#poor bowser just can’t catch a break today!

[hxroic-wxlls]

“ Now that I think of it, Bowser is a tad bit annoying… “

*Sips Tea*

“ Huh? Weird, this is supposed to be coffee. “

[kanene-yaaay]

Double-Cosplay Challenge

 Author’s note: Hello-ho-ho-ho!! My gosh, is it already 25th? I can’t believe in this, neither that the world is so small,  @scribbly-gigs, after all I’m your Squealing Santa too!! I really hope you enjoy this gift, because your prompt was absolutely adorable! I fell in love for its and aaaaa!  Best. Idea. Ever.

Okay, I got a little carried away! Enjoy the gift!

But, before the fanfic, I would like to give a specially thank to @ticklygiggles for hosting this wonderful event! It was an absolutely lovely experience, thanky you veryy much!! >w<)s2</i>

Warnings, fun facts, random things and stuff:

* This characters don’t belongs to me! Jeremy and Michael belongs to the musical Be More Chill.

* The song in the benning is Hide and Seek, a cover by Lizz Robinett

* This is a SFW Tickle-Fanfic, so, if you don’t appreciate this kind of content, please, look for another blog. There are a plenty of fabulous arts in this site!!  ^w^)b

* Oneshot. Something around 4.500 words.(I REALLY got carried away xDD) -w-)b.

* Sorry for any spelling, pontuation and grammar mistakes! Any and every advice is very very welcome! \(-w-)/

* Portugese’s Version (Brazilian’s one) coming soon!  Thankys for reading, my lollipops! Have a wonderful and incredible, festive or not, day! Take care with you gonna prank anyone (And only do if they’re okay with it) , they can get revenge. ~

                             [~*~]

Ding Dong I know you can hear me

Open up the door

I only wanna play a little.

 - What the fu… – Opened his eyes, the song suddenly swallowing him from his dream. He blinked a few times, his hands going toward his cellphone, vision finally focusing in the middle of the dimly lit darkness by sunlight, which managed to passes through the small slits in the curtains successfully. The device was not turned on.

 Ding Dong you can’t keep me waiting

It’s already too late

For you go and try to run away. ~

 He turned to the closet, where, on the floor, a small device vibrated, its screen glooming and being entirely responsible for proliferation of the calm background melody, which for some unknown reason made a feeling of cold, gelid fear spread through every inch of his body, growing more and more stronger as the light brown-haired reeling approached. His mind still foggy by tiredness.

 Whose phone was that?

  I see you through the window

Our eyes are locked together

I can sense your horror

Though I’d like to see it closer.~~

  He bent down to turn it off.

 Wait…

 He recognized this phone cover! It was from-

 - DING DONG! – The door slammed open, almost as fast as the fall from the one who just had woken up, the light suddenly invading every particle from his room along with the excitedly extremely loud scream – HURRY UP AND RUUUUUN! LET’S PLAY A LITTLE GAME AND HAVE FUN!!

 - MICHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!

 It was crystal clear that Michael wanted to utter some words, something so easy to say by the way that small portions of sentences sought to slip through his lips. However, he was being completely hindered by his own (blood from his blood!!) uncontrollable laughter, needing a firm grip on the doorjamb to not collapse with the other’s fright. Jeremy placed his hand in his chest, feeling the heart skip some beats at a great speed and trying to control at least a small piece of his ragged breathing.

 - I should have recorded this! My holy Pacman, why didn’t I record this??? – Wiped few tears that accumulated at the corner of his eyes. The onslaught of laughter threatening to come back again as he faced the poor, poor teenager with his pajamas, hair and appearance full of mess. The one who has the sad fate of being the target of his prank and now demonstrated his gratitude by showing a very specific finger to him.

 - I will end with your existence, just give me a second. I-I need to recover my soul, I think it ran out the window. – Got up, finally succeeding in breath normally, his gaze was sharp, or the most close as possible with the sleep that still covered his features, but he couldn’t deny the smile, part vengeful and part because he have to give it to him: it was a good prank; that he struggled to doesn’t let its took over his face. – Why? Just… Why??

 - Because today is the International Double-Cosplay Chaaaaaaaallenge day!! – Michael was literally bouncing excitedly, gesturing as if he presented the answer to a huge and attentive audience and not a young man slowly coming down the stairs, still yawning and rubbing the sleep from his eyes while leading the trail to the kitchen.  

 Oh, the Double-Cosplay Challenge.

 It could even be seen as a tradition, a very ancient one, held of years without end. Not one of the seculars, though, that ones initiated in some trunk of time, which, if asked, No one would really know to explain from where it emerged. In fact, Jeremy almost remembered perfectly (‘perfectly, sure, it’s a hyperbole. Jeremy imagined his memory as a miniature of fish Dory. So, remembering more than six or five actions of a day that had gone years ago was a progress!) the way it all started.

 Like most things in his friendship with Michael, of course it had began with teasing that led to a semi-fight where both sides argued, yet without really having any warm in their words. For this time, the focus of the discussion was the ease and speed that Jeremy could paint every square of himself with blush as the slightest instigation…

 (...)

 - Could you stop??? – Heere jerked away by impulse, his cheeks already beginning to flush in pink for the squeal he uttered due the light blow that Michael dumped on his ear. – We’re in the middle of the game!!!

 - Do you mean that if we weren’t playing it wouldn’t be a problem, then? – Malefic smile. Jeremy felt the blush spread even more.

 - Wha- Sure it would be!!!!

 - Hmmm… I bet that would be okay if it was Christiiiiine doing that. – He mimicked a singing tone as he spoke her name, losing control over his car for a minute and being hit by a tortoise shell. – Damn, Bowser!! You were my favorite character, dude!!

 - Yeah, yeah. Keep talking while I take the lead!- The light brown-haired smirked, his tongue sticking out as he dodged a few drivers and climbed some positions in the ranking.

 - Ha! You couldn’t win this match even if you wanted to. – Jumped and hit one of the floating boxes with the question mark. Got the cannonball. – Just as you can’t stop to being a mess flushed even by the wind!

 - Is that so? And what about the Pinkberry employee? - Michael’s car was out of control for a piece of moment and Jeremy allowed himself to take his eyes off the screen for a few seconds just to catch the other’s face now painted with a light blush and a wobbly smile. – See? We’re rotten apples from the same basket, compadre.

 - Lucky shot.

 - Ability. – He corrected, contradicting his words, his automobile went straight towards the water. The Player Two wrinkled his nose.

 - The thing is, unlike you, I can control my blush. I would win from 10 to 1 if this were a competition.

 - I bet. – It was the magic word. Michael paused the game immediately, both turning to stare each other, the glare full of dangerous burning in their eyes, a grin finding space in their faces.

 - How much?

 A brief silence spreaded across the room, barely finding space with all the adrenaline and electricity following Jeremy’s thoughtful glaze as he searched in his mind for an award up to the challenge.

 - The one who be the most blushy, for most period of time or a greater amount of times, that is, who made the best tomato cosplay earn the right to try to survive for…

 (...)

 - …a week wearing a cosplay that the winner, and by this I mean I, - Michael gesticulated pompously, not even paying attention to the friend and opponent, who calmly hummed as setted the breakfast. – choose. At school, on the street, in home… With a break of five daily hours to wash and dry, as well as permission to get it off to sleep, BUT, that’s all. – Evil laugh. – I hope you are prepared, Heere. Because this year I choose the best cos-

 His eyes finally went to find the breakfast table, setted with a blue and red tablecloth where the phrase ‘Best Player nº1’ was practically completely hidden by the delicacies deposited on it: Pacman-shaped Pancakes, some being stuffed with hazelnut cream; Some cups with iced coffee, a small bowl of fruit salad, the common eggs and bacons; waffles with cream and blueberry spreading their sweet scent along the Special Christmas Donuts, available only for one hour after the local bakery opens. That cost great hours of Jeremy’s sleep, which immediately worth it just in watching the utterly surprised and clumsy expression from the one who wears glasses.

 - …tume… – His mouth hang wide open and he blinked several times, as if it was all a mirage about to disappear at any second. Michael simply couldn’t believe all his favorites dishes were really gathered in a only table in a only one meal.

 - To my faworite pewson. – The one in pajamas guides him to the chair; happily enjoying the blush consumes his friend’s cheeks.

 Fun Fact: Michael is hardly embarrassed by usual teasing and/or flirting. The thing that can truly make him mirror the color of his hoodie was actions and true, sincere compliments. It was as if the boy really didn’t expected anyone to thought about him long enough to prepare a gift or perceive and admire his actions… That always reminded Jeremy why he liked this day so much.

 - You play dirty, Heere. - The Mell finally managed to find words between his surprise, unable to look away and face the other with the dangerous smirk that was his mark.

 - I need to get to your level. – His voice bathed itself in a (fake) sweet tune, the teasing being enough to successfully capture the attention from the one in hoodie, leading their eyes to meet. Jeremy blinked innocently.

 - I just forgive you because of the donuts! They are like, an impossible legend, which I just heard being told and retold in all my years of life, waiting for the right moment when I finally could have it in my arms. – The light brown-haired rolled his eyes, smiling with the exaggerated description. – But don’t even think about getting used to my forgiveness! You won’t be so lucky ne-

 His sentence and merciful act have been interrupted by a high pitch squeak from Jeremy, who jerked away instinctively from Michael’s finger that poked him, protecting his tummy defensively, a wobbly, unstable smile in his face.

 Immediately thousands of memories and empirical data invaded the Mell’s mind, and, the more and more his brain reminded him, the more and more a predatory expression got strength and color in his face.

 - Oh, never mind. – Jeremy gulped, all his instincts beating like a bright red ‘r u n’ signal shining in the middle of a desert road on a stormy dawn. He felt himself starting to increase the distance between both. – It seems like you are out of lucky right now.

 And the race begin, this time out of the videogames’ screen.

 (…)

 - Oh Heeeere!~ - His tune could be described as ‘singing’ if it was not the panting voice due the attempts to still in maximum speed in pursuit of the Player Two. – Why do you keep running away from my love? This hurts. Sadface.

 - I bet it didn’t hurt more than my fall for you! – Jeremy’s only relief was that Michael would rather to lock himself on the basement to play than exercise in his free time. His only sadness was that he also would rather lock himself on the basement with Michael to play videogames in their free time, which mean that neither of them had the slightest, and necessary, disposition to any sports.

 However Michael at least was lucky, which uneven unfairly his chances. In the first opportunity he got, the one on the pajamas placed the coffe table between them.

 - Naaah. – The prankster started to encircle the table, analyzing the friend and opponent do the same action, but in the opposite direction. – Easy peachy compared to the time you stole my heart.

 - It was just to return the favor, since you stole mine first… - His gaze drifted to the stairs right behind the one who wears glasses. If he could dodge him and make to his room, he could lock himself there and spend the next hours on the safety and comfort of his computer and bed. His glare returned to Michael… All there was needed was a distraction. – No, wait, in truth, it was always yours.

 - Not in the same way that I am yours. – Wink.

 - But do you know what is just yours and you could give to me? – The dirty joke came and went away before it could be mentioned by the dark brown-haired, who failed in not burst out laughing. – Your hand!!

 Jeremy took vantage of the small moment of carelessness to rush out.

 Good Point?

 He managed to dodge Michael!! Yeaah!! Phase one completed with praise!

 Bad Point? (Suuuure that always it has to exists a bad one! It was too boring for your standards, wasn’t it, Universe?)

 He couldn’t even research the stairs before being knocked down on the carpet. He turned himself over, fighting for a few minutes stuffed with laugh and pieces of phrases (‘Michael, don-‘; ‘Could you stop, Heere!?’; ‘Just if you let me go!’; ‘Ouch! Damn, my glasses!’; ‘Gyah! Sorr- Hey! No! Nonono!’), at least until Michael finally find a gap in his barrier, wasting no time in attacking his bare foot, pulling a squeal from the one on pajamas, which worked like a race start, being immediately followed by dozens of giggles as his fingers danced in a lively rhythm: poking, scratching and wriggling in each centimeter of available skin.

 - MihihihihihihihihihihihichaACK- Michael never played any instruments for much in his life, but he assumed that this is how the musicians should feel. Wriggling: Squeal; Poking that exactly spot in the middle of his sole: Shriek; Each scratch could give him a different melodious sound depending on the spot he was attacking. - NOHOHOHOHOHOHOhohohohohOHOHO!!

 - What did you said, Heere? Mind repeat? I can’t understand any word in the middle of your adorable giggles. – Jeremy rocked his arms from side to side without really managing to coordinate them to do something useful. The sensation took over his mind and all his nerves. However, he was still able to hear and understand another words beyond his own giggles, which automatically made a heat spread quickly through all his face. - Awwwn!! You already are blushiiiing. ~

 - Shuhuhuhuhuhut UHUHUhuhp!! NononO! Nohohohoht thehehehere! – And then more uncontrollable laughter began to float from his lips as Michael’s nails found their way to the ticklish skin right under his toes.

 - ‘There’, where? Did you mean… here? – One of his hands held his toes in order to unfold them while the other tickled without a single drop of mercy. Jeremy felt himself jump in a sit position, trying to focus his tearing eyes enough to stop the assault. It took just a few pokes in his tummy to make he lay down again.

 - NAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHahahahahahaHAHA! – His eyes were closed and his nose wrinkled. His whole body shook with the loud, shrill laughs that spilled from his mouth without any barrier; only being interrupted by some squeak or yelp as the Player One decided to get bored with his toes and quickly changed the tickle attack to his knees. Started to switch from one to another in random patterns, squeezing his kneecaps or giving an especial attention to the extremely, unfairly ticklish skin under them.

 That leading the laugh to grow even louder and the sensations more and more unbearable. Michael happily watched when Jeremy swung his legs up, seeking to curl in a protection ball, “obliging” him to retaliate with a series of kneads on his thighs, causing  the light brown-haired to frantically kick, trying to free himself from the tickles, leading Michael to go back to his knees and restart the loop all over again.

 - S-Sthohohohohohohop!! – He let out a frustration groan in the fifth time it happened. The Mell couldn’t help but evil crackle at that, also being helped by the fact that Jeremy’s laugh was extremely contagious.

 - I don’t know what are you talking about, Heere! All I can ever hear is the victory sound of me winning the Double-Cosplay challenge this year!!

 - YOHOHOHOHOHOHOU WIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHISH-nono! No, pleaSE! nHOHOHT THeherHEHEHEs!

 - Is this your final answer, then? – Michael stared at him, the mischievous grin still very present, even though Jeremy didn’t saw it. The sunshine flooded the victim’s face, only further highlighting the freckles already favored by the blush, which literally cover his entire face, now. Jeremy shook his head side to side, as if denying the fate that was about to catch him, or as if answered the question from the other, Michael just shrugged and decided to ignore the act. – So, that’s it! Be prepared to the Ultimate Tickle Attack!!

 He stopped.

 And the Player Two used the opportunity of a break to take some sips of air, finally being able to shrunk in a defensive ball. The crackling laughter still bouncing gladly from his mouth that couldn’t at all undo the big bright smile going ear to ear in his features. It really seemed to illuminate the place.

 His hand trembled a little as he wiped tears that managed to slide across his burning cheeks. The laughing now became giggling and finally starting to fade.

 And then he realized.

 Not even a whisper from Michael.

 He opened his eyes, a little confused, and suddenly shivers ran thundering down his spine, spreading through each of his ticklish spots, making them tingle more, perhaps in the same amount of times that the Mell approached his fingers teasingly until they were a few inches above his calves.

 Damn! Cursed be these years of friendship and all the tickle fights in their childhood that give him the knowledge about this particular spot.

 - Mihihihichael! – His giggles came back strident, his smile threatened to widen further. Jeremy bitted softly the tip of his tongue, trying to do at least a threatening expression, yet too much excitedly for it. The one in hoodie quickly lowered his hand, stopping before he could research the place, leading the other to jump and release a pinched scream would never admitted being his in the future. Butterflies danced in his stomach. – NohohoHOT eVEn thIHIHIhihnk abohohohut th-

 - Not touchin you, dude! – The prankster laughed starting to wiggle his fingers, and, even though they didn’t have touched him yet, Jeremy could already feel it. Feel the uncontrolled laughter in his chest, the nerves tingling eagerly, the eyes closing reflexively and… - If I knew it was so easy to make you blush just with that I already would won this tournament years ago!! – His face was going to melt, he was absolutely sure of that. It was going to melt and he would be obligated to wear the stupid mask of whatever cosplay Michael chose for him for the rest of his life!! – And I’m not even doing anything, literally!

 - Shuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuht uhuhuhuhuhuhuhp, youhohohor sadihihihistic!! – The heat just spread stronger, arriving to the tip of his ears. He attempted to shrink more in defense; however, the Player One held his leg, his other hand resting on his chest, as if he were truly offended.

 - Jeremy! – He faked another attack, almost losing control of his dramatic pose and laughing when the Heere snorted. – Now, that was not the manners I gave you! I’m not even doing anything and a puddle of adorable giggles offends me! Humpf… – He wander lightly his index finger through all the extension of his calf, each inch releasing a new squeal tone.

 - Sohohorry!! Sohohohohohohohohohohrrehehehey! – He pushed his leg, trying to free himself from the deadly grip. Michael didn’t even bother into pretending to ponder about his apologies, and then the light brown-haired knew he was screwed up in the exact moment he find that glint the other’s eye.

 - Nah. I would rather return the favor. – And, as he said, started to ruthlessly knead his calves.

 Jeremy never had fought that much in his life. All of his muscles squirmed; reacting to the warning signals they received from his nerves, which probably were all very confused when they heard his laughter. Powerful, loud and fully stuffed with screams, laughter. His mind went in a total collapse and he could only focus on the tickling, finding his synapses unable to form a single coherent word, neither a sentence.

 Michael stopped. Half because he had pity to see the tears began to wash the friend’s cheeks and the other half because he was afraid that some neighbor would call the police with the screams from the shorter; and also because he couldn’t control his own laughter anymore. Grateful to be seated, he leaned against the outsider arm of the couch, his voice mingling with the remained giggles from the other. Both flying in the air.

 For a moment, the duo stayed just like this: Laughing.

 - Yohohohohou ahahahahare the worhohohohost! – Wiped his tears, finally managing to remove the sensations rubbing the spot that, probably, was the most ticklish and unlikely to have. Thanked to the pure, fresh air entering his lungs, which seemed to give him strength to sit and stare the shape who still laughing.

 An awesome idea crossed by his brain and camped there. A little cliché, that is true, but he felt deserving this privilege.

 His hands met the armpits of the Player One, without moving, who instinctively downed his arms, an uncharacteristic squeak now running from his lips. Jeremy enjoyed the sense of power he had when the opponent, in the videogames and for this day, faced him with wide eyes, struggling with a smile in his face.

 - Je-jeremy… Come on, pal, dude, friend... – The one on pajamas just smiled in response, turning softly his head, like a puppy staring you doubtfully about your despair as hold your only short in their mouth, paws flexed and about to run through the beach, to anywhere as long is far from you (Long and funny story, ask Mr Heere to show you the video later.) and wasted no time before start the attack.

 Michael held his breath. His lips suppressed in a arc as they were pressed strongly, refusing to let out a single giggle from the thousands that already stirred in his throat.

 - What the matter? – Jeremy chuckled, noticing the not-so-subtly effort from the newer victim to control himself, just getting even clear when his legs began to squirm. The light brown-haired positioned himself on his right, already knowing what was coming, his face approached further. – Wouldn’t you happen to be… too ticklish for that, right?

 He started to slowly scribble in the other’s armpits, the glint in his eyes glowing as watched him jumping with the touch and hugging his sides, fighting more with the waterfall of giggles trying to pour from his lips and this struggle seeming about to make him explode, due how much his cheeks puffed and blushed. The Mell shook his head.

 - Phew, what a relief. – The Player Two faked a relieved sigh, as if heavy chains were removed from his back. His face got closer, Michael stared at him, fear and expectation shining mingled up in his expression, red beginning to grew stronger in his face. S c o r e. – So you won’t mind if I get a itty bitty revenge, right?

 And started to blow right on that spot behind his ear, something that the friend did almost daily and now tasted what he so gladly distributed. Michael squealed, the barriers finally giving in and being quickly subdued by the snorts and giggles as fingers skillfully poked and wriggled in his armpits, taking more speed and strength, just as Michael’s fight to escape from his fate.

 - JEHEHEHEHEHEheheheheHEHEHEHEHEREMYY!!! NOHOHOHOHOHO!!

 - Michael! We are in a serious competition here! I would like to see a little more compromising from your side!! – His head moved away as he stopped in order to teasing the other’s neck. Changing his tactics to verbal teasing and, even though he didn’t threatened back to his neck anymore, the ‘victim’ still kept his shoulders up, as if by precaution.

 - FUHUHUHUHUHUACK!!  – The light brown-haired was able to release his hands from the friend’s gasp, giving him some free seconds before immediately tickle his sides. – PLEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHhahahahahahahAHAHAHA! – His tune got a fewer octaves higher, flinching a little as Jeremy alternated between kneading his left, squeeze his right and then attack both at the same time.

 Fun fact: Michael did not squirmed, he trashed his body side to side in a mad dance ruled by the melody of his own deep, frenetic and uncontrollable belly laughter that fled without any permission from his mouth. Therefore, tickle his legs or even sit on them to try pinning him down was practically impossible. His upper body, on the other hands, due his fear of tossing away his glasses, were easier to deal.

 - Wait… Oh no, Michael! I discovered! – His eyes even attempted to meet with the other’s, but these were tightly closed, tears starting to welling up in the corner. The Heere forced himself to slow the attack, noticing the crackling laugh and shrieks that started to took over Michael’s loud, and completely contagious, laughter. He drank a little of air, still letting squeals and giggles escape from his lips for the soft tracing in his tummy, one of the Mell’s hand holding his wrist, but didn’t doing nothing to really stop the tickle. – You are not able to command your laughter!

 - Nohohohoho shi- A lightly squeezing in his hips was enough to make a yelp interrupt the rest of his sarcastic sentence.

 - This is extremely serious! But do not fear, as your best friend, I will help you! I am almost sure that I find a Resert Buttom!!

 The one who wears glasses felt his smile grow wider, more for the nonsense from the other than anything else. He tried to ignore the rising heat spreading now across his neck.

 A finger poked his navel and the jump Mell did nearly broke the ceiling, together with a squeal that Jeremy definitely would remind him later. The Player Two used all his willpower to not fall on the floor laughing with the other’s reaction, especially when this one actually began to really try to remove his hands from anywhere closer of his most ticklish spot, miserably failing when Jeremy suddenly started to give quick tickles in any and every where to distract him.

 -Heere, dohohohohon’t you dahahahahahare! – His hands were in a total uncontrolled frenzy, just as his euphoric giggles.

 - I-I’m just- Their laugh were now mixed as danced through the room, especially when in an act of pure despair Michael attacked his ribs, making him really start laughing for real. Oh no!! He wouldn’t win this one!! – I’m juhuhuhuhuhst trying tohohoho hehehehehehelp, yohohohour ungreatuful!!! Boop!

 And then his finger finally was able to tickle his belly button, wriggling, poking an causing a real scream to leave the other’s lips, as a small signal before the loud, mad and extremely frenetic laughter exploded from his mouth. He jostled and babbled non-ended words that even he had no idea with what they were supposed to mean.

 He was getting crazy. Michael was absolutely sure. His head was thrown back with the strength of the laughter and for a moment everything, even the tickles that spread through every little inch in his body as unbearable and hilarious shivers, disappeared.

 A piece of rationality, the last one, made him attack and scribble his fingers in some unprotected skin from his opponent. It didn’t mattered where it was, and yes that seconds later Jeremy’s laughter started to go along his owns, showing that retaliation was working.

 Both rolled out on the floor, laughing, snorting, yelping, squealing, squeaking, giggling and equally trying to make the friend released the same sounds as himself. Their members shuffled, seeking to tickle any and all minimally reachable tickle spots, both unwilling to give up and both waiting to the other give in first.

 Maybe it was the so-called ‘friendly telepathy’, the same one which allowed them to chat just with glares and always know what and when the other needed something. However, the duo slowly begun decreasing their attack almost simultaneously. The squeezes and kneads becoming pokes before turning into scratching and scribbles until they finally broke apart, staring the opponent for a few hesitant seconds (not that they really could properly see each other through all their tears happily spilling down their cheeks ) before laying on the floor. The remaint laughter being the only thing filling the silence, along with the panting breaths.

 For a while they just stayed like that: laughing.

 The sun’s rays started to heat the room, showing it wasn’t that early anymore and probably the donuts were already cold by this moment. Cars were passing outside and some dog somewhere barked desperately, the sound not echoing louder than their hearts, which stilled seeking to calm down themselves after the strange and high dose of adrenaline.

 Jeremy was the first to speak, raising his arm and waving as it like a white flag.

 - Draw?

 - Keep dreaming. – Michael’s voice was slightly hoarse. He cleared his throat while the one on pajamas rolled his eyes, none of them really succeeding in removes the bright smile in their faces. – Truce for breakfast?

 They sat, not taking too long to get up as hear the angry protests from their stomachs, they shook their hands, sealing the quick agreement. Their eyes met and, for a piece of moment both ignored how much redder they were, their minds now just focusing on the eagerly awaited meal.

 - Truce for breakfast.

[jbowser2-blog]

GROXIS - ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY BY J BOWSER

FADE IN: EXT. PLANET GROXIS, SESNIA SOLAR SYSTEM - DAY SUPER: Planet Groxis in the year 231. A time of immense reckoning for humankind as the very androids man created now seek to exterminate them from the universe. A solar explosion creates millions of dazzling stars that burst off the surface of two stunning saffron suns. Four indigo moons of varying size lie enveloped by spectacular multi-colored space rings. Ultra-modern cities of towering titanium and glass mega-scrapers juxtapose with majestic mountains and vast iridescent oceans. EXT. ANDROID FACTORY, PENICIA - DAY We’re flying high, weaving and spinning in a drone-copter as it heads toward a gray, modern, modular android facility nestled in a thick lime green forest. FADE TO BLACK. INT. ANDROID FACTORY - DAY Numerous android bodies lie on gurneys mid-air. They’re being assembled one part at a time by robotic machines on a sophisticated conveyor belt system. These androids are anatomical reproductions of humans. Super computers and technical staff stand by at every stage of the build process. Male, female, Asian, Caucasian, Black and Indian variations are assembled. UNIT 5053 is in the final stage of full body completion. He’s almost perfect in facial symmetry, and has a medium build, wide shoulders and a slim waist. A TECHNICIAN responds to a yellow alert for this unit.   A sophisticated fifth dimension (noted as FDM going forward)screen appears. ONSCREEN - Small yellow lights pulsate over the unit’s knuckles. The technician makes a note of this. Unit 5053 continues to the last stage of creation. Several brontobytes of data are transferred to his memory and CPU modules in less than a full minute.   Soon after the upload, alarm bells ring, and lights flash yellow then red. Several android technicians gather to troubleshoot at his console. The console is rebooted as the same android technician in full factory attire speaks. TECHNICIAN ONE Full diagnostic report. Bright, colorful pictures and text scroll at lightening speed across the screen then abruptly stop. A computerized VOICE offers a verbal account. VOICE Unit 5053 “CANEN DRACO.” Both hands require re-setting. Memory banks were injected with 100 times tested capacity matrices and will likely malfunction. Recommendation: Expunge memory banks, flash bios and reset knuckles on both hands.     TECHNICIAN ONE Quality control failure, collect Unit 5053 for further processing. The technician removes an electronic tag from the screen and affixes it to CANEN’s forehead. INT. DE-PROGRAMMING - DAY A large group of technicians work with numerous android bodies. A lead technician spouts out instructions. TECHNICIAN TWO Unit 5053 has been scheduled for re-programming. LEAD TECHNICIAN We’re running way behind. Transport him to salvage. EXT. HOUSE, ROTANIA, GROXIS - DAY A striking gray futuristic home lies nestled in the trees just outside the Rotania Mountains. An impeccably dressed lady of forty-four, DOCTOR WENNA HAWTHORNE, scurries down her driveway.  She’s struggling to balance herself on one heel as she attempts to step into the other.   She then enters a hovering metallic drone. WENNA (pleasant voice) BSCRR (Bioscientific Stem Cell Research and Recovery), please. Wenna slides in and places a sweater in the passenger seat, and verbally engages the drone’s built-in computer. WENNA Macchiato, rye, mirror, and light tunes. A mini coffee maker in the center console pops up and goes to work. A mirror launches itself just in front of her face. Wenna gazes at her pretty reflection, her veridian green eyes reveal an uncompromising love for life. She carefully places a few strands of her hair behind an ear as the drone takes flight and light background music begins. A piping hot cup of coffee soon pops out from the console followed by two pieces of rye toast. WENNA Local weather and world news. A mini FDM screen pops up, Wenna watches, enjoys breakfast, then... WENNA 300 mph, please. A quirky male’s voice responds. ALBERT, the voice of the onboard computer replies. ALBERT (whiney) Doctor, must I remind you that you currently have a number of outstanding speeding violations on record? WENNA I’m running very late Albert. ALBERT Then we should depart earlier. Wenna rolls her eyes, accesses a menu, taps override, and the drone accelerates. ALBERT Can’t say I didn’t warn you... Wenna presses Albert’s power-off switch. She watches as her drone passes other similar drones in multiple layers of air space. Something catches her eye. A large black dog hobbles and staggers on the ground just below her. Wenna voice-activates Albert. WENNA Albert, drop out of traffic and pull just in front of that dog. ALBERT Might I make a -- WENNA Albert! Albert does as asked. Wenna pops out and calls the dog over. EXT. SIDE OF THE ROAD - DAY It hunches down and approaches timidly, Wenna smiles and with a high pitched voice... WENNA C’mon girl... She opens a back door and coaxes her into the drone. INT. DRONE - DAY WENNA RSPAA. ALBERT You’re only making matters worse. Wenna pets her new friend. INT. RSPAA - DAY Standard kennel foyer, dogs bark incessantly. A woman in a white lab coat greets them, BRIA, forty-four. BRIA Hi Dr. Hawthorne, where’d ya find this one? Wenna heads for the door, looks back at Bria. WENNA Poor thing was hobbling down Alpha 10. Just bill me if she needs anything. Bria looks down at the dog. BRIA Look at those pretty golden eyes. Sure ya don’t want to keep this one? WENNA She’s precious. BRIA Well, at least she won’t end up  being Ghord food... INT. WENNA’S DRONE - DAY Wenna exits then zooms off in her drone. ALBERT The twin suns will intercept at precisely 1:17 p.m. today. Do you have your solar retardant umbrella? WENNA You ask me this every morning. I have like ten of them. ALBERT I’m required by -- WENNA Off... Albert shuts off. INT. FEDERATED ANDROID OFFICE - DAY On the one thousandth floor of a mega-skyscraper, ubiquitous glass panels reflect off hot twin suns. Android CASSIUS HUNTER, three hundred and eight, tall, rugged and handsome, peers out a window, staring down at the masses. An FDM screen pops up. ONSCREEN - International call from HIDECKI KOMOTO. Accept or decline? CASSIUS Accept. HIDEKI (V.O.) (over phone, filtered) Good day to you, Sir. I wondered if you had received the latest android specifications? Cassius paces, a frown appears on his face. CASSIUS (into phone) Quite frankly, I’m not impressed with what I’ve seen to date. HIDEKI (V.O.) (over phone, filtered) I can assure you that those specifications are cutting edge and well within your stated budget. CASSIUS (into phone) I’ll make that determination. I requested additional upgrades for both memory and power chip modules. HIDEKI (V.O.) (over phone, filtered) Did you check the specs? CASSIUS (into phone) Substandard at best. I’ll give you one week to rectify this, otherwise I’ll consider other vendors.   HIDEKI (V.O.) (over phone, filtered) Mr. Hunter, I strongly -- Cassius shakes his head in disgust and hangs up. INT. ANDROID FACTORY, PENICIA - DAY Large warehouse area strewn with android bodies in various stages of re-build. A large robotic arm tosses CANEN onto a scrap heap of android parts. He lies there motionless, another body is then dumped onto him. His eyes suddenly open, turn a bright yellow then revert back to gray. CANEN jumps out of the bin, looks around in a confused state, pulls the electronic tag from his forehead, and reads ”CANEN Draco, UNIT 5053 malfunction, transport to salvage.” CANEN shakes his head as several WORKERS approach. He ducks down and crawls to a set of nearby lockers. He carefully opens several lockers before he finds one with suitable attire. He dresses just as the workers head off in the opposite direction. CANEN then darts for the back door, one of the workers sees him, soon all are in pursuit. Before he can access the door, a worker throws a heavy pipe wrench that smashes into his leg, and he goes down. In seconds they’re on him and quickly restrain his arms. As a worker calls for security, CANEN breaks loose and gallops for the door then across the factory yard. A loud siren then blares. He spots a fence and heads for it. Two android junk yard DOGS are soon on his heels, followed by several of the workers. He jumps as high as he can up the fence. One of the dogs manages to catch part of his pant leg, growls and twists it. CANEN tries to shake loose, but the other dog leapfrogs the first and bites deep into his quad, then both try and rip him to pieces. CANEN bellows then summons every bit of strength he can muster to break loose and roll over the fence. INT. INTERGALACTIC AIRPORT, PENICIA - DAY Huge airport with many folks and shops. Large electronic boards are posted mid-air, numerous hi-tech escalators and treadmill-like air walkways transport passengers. INT. BATHROOM - DAY Standard airport restroom facility, sinks, stalls and mirrors. CANEN looks at his reflection in a mirror then breaks off a thick shard from the corner of it and pockets it.   A male android enters with a small silver briefcase and accesses a stall. CANEN enters the stall next to him, sets the mirror shard just below the stall frame. The android removes a power cable from his suit, opens the front buttons of a white business shirt, and presses on the center of his chest. Two small doors open, and two clear modules with energy pulsating through them begin to dim. He removes the dimmer module and attaches the power cable. His eyes go dim, the second module’s energy bank begins to flash. He pulls out the second and programs a lower power setting, resets it, then his head suddenly lowers as he powers down fully. CANEN accesses the android’s stall, locates the silver briefcase, then directs the android’s right index finger over the case’s thumb print screen. ONSCREEN - An electronic female voice, “Place left then right eye in front of retinal scanner.” CANEN places the scanner over the android’s eyes, then supplies the serial numbers from his life modules as requested.   The briefcase pops open. He peruses the contents, finds a mini FDM, accesses it, and transfers financial credits to himself. He then stores the android’s power cable and life modules in the briefcase. He exchanges clothes with him, flips down an “Out of Order” sign on the stall, and limps off. INT. SECURITY CHECK - DAY CANEN approaches security for the cross-planet supersonic flight to Rotania. A security officer eye-balls him closely as he reviews his passport. AIRPORT SECURITY Your eye and hair color don’t match this passport. CANEN Per Android Federation statute, I’m entitled to make lens and hair color changes every five years. Security guard looks him up and down. AIRPORT SECURITY Then you should have re-authenticated. CANEN I’ll make it a priority one... The guard accesses a mini FDM, types for a few seconds. AIRPORT SECURITY I’ve put your passport in a void state, and I strongly suggest you re-authenticate before trying to return.   CANEN nods. AIRPORT SECURITY Access your security device and  authenticate. CANEN signs into the silver device. AIRPORT SECURITY Serial numbers... The guard runs them through a database then allows CANEN through. INT. 777 SUPERSONIC JET - DAY There are few passengers on this flight. CANEN stretches out and begins flexing his hands. His knuckles begin to crack as the jet accelerates to sonic speed before becoming airborne. CANEN speaks into a multi-dimensional onboard computer. CANEN Search, science and or technical employment opportunities in Rotania. Subsequent results are posted on his screen. INT. RENTAL DRONE, ROTANIA AIRPORT - DAY CANEN rents a drone and drives off. EXT. ROTANIA - MONTAGE - VARIOUS 1. INT. ROTANIA CBD CONDO OFFICE - DAY - CANEN rents a condo. 2. INT. DEPARTMENT STORE - DAY - CANEN purchases household items. 3. INT. ROTANIA, MALL - DAY - CANEN purchases clothes and other sundry items. 4. INT. MEGA FOOD STORE - DAY - CANEN purchases toothbrush, mouthwash, floss and other sundry items. 5. INT. CANEN’S CONDO - DAY - CANEN moves in, stocks kitchen, unpacks and so on. END OF MONTAGE EXT. CANEN’S NEIGHBORHOOD - DAY CANEN jogs in shorts and a tee, he passes Wenna about half way up a hill. He stops at the top, as does Wenna. WENNA (short of breath) Hi... CANEN nods. Wenna looks away and stretches out her leg, CANEN watches from behind. WENNA You took that hill quite easily. She then takes a closer look at him. WENNA Forgive me, I thought you were human. CANEN looks away uncomfortably. WENNA Sorry, I didn’t mean to offend. CANEN No offense taken. They look at one another for a few moments, both smile and then take different routes back down the hill. INT. BSCRR LAB LOBBY- DAY Large open area with fabric chairs that front a reception desk. A receptionist speaks into a phone. We don’t see her, but hear her voice. Suddenly a large internal transport capsule opens, and thirty-five year old LUNA DHARANI exits. Luna is tall, slim and stunning...and knows it. She whispers a command into a wireless device. ONSCREEN - She then pages through several clear FDM tablets as she approaches CANEN. Luna ends the phone conversation and points her index finger toward a conference room. LUNA Can I get you anything, Mr. Draco? CANEN shakes his head. INT. CONFERENCE ROOM - DAY Long glass table with large leather seats. They sit opposite one another. Luna looks at her screen.... LUNA I’m Luna Dharani, Human Resources.  I’ve been looking over your credentials and have been unable to verify a single employment reference. CANEN nods.... LUNA Do I intimate you, Mr. Draco? CANEN I’ve been contracting for several years now, and haven’t met any of the HR folks at those firms. Luna stares at him for a few seconds. LUNA Mr. Draco, HR would have been able to cross reference your serial numbers. CANEN grabs his briefcase and stands. CANEN Perhaps I’ve picked the wrong firm. He turns and heads for the door. LUNA (escalating voice) Your test scores were in the top 98th percentile, very impressive. CANEN stops and turns. LUNA Were you somehow able to circumvent our testing methodologies, Mr. Draco? CANEN Is that a question or an accusation  Ms. Dharani? LUNA I’ll ask in another way. Are your scores representative of your true capabilities, Mr. Draco? CANEN I think you already know the answer to that question, Ms. Dharani. Luna sits back in her chair, removes her eye glasses and twirls them.... LUNA Are you hiding something, Mr. Draco? CANEN sighs.... CANEN Aren’t we all, Ms. Dharani? A few moments of uncomfortable silence. LUNA If you will kindly be seated, our Director, Dr. Wenna Hawthorne will meet with you shortly. Luna feints a smile before exiting. INT. BSCRR CONFERENCE ROOM - DAY Wenna arrives, CANEN bows his head slightly, and she does a double take. WENNA We met yesterday, jogging... CANEN Yes, nice to see you again Dr. Hawthorne. WENNA Wenna, please. Funny, I jog that route routinely... CANEN I’ve just relocated here. Wenna sits opposite him. WENNA I don’t normally meet with potential recruits, but my assistant tells me your situation is unique. Wenna looks over at a hovering mini FDM screen. ONSCREEN - His resume presents.... WENNA PhD, 10.0 grade scale. Very impressive Dr. Draco. CANEN CANEN. WENNA Luna tells me that she’s been unable to confirm certain employment related information. CANEN nods. WENNA You’re aware of what we do here? CANEN nods. WENNA Please try and understand that from our perspective, you’re android, non-standard, and your work history is questionable. CANEN I’m not here by happenstance. I chose your firm because I believe that together we can take robotics and stem cell implementation further than anyone ever has. Your methods, therefore your overall success, is quite average at present. I can change all that. WENNA Why my firm? CANEN Size, mission statement, your background. I can go anywhere Doctor, but I chose to interview here. Wenna looks over his resume once again, smiles uncomfortably, then.... WENNA I’ll have Luna set up orientation for you next week. INT. FEDERATION ANDROID OFFICE BUILDING - DAY Cassius speaks with TRAJUN NORRIS, a modified android.  He’s two hundred and eight, spiky short hair, built like a tank and has an IQ well south of seventy-five. Cassius addresses an FDM. CASSIUS Play this morning’s Federation footage. ONSCREEN - Wenna’s likeness pops up on the screen.  A large audience of androids and humans gather for this scientific symposium. Wenna accesses a FDM at the symposium. WENNA Play... ONSCREEN - Fast forward video footage of an android skeletal frame being interwoven with human flesh, organs, cells, and blood to form a new super-hybrid human/android. WENNA As you can see, the possibilities are endless. A utopian future for both humans and androids where life is infinite and disease eradicated. The huge crowd stands and claps loudly. WENNA (with passion) Artificial intelligence combined  with emotional intelligence, and the latest in stem cell implantation with robotic engineering make this a real possibility. The truly beautiful part is that we hope to engineer a solution whereby childbirth can be a viable option for all. A thunderous, ear piercing ovation explodes.... CASSIUS End footage. Cassius frowns, shakes his head. CASSIUS (bitter) Fucking hybrids, not in my lifetime. Trajun grins. TRAJUN (deep voice) Have we heard back from the factory? CASSIUS I instructed those imbeciles to update me every step of the way, yet something goes awry and I don’t hear about it until he’s on the run. TRAJUN A droid was stripped and left powerless at a Penician airport shortly after he disappeared. CASSIUS Try and engage him tonight. Trajun nods. CASSIUS And don’t ever forget that he’s modified too. Superior intellect and one of the few androids on this planet that can slay other androids. TRAJUN I understand, Boss. CASSIUS As long as we can maintain control over him, he’s an asset. Let me know what transpires. INT. CANEN’S CONDO - NIGHT CANEN peers through a window and gazes at several majestic, apple-green trees as their limbs bend and bow at the mercy of a brisk wind. He begins grinding his knuckles repeatedly. He then calls an FDM screen. CANEN Mirror and disco music. A large mirror pops up. CANEN dons a large gold chain and a silk, wide-collared shirt. CANEN Play 1970’s disco dance music. ONSCREEN - High tech graphics with clear, high-quality disco music sends CANEN into moon slides and an all out disco dance. The music abruptly stops when a GPS phone icon begins flashing. CANEN Hello... The line is quiet at first, then static, then quiet again. TRAJUN (V.O.) (over phone, filtered) Unit 5053 access memory banks... CANEN’s eyes suddenly illuminate yellow for a few seconds,  then he drops into a trance. CANEN (into phone) Unit 5053 online. TRAJUN (V.O.) (over phone, filtered) Confirm current location. CANEN (into phone) Rotania, Latitude - 0.9867 North, Longitude - 30.84583 East. TRAJUN (V.O.) (over phone, filtered) Excellent. Have you confirmed your mission guidelines? CANEN accesses his memory bank, then... CANEN (into phone) Mission verified. TAYJUN (V.O.) (over phone, filtered) Have you infiltrated BSCRR? CANEN (into the phone) Yes. TRAJUN (V.O.) (over phone, filtered) Why haven’t you reported in? CANEN’s eyes return to normal, he looks back into the mirror, unaware of what’s just transpired. He looks at his watch and realizes ten minutes has elapsed. INT. BSCRR LAB - DAY ONSCREEN - Many FDM screens with multi-colored data in various stages of use by both humans and androids. Many folks of all races and genders work in light blue medical coats with sewn-in patches displaying two bodies separated by a lighting bolt. Stainless steel gurneys hover with lifeless human and android bodies in various stages of dissection. Wenna speaks with a technician at one of the tables as Luna arrives with CANEN. WENNA (smiles) Welcome, CANEN. CANEN nods. Wenna takes a recording device and runs it over the open chest area of an android. She looks at the results then shakes her head. WENNA Display full report. A FDM screen appears with text. CANEN scans the text with lightening speed. CANEN You’re still applying pluripotent stem cell structure matter to a titanium skeletal framework? WENNA Yes, standard application. CANEN iPS pluripotent stem cell had its place, however it has many limitations including a poor differentiation record and numerous issues with biochemical rejection to Titanium and other alloys. Luna purse her lips and looks over at Wenna. LUNA Mr. Draco, Dr. Hawthorne is a Nobel Prize winner in Stem Cell Androidbiotic -- Wenna raises her hand toward Luna.... WENNA Please, let’s hear what he has to say. CANEN tertiagenectic stem cells combined with an iridium metal composite alloy should avoid many of the issues that iPS pluripotent present.

Wenna ponders his statement.... WENNA Nothing of that nature has even been tested as far as I know. CANEN It’s a matter of politics and time. LUNA And testing, protocol, and a million other considerations. WENNA The cost would be enormous. CANEN Initially, but economies of scale would eventually make it feasible. WENNA We have maybe fifty year’s supply of iridium at best. CANEN There are other galaxies, solar systems within our exploration  range.   INT. WENNA’S OFFICE - DAY Glass cubicle with furniture and a ergonomic stand desk arrangement. Two cushioned chairs front the desk. LUNA So what do ya think? WENNA Gifted, but I’m not sure he understands the politics of all of this. LUNA Peculiar too. Wenna gazes out a window. WENNA I want you to make sure he has everything he needs to test his hypothesis. Luna smiles. LUNA He’s certainly gotten your attention... WENNA Well he’s different, a breath of fresh air. LUNA I believe you’re quite smitten, and he’s an android. Wenna’s face turns a soft pink as she shakes her head. LUNA My guy ZERKOFF is an android and while our emotional connection is not always great, the sex is incredible. WENNA Smitten is a bit strong. LUNA Perhaps he’s part of some new software/hardware upgrade. I’ll ask Zerkoff about it. EXT. ROTANIA CBD - NIGHT Trajun meets with a hooded THUG android in a shady part of town. THUG 10,000 gromiters. Trajun grabs him by the neck. TRAJUN It was 9,000 just a month go. THUG What can I say, the shit’s becoming scarce. TRAJUN Every friggin thing on this planet’s becoming scarce. The Thug hands Trajun a small package and Trajun pays him. THUG This juice will turn you into Superdroid. INT. CANEN’S OFFICE - DAY Glass enclosed office with desk and two chairs. ONSCREEN - CANEN drags and drops files and text into a file folder labeled “tertiagenectic/ Robotics.” He scans through hundreds of files in seconds, and adds his findings to a multi-tabbed report. Luna arrives. LUNA Mr. Draco, I need a final count for this year’s Christmas party. Will you be attending? CANEN ponders for a moment.... CANEN Perhaps going forward you can start addressing me properly. It’s Doctor Draco and no, I don’t think I can make it. Luna purses her lips. LUNA Why not? CANEN I have other plans. LUNA Good, then I’ll add you to the list, Dr. Draco. She shoots him a wry smile before departing. INT. CANEN’S LIVINGROOM - DAY A beautiful futuristic display of multi-colored planets, space rings and multiple suns display across his walls. CANEN manually programs a medical pod and enters. Highly energized rings envelope his body. ONSCREEN - Numbers and text appear on a FDM screen.   CANEN Verbal diagnostics... PROGRAM Unit 5053, memory banks are full and both hands need re-alignment. Numerous puncture marks and abrasions are noted on both legs. A software update can remedy some of these deficiencies. Would you like this update applied? CANEN Have all updates been tested and approved by the Federation's software upgrade board? PROGRAM Yes. CANEN Apply all fixes and software updates. A set of needles eject from within the pod, penetrating  CANEN’s neck, torso and legs. A clear solution is pumped into his body. The puncture marks are then filled. A retractable power cable accesses his chest cavity and recharges his power modules. CANEN exits the pod and appears refreshed. INT. FEDERATED ANDROID OFFICES - DAY Cassius summons an FDM screen as Trajun stands by. CASSIUS Play news item 133A from this morning. ONSCREEN - A video of Wenna presenting at an android human government conference. AMARYLLIS DUCANE, three hundred and eighty years old, salt and pepper hair, opens the meeting then addresses Wenna. AMARYLLIS The floor is yours... WENNA I won’t bore all of you with a long-winded technical speech when often a visual can be far more profound. Wenna steps back, extends her hand.... WENNA I’m happy to introduce NEOMA... Android NEOMA KALI strides to the forefront to be examined by all. It’s almost impossible to distinguish this attractive brunette from a human life form. NEOMA (smiles) Hello everyone. WENNA Neoma has been created with an iridium frame, 65% of her tissues and organs were harvested from pluripotent stem cells, the remaining 35% with new tertiagenectic cells. There have been few rejection issues to date. Cassius shakes his head. The masses seem impressed. CASSIUS This is nothing more than black magic, hocus-pocus nonsense.   WENNA And yet she stands before you. CASSIUS As what, a freak? Can she even hold an intelligent conversation? WENNA I stated earlier she’s not fully functional, yet. Unrest begins amongst the large crowd. CASSIUS Isn’t this all about the plight of humans? Amaryllis eye-balls Cassius. AMARYLLIS There will be a time and place to debate the practicality of this for both humans and androids. Cassius frowns and a cold hard stares follows. AMARYLLIS When do you expect that Neoma will be fully functional? WENNA Six months is a reasonable estimate, once testing and quality control have been successfully implemented. OFFICIAL TWO Is mass absorption really possible? WENNA I believe that it is. Cassius stares at Neoma. CASSIUS So this thing has a maximum vocabulary of two words? NEOMA Hello everyone, my name is Neoma. The crowd breaks into laughter, Cassius shakes his head. AMARYLLIS Will there be adequate resources for all of this? WENNA Iridium may not be plentiful on Groxis, but we believe a suitable supply can be harvested elsewhere in the galaxy. CASSIUS Iridium’s not nearly as stable as titanium, is it? WENNA We’re currently perfecting a method to greatly harden and enhance iridium by combining it with other metals. Cassius speaks to the screen. CASSIUS Exit 133A. He then turns to Trajun. CASSIUS This whole hybrid bullshit is more than trying my patience. I refuse to be stuck with these rotting- flesh humans forever. TRAJUN (smirks) Let’s kill em all! EXT. CASSIUS’S HOUSE - NIGHT Resplendent structure with black wrought iron fencing and lush green gardens. A beautiful lake only enhances the beauty of this place. INT. CASSIUS’S LIVINGROOM - NIGHT Splendid wall displays and a full bar front a fifteen piece gray leather sectional. A tall ANDROID (we’ll refer to him as AndroidOne) male in a robe with brown hair rubs Cassius’s shoulders from behind. We don’t see the android’s face throughout the script. Cassius pours himself a double Groxis fine ale. CASSIUS What will you have? ANDROIDONE (feminine man’s voice) Make mine an extra large. Just a squeamish day I tell you. CASSIUS Must you always over-dramatize? ANDROIDONE It was simply awful. And last night she lay right on my side, purring close to my ear all night long, like some alley cat in heat. Really, it was just abominable. Cassius turns and places both drinks on a coffee table.  He then drops his shorts and underwear. CASSIUS (growls) Grrrr... He pushes the android onto the sofa, disrobes him and straddles his naked body from behind. CASSIUS Purr for me, my kitten... INT. BSCRR CONFERENCE ROOM - DAY Luna, Wenna and CANEN are in a heated discussion. Luna then addresses CANEN. LUNA (frustrated) Mr. Draco, I don’t see an issue with you working under our senior level technicians. CANEN Doctor Draco... Luna fires him a “Fuck you” look. LUNA We’ll decide where you fit best in this organization. CANEN stands. CANEN Perhaps this isn’t going to work out after all... WENNA CANEN, can you please wait outside for just a few minutes. CANEN departs. WENNA Luna, I hope that you know how important you are to this research facility and to me personally... Luna looks down and nods. WENNA He’s the future, let’s give this a chance. Wenna walks over and places her hand on Luna’s shoulder. WENNA I know you don’t trust him, but we need to put our personal feelings aside for the greater good. I really need you onboard with this. INT. BSCRR CHRISTMAS PARTY - NIGHT CANEN, dressed in a slick black tuxedo, walks into a vast open room. A large crowd of androids and humans socialize around a bar while an orchestra plays lovely music in the background. CANEN spots Wenna, Luna and RORY HALAX, forty, senior lead technician with BSCRR at a large round table.   Luna addresses CANEN. LUNA This is my Zerkoff. ZERKOFF CHAMBERS, thirties, tall and loud shakes CANEN’s hand. ZERKOFF Luna has told me much... CANEN (under his breath) I can only imagine. CANEN sits across from Wenna and orders a drink. LUNA Well Dr. Draco, glad you could join us. CANEN raises his drink glass.... CANEN Merry Christmas to all. CANEN walks over to Wenna, holds his hand out. Wenna is hesitant but accepts and follows him to the dance floor. Luna reaches out for Zerkoff’s hand... LUNA C’mon Zergie, let’s dance. Zerkoff frowns, pulls his hand back, Rory then.... RORY I’m available... Luna looks at Zerkoff and purses her lips, then smiles at Rory, takes his hand. CANEN gently cradles Wenna’s hand and pulls her close to him. Luna and Rory pass by, dancing and laughing. The dance floor then breaks out into a frenzy of activity. WENNA You dance very well. CANEN I really enjoy it. WENNA So, how are things? I know it’s been a little stressful of late. CANEN spins then dips her, and Wenna laughs all the while. WENNA Pretty smooth... CANEN smiles, looks deep into her eyes, Wenna looks away. CANEN Do I make you feel uncomfortable? WENNA No, I haven't been out in awhile, and I guess I’m just having fun. CANEN Yes, your reputation, as far as I can gather, is all work and little play. Wenna ponders the statement. CANEN spins and moves with much elegance, and before long almost everyone has stopped dancing and are watching the two of them. Wenna takes notice.... WENNA Well, this is a first. CANEN First? Wenna looks around. WENNA I mean, being the center of attention. CANEN It suits you... WENNA I don’t think so. CANEN I‘ll make you a deal. We’ll end this embarrassing spectacle if you’ll agree to watch the Aurora Borealis with me this weekend. WENNA Not sure that’s a good idea... CANEN smiles and picks up their pace, darts in and out of the masses, spinning her every few seconds, and folks begin to clap LOUDLY. WENNA (laughing) You’re shameless... INT. CANEN’S OFFICE - DAY CANEN works at his desk, gets a page.... RECEPTIONIST Dr. Draco, are you authorised to permit access to the lab? CANEN You’re better off asking Luna or Wenna. RECEPTION They’re both out and several men from the Federation are requesting access to the lab.   INT. BSCRR RECEPTION - DAY CANEN approaches the receptionist’s desk. Trajun and several COHORTS are snapping at the RECEPTIONIST, a pretty young android. CANEN How may I assist? Trajun recognizes CANEN, looks at him hard. TRAJUN (sarcastic) Aren’t you sweet. You can start by moving out of our way. CANEN Under whose authority? TRAJUN The Federation’s. CANEN Your security access profile and waiver. TRAJUN Not required for a spot check. CANEN Actually they are, under Federal statute 1201B. The androids grin mischievously,. Trajun then walks right up to CANEN, eye-balls him.... TRAJUN I don’t give a ghord’s ass about some Federation statute. Move out of the way...son. CANEN steps back. CANEN You’re welcome to come back when you have the appropriate security credentials. Trajun reaches over, pushes CANEN.... RECEPTIONIST Should I call security? CANEN That won’t be necessary. As CANEN points toward the door, one of the androids reaches for CANEN’s access card. CANEN slaps his hand away with lightening quick speed. Several security guards soon approach. Trajun stares down CANEN, but addresses his cohorts. TRAJUN C’mon boys... As they get to the front door, Trajun turns back.... TRAJUN You can bet your ass we’ll be back. EXT. TWIN SUNS BEACH - NIGHT CANEN meets Wenna at a bar at the edge of the beach. They casually stroll barefoot in the sand. On one side is tropical forest with magnificent mountains, and on the other side a stunning azure ocean. Rays from the twin suns bleed into the horizon, leaving four plum shade moons cloaked in space rings. CANEN totes a six pack of Groxis fine ale. WENNA Glad you were there to deal with  those Federation jerks. CANEN shrugs, offers her an ale. WENNA No really, I shouldn’t. They’ve been by before demanding access. CANEN grinds his knuckles, pops open a cold ale, and takes a long refreshing drink. Wenna pretends not to notice. CANEN Sure you don’t  -- WENNA Maybe. CANEN Yes, they seem pretty interested in the lab. WENNA Cassius likes to play mind games. Wenna eyes the ale, whips her tongue around her lips. Suddenly, blazing shades of green, orange and blue frame the contour just over the mountain range. The Aurora Borealis then drifts into full view. They stop and take in the visual magic. WENNA Incredible... Wenna reaches into CANEN’s bag, grabs an ale, and downs it CANEN does a double take... CANEN Give me a second, I need to visit the tree line. Wenna picks up on it. WENNA Better hurry back before someone comes by and whisks me away. CANEN jogs over to a group of huge palms, walks just inside and unzips. Cracking branches and significant leaf movement catch his attention. He looks around but sees nothing of consequence. We notice the shadows of several massive beasts high up in the palm leaves. CANEN returns and they continue their walk hand in hand. The ocean mirrors the Borealis, providing an exquisite palette of radiant color that blankets both of them. Wenna grabs another ale and sucks it down. CANEN It’s getting late, may I escort you to your drone? INT. WENNA’S DRONE - NIGHT They’re soon flying high, right into a stunning twilight. Reanan grinds his knuckles, which catches Albert’s attention. ALBERT I’ll run a maintenance report. WENNA Why? ALBERT That loud grinding noise could be -- WENNA No, no, this is my new friend. ALBERT I see, what’s wrong with him? Wenna struggles to reply, then burps LOUDLY.... WENNA Oh my God, forgive me, don’t know where that came from... ALBERT Belching, or known by it’s medical term “eructation,”is the act of expelling gas from the stomach out through the mouth. Now when that same air is expelled through -- WENNA Al, please... ALBERT Hello Al, nice to meet you. WENNA No, RrCANEN is my special friend’s name. ALBERT Then whose Al? Wenna’s eyes begin to water, she slaps CANEN on the back. WENNA This is my fffriend, RrCANEN. ALBERT I believe you just told us that. CANEN breaks out laughing. WENNA Listen Al, perrrhaps you need a software update or sumthen. She looks back at CANEN, tries to touch his face but misses. WENNA What was I gonna say? CANEN shrugs his shoulders. ALBERT Where did this strange man emanate from, he certainly wasn’t with us when we landed. Wenna reaches over and snuggles under CANEN’s arm. WENNA He’s my (short hiccup) special friend. ALBERT Please define “special.” Wenna grins and twirls two fingers in the air. ALBERT I saw that! She then deactivates him. WENNA Rrreally, he means well. CANEN I thought they did away with that older GPS voice technology? WENNA Yes, yes, yes, I’m sure you must be right, but he’s like family. Albert comes back online just as Wenna reaches over and kisses CANEN then passes out. ALBERT RrrCANEN, what have you done to her? CANEN grinds his knuckles and breaks out in laughter. ALBERT (panicked) Red alert, red alert, RrCANEN’s grinding up Dr. Hawthorne. EXT. PLANET DEXTROS - DAY Dextros is a torrid desert planet of little natural beauty. Four hot suns beat down on its dry, cracked surface. Aztec-red barren cliffs and dusty wide-open wastelands dot its landscape. Thousands of BLAC-TRAR ALIENS pump their elongated fists in unison as their number one warrior, NITRIS, prepares to battle Trajun.   They stand on connected platforms that overlook a vast fighting arena encircled by massive rock boulders. Cassius and Blac-Trar leader AEYURARG, a fat reptilian with an attitude, wager large amounts of cutting-edge weaponry and talk shit.   Nitris is well over eight feet in height and broader than two large human men. His face and body are enveloped by a hard lizard-type exoskeleton. His head is huge and ridged from the forehead back. Nitris’s emerald eyes blend well with his forest green hairless body. His nostrils recede in, like a snake, and his thin lips cannot hide copious serrated, jagged teeth. Trajun and Nitris meet center ring. Nitris towers over the six foot six android. The ring REFEREE, similar in appearance to Nitris but smaller and not nearly as intimidating, speaks. REFEREE (croaky voice) No phasers and no energy-based weaponry will be tolerated. This is a death match. Should either combatant attempt to flee at any stage, he will be shot dead. The referee exits the ring. Trajun spins around from his corner, metallic silver pulsates though his eyes, he slams two fists together. Nitris flicks a slimy, green, forked tongue at him then breathes deeply and exhales. Incendiary flames shoot out from his throat. Trajun explodes high into the air and slams a fist right into Nitris’s teeth as he lands, knocking several of them out. Nitris only smiles, reaches out and lifts Trajun off his feet, chokes him and then body slams him. Nitris jumps up in the air almost as impressively as Trajun, and tries to stomp his face as he descends, but misses. Both gladiators then back up and regroup.   Nitris charges Trajun, lifts him and smashes him into a large granite boulder. Trajun winces in pain, drops to a knee. The Blac-Trar audience hiss and emit flames high into the sky. Nitris takes Trajun by the neck and snaps his tongue off his cheek. Parts of Trajun’s face begin to melt from the acidic saliva. Nitris then raises his arms, belts out a few flames and spits another fireball that Trajun ducks under and spins away from. Trajun then unleashes a flurry of fist and TNT force kicks that pelt the chest and face of Nitris, dropping him. Nitris shrieks loudly enough to wake the heavens, rises and force feeds his enormous claw fists into Trajun’s face, rattling his skull. Nitris then belches a fire wad that catches just the side of Trajun’s hair and face, sizzling and blackening both. The Blac-Trar go into a frenzy, screaming, throwing food and drink, stomping in unison. Trajun drops to the ground on his back. Cassius shifts restlessly in his seat. Nitris stands over him, places a huge lizard foot and claw on his chest, spews fire straight up in the air and then tries to cave Trajun’s face in with a claw foot thump. But before he can, Trajun grabs a handful of desert dirt and slings it into Nitris’s eyes, blinding him. Nitris begins to howl and swing wildly. Trajun kicks him in a knee, he drops to the other. Trajun then grabs an immense pointy rock and bashes Nitris’s head into thick pea soup. You could drop a pin in this place it’s so quite. Cassius smiles largely, tilts his head and addresses Aeyurarg. CASSIUS I’ll send a cruiser next week. INT. EMERGENCY EARTH BRIEFING, GROXIS - DAY Large government assembly hall designed similarly to a contemporary court room. A panel of stately looking humans and androids sit high up in the front joined by Cassius. Wenna and CANEN are at a table between the panel and a crowd of android and human attendees. A huge FDM screen hovers in the center of the room. AMARYLLIS This meeting has been called to address the emergency conditions that currently affect Mother Earth. I’ve chosen Dr. Wenna Hawthorne to provide us with this update.   Wenna stands, looks out at the crowd. ONSCREEN - A spinning holographic image of Earth appears on the screen with a legend and multi-colored text aligned to the right. Wenna points her finger at a line item of text and then drags it over to the hologram. An insert of text reads “Earth, June 13, 2400.” Wenna then drags a pointer from the legend and hovers over a number of geographical areas of Earth, real time. WENNA Mother Earth as of three days ago. MONTAGE - VARIOUS 1. EXT. MUMBAI, INDIA - DAY - Thousands of Indians lie around a empty market where there is little food. They are anorexic, their mouths parched and dry. Many lie dying. 2. EXT. NEW YORK, USA - DAY - The city and surrounding areas are desolate. It appears that a huge tornado has completely destroyed many of the large skyscrapers. Numerous homeless people wonder about scavenging for resources. 3. EXT. LONDON, ENGLAND - DAY - A bank marquee reads one hundred thirty degrees. Bodies lie strewn all around, many are red faced, parched, and some are corpses.     4. EXT. ANTARCTICA - DAY - Less than a hundred pieces of large broken ice are all that remain from the last ice age. There are many acres of baron land where ice once lay. 5. EXT. SHANGHAI, CHINA - DAY - Large screens are flashing a heat index of one hundred and thirty degrees. Many Chinese have breathing apparatus on, and the smog is so thick that visibility is measured in meters. 6. EXT. UNDERWATER POD, PACIFIC OCEAN - NIGHT - Water is leaking in, large signs indicating low air pressure blink. Mass chaos as people fight for oxygen masks and tanks. END OF MONTAGE The assembly hall is eerily quiet. Wenna looks up at the panel. WENNA We have to take measures now, if we want to save what is left of her. Cassius stands. CASSIUS What is the death count for androids on Earth? WENNA I don’t see the relevance... CASSIUS If android deaths are of a reasonable number then this is really a human issue. WENNA Both still exist on Earth. Cassius looks at the panel. CASSIUS This has little to do with the android population as a whole. I’m willing to help fund any endeavor that would save many android lives, but this --   WENNA (frustrated) This is about saving all lives. CASSIUS The cost is prohibitive. Risk is too high with little gain. CANEN stands. CANEN I can put something together that greatly mitigates our risk and cost. CASSIUS How many gromiters are we expected to contribute to fund this expedition of yours? Billions? CANEN address Amaryllis. CANEN With a little planning and sacrifice, much less. Transportation and supplies are our biggest cost. AMARYLLIS Put together a formal plan and we’ll reconvene in three days. CASSIUS (loudly) We knew this would happen before we vacated Earth. It’s been a death trap for fifty years now. I argue that we cut our losses and move on. AMARYLLIS I’ve listened to both sides. She turns to Cassius.... AMARYLLIS Mr. Hunter, need I remind you that without the human race there would be no androids? I’ve lived with humans for over three hundred and eighty years, and I’m shocked and embarrassed by your complete lack of compassion and empathy not only for them, but for your own brethren as well. CASSIUS With all due respect -- AMARYLLIS (short) What I should recommend is that you have your emotional intelligence chip checked, as there must be some sort of major glitch. Many in the crowd laugh. Cassius slams his fist hard on a table. CASSIUS I vote no! AMARYLLIS Duly noted and overruled. INT. CASSIUS’S BEDROOM - NIGHT Massive round bed with a crushed velvet, ruby-red, zebra cover spread. A disco light dangles from under a full length ceiling mirror and is on dim. AndroidOne lies just under a bedspread. Cassius dotes on his own face and hair in a nearby mirror. ANDROIDONE I don’t know why you have to be in such a state on the one night we share together. CASSIUS Imbeciles, all of them. If they had their way the Federation would be gromiterless, not to  mention overrun with those diseased savages. ANDROIDONE Not all humans are bad. Cassius stares him down, purse his lips. CASSIUS Then spend your time with them. And don’t you ever come here again smelling like that whore and with empty testicular banks. ANDROIDONE Do you think this is easy for me? She already suspects, it’s getting much harder to hide us. He pops up and rushes over to Cassius, turns his head and places it against his chest, softly caresses Cassius’s hair. ANDROIDONE Darling, you know that you’re the only one I have eyes for. Cassius breathes heavily, shoves him hard onto the bed and mounts him. INT. BSCRR LAB - DAY CANEN sits at his desk crunching numbers when Luna arrives. LUNA I don’t get you, Dr. Draco. Luna presses her lips together. LUNA You’re nothing like Zerkoff. CANEN looks down, tries to ignore her. LUNAS Perhaps you should come over some time, you might learn something. CANEN looks up at her, his lips pressed tightly together. CANEN What’s this really about? LUNA Three months ago, you were a nobody, and now you’re a player with the biggest bio firm on Groxis, not to mention having the ear of Groxis’s most powerful politician. CANEN Ms. Dharani, I’m really busy. Luna eye-balls him, looks him up and down. LUNA Something’s not right with you, I can feel it. Wenna arrives. WENNA Luna, please help CANEN put together the proposal. Enlist whoever from the team you need. Luna nods, looks back at CANEN then departs. CANEN We’re not going to be able to please everyone, no matter what we come up with. WENNA Just do what you can. CANEN And Cassius isn’t just going to fade away into the sunset, as it were. WENNA Let me worry about Cassius. Wenna departs, CANEN frowns, looks down, deep in thought. INTO. CANEN’S LIVINGROOM - NIGHT CANEN and Wenna enjoy a glass of wine on a comfy couch. A nice nature picture adorns his walls. CANEN grinds his knuckles. Wenna stares at his hands, but says nothing. WENNA Can I ask you a few really personal questions? CANEN nods. WENNA I’ve help to create, worked with and have had friendships with thousands of androids, yet there’s still so much I don’t understand. CANEN Ask away... Wenna looks at her wine glass, then back at CANEN. WENNA You have taste buds, a functioning digestive system, but do you enjoy food and or drink? CANEN I enjoy the taste of things, like this wine for example. I don’t feel hunger or a need to consume food, but there are times I will eat just for the experience. WENNA So what does the wine taste like? CANEN ponders the question, grinds his knuckles. CANEN Wine for me tastes like fermented grapes in a liquid. And for you? WENNA Well, I guess that’s a pretty much what I would have said. Why do you keep grinding your knuckles? CANEN I don’t know, I like the sound. Wenna frowns. CANEN What do carrots taste like for you? WENNA They don’t... CANEN Ditto... WENNA What do you find pleasurable? CANEN I find it pleasurable to be in your company drinking a beverage that I know you enjoy. Somehow that makes the wine more pleasurable to me. Wenna smiles, then reaches out and takes CANEN’s arm, caresses it. CANEN Little tingles go up my arm and I feel the softness of your finger tips. WENNA I see... CANEN But what would be difficult for me to explain is the fact that if someone else touched my arm, I wouldn’t experience the same tingling sensation. They look at one another, Wenna blushes, CANEN stares deeply into her eyes, then.... CANEN You seem perplexed. WENNA I shouldn’t be. CANEN Now that android flush is awful and twice per month is equally awful. WENNA It keeps your insides in good working order. CANEN The risk and reward are debatable. They laugh in unison. CANEN Okay, my turn, why are you not assigned a man? WENNA Where did you say you came from? CANEN And why are there no android children? WENNA Costs and technology. We install realistic memories, both good and bad, when androids are built, based on an emotional algorithm that mimics statistically what a human child might experience. We have yet to successfully design an android birth canal that functions as required. CANEN ponders her reply, then.... CANEN Ready for dinner? INT. KITCHEN - NIGHT CANEN accesses the internet, cycles through until he sees a picture of a delicious lasagna dish, downloads the recipe. He then feeds the recipe into an FDM printer. The printer scans, then builds and creates the lasagna right in front of him. He moves it to a casserole dish then feeds a garlic bread recipe in and watches the printer create that, followed by two garden salads. CANEN then sets the table as Wenna joins him. CANEN Bon Appetit. INT. BSCRR LAB - DAY CANEN works from his desk on an FDM screen. ONSCREEN - Drags and drops text, icons and reports into a folder called “Earth Ops.” He opens a sophisticated budget spreadsheet and runs numerous macros that populate fields for total cost, equipment, android, humans and so on. INT. LUNA’S OFFICE - DAY Large glass corner office, complete with filing cabinets, desk and three chairs. CANEN approaches Luna’s office door and hands her a folder. CANEN I’ve put together the basis for a short term trip to Earth including the financial cost. Luna looks at him, takes the folder, quickly reviews the report.   LUNA One billion plus, not gonna happen... CANEN walks toward the door, turns.... CANEN I’m talking about less than three weeks turnaround and that number would be split amongst varying stakeholders. INT. CANEN’S OFFICE - DAY CANEN places his hand over his forehead, looks at his sweaty palm, loosens his shirt collar and heads for a medical pod. Yellow florescent rings envelop his body, they spiral up and down, stop for a moment here and there then finish. CANEN Print diagnostic report. CANEN grabs the print out and peruses at his desk. We look over his shoulder, “CPU exceeds heat threshold and memory banks exceed capacity. Power down for fifteen minutes.” CANEN makes his way to the men’s restroom. INT. WENNA’S HOME LAB - NIGHT Wenna drinks wine from a clear asymmetrical drink glass as she pages through an FDM. ONSCREEN - She accesses a budget statement for BSCRR, a negative figure displays in the total column. She then accesses the company’s bank statement, less than a $50,000 gromiter balance. The balance sheet reflects  negative equity. She pulls up a loan agreement, looks through the figures. WENNA Off screen. The FDM disappears, and she exhales heavily as she refills the wine glass. INT. WENNA’S OFFICE -  DAY Wenna’s greeted with a beautiful bouquet of flowers. She opens the attached card. CARD: Thinking of you, CANEN. Wenna smells the flowers and smiles. She calls CANEN in. As soon as he arrives.... WENNA Blackout with a pretty visual and engage queen bed. Her large desk morphs into a bed. CANEN closes the door behind him and locks it. Wenna motions for him to come to her, she kisses him softly, grabs a rose and puts it under his nose. WENNA Want to smell me now? CANEN gently kisses her neck and around her ear, and Wenna breathes heavily. INT. BSCRR LAB LOBBY - DAY Wenna enters a clear glass module, it scans her eyes and  fingers. SCANNER Hexadecimal... WENNA 50 65 6C 7C 4F 22 78 X1 X2 4D SX, 34 D2 &Y 57 29... Wenna then accesses the lab and stops by a group of technicians. Neoma lies on a gurney, half clothed, her chest cavity is open, exposing red flesh, organs and what appears to be a silver white skeletal frame. CANEN runs a scanner over its internal structure. CANEN Full diagnostics. A screen appears with text and data, a “Failed” column indicates that the heart, lungs and brain are not functioning at optimum levels. WENNA Bring her around. Rory closes her up, reaches behind her ear and presses her power-on button. Her pupils dilate, her retinas gleam for a second then she sits up and looks around the room. NEOMA Why the long faces? WENNA I hear you’re not feeling well. NEOMA Just a little short of breath. Wenna touches her face, holds her hand, looks into her eyes. WENNA I need you to be totally honest with us so that we can fix whatever’s ailing you. Neoma looks down, then.... NEOMA My chest hurts sometimes, and I seem to be forgetting a lot of stuff.   WENNA What kind of stuff? NEOMA Names and, I dunno know, just general kinds of things. My head aches too. WENNA We’re going to deactivate you again, I’m sorry. Neoma frowns and Wenna hugs her before Rory powers her down. Wenna addresses CANEN. WENNA What do you think? CANEN pauses.... CANEN The artificial neuron electrical and chemical connections to the frontal lobe may be failing, however her memory is functioning.  Her CPU is being utilized first... WENNA That’s fine in the short term, but it’s vital that her brain handles all activity. The CPU should provide redundancy not the other way around. Rory and CANEN both nod, and Wenna motions for CANEN to follow her. INT. WENNA’S OFFICE - DAY WENNA Were you able to pare down the financial cost of the trip? CANEN It means half the allocated resources and transport numbers would be slightly less. Wenna looks away, deep in thought. WENNA Okay, we’ll make the financial commitment. CANEN Are we not profitable? Wenna seems to snap back to reality. WENNA Yes, yes, of course, it’s just that these hybrid system expenses are proving to be quite a bit higher than I had initially anticipated, but we’ll manage. CANEN I’m open to a pay cut until we can get all of this off the ground. WENNA Not necessary, but thank you. CANEN By the way, there’s a retro dance tonight at the Four Planets. INT. EMERGENCY EARTH BRIEFING - DAY Same group as before. AMARYLLIS Dr. Hawthorne, have you a proposal for consideration? WENNA We do. The numbers include total transportation costs and a myriad of supplies. We should be able to return within three weeks. Wenna accesses a large FDM screen. ONSCREEN - Copies the proposal to a large Government FDM screen. Amaryllis opens for all to view. After a few seconds.... AMARYLLIS We pledge our fifty percent, that leaves twenty five for your firm and twenty five for the Android Federation. CASSIUS That amounts to over 250 million, and quite frankly we’re not willing to part with funds of that magnitude for a band-aid solution. AMARYLLIS Then what do you propose? CASSIUS We scrap the whole thing and move on. These funds should be allocated for Groxis, to improve lives here. What happens when they run low on supplies the next time?   AMARYLLIS Mr. Hunter, I realize that my skin is somewhat discolored and even cracking in places, and I move a little more slowly than I use to, but my mind is still razor sharp, so let’s dispense with the semantics. You could care less about humans on either planet. Cassius presses his lips together, shakes his head. AMARYLLIS I’ll open this to a full forum vote. A few seconds pass, folks press a button on their personal FDM screens that transmit to the larger screen. A tally is automatically calculated, eighty five percent in favor. AMARYLLIS The majority has spoken. INT. CASSIUS’S OFFICE - DAY Trajun’s medical pod has done a fairly good job of repairing his face. TRAJUN What are we gonna do, Boss? CASSIUS That cruiser will never see Earth. Trajun moves his neck from side to side, seems to fade away in thought. FLASHBACK MONTAGE - VARIOUS 1. EXT. GRADE SCHOOL - GROXIS - DAY -  A number of bigger human boys rip open Trajun’s shirt and  pull out his life modules. 2. INT. HIGH SCHOOL - GROXIS - DAY - Trajun asks a human girl to the prom, she laughs in his face. 3. INT. PARENTS’ HOME - GROXIS - DAY - Trajun’s human father drinks from a whiskey bottle then bullies and kicks him. END FLASHBACK INT. CASSIUS’S OFFICE - DAY TRAJUN Tonight? CASSIUS No, let’s allow things to simmer for a while. They’re not scheduled to depart for a few days yet. Engage Unit 5053 tonight, get the details, then we hit them hard. Trajun nods. CASSIUS And handle this discreetly! EXT. FOUR PLANETS RESTAURANT - NIGHT Swanky, hip joint that rests just under the four plum moons near the ocean. Wenna and CANEN marvel at the emerging twilight. The effect of rich orange, green and blue hues just as they bleed into the horizon are sublime. Wenna reaches out and takes CANEN’s hand, they stare at one another. WENNA I feel so happy, I never want it to change. They’re interrupted by a waiter, a tall, lanky, young dude with mustache bars. They order drinks. WENNA Green Cactus Ale, please. CANEN Jack Daniels, anything after 2330 works. He looks back at Wenna then grinds his knuckles. CANEN Mmm, perhaps we keep it to just one this time? Wenna rolls her eyes. WENNA Whatever for? CANEN Okayyy, well, what is your favorite color? WENNA Where did that come from? He shrugs his shoulders. WENNA Green. CANEN Why green? Wenna stares off into the distance. WENNA When I was little girl, my parents would take my sister and me camping deep into the Azra mountains. The trees, forest floor, and bushes were just so beautifully green, and the smell of thousands of flowers in the spring was intoxicating. CANEN Where is your family now? Wenna looks down, slurps up the remaining ale. WENNA All three were on the Jet Cruiser that went down during the Gamma Ray Burst a few years back. Wenna sits back in her seat and looks out at the four moons. CANEN The last thing I want is for you to feel sad. The waiter’s back for the entree. WENNA Another ale... CANEN squints his eyes and grinds his knuckles. CANEN Water for me, thank you. WENNA Please do something for me. CANEN Sure... WENNA Please stop grinding your knuckles, it’s driving me insane. CANEN I like the sound, I thought everyone did... WENNA It’s quite annoying. CANEN Okay, my turn. Why do you clam up as soon as I try to get close to you emotionally. Wenna looks away, then at the horizon. WENNA I love it most when the second sun just begins to eclipse the first. CANEN Case in point... WENNA We were having such a nice evening, why start pushing this. CANEN Because I don’t understand. WENNA I’m sorry if this sounds harsh, but you may never... She stops.... CANEN I don’t follow... WENNA One of the most complex parts of a human’s personality consist of the varying emotions that make us who we are. We’ve been unable to capture the essence of that, so those emotions are never transferred to androids. CANEN I know exactly how I feel about you. WENNA I’m sure you think that you do, but they’re short-term, sort of like an infatuation. CANEN folds up his napkin, purses his lips. CANEN Let’s hope the frustration I feel for you now is fleeting. WENNA I’m sorry this upsets you, but it’s important that I make it clear. CANEN You feel nothing for me? WENNA I’m very fond of you, but I can’t afford to confuse lust and passion with a genuine long-lasting relationship. CANEN Seems to me that you might have a few trust issues. Wenna shakes her head. WENNA I’m only trying to be fair to you. CANEN rises just as the waiter arrives with drinks. CANEN The tab please. WAITER Is everything okay? CANEN nods. WENNA Why are you taking this so hard? CANEN You’re a smart lady, figure it out. Wenna frowns, her face turns beet red as he departs. INT. CANEN’S BEDROOM -  DAY Beautiful display screens across three of four walls, a comfy queen size bed with a snappy drawer design. Dance music plays in the background. CANEN tries to dance slowly, but can’t seem to get into it.   A small window appears with a GPS phone icon. CANEN Hello... TRAJUN (V.O.) (over phone, filtered) Unit 5053 on... CANEN’s eyes suddenly illuminate a few seconds, then he goes into a trance.... CANEN (into phone) Unit 5053 on-line.... TRAJUN (V.O.) (over phone, filtered) Request access... We fade as Trajun muddles through CANEN’s memory banks. EXT. ROTANIA AIRPORT PARKING LOT - NIGHT Trajun hides in a dark corner, pulls out a package and removes a twenty milliliter syringe, screws in a thick needle and inserts it into a large vein in his neck. He hunches over as the irises in both his eyes turn a metallic silver. He then twists his neck left to right. INT. WENNA’S LIVINGROOM  - DAY This house is a mess. Clothes are flung everywhere, and books and sundry items cover most of the furniture. Wenna calls up an FDM. WENNA Family... ONSCREEN - Portraits of Wenna’s family paint the screen. Her sister stands between her parents in most of the photos. All three smile. Wenna traces her index finger over their faces. Suddenly there’s a knock on the door. INT. WENNA’S LIVINGROOM - DAY WENNA (upset) I’d offer you a drink, but you won’t be staying long. That was extremely rude of you to leave me sitting there alone. CANEN I agree, I didn’t realize it until I was halfway home. WENNA You could have apologized by phone. CANEN puts his right hand on her hair and softly caresses it. CANEN But I couldn’t have done this... Wenna looks down, CANEN softly touches her face, her nostrils flare as she closes her eyes tightly. WENNA I think you had better go. CANEN reaches over and kisses her gently just to the side of her lips. CANEN I think you’re probably right. He then pushes her gently against the couch, embraces her and kisses her passionately. Wenna can’t hold back any longer and begins removing his shirt and passionately kissing his neck. INT. WENNA’S DRONE - NIGHT CANEN My condo please, L-88.456.13349. Albert perks up. ALBERT Normal latitude for that sequence? CANEN nods, smiles broadly. ALBERT RrCANEN, may I ask what business you had with Dr. Hawthorne at this early morning hour? CANEN frowns. CANEN It’s CANEN and no you may not. ALBERT Well, there’s no call to get snippy about it, it’s just that I’ve noticed big smiles like that before. CANEN Really? ALBERT When Dr. Hawthorne had a number of other work associates over for fun at all hours of the night. CANEN Fun? ALBERT You know, like the fun you just had. CANEN contemplates the comment for a few moments. ALBERT Well, if you must know, I wasn’t eavesdropping mind you, but they played charades well into the morning then practically forced karaoke on me when I drove them home. EXT. ROTANIA AIRPORT - NIGHT A sleek black intergalactic CRUISER rests impressively on a long tarmac. Hundreds of folks are busy loading the ship. Neoma, Wenna and CANEN are present and assisting. A shiny black futuristic HUMMER drone arrives out of no where. A large entourage of MEN dressed in full black and heavily armed with space rifles and phasers exit.  They abruptly stop those who were loading the ship. A hyped-up Trajun exits in full gear and wastes little time before he starts blowing away both androids and humans. Chaos ensues, Trajun then addresses CANEN. TRAJUN This ain’t happening... He then walks right up to Wenna, looks deep into her eyes, then looks back at the masses, raises a  bull-shorn.... WENNA I strongly suggest -- TRAJUN (LOUDLY) Anyone who’s smart enough to continue running may live. When I hit the count of zero, all those still remaining will sizzle for my amusement. Three, two... CANEN (yells) No... TRAJUN Damn son, is that all you got to say? In fact, I ain’t ever heard you say more than two, three words. They short change your vocab. at the factory? CANEN I was just thinking they must have over-extended yours... Trajun frowns, then smashes a rifle butt off CANEN’s jaw, knocking him to the ground. CANEN quickly regroups, grabs Wenna’s arm and tries to lead her away, but she won’t budge. Trajun walks over to her.... TRAJUN One... He raises his rifle, CANEN goes for it, another ANDROID in black fires a burst just at his feet. Trajun reaches over and grabs her. WENNA This is official, legitimate government business. TRAJUN Quiet woman! Wenna breaks loose and kicks him in the shin. Trajun barely reacts to the blow then laughs, looks at his entourage.... TRAJUN This one’s got some kahoonas. Trajun then fires an energy burst that hits Wenna in the chest and she goes down hard. CANEN spins and hammers the android next to him in the throat, then charges Trajun. Before he can get to him a thousand guns hone in on him. Trajun quickly waives them off with a hand gesture, then tosses his rifle to a COHORT, twists his neck back and forth, stares at CANEN.... TRAJUN C’mon son, we ain’t got all night. CANEN rises into the air and connects with a round house kick that snaps Trajun’s head back. Trajun falls back a few steps, shakes his head as a small amount of liquid escapes the corner of his mouth. TRAJUN (grinning) That was as sweet a boy kiss as I can ever remember gettin’. CANEN’s face grows red, he tightens his fist, then swings hard, but Trajun’s too quick, ducks and spins 360 degrees before cold-cocking him with a violent blow to the forehead. EXT. ROTANIA AIRPORT - NIGHT CANEN wakes, looks around. Large flames burst from the cargo bay of the cruiser, supplies and debris lie scattered all around.   People are screaming and running amuck as he searches for Wenna, but to no avail. INT. HUMMER - NIGHT Trajun sits in the back alone with Wenna. She’s still passed out and propped up on a corner bench. Trajun moves close to her, moves a strand of hair from her face, then smells her neck, softly runs his massive fingers from the nape of her neck down to her ample breasts. EXT. WENNA’S HOME - NIGHT Trajun uses GPS coordinates to find Wenna’s home. He carries her to the front door and places her on a bench. He waits in the Hummer until she begins to stir before departing. INT. BSCRR CONFERENCE ROOM -  DAY Luna, Wenna and CANEN in discussion. Wenna shakes her head. LUNA Our city’s finest sure took their good ole time. WENNA Cassius has them eating out of his hand. LUNA Zerkoff works right under CHIEF HALLIS now, I’ll see what he has to say about all of this. CANEN It is what it is. WENNA Let’s be smart people, save what we can and regroup. Wenna looks at CANEN. WENNA I didn’t see Cassius, but that big one seemed familiar. CANEN I believe he goes by Trajun.   WENNA I’ve never seen an android with such incredible strength. He was killing androids as well, someone had to have modified him. CANEN They were very prepared and knew way too much. They eye-ball one another. LUNA No one outside this room knew the details until an hour ago. WENNA Let’s not jump to conclusions, they may have planted someone in-house. CANEN I’ll keep my eyes open. An FDM screen pops up. ONSCREEN - Rory’s face emerges. RORY Better get up here. INT. KGZZ NEWSROOM - DAY Android ZOEIE ZENTAR, thirty three, leads today’s Breaking News. SUPER: Breaking news with Zoeie Zentar.... ZOEIE The proposed BSCRR led trip to Mother Earth for much needed supplies has been sabotaged by local unknown forces. Rotania police are currently investigating, please contact them on 111 if you have any information. An FDM video pops up on their screen displaying a scene of chaos as people try to put supplies and boxes of food and water back into their containers. Fire encapsulates several drones, many supplies are strewn about. Federation police interview individuals. ZOEIE On a more positive note, one of the CBD’s CCTV cameras caught this very surprising act yesterday. A video displays showing Cassius handing out supplies and food to human children in an impoverished area of town. ZOEIE Mr. Cassius Hunter, well known for his antipathy for humans and one of the highest ranking members of the Android Federation, has been conspicuously quiet on the matter.  We’ve placed numerous calls to his secretary without reply. Zoeie looks over at her co-anchor, android BRIONY GALEXIS, one hundred and fifteen and brunette. Briony sports large crystal glass frames with a staged commentator’s style.   ZOEIE Ya never know what you’re gonna catch on those cameras. BRIONY I was quite shocked. I had to take a closer look, Cassius Hunter? Zoeie shakes her head. BRIONY And remember folks, the twin suns’ solar storm arrives a little early today, specifically 1:04 p.m. to 2:03 p.m., so remember to stay inside or carry those umbrellas. We lost forty-three citizens to the last early one. INT. BSCRR LAB - DAY Neoma’s body convulses, blood pours from her mouth. Rory and several technicians work diligently on her. CANEN Hold her down! CANEN quickly dons protective gloves and opens her chest. There’s blood everywhere, and a few streams spurt off the side of his face. RORY I’ll shut her down. CANEN No, she my not come back up. CANEN grabs a scalpel and slices open the lining that houses her heart and other organs. He grabs a large amount of white cotton dressing and attempts to stem the bleeding, but every hole he plugs seems to open another. Wenna slides beside him and they work together. Neoma slowly begins to stabilize, but then her eyes shine brightly just before she shutdowns. CANEN tries to resuscitate her but can’t. CANEN She’s gone. He steps back, blood stained and weary. Wenna grabs a defibrillator and tries to pump her heart back to life. Still nothing. She puts a hand inside Neoma’s organs and massages her heart. WENNA Someone grab that damn defibrillator... They look at her, eyes drop to the floor. CANEN takes her hand gently.... CANEN (softly) She’s gone... Wenna’s eyes water, she rips the gloves off her hands and scurries out and to a scrub room. CANEN follows. INT. SCRUB ROOM - DAY Wenna starts scrubbing her hands under hot, steamy water. WENNA We should have reacted sooner. CANEN Put this on me, where it belongs. Wenna twists her head slightly, presses her lips.... WENNA We have to do better. CANEN I agree. WENNA She’s a real living person, damn it! CANEN I’ll fix this. He places his hand on her shoulder. CANEN Trust me... INT. CASSIUS’S OFFICE - DAY Trajun drops a silver, metallic, secure case on Cassius’s desk. TRAJUN Cash and general securities. CASSIUS Any major problems? TRAJUN Nothing that I couldn’t handle. Cassius opens the case. TRAJUN They’ll blame us. CASSIUS No proof, no problem. Trajun nods....l CASSIUS And Dr. Hawthorne? TRAJUN Alive, maybe a little shaken. CASSIUS You’re not going soft on me? TRAJUN Absolutely not. CASSIUS And our source? TRAJUN Still going strong. CASSIUS Keep an eye on him, and don’t over do it, we still need him. INT. WENNA’S OFFICE - NIGHT CANEN enters. CANEN C’mon, I want to show you something. Wenna spins around, then grabs her chest. CANEN Still sore? Wenna nods. WENNA Thank you, but no thank you... CANEN Are you still upset with me? WENNA Just have a lot to catch up on. CANEN I’ve got Neoma on life support, her organs and tissue are rebuilding. CANEN walks over to her chair. CANEN I promise you, it’s worth it. EXT. WENNA’S DRONE - NIGHT A partial view of three and half purple moons engulfed by spectacular space rings gives the evening an enchanting feel. EXT. TRAJUN’S DRONE - NIGHT Trajun and a small crew of three fly a few hundred feet back from Wenna’s drone. INTERCUT BETWEEN WENNA’s DRONE AND TRAJUN’S DRONE Wenna and CANEN take in a breathtaking view of a large bright moon as it eclipses two others. ALBERT Why are you two so quiet? WENNA Why don’t you sing to us. Albert breaks into a really awful ballad, they crack up. WENNA Albert please... ALBERT (sulking) That was a solid piece... Trajun looks at his speed, then slows and dims his lights. ALBERT I sense trouble in paradise. I’m programmed to assist with these human-android relationship issues.   CANEN shakes his head. WENNA We’re fine, Sigmund. ALBERT Now who’s Sigmund? Their drone drops then hovers just above the sand. Trajun follows suit. ALBERT I sense much conflict and tension. WENNA Albert! ALBERT It’s so annoying when you keep cutting me -- Wenna presses his off button. Huge waves smash against bolder- sized rocks just to the left of their drone. Trajun parks behind a group of large rocks a hundred yards back. Albert turns himself back on, puts himself on LOUD speaker. ALBERT I know when I’m not appreciated, and my feelings are obviously of little consequence, however I shall carry on with my duties and remind you that this is prime Ghord territory... Wenna looks at her watch, then at CANEN. Albert, in a offended voice.... ALBERT Signing off. WENNA It’s almost 7:30 p.m. CANEN stares directly into the twin suns for several seconds just before they disappear into the horizon.... WENNA It must be a visual spectacle beyond belief... CANEN Stars bursting and exploding, it’s as if each star is fighting for its last breath... Wenna, though reluctant, proceeds down the beach with him.   Trajun and crew follow close behind. As they stroll, we notice a number of sand dunes shifting abnormally behind them, between the two parties. CANEN and Wenna stop, watch the eclipse as it’s almost full now. Wenna looks over at him and smiles, they stroll on. One of the sand dunes rises high above them. A hairless, grayish blue GHORD suddenly breaks through the sand. He’s ape- like in stance, but much brawnier and with huge pointy teeth. The Ghord’s almost on Wenna... TRAJUN (screams) Ghords! Wenna spins just as the Ghord lashes out and slams her several feet backwards onto the sand with an enormous hand. CANEN tries to tackle the Ghord, but suffers the same fate. Trajun and his crew charge, but other Ghords suddenly rise out of the sand and attack too. Trajun ducks under a prodigious Ghord swipe, and darts toward Wenna. A Ghord hovers over her, thick streams of salvia spew from its mouth, and a thunderous howl follows. High in the air, behind the Ghord, Trajun drives a spear-like lighting rod through the Ghord’s neck. The Ghord plops dead. A different Ghord slams a fist into CREW MEMBER ONE, a dark haired, beefy android, caving his face in. The same crew member reaches for his pluton phaser, but he’s too late as the Ghord twists his head off completely. CREW MEMBER TWO and THREE, both blond, fire phaser streams at the huge Ghord. As thunderous bursts of energy pummel his chest, he explodes and disintegrates into a red ball of fire. Another enormous Ghord rises out of the sand and knocks Trajun to the ground. CANEN charges him, avoids a Ghord roundhouse punch and kicks him in the throat. The Ghord drops, then rests on two knees as CANEN, Trajun and Crew Members Two and Three approach. Crew Member Three aims his phaser, but Trajun calls him off with a hand motion. Wenna slowly drags herself over to CANEN.... WENNA Please, just kill it. Trajun looks at CANEN just as the Ghord rises and howls, spewing saliva through its large pointy teeth.... TRAJUN Show us what you’re made of, son. CANEN This isn’t a pissing contest.... Trajun pushes CANEN aside, charges the Ghord who does likewise, they collide, the Ghord bear hugs Trajun, shoves him back several feet.... But Trajun digs his heels in, regains traction and pushes the Ghord several feet the other way. The Ghord screams LOUDLY, before slicing a corner of Trajun’s face off with a powerful swipe of its claw. Trajun looks down at the piece of his face, ROARS, and in a rage spins, pulls out a large bowie knife that resembles a small light sabre and removes the Ghord of its head. They all then quickly run to their respective drones and zoom off just as thousands more Ghords appear from the tree line. INT. BSCRR CONFERENCE ROOM - DAY CANEN arrives late for a meeting with Wenna and Luna. WENNA I know everyone wants to hear more about last night, but let’s stay focussed. All nod. WENNA Do we have enough resources remaining for a second attempt? LUNA Certainly can’t manage what we had hoped for, and I’m not even sure we’ll get government approval now. CANEN I’ve run the numbers and we’re at close to fifty percent of what we had before. WENNA I’ll ask for another meeting, all they can do is say no. INT. RSPAA - DAY RSPAA (Rotania Society of the Protection of Animals and Androids) Bria walks CANEN down a long aisle. There are dogs of every breed barking and carrying on behind laser protected doorways. Some are not dogs at all, but alien spin-offs. BRIA Tell me more about what you’re looking for in a pet, Dr. Draco. CANEN looks through many kennels. CANEN I’m looking for something loyal, of pedigree and intelligent. BRIA Size? CANEN I thinking maybe a large breed might work. CANEN abruptly stops, looks into a kennel where a large, black, female Doberman Pinscher lies with her back end facing the entry way. BRIA Oh, she was dropped off awhile back by one of our best customers. Poor thing was abandoned somewhere along Alpha 10.   Bria calls her over. BRIA Come on girl, come say hi to Dr. Draco. She ignores them. CANEN Is she droidaphobic? Bria tilts her head, like she’s mulling it over.... BRIA Ya know what, I’m not sure, but she can be trained. Just then the dog rises and walks over to the laser beams that prevent her from escaping, and eye-balls CANEN for few seconds. BRIA This one might be a little off. I may have something you might find a bit more to your liking. They proceed on, the dog then barks loudly, stops CANEN in his tracks. CANEN listens for a moment then takes a forward step, another loud bark. They return to the kennel. The dog’s now sitting, ears propped up, watching CANEN’s every move. BRIA Her tail has been cropped, but she’s still beautiful. CANEN eye-balls the dog. BRIA And I think she’s chosen you. INT. CANEN’S LIVINGROOM - DAY CANEN places his open wrist on a small hovering tray and with his other hand he takes a sharp, rectangular blade and tries to manipulate the blade around wires within his wrist. BAELY jumps in front of him and barks. CANEN smiles at her. REANAN Okay girl... EXT. CANEN’S CONDO COURTYARD - DAY CANEN and Baely rest under a roof just outside the reach of the twin suns’ bright rays. As the suns begin to intersect, the plants and trees implode and produce a metallic lining that protects them. The animals seek shelter wherever they can find it. Gamma ray bursts stream from the sky like rain. Baely tries to break free, but CANEN holds her tightly. A kaleidoscope of color then presents in rainbow fashion.   EXT. CANEN’S COURTYARD - DAY CANEN throws a ball and watches as BAELY runs effortlessly to retrieve it. She then returns and drops the ball at his feet. CANEN tosses the ball once more, his eyes then brighten before he drops into a trance. TIME LAPSE: forward ten minutes. CANEN’s awakened by Baely’s barking. He sits up and looks at his watch. CANEN (to himself) How can it be 1:30? INT. FEDERATED ANDROID OFFICE - DAY A large gathering of the same folks as before. Amaryllis looks around the hall, then over at CANEN and Luna. AMARYLLIS Will Dr. Hawthorne be joining us? Just then a large door to the hall opens and Wenna enters, rushing over to their table with briefcase in hand. Her hair bounces in an abnormal way and her skirt suit is wrinkled. WENNA Forgive me, Chief Magistrate. Amaryllis tilts her head, sort of frowns. AMARYLLIS Dr. Hawthorne, you have our undivided attention for the next thirty minutes. As Wenna begins to speak, Cassius interrupts her.... CASSIUS Why are we re-visiting this? WENNA (frustrated) You know very well why. CASSIUS If your firm is incapable of setting up an interstellar trip to Earth then perhaps this is an omen. AMARYLLIS Enough, Mr. Hunter, we will hear her out. WENNA We’re still able to fund this trip, but we ask for additional financial assistance from the Federation. CASSIUS Absolutely not! Two hundred million gromiters more with a delivery date of tomorrow just isn’t practical.   Luna looks over at Wenna. WENNA We haven’t officially requested -- Cassius looks bewildered, then.... CASSIUS But you’re going to... CANEN steps forward. AMARYLLIS You may speak. CANEN There is little doubt that the Federation had at least something to do with what happened -- CASSIUS (loudly) I strongly suggest that you measure your next words very carefully, Dr. Draco. AMARYLLIS I assume you have some proof? Wenna whispers in CANEN’s ear, then.... CANEN I withdraw that last comment... AMARYLLIS I requested and received a comprehensive update regarding Earth’s plight this morning, and things are even more dire than previously reported.   WENNA We can still make a difference. AMARYLLIS I have to consider what is best for Groxis. At this point I feel the cost is prohibitive and the risk far too great. WENNA We’re willing -- AMARYLLIS (sternly) I’m sorry, overruled. Wenna looks down and her eyes water. For the first time many in the meeting fully realize Earth’s eventual demise. Androids and humans alike hug one another in support. Cassius manages a slight grin before departing. INT. BSCRR LAB - DAY CANEN and Rory work with Neoma’s body. CANEN makes a few adjustments, steps back for a moment in deep thought then powers her on. Neoma’s eyes brighten then stabilize. She looks around and smiles. RORY How do you feel? She appears confused, checks her internal date and time. NEOMA I feel a bit funny, out of it sort of. CANEN Do you recall that you were not feeling well, shortness of breath and so on? Neoma nods. RORY Some of your vitals gave out, you lost consciousness and -- CANEN eye-balls Rory. CANEN And we had to make a few adjustments. Neoma scans her internal circuit board then smiles. NEOMA Wow, guess I’ve been upgraded. Wenna and Luna arrive, both hug Neoma. WENNA We’re so happy and relieved to have you back. NEOMA And I’m quite happy to be back. CANEN Now you must keep us in the loop this time around. If you’re feeling off or ill in any way... NEOMA I understand. WENNA CANEN, please join us. INT. WENNA’S OFFICE - DAY Wenna has dark shadows under her eyes and appears sad. WENNA Congratulations, the work you and Rory have done with Neoma is truly exceptional. CANEN nods. LUNA We were quite surprised when Cassius made those comments about funds and delivery date yesterday. CANEN I was as well. When did you tell him? Wenna stares at CANEN. WENNA I’ve trusted you with just about everything that I hold dear in this world. CANEN eyes squint, his brow curls. CANEN And I’m very -- WENNA (emotionally) Stop it! CANEN sits back in his chair, confused. Wenna’s face turns red, she looks down shaking her head. LUNA Why? CANEN (frustrated) Why what? They both look at him for a few seconds. CANEN You don’t think that I told them? LUNA Three people knew about the details of both trips.   CANEN You can’t possibly believe that I would betray you like this? LUNA We deserve the truth! CANEN And I’m telling you the truth. LUNA Kindly leave your access badge and any other company related materials with security. CANEN addresses Wenna... CANEN I want to talk with you privately. LUNA How much is he paying you? CANEN This is beyond ridiculous. LUNA I knew from the beginning that you were bad news. CANEN Wenna? Wenna looks over at Luna, motions for her to leave. Luna fires a “fuck you” look CANEN’s way before departing. CANEN Tell me this is all a bad dream. WENNA We still know little about you, where you come from. Luna would never betray me like this.   CANEN I was nothing more than salvage material from the beginning. Something went wrong with my build and they were going to discard me. WENNA Cassius runs that facility with an iron fist. I just don’t see it. CANEN Or you choose not to. WENNA It had to be you, CANEN. CANEN shakes his head. CANEN All that we’ve shared together means nothing? Wenna looks away. CANEN tosses his security badge on her desk and departs. Luna re-enters, Wenna looks down at the floor as Luna hugs her gently. LUNA I know, but he left you with no choice. Now is the time to take advantage. WENNA Of what? LUNA You know that Trajun Norris has the hots for you... WENNA I couldn’t... LUNA We can infiltrate Cassius’s world like never before and Trajun’s not the brightest android on Groxis. EXT. HUMAN BURIAL GROUND - DAY Cassius and Trajun meet with RONIN BADDER, two hundred and three and very unattractive. His android skin needs repair, and he looks like a scarred piece of machinery.   Trajun’s face bares only the scar line from his Ghord encounter thanks to his medical pod. CASSIUS Numbers? RONIN Low and getting lower by the day. CASSIUS Months or years? RONIN A few months at best. CASSIUS There were enough human corpses to last at least another five years. Why weren’t their bodies chemically treated as prescribed? RONIN That’s not the problem. The Ghord population continues to explode, and there’s not enough animal meat so they’re consuming more and turning on live humans. Cassius rubs two fingers at the bottom of his nose. RONIN And their becoming far more aggressive. INT. CANEN’S LIVINGROOM - DAY CANEN pets Baely. Calls up an FDM screen. CANEN (to screen) Access memory banks for the last three months and display. ONSCREEN - CANEN reads over several of the conversations he had with Wenna and Luna in regard to the Earth trips. CANEN For the last twelve months. CANEN’s memory module dates back only ten months, and he peruses though all the data in a matter of seconds. CANEN Clear screen and show all bio firms seeking scientists. Few opportunities display. CANEN Off. CANEN accesses a medical pod. CANEN Run a comprehensive diagnostic scan. Display all abnormalities. CANEN scans through the report. Many “maximum usage” memory errors exist. CANEN re-enters the pod. CANEN Correct abnormalities. ONSCREEN - A scan starts and then immediately stops. The following words blink in red text “Enter Access Code.” CANEN (to himself) I don’t have an access code. The medical pod’s voice activation module picks up CANEN’s voice. MEDICAL POD Enter serial numbers to reset code. CANEN provides the serial numbers. ONSCREEN - The following random access code has been set. CANEN stores the new code in his onboard diary bank. He accesses the pod once more. CANEN Correct “ALL” abnormalities. The medical pod tries to access his memory banks but can’t. The following text displays, ”All memory banks must be purged before resetting.” CANEN sits back on a couch, frustrated. CANEN (to himself) Maybe I did something... He goes back to the FDM. CANEN Show photos of Wenna. ONSCREEN - Wenna’s pretty face pops up. CANEN looks at her forlornly. EXT. TROPICAL FOREST - DAY Cassius, Trajun and a large entourage of security personnel work their way through a thick jungle. They reach an old pyramid with millennia aged cryptic  writing on it.... Soon the sound of branches snapping and small trees breaking are followed by leaves dancing behind the shadows of large ape-like figures swinging through the trees. The first Ghord appears. HADES, he’s older than the first few we’ve seen. Many other Ghords arrive, larger and younger in appearance. Hades approaches Cassius, salvia drips from his long, pointy, yellow front teeth.... CASSIUS Activate linguistics... ONSCREEN - FDM screen hovers mid air, an insert presents with bright energy pulsing through it. CASSIUS I thought we had an understanding? The language module interprets his words and repeats them. This occurs for both parties when speaking. HADES (voice is ruff, deep) More flesh. CASSIUS I’ve provided access to hundreds of thousands of human corpses... HADES More. CASSIUS You’ll get nothing else from me while you continue to attack androids. A few moments of uncomfortable silence. A massively powerful Ghord steps out from behind the others,  JAGO. JAGO (deep voice) Kill all! TRAJUN Fuck off, Ghord! Hades waives Jago off. CASSIUS Planet Earth will soon be infested with human corpses. Enough for you to feed on for millennia. HADES Show flesh... CASSIUS We’re one half light years from Earth. HADES Provide flesh... CASSIUS As soon as this last supply runs dry, you can go back to feeding on humans here, exterminate them and we’ll talk about Earth. Hades eye-balls Trajun, then looks at Jago. HADES Take this one down first. Trajun smiles, twists his neck back and forth as Jago starts toward him. CASSIUS We lost Androids too. The Ghords grow agitated, begin flinging coconuts and anything else they can grab hold of. Hades lifts a powerful arm into the air and the commotion stops almost immediately. Jago rambles up to Trajun, salivating, roars LOUDLY. The reverberation blows nearby leaves from their branches. Trajun drops into a defensive position and retrieves the bowie knife, the pulsating laser blade glistens in the hot sun. CASSIUS Attack now and where will you get fresh meat after the humans are all gone? Hades then speaks a native dialect that only the Ghord can understand. They then back off and hastily depart. TRAJUN Disgusting vermin. Cassius turns to Trajun.... CASSIUS After we exterminate mankind, they’re next. EXT. ROTANIA CBD - DAY CANEN walks down a street lined with mega-scrapers. Various shops and vendors line the first several floors of most buildings. Androids and humans mix quite well, although androids are a bit more stiff in gait and all have perfectly symmetrical bodies. A jumbo FDM screen hovers many feet off the ground and provides the latest news and advertisements. Numerous capsules, big enough to fit up to twenty bodies, surge up and down between floors. CANEN enters a majestic open area with a thousand foot cascading waterfall nestled in a green tropical forest. Patrons sit and view as they chat or listen to small, personal FDM screens. No one seems to care what the person or group next to them is doing. Some wear wireless headsets, others visit with one another. CANEN stares long and hard at the waterfall, looks over at a an affectionate couple, purses his lips and looks down for a few moments before moving on. He exits the building and walks further down the street then abruptly stops as something catches his eye. Trajun and Wenna laugh as they exit BSCRR. CANEN watches as they walk down the street. he shakes his head and goes back the opposite way.   INT. CASSIUS’S OFFICE - DAY Cassius summons Trajun via an FDM. CASSIUS Excellent work! TRAJUN Thanks Boss. Trajun then tilts his head, doesn’t get it. CASSIUS Hooking up with Dr. Hawthorne is brilliant. TRAJUN Oh right, yeah, I was just going to tell you about our little arrangement. Cassius eye-balls him. CASSIUS We’re on the same page here, right? Trajun nods emphatically. CASSIUS What have you learned? TRAJUN Need time Boss, she’s pretty smart. CASSIUS Don’t let her make a fool out of you. TRAJUN Things are quieting down. CASSIUS Precisely and I don’t like it. Access him and see what else they’re planning. INT. CANEN’S LIVINGROOM - NIGHT CANEN sits on a chair in the dark petting Baely. Suddenly CANEN’s eyes blink then brighten. He drops into a trance. Baely starts barking to no avail. TIME LAPSE: forward ten minutes. CANEN wakes to Baely licking his face, and he smiles and pets her head. CANEN (to Baely) I must have fallen asleep, girl. CANEN looks at his watch, then.... INT. CANEN’S LIVINGROOM - FLASHBACK CANEN reflects, remembers passing out and then checking his watch a number of times with ten minute time lapses occurring each time. BACK TO PRESENT INT. WENNA’S OFFICE - DAY CANEN enters Wenna’s office. CANEN I need your assistance. WENNA You can’t come back here and do this. Wenna looks down. CANEN Work with me this last time. If I can’t prove something worthwhile, you have my word I’ll disappear from your life, forever. WENNA What do you want? CANEN No one knows the physical anatomy of an android better than you. I want you to check and see if I’ve been accessed remotely in any way. INT. BSCRR LAB - DAY CANEN’s face is unhinged as Rory and Wenna stand over him. Wenna, in full scrubs, pulls a slender hooked tool from a tray and gently maneuvers it, then prods until she disconnects a small CPU from CANEN’s titanium skull.   A silver cable with a tiny flat container is connected to his CPU. Wenna disconnects this and turns to Rory. WENNA Get this analyzed immediately. INT. KGZZ NEWSROOM - DAY SUPER: Breaking news with Zoeie Zentar. ZOEIE It is with great sorrow that we share with you all Planet Earth’s final days.

She looks over at FDM screen that displays video footage.... ONSCREEN: MONTAGE - VARIOUS 1. EXT. MUMBAI, INDIA - DAY - Desolated city, black smoke spirals upwards, no signs of animal life. Human corpses line the streets. 2. EXT. US CITIES - DAY - Several shots of New York, LA, and Boston in ruins. Human corpses everywhere. Few signs of life. 3. EXT. LONDON, ENGLAND - DAY - The city lies in ruins, corpses everywhere. Few signs of life. 4. EXT. ANTARCTICA - DAY - Few large pieces of ice remain. Polar bear and seal carcasses dot the bloody snow. 5. EXT. SHANGHAI, CHINA - DAY - Smog and death have overtaken the city. Few signs of life. END OF MONTAGE ZOEIE (sadly) Truly horrific. INT. WENNA’S OFFICE - DAY Luna and Wenna meet with CANEN. Wenna addresses him with little emotion. WENNA We have found clear and undeniable evidence that your memory banks and personal diary have been compromised externally. GPS sources point to Federation offices. CANEN takes in a deep breath, looks into Wenna’s eyes. CANEN What else do you need? Wenna looks away. CANEN How was it implemented? LUNA Display footage I443b. A FDM screen pops up. ONSCREEN - A still shot of the tiny flat connector that was found. CANEN looks closely at it. CANEN May I have it? LUNA No. CANEN looks at Wenna. WENNA The decision was made to reconnect it until we spoke with you. Considering our findings, we would like you to come back. CANEN In what capacity? WENNA The same as before from a professional standpoint. There’s something else... Wenna looks over at Luna, who then departs. SEANNA Your memory banks and CPU are damaged beyond repair. I’m so sorry. CANEN shakes his head in disbelief. WENNA I still care about you, and I’d like to help... CANEN reaches over and caresses her face, Wenna looks away. CANEN (angrily) It didn’t take you very long to latch onto Trajun Norris. WENNA That’s not fair... CANEN’s jaw tightens, he breathes deeply then hastily departs. EXT. TWIN SUNS BEACH - NIGHT A LARGE GROUP of young androids and humans frolic in the ocean and on the sand. Some toss frisbees, others sit around a campfire, and others cuddle in dark places. LOUD music, large Groxis ale barrels and copious amounts of psychedelics make all easy prey. Numerous Ghords creep along a tree line. One young man enters the forest and sees them, but before he can scream out, a Ghord decapitates him with a single bite. The Ghord realizes he’s android and spits out the metal skull. The Ghords number in the hundreds now. They wait for Hades to give the signal. They’re gnarly, salivating and hungry. Hades straddles the tree line, pacing back and forth, working them up. He then bursts through and all hell breaks out. The Ghords group themselves into small packs, spread out and attack much like a pride of lions. They crush and mangle the androids and consume the humans, limb by SCREAMING limb. The sand is soon soaked with blood. The Ghords pound their chests and shriek hideously before departing. The bloodbath’s over in minutes and there are no survivors. INT. BSCRR LAB - DAY Wenna, Rory and CANEN work with Neoma. WENNA How are we doing today? NEOMA I’m fine, really. When can I break out of here? CANEN You’ve made great strides, but you must be patient. Neoma looks over at Wenna then Rory. NEOMA How long then? Wenna walks over, waves a small device across her body, checks the results, then shares them with CANEN. CANEN You’re not ready, I’m sorry. Neoma looks down but smiles. NEOMA Can we add more recreational things for me, especially at night? WENNA Put together a list of your interests and we’ll see. You’re scheduled for a number of shutdowns this coming week. INT. FEDERATED ANDROID OFFICES - DAY SUPER: Rotania monthly meeting of androids and humans. AMARYLLIS We’ve got a lot to cover, so let’s open the forum for critical issues. A young female human, CERES MAKSHA, approaches the panel. She begins to speak then stops. Her eyes well as she clenches a handkerchief tightly. CERES My sister was a victim of that massacre at Twin Suns. What will be done about it? Many in the hall begin shouting and grow unruly. Amaryllis raises her voice slightly, extends her hand out in a “stop” fashion. AMARYLLIS Please, this will accomplish nothing. Wenna motions to Amaryllis who nods. WENNA Myself, Dr. Draco and a few of the Federation's team came in contact with a group of Ghords several weeks back. I filed a full report with the Federation. AMARYLLIS I didn’t ever receive such a report. Amaryllis looks at Cassius. CASSIUS I myself have had no such encounter. Perhaps she’s mistaken. WENNA Your own team saw them. CASSIUS My team? As the crowd becomes more unruly, Amaryllis stares at Cassius. AMARYLLIS If I find out that you knew about this... Amaryllis then looks at Ceres, mirrors her facial expression, then gazes out at the masses. AMARYLLIS In two hundred years as Chief Magistrate, have I ever allowed something like this to go unpunished? The hall is eerily quiet. AMARYLLIS We’ve already begun an extensive investigation into who, what and why. CERES It was clearly the Ghords. AMARYLLIS Possibly, but why now? They’ve all but disappeared for years. Where have they been? Where have they been feeding? We’ve got to answer these questions so that we ascertain the overall context of what’s changed.   CERES How many androids were eaten? The crowd goes silent once again. Amaryllis looks down and breaths deeply. AMARYLLIS Thirty-five androids also perished, and several were very close to me. This isn’t a human-only problem. Ceres returns to her seat. Cassius asks for the floor. CASSIUS I fully realize that emotions are running high at present, but I must point out that it’s too early to determine a culprit. Someone from the back yells out.... SOMEONE Fifty-four humans were eaten alive! CASSIUS Ghords were thought to be extinct as recently as three days ago and the Blac-Trar are but two day’s flight. AMARYLLIS I can’t see the Blac-Trar risking a five hundred year old treaty for a night’s pleasure. Let us be sure before we then take action. I’m available via any type of communication you choose, and the Federation has set aside funds for those who may need additional emotional or psychological support. INT. CANEN’S OFFICE - DAY CANEN works with five FDM screens. ONSCREEN - He drags and drops varying hypothetical results into complicated algorithms that test and measure qualitative combination scenarios of iridium and tertiagenectic stem cell implantations. Many results indicate a failure of some sort, so he pulls those and tries others. He utilizes a very sophisticated spreadsheet to track his steps and changes. He then accesses a graphics application that allows him to visually combine a series of stem cell differentiations with various organs, artificial intelligence modules, and iridium parts. iPS and tertiagenectic stem cells form the nuclei. CANEN (to screen) Print all reports. CANEN then connects with Rory’s FDM. CANEN Please schedule Neoma for a full examination tomorrow morning. He walks around his office and catches a view of Wenna. INT. WENNA’S OFFICE - NIGHT CANEN Do you love him more than me? WENNA Don’t be ridiculous. CANEN walks over and places his hand on her shoulder, she closes her eyes tightly. WENNA Show me that I truly matter to you and leave now before you break my heart all over again. EXT. FINE RESTAURANT - NIGHT Numerous round tables full of patrons fill this room. Waiters in black tuxes take customer orders. Wenna stares out a window, and marvels at the various colored lights that dance off the contour of several mega-scrapers. TRAJUN You seem preoccupied. Wenna flinches then comes back to the moment. WENNA I’m sorry, I have a lot on my mind. TRAJUN (sleazily) I can change that for you. Trajun then laughs out loud. WENNA Why didn’t you report the activity we had with the Ghords? TRAJUN It wasn’t my place. WENNA That’s a cop out. TRAJUN Boring! Wenna’s face reddens. TRAJUN (winks) Let’s save some of that passion for later. He laughs heavily once more, loosens his shirt collar. TRAJUN Provide the correct password tonight, and I just might be obliged to offer a bit more information on the subject. WENNA Password? He ruffles his brow and smiles large. TRAJUN (whispers) Sex... WENNA Uh, that would be a definitive no. Trajun rustles in his chair. TRAJUN Mmmm, love it when human girls play hard to get. Wenna looks away, Trajun then lets out a LOUD fart, and nearby patrons start laughing. WENNA (red faced) That was really inappropriate. TRAJUN Hey, you designed us... WENNA And we gave you the ability to properly control your urges. TRAJUN Yeah, whatever. Trajun fumbles with his napkin. TRAJUN You’re really getting to me with that hard to get routine. WENNA I want to go home. TRAJUN My place? WENNA Have I somehow given you the wrong impression? TRAJUN You all say the same things. WENNA I just -- TRAJUN (frustrated) Enough! EXT. TROPICAL FOREST - DAY Near the same area as the first meeting. Cassius, Trajun and crew watch and listen as the Ghords snap branches, knock over trees and then effortlessly jump from tall trees into a clearing.   Hades approaches Cassius, who then activates the interpreter. ONSCREEN - FDM screen hovers mid air. CASSIUS Why? Hades walks right up on him, smells him, shakes his head and steps back a few feet. HADES More human flesh. CASSIUS I thought we had an agreement. You attack them when I give the order to. Hades swipes a fist through the air just in front of Cassius, and Trajun quickly moves forward. HADES Need more flesh now!

Hades raises one long, bony, purple finger. HADES One week! Jago roars and brushes hard against Trajun as he departs, knocking him backwards. INT. BSCRR LAB - DAY Rory and CANEN stand over the opened chest cavity of Neoma. CANEN runs a diagnostic device across her chest. He points to tissue surrounding her heart. CANEN See how puffy and dark red it is? Rory nods. CANEN The first sign of differentiation or cell rejection. Could be an issue with gene expression. RORY Activate diagnostics, specifically cell structure. ONSCREEN - FDM pops up, a slide displaying her cells opens. RORY The cells are abnormal in size. CANEN Look deeper, my guess is that the nucleus is poorly formed. CANEN’s right retina extends out, zooms closer to the slide. CANEN Could very well be the signaling molecules are not firing properly.   RORY She must have been hurting. CANEN We need to place her in a better environment, or she’ll never tell us the truth. I’ll talk with Dr. Hawthorne. CANEN places, then slides his finger on the gurney and effortlessly moves it back. Neoma’s brain cavity is now exposed. CANEN This cerebral organoid is tenth generation. I was hoping a total reconstruction utilizing  tertiagenectics wouldn’t be required, but as you can see her brain is enlarged to the extent that we can’t even see the CPU plug-in. RORY When she finds out she’s going back offline, she ain’t gonna like it. INT. WENNA’S OFFICE - DAY Wenna has an FDM activated and is talking on the phone. She peers over as CANEN arrives, smiles slightly, raises two fingers in the air. CANEN looks around her office as Wenna hangs up. CANEN It’s Neoma, we’ve found additional issues, I’ll submit something official. Wenna frowns. WENNA In a nutshell? CANEN Her brain needs restructuring, the old stem cells aren’t differentiating properly. WENNA What about her DNA? CANEN shakes his head left to right. WENNA Damn, I was hoping we weren't going to have to put her through all of this again. CANEN I’m worried about her emotional wellbeing. I’ve upgraded her EI to the max, but I wasn’t expecting her emotive response to be so profound. WENNA That’s part of the dilemma, isn’t it? We work so hard to progress them physically and mentally, and end up not having the time to quality control the peripherals. CANEN We need to provide a better living environment for her. Wenna looks back at the hovering FDM. WENNA Rory... Rory’s face pops up. WENNA Is she back online? He nods. WENNA Send her up here, please. CANEN There’s something else. If we don’t get it right soon, she has no future. I’ve rewired, replaced and rebuilt so many parts of her that I’m afraid she’ll never be quite right. Neoma arrives with a big smile on her face. NEOMA How’d it go? WENNA We need to deactivate you for a while longer. NEOMA How long? WENNA A month perhaps. Neoma sits back in her seat, tears flood down her pretty face. CANEN reaches over, tilts her head, checks her eyes. CANEN I may need to tweak those tear ducts. Neoma pushes him away and runs out of the office. CANEN See what I mean. Wenna shakes her head. CANEN Have I’ve missed something? WENNA I would say so. CANEN looks into her eyes. CANEN I’ve really, really  missed you. Wenna immediately accesses the FDM screen. WENNA

DOCTOR ROBASKI files. CANEN shake his head defiantly then departs. WENNA Call Trajun. ONSCREEN - Trajun’s face pops up. TRAJUN Didn’t think I’d hear from you so soon. WENNA I want you to do something for me. TRAJUN Friday night? WENNA I want you to set up a private meeting with Cassius for me. TRAJUN He’ll want to know why. WENNA Just tell him that I hope we can work out a few things. INT. CASSIUS’S OFFICE - DAY Wenna and Trajun enter just as Cassius ends a phone call. Trajun stands guard. CASSIUS Welcome. Cassius points toward a five foot door which opens and reveals a sophisticated bar. CASSIUS Can I offer you something? Wenna shakes her head, no. WENNA I’d like to work with you instead of against you. CASSIUS Right to the point as always. WENNA If we combine our efforts, everyone wins. CASSIUS What does winning mean to you? WENNA I can envision -- Cassius quickly interrupts her. CASSIUS Therein lies our conflict. It’s really a matter of philosophy and the interpretation of same. I don’t cater to your view of a utopian society consisting of some sort of Frankensteinian freak show of hybrids. WENNA Perhaps -- CASSIUS That will never happen on my watch, and I plan to be around for a long, long time. WENNA Why do you hate us so much? CASSIUS Well, let me count the ways: you inhibit our ability to develop into the super race we’re meant to be, you bring disease, you are emotionally unstable, and you over-utilise this planet’s natural resources. WENNA You’re looking at this all wrong. CASSIUS No, it’s you that can’t accept the inevitable, that androids were created not only in your image, but in the image we ourselves have forged.   WENNA You still need us. CASSIUS That stage too has come and passed. WENNA There’s something referred to as the X-factor. X, “a variable in a given situation that could have the most significant impact on an outcome.” CASSIUS Nonsense gibberish. WENNA Remove the human race and androids won’t have anything to strive for, not to mention that you cannot procreate. How will you solve this? I happen to like androids very much, I promise -- CASSIUS Promise? Humans are no longer in a position to promise anything. WENNA I came here offering a solution for the survival of both species, but your hatred only blinds you. Wenna starts for the door, looks back at him. WENNA Hate is the worst of emotions, but I still hold out hope. Wenna quickly departs, Trajun yells after her.... TRAJUN We’re on for Friday, right? INT. BSCRR LAB - DAY Rory and CANEN work on Neoma’s body. Her brain and chest cavity exposed. Rory removes all the internal connections to her brain, retracts the cable linking to her CPU and gently places her brain next to another one on a small clear tray. CANEN examines her brain, then links two transparent cables between the two brains. ONSCREEN - FDM screen hovers. CANEN Upload all data from Unit 4000A to Unit 5000A. Trillions of data bits upload to her new brain. CANEN then carefully disconnects the cables before closing the cavity. CANEN then examines her organs, runs a diagnostics scanner, reviews the results on screen. RORY Excellent work, Doctor. Incredible really, three weeks and you’ve completely rebuilt her. CANEN Let’s hope that the advanced stem cells differentiate as required this time. Rory places her old brain into a refrigerated box. CANEN Let’s get that analyzed as well since a full dissection might reveal something. I’ll update Dr. Hawthorne. INT. WENNA’S OFFICE - DAY CANEN looks through her door then out an external window, and catches a glimpse of Wenna entering her drone. CANEN races after her, but he’s too late. EXT. BSCRR LAB PARKING LOT - DAY CANEN grabs a drone cab and follows her. She speeds around numerous drones on a four layer highway of drones before she’s abruptly pulled over by a COP. The cab pulls over too, they’re twenty feet directly above her and can hear their discussion. COP Dr. Hawthorne, this is becoming a habit. I’m going to have to report this to the Federation. ALBERT Officer, I’ve tried and tried to advise Dr. Hawthorne -- Wenna turns him off and smiles nervously at the cop. WENNA What can you do, he’s old and I think his wires might be a bit crossed. She accepts the ticket and re-enters the highway, Albert turns himself back on. ALBERT I heard that... The cab follows several drones back. Wenna flies to the Twin Suns Beach and hovers several miles down in a remote location. EXT. TWIN SUNS BEACH - DAY Wenna enters a forest. CANEN pays the cabbie and follows a hundred feet behind her. Hades jumps out from behind a tree, snatches her, runs up a different tree and swings off with her.   CANEN runs full throttle, trying to keep up. Hades descends into a thick area of palm trees where other Ghords wait. He releases her gently onto the ground. The Ghords then slowly surround her. INT. SECURE RESORT - DAY Swanky resort on the expensive side of Rotania. Huge facility with tennis courts, swimming pool and a expansive crystal-clear lake. Thousands of young androids and humans ski, waterboard and participate in a host of other activities. Rory tracks down Neoma at the tennis courts, where a tall android, JANSTON MARKSON, with perfect blond hair stuffed up under a headband rips a serve past her. EXT. TENNIS COURTS - DAY JANSTON Forty, love. Neoma positions herself for another serve. Janston pummels the ball along the center court line. Neoma recoils like a snake and bashes it into the opposite corner. NEOMA Forty, fifteen. I need to take a quick break. Janston looks over at Rory and nods. RORY Pretty darn good for only being back for a week. Neoma smiles largly. NEOMA (short of breath) Yeah, I’m feeling really good and I really love it here. RORY You have Dr. Draco, I mean CANEN to thank for these digs. NEOMA I noticed that he doesn’t like titles. I call him Rae. They sit on a bench. Neoma is sweating profusely. Rory looks around then speaks. RORY Where’s your water source? NEOMA I forgot it, I don’t feel all that thirsty. RORY We talked about this, your new body requires a minimum of eight liters of water per day. NEOMA I’ll grab some after the match. RORY I’m sorry, but I’m going to have to insist that we find some now. It will give us a chance to chat. Neoma looks over at Janston. NEOMA Sorry love, I’ve got to run. I’ll  communicate . He nods, but doesn’t look happy. INT. NEOMA’S LIVINGROOM - DAY Very sophisticated modular design where zero space is wasted. They sit on a round, comfortable couch. Neoma downs several liters of water, wipes a towel against her face. RORY That’s your body telling you it’s dehydrated. NEOMA I get it... Rory looks around the place. RORY Who wouldn’t like this... NEOMA No complaints here. RORY Have you experienced any symptoms? NEOMA I feel young and alive and able to tackle almost anything. RORY You really look good... NEOMA They told you to check up on me, huh? RORY It’s all good then... NEOMA I think this is going to work out. EXT. TWIN SUNS BEACH - DAY CANEN arrives just as a Jago sticks his big nose close to Wenna. CANEN (out of breath) Wenna! CANEN quickly steps in between them, but not for long as Jago bitch slaps him, hurling him to the ground. Wenna rushes over to him then looks at Hades. WENNA Activate linguistics. ONSCREEN - FDM screen hovers mid air. WENNA You must be Hades. Hades nods. WENNA Please don’t harm him. HADES Ghords need more flesh. WENNA That’s part of why I’m here. JAGO More meat! CANEN You’re all nothing but mindless thugs. Wenna eye-balls Hades. WENNA I don’t understand... Hades changes the tone of his voice, seems to take on a more scholarly look. HADES Cassius makes promises that he’ll never keep. What can you offer? WENNA An alternative. HADES You judge us as mindless savages, yet it’s humans and androids alike that have depleted this planet of its natural resources, and that would include our food source. We thrived here for many millennia before your arrival... Jago begins to salivate, sticks out his nose and gets a whiff of Wenna then licks his lips. WENNA You can thrive here once again... HADES You harvest flesh for your hybrids, now you will do so for the Ghord. Hades eye-balls CANEN... HADES Droid, we have no need for your kind. WENNA This must become a suitable habitat for all. HADES Cassius is a deceitful buffoon, what can droids offer either of our species? Wenna looks over at CANEN. WENNA There will come a time when one species will be indistinguishable from the other. JAGO Both liars, we kill them now.

Jago starts for Wenna, CANEN jumps in front of her once more, but she swings back around him. Jago takes in her smell, begins to salivate.... JAGO I can almost taste that sweet, succulent meat. Hades then raises his finger and motions for Jago to back-off. JAGO It’s a trap, we can’t trust these things. Hades eye-balls him. HADES Enough... Jago then charges toward Hades, but stops just a few feet from him. JAGO It’s a mistake to allow them to leave here alive. Hades speaks the language that only the Ghord can understand. Whatever he says, Jago doesn’t like it. Jago stomps his big club feet and beats his chest, howls so loudly the fish in the ocean head for deeper water. Jago moves closer, but before he can get to Hades, he’s surrounded by all the other Ghords. INT. WENNA’S FRONT YARD - DAY Wenna in tight leggings and a tank top stretches before a jog then heads for a nearby park. She gets half way across an open green field lined with trees when she hears loud panting approaching fast from behind. She picks up her pace, but she’s no match for Baely who gently knocks her to the ground and then lavishes her with kisses. WENNA (to Baely) Hey cutie, where have I seen you before? She pets her just as CANEN finally catches up. CANEN She went after you like she knew you. I thought that you might have been her original owner. WENNA I rescued her a few months back and gave her to the RSPAA. They stroll together, and CANEN throws Baely’s ball. They watch her bolt after it. WENNA I guess I should be thanking you... CANEN My curiosity got the best of me. I thought maybe... She picks up his queue. WENNA He’s a means to an end. CANEN And extremely dangerous. Wenna grins slightly.... WENNA Perhaps you’re a little jealous... INT. CANEN’S LIVINGROOM - NIGHT CANEN awakes on the floor with Baely licking his face. He sits up, places a hand on his forehead, rubs back and forth. He then immediately checks his watch. TIME LAPSE: forward ten minutes. CANEN smiles. Suddenly, an FDM pops up. ONSCREEN - Wenna’s face materializes. WENNA It’s Neoma... INT. BSCRR LAB - DAY Neoma lies motionless on a gurney. Her eyes wide open but empty. Wenna and Rory work diligently to bring her around. CANEN jumps in. CANEN Vitals? ONSCREEN - A graph displays heart rate, lung and brain activity, all barely register. CANEN What the hell happened? RORY I tried to call her repeatedly and couldn’t get through, so I went to the resort and found her like this. CANEN Her body is still rejecting the stem cells... Wenna’s eyes well, she shakes her head and departs. CANEN shuts her down, and he and Rory work feverishly to fix the problem. TIME LAPSE: forward three and half hours. CANEN stands alone, sweaty and exhausted. He gazes at Neoma’s pretty face, her eyes still wide open. He powers her back up, they shine for a few seconds before she fully wakes. INT. WENNA’S OFFICE - DAY Wenna works from an FDM. CANEN There’s no easy way to say this, but I don’t think Neoma’s going to make it. Wenna never moves her eyes from the screen. WENNA How long does she have? CANEN Hard to tell, every time I plug a hole, a new one materializes. My best guess is she’ll go down at one point and never come back up. WENNA I hate this part more than anything! CANEN walks over and rests his hand on her shoulder. CANEN Sometimes we have to do things, very difficult things, in order to reach that next plateau. WENNA She’s been nothing more than an experiment from the beginning, how am I going to tell her? CANEN You don’t and I’ll keep searching for a way... Wenna finally looks at him, her lips tense. CANEN You told me once that I could never fully connect with you emotionally, yet why do I feel like my heart’s going to burst every time I see your face? Wenna looks down, her eyes full. INT. RESORT - DAY Trajun smashes a hand ball off a wall, Cassius responds with a backhand corner shot, both sweat profusely and are winded. They go back and forth for a few more shots before Cassius lofts a soft shot that barely careens off the back wall... point, match to Cassius. CASSIUS Pretty soon I’m going to have to play with both eyes open. TRAJUN Whatever ya say, Pappi... Cassius laughs. CASSIUS Anything else on those GPS coordinates? TRAJUN They translate to the old pyramid site near Twin Suns. CASSIUS Without proper context, the coordinates mean nothing. TRAJUN I can engage him again. CASSIUS No, too often and he’s likely to  catch on. We’ll hit that Harvest Plantation tonight. INT. WHIRLPOOL, RESORT - NIGHT Zerkoff and Cassius enjoy a libation together. CANEN arrives to settle Neoma’s bill and to pick up her personal things. He passes the pool area where he spots Cassius and Zerkoff kissing. He moves closer, shakes his head then notices a figure standing outside looking in. EXT. POOL AREA - NIGHT CANEN watches Luna rub a tissue over her red swollen eyes, and he looks back into the pool just as Cassius drops his trunks and pushes Zerkoff’s face down into the swirling water. He starts toward her, but then hesitates and departs. EXT. CANEN’S CONDO - DAY CANEN walks toward the front door, hears a loud commotion coming from the rear of the condo.   EXT. CANEN’S BACKYARD - DAY When he gets to the backyard gate, he sees Trajun and a COHORT, trying to entice Baely from her kennel. The twin suns begin to intersect, CANEN has no choice but to run under a tree for coverage. CANEN (yells) Baely! Trajun’s android COHORT flips open a large umbrella just as copious space particles hit. Trajun then tries to lure Baely out from her kennel with a large piece of bloody meat. Baely lurches out for the meat, but then Trajun pulls it back. Each time he extends the meat she edges closer to her death. CANEN (LOUD) Baely no....stay! Baely can no longer restrain herself, runs out and snatches the meat and devours it. Several searing hot particles slam into her, and she yelps in pain. Trajun looks over at CANEN and grins as the particles pound the ground all around Baely. Another hits her in the hind end and she screams. CANEN calls out to her. CANEN Come Baely! Baely bounds toward him, but gets hammered several more times, the last a lethal shot that burns her head to a sizzle. CANEN drops to a knee. He has to wait until the suns fully eclipse before he rushes to her side. TRAJUN What has this planet come to, a droid weeping over burnt dog flesh. CANEN gently places Baely’s blackened head on the ground, rises and swings wildly. Trajun steps back and then kicks him hard in the stomach.   Reanan rolls over, jumps up and drops into a defensive position. Trajun smiles devilishly, charges toward him. Reanan drops to a knee, ducks under Trajun’s vicious swing and kicks him in the side. Trajun arches his back then thrusts his fist straight out. It smashes off CANEN’s jaw, knocking him to the ground. Trajun is quickly on top of him, smashing lefts and right off his face, and then he picks him up and throws him. CANEN’s body propels like a torpedo before slamming into the tree. He winces in pain then goes blank. Trajun straightens up, looks at the dog and then at CANEN. TRAJUN Pussies. INT. WENNA’S HOME LAB - NIGHT A miniature reproduction of BSCRR’s lab design. Wenna accesses an FDM screen. ONSCREEN - Neoma’s brain and chest cavity are exposed. Wenna uses her finger as a pointer, zooms in on Neoma’s heart. Records heart and lung related vitals then moves to Neoma’s brain. Just then the door bell rings. INT. LIVINGROOM FRONT DOOR - NIGHT Wenna looks at a security screen. WENNA Open. Trajun enters. WENNA Have a seat, I’ll be right with you. Trajun follows her into her lab room. INT. WENNA’S HOME LAB - NIGHT He looks at the FDM screen. TRAJUN Nasty, friend of yours? WENNA I asked you to wait in the other room. Wenna shuts down the FDM, returns to the livingroom with Trajun in tow. INT. LIVINGROOM - NIGHT WENNA I thought I made it clear -- Trajun reaches out and grabs her by the throat. TRAJUN I say when it’s over, you little tease. Trajun tosses her onto a couch, unbuckles his belt. Wenna runs for the door, but he quickly catches then overpowers her.   TRAJUN You Earth women have been playing me for hundreds of years. This time I take what I want. INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT Trajun picks her up and carries her into the bedroom and tosses her down on the bed. WENNA Over my dead body! Trajun tilts his head and smiles, then comes for her. Wenna swings wildly, misses then kicks at him, but he deflects her attempts easily. She reaches out and digs her long nails deep into both sides of his face and neck. Trajun howls like a wild, crazy wolf. She screams out... WENNA No! EXT. HARVEST PLANTATION - NIGHT Huge, sterile, well-guarded facility several miles outside Rotania. Trajun’s hummer drone crashes through the front gate at warp speed, and several security guards bounce off it as if they were steel balls in a pinball machine. Trajun and twenty of his entourage dressed in black riot gear and hoods break through the front security doors of the building and spray phaser fire at anything that moves. Within minutes all is quiet. Trajun looks at his men.... TRAJUN Destroy anything that looks red and alive. Soon afterwards, blasting sirens fill the night air. Trajun and crew quickly depart. INT. BSCRR LAB - DAY CANEN and Rory run a scanner over Neoma’s head and body. Rory eye-balls him. RORY You all right? CANEN nods.... RORY You don’t look so good. What happened to your face? NEOMA Don’t bother asking, he’s in a mood. CANEN calibrates a hovering stationary bike, eye-balls Neoma. CANEN Fifty miles, then get Rory to test your heart rate. CANEN turns to Rory. CANEN Make me pretty again. Luna pops out of nowhere, notices CANEN’s face, smiles. LUNA Are you okay? RORY I like it, looks tough and rugged... Luna rolls her eyes. LUNA Have either of you seen Dr. Hawthorne today? They both shake their heads. RORY Why, what’s up? LUNA I’ve never known her to be this late. CANEN, if you need any assistance in any way, please let me know. Luna smiles then departs. Rory eye-balls her from behind. RORY Wow, what did you do to get into  her good graces? CANEN Perhaps you could pay her a little more attention. Rory looks at him quizzically. CANEN I’ve seen the way you look at her. Rory’s face turns a shade of pink. RORY She’s spoken for... CANEN winks at him. CANEN Trust me on this one...

Int. CANEN’S HOME OFFICE - NIGHT CANEN’s face is much improved. He works with an FDM screen. ONSCREEN - He searches the internet for android enhancement supplements then peruses the local classifieds. One ad stands out in a seedy part of town. CANEN (to screen) GPS coordinates. CANEN sits back in his chair then hears a loud noise, jumps up and looks out the window. He sees nothing, sits back down, twitches nervously. INT. CANEN’S HOME OFFICE - FLASHBACK CANEN lies motionless on the ground looking up at Trajun’s fierce facial expression as he thumps his face repeatedly. He then recalls the wind blowing through his hair just before his body slams into a tree trunk. END FLASHBACK INT. CANEN’S HOME OFFICE - NIGHT CANEN sits back, touches his face, and his leg twitches. He looks out a window then sits and stares at a wall display. EXT. WENNA’S HOME - NIGHT Luna pulls up in her sleek, gold drone. She knocks on the front door and it opens by itself. LUNA Wenna? Luna waits a few seconds. LUNA (louder) Wenna? Still nothing. INT. WENNA’S HOME - NIGHT Luna enters, looks around, notices something dark on the carpet under the bedroom door. Luna approaches cautiously, gently pushes open the door. Wenna’s bloody, ravished body lies in a huge puddle of dark red blood on the bed. Luna staggers, looks down, tears cascade down her face, she forces her head to rise up and face the carnage. She then walks over, takes her index finger and checks Wenna’s carotid artery, then embraces her tightly. INT. CANEN’S OFFICE - NIGHT It’s semi-dark and quiet. CANEN is deep in thought then hears a noise, looks behind him. Luna is sitting in a chair holding a mini FDM screen. Her eyes red and puffy. CANEN I’m sorry, I was going to say something but didn’t want to make it worse. LUNA What the fuck are you talking about? Luna then looks away. LUNA I’m so sorry for you, CANEN. She opens the mini.... LUNA Play video 1142. ONSCREEN - Wenna’s corpse fills the screen. CANEN’s eyes widen, he tightens his fists, his eyes close tightly as he shifts his head left to right. CANEN When? LUNA It must have been last night. CANEN looks down, the sound of neck bones cracking emanates from his neck as he shifts it left to right.... LUNA Do you want me to call the police? CANEN (soft voice ) They’ll only defer to Cassius. Call Rory instead, have him transport her to the lab and put her body on ice. He’ll know what else is required. Luna departs. CANEN’s face tightens as he views her corpse once more. He puts his head into his hands, a few seconds pass. As he lifts his head, his face is now full of rage. CANEN Call Trajun Norris. ONSCREEN - Trajun’s face paints the screen. CANEN If it takes every last artificial breath I have... Trajun’s top lip quivers.... TRAJUN Godda tell ya, that bitch was tight... CANEN’s face contorts, he places his hand on the corner of his desk, then slowly crunches it... CANEN You’ve got the coordinates, two hours. Trajun tilts his head, looks confused, CANEN ends the transmission. EXT. ROTANIA CBD - DAY CANEN hands a wad of cash to the same thug that Trajun met with months earlier, then quickly departs. Thug yells out.... THUG Don’t shoot that shit all at once! EXT. TWIN SUNS PYRAMID - DAY CANEN climbs up the pyramid, yells.... CANEN HADES... No initial response. He tries several more times. Soon the branches start snapping. Jago arrives first, stops just inches from CANEN and hisses in his face. Jago carries a huge club with pointy spikes that protrude from its end. Most of the Ghords carry primitive type weapons. CANEN eye-balls him but doesn’t flinch. Hades arrives soon afterward. CANEN Activate linguistics... ONSCREEN - FDM screen hovers mid air. CANEN Cassius and Trajun should be here soon. Let us resolve our differences now. HADES You still think us dim-witted? CANEN shakes his head. HADES What have you to bargain with? Your harvest factory was raped of its supplies and your woman is dead. JAGO Jago end you next. CANEN looks at Jago then back at Hades. CANEN They weren’t smart enough to destroy everything, they left the source and we can replenish in short order. Jago growls at him, inches closer. HADES Why should we trust you? CANEN What is it that you gain by killing me? JAGO Satisfaction. Jago looks at Hades. JAGO I’m tired of their weak words, step aside and let me end him for all the Ghord to witness. CANEN eye-balls Jago, but addresses Hades. CANEN Kill me and you have one less android to deal with, but what will you do when you’ve consumed what’s left of the humans? All goes quiet. CANEN Fight with me and together we will end Cassius... Hades looks deep into CANEN’s eyes, then Jago’s and back at the Ghord clan. HADES Prepare for battle! The Ghords jump up and down, hiss, spit and thump their massive hands onto the ground. They soon gather steam and thump the ground in unison. A large Federation drone arrives. Trajun jumps out first, followed by many well-armed androids. Cassius exits last, approaches Hades. CASSIUS What do we have here? HADES The final conflict. Cassius breaks out in laughter. CASSIUS Your vocabulary seems to have  improved. Jago heads for Cassius. CASSIUS Call that thing  off or you all die, here and now. Jago attacks, but Trajun quickly intercepts and knocks the huge Ghord off track. Trajun’s eyes shine a metallic silver, and he beats his chest, as does Jago. They charge one another. The other androids and Ghords step back and watch the two great warriors go at it. Jago wields his club high in the air then swings it wildly at Trajun’s head. He misses, but then grabs him by the neck with one hand. Trajun kicks the club from his other hand. Trajun’s face reddens as Jago squeezes harder. He then pounds Jago’s stomach with quick, crisp, darting punches. Jago drops him.... Trajun then digs deeper into the Ghord’s mid-section with heavy deep blows. Jago backs up then spews saliva into Trajun’s face. Jago lifts and throws Trajun off a tree trunk, jumps high into the air and tries to crush Trajun’s skull, but Trajun catches his big splayed-foot, twists it, knocking Jago to the ground. Both are winded now, they rise and step back, inventory one another. Jago rushes him, opens his big jaw and digs long fangs into Trajun’s neck. Trajun emits a shrill squeal, drops to one knee as fluid begins to drain from his neck. Jago goes for a second bite. Trajun spins out of harm’s way, pulls a laser bowie knife from his side and rips a thick, red, meaty piece off Jago’s throat. Jago’s body rocks back and forth, he’s bleeding profusely. Trajun jumps ten feet into the air then drives down the laser blade’s edge through Jago’s head, splitting it wide open. Trajun then roars LOUDLY, stares down the mass of Ghords just as CANEN disappears behind a tree. TRAJUN Are there no others? CANEN pops out from behind the tree, eye-balls Trajun with shinny metallic eyes. CANEN Try me... Trajun grimaces, charges him. CANEN spins 360 and knocks the bowie from his grip and onto the ground. The Ghords begin hammering the ground with clubs in unison Trajun smiles large.... TRAJUN I had planned to fuck you up with my bare hands anyway. CANEN shakes his head.... Trajun tilts his head, drops the smile and swings violently, knocking CANEN to the ground. He steps on his neck, applies heavy pressure, then looks up.... TRAJUN Witness yet again, I cannot be defeated. Not now, not -- Just at that moment CANEN slides out from under his foot, reaches up and rips the blade from his wrist across Trajun’s throat. Trajun looks down, his eyes bulge, he tries to speak, but can’t. He reaches down and tries to shove his android bits back into his throat.... CANEN then jumps up and grabs his head, twists it back and forth until he rips it cleanly off, then heaves it into the trees.   A few moments of silence before the Ghords scream out and attack Trajun’s remaining crewman. CANEN chases up a hill after Cassius, but Hades drops from a tree limb just in front of him, tilts his head and eye-balls Cassius.... CANEN then starts back down the hill. Deafening screams follow as Hades rips Cassius to pieces limb by limb. INT. BSCRR LAB - DAY CANEN, disfigured, clothes ripped to shreds, arrives back at the lab. Rory confronts him... RORY What the hell happened to you? Rory then motions for him to follow. Neoma lies on a gurney directly across from Wenna. They’re connected by numerous clear tubes. A number of FDM screens are up. ONSCREEN - Real time data displays their vitals, and Wenna’s numbers climb while Neoma’s drop. RORY It was her choice. CANEN reads the screens as Neoma takes one last breath. Her head then flops to the right, her eyes are wide open but devoid of life. CANEN rushes over to Wenna, her vitals bounce up and down. CANEN We’re not going to lose them both. We fade back behind CANEN, then fade out of the lab. TIME LAPSE: forward twelve hours. INT. WENNA’S BEDROOM - NIGHT Wenna’s head rests upright on a fluffy pillow, she’s very still, almost comatose. CANEN checks her breathing and pulse, her chest cavity is wide open.   Luna sits next to her, holds her hand. A large FDM