z Cros! (It's time) Artemis places one of the blades in his mouth and pulls a giant fish as big as he from the waters. He lugs it to the bank. His second dagger in the fish’s eye. Alta laughs and looks back, Helix is gone. Artemis laughs at his catch. He lets it drop to the ground and takes his clothes from Alta. ARTEMIS REYGO One for the road. ALTA You always find a way to make it a game. ARTEMIS REYGO Game? My sister has to eat. They laugh. ARTEMIS REYGO (CONT’D) Who was it with you? Alta looks again at the tree where Helix stood. ALTA Helix Apherdox. Artemis hauls the fish over his back. They head home through the forest. ARTEMIS REYGO Apherdox? The deformed boy. ALTA Yes. ARTEMIS REYGO He is a good hunter. Alta scoffs and stops, looking Artemis in the eye. ALTA You give some of these boys to much credit. ARTEMIS REYGO You don't give them enough. These boys are the future. I have faith in them. Artemis shrugs and laughs as Alta’s eyes widen. ARTEMIS REYGO (CONT’D) Most of them. We have to. Alta smiles and shakes his head. They continue on. ARTEMIS REYGO (CONT’D) Besides, this one truly has skill and talent. He just has yet to learn how to use it. INT. AMADEUS CAMP Artemis and Alta walk through the gates of the camp. Their smiles and laughter quickly fade. Artemis is reminded of his pains as he watches his people run through the camp, gathering their belongings. Alta takes the fish and heads toward a group of men herding the few livestock left. Artemis finds Amadeus, who stands at the campfire with two hunters. As Artemis approaches, Amadeus sends them away. AMADEUS We will be setting out shortly. Everyone’s almost ready. Amadeus can see the sadness in Artemis’s eyes as he looks around. ARTEMIS REYGO This isn’t right. AMADEUS You know we can’t stay here. If we do, they will come again. ARTEMIS REYGO We should prepare our people for when they do, not continue to hide. Amadeus steps close. They speak low. AMADEUS We don’t have enough warriors for a war Artemis. ARTEMIS REYGO Every time our numbers drop we run. We build our people back up and we get attacked again. It repeats over and over. Instead of only surviving we should be building our own army up. Build our warriors back to what they once were. AMADEUS That was before either of our times. Before your grandfather’s and mine. Our people may never be that strong again. Amadeus watches a child pass, holding onto a small ragged doll. AMADEUS (CONT’D) It is wiser to repeat that cycle, then chance all being annihilated by an army of fifty men. Fifty is what attacked us. Fifty is all they lost to our eighty-three. Most of our people left, are women and children. This is what’s right, for now. Artemis shakes his head and walks away. Amadeus closes his eyes. He sighs. He doesn’t want to run either, but they have no choice. INT. AMADEUS’ HUT Artemis pauses in the doorway. He stares at Selene. Her arm wrapped, but he can still see the blood making its way through. Selene is wrapping Artemis’ blades together with their belongings. Her face drained of emotion. She feels a hand creep over her shoulder. ARTEMIS REYGO (O.S.) (low) Erba cho heir? (Are you alright) Selene jumps, snatching one of the knives of the table. She spins around. Artemis grabs her wrist. The knife falls to the floor. It is the only sound in the room. ARTEMIS REYGO (CONT’D) I’m sorry. Selene says nothing, but the look in her eyes speaks volumes. She is happy to see her brother. He relaxes her, makes her feel safe. She holds him tightly, crying softly into his chest. Artemis hesitates comforting her. He knows that he is the reason for her tears, but he holds her anyway. ARTEMIS REYGO (CONT’D) Selene... All will be well, I promise. SELENE REYGO You can’t promise that. ARTEMIS REYGO Selene. SELENE REYGO You can’t promise that any more than Amadeus can promise we will be safe if we leave. Selene locks eyes with Artemis, throwing all of her pain onto him. He looks away. SELENE REYGO (CONT’D) So many people die and we can’t save them. We can barely hold on to each other. Hiding can’t be our only option, can it? Artemis wants to agree, but he could never involve his sister in any war or violence. ARTEMIS REYGO For now, it is our best option. SELENE REYGO Artemis. ARTEMIS REYGO We don’t have the men to fight back. Everyone is grieving right now. Their spirits are low. Amadeus is making a wise decision. Selene knows her brother. She knows something is weighing heavily on him. SELENE REYGO Is it a decision you would make? Artemis is silent. It is obvious she supports him as she picks up the knife and hands it to him. Artemis stares at it. It is bent out of shape, worn, and rusted. ARTEMIS REYGO We need to rebuild our people first before we can do anything else. Fleeing is the right decision. Alta walks into the hut. ALTA Artemis. Selene. It is time. Alta leaves. Selene gathers her things. Artemis tucks the knife away with the rest of the weapons. SELENE REYGO (O.S.) Amadeus is not the only one our people follow. Selene leaves. Artemis is right behind her, snatching up his bags and weapons. INT. AMADEUS CAMP Amadeus stands in the center of the people, speaking. Selene finds Alta and stands close to him. Artemis loads his bags on his horse, Esscha. Helix watches Artemis from across camp. AMADEUS Brothers and Sisters, in the peace of the night our people were attacked by the Arcadian warriors... an enemy that has hunted us for far to long. They try to wipe us from the Earth, but to no avail. Our people are far too many for their few, so they come with body armor... The Armadanites gather together and head out the camp, leaving everything they have built behind. Amadeus and Artemis are the last ones through, standing at the gate, making sure no one is left behind. AMADEUS (V.O.) Our people are too strong for their men so they come with metal weapons. Their efforts all in vein. The women who still have husbands left cry in their arms as they trek through the forest. The children now orphaned stay close to their siblings. AMADEUS (V.O.) (CONT’D) Today many of us still live. We live for our lost loved ones, who died champions protecting their people. The wounded are carried in the very back on stretchers. Selene and Troy lead them. Artemis and Alta stand on each side of the group. Amadeus leads the front. AMADEUS (V.O.) (CONT’D) We live for our fathers, to carry on their names. Helix looks to Artemis, gripping his sheathed sword tightly. One of the teenage hunters pats Helix’s shoulder. AMADEUS (V.O.) (CONT’D) For our mothers to pass on their teachings. INT. ARCADIA - BUTTERFLY BUILDING - HEAD - RESTROOM Linus stands in the mirror of the cold white restroom staring himself down with water dripping from his face. His eyes red with rage. He catches a glimpse of Commander Chase walking in through the mirror. Linus knows its now or never. The attendant hands Linus a towel. AMADEUS (V.O.) Today we will follow the river West, toward Rejuvenation Pass. There, the Lape Clan will help our wounded. INT. HALLWAY Linus Walks down the hall, escorted by Chase and three other officers, into the Security Room and centers himself at the command post. AMADEUS (V.O.) There we will mourn our lose and pray for peace and strength. EXT. FOREST The boots of soldiers line the forest floor, quickly sneaking through the trees. A female soldier, GENERAL ELIZA FIELDS, 32, halts the charge just outside Amadeus’ Camp. AMADEUS (V.O.) I know many of you want retaliation. The soldiers charge in, but no one is home. Eliza stands at the gate. One of the men approach her. He points to the forest. She sends the scout off. Gathering her troops she leaves as swift as she came. Her long red hair dances in the wind behind her. She rests her arms on the black umbrella she carries over her shoulders. AMADEUS (V.O.) (CONT’D) You want blood... as do I. But the truth is we lack the man power to do it. This is why we must go. Artemis knows he is being watched. He looks over his shoulder at Selene who gently nods, smiling. AMADEUS (V.O.) (CONT’D) Today we leave our home, not to hide, but to survive. To give our warriors of tomorrow a chance to grow. Our children are our lifeblood. A group of young boys, hunters in training, walk together in the center of the group, leading the smaller children. All with weapons in unsteady hands. AMADEUS (V.O.) (CONT’D) Today we leave to give them a future to live. Just a few yards away, Eliza stands behind one of her snipers crouched at a tree. ELIZA Do you have visual? The sniper nods. Through his scope he scans the battlefield and in his POV: The injured are in the back. Alta and a few hunters armed one side. In the front Amadeus is surround by four other men. SNIPER The leader is surrounded. ELIZA Can you get a shot? SNIPER Not from this angle. Eliza grins and looks to her left at one of the other soldiers. Her blue eyes speaks volumes under her long lashes. The soldier knows what to do. SOLDER (into radio) Any sniper team with a shot on the leader? FEMALE SNIPER (O.S.) Team two has got the solution. The soldier looks to Eliza, who raises a single hand. SOLDIER (still in radio) Hold position. Eliza holds a hand out to her right and immediately one of the soldiers hands her a radio and backs away. INT. ARCADIA - BUTTERFLY BUILDING - HEAD - SECURITY ROOM Linus patiently stands at attention with his focus solely on the main camera, fixated on Chairman Richard in the conference room. MAN (O.S.) Sir, we have transmission. One of the men at the radios yells over. The Security Commander looks to Linus who, without removing his eyes from the monitor, nods. SECURITY COMMANDER Patch it through. The transmission comes directly to Linus at the Command Post. ELIZA (O.S.) Lady Death to Mother Bird. LINUS HAYTER Go for Mother Bird. ELIZA (O.S.) We have visual of the enemy, heading West. Linus inhales deeply, relaxing his hands on the podium. He closes his eyes, recalling Chairman Richards words again. LINUS HAYTER Do you have sight of the leader? ELIZA (O.S.) Sniper team two has him in full view. LINUS HAYTER And the other one. Their possible second. EXT. FOREST Eliza looks to her sniper. He shakes his head as he checks over the radio. No one can find Artemis. Through binoculars in Eliza’s POV: The Armadanites push forward in the forest. No one seems to notice their presence. The people march together. All of the livestock with them, but a single, lonely horse in the very back of the group. She walks slowly. ELIZA (into radio) No sign of him. INT. ARCADIA - BUTTERFLY BUILDING - HEAD - SECURITY ROOM Commander Chase leans in over Linus’ shoulder. COMMANDER CHASE (softly) Sir, he was injured in the last attack. If he was alive I’m sure he’d be there. There was no one in there village and if he had lagged behind with a group of warriors, Liza’s men would have spotted them already. Linus smiles. He looks once again at Chairman Richard on the monitor, than back to the radio. LINUS HAYTER Take them all. FADE OUT |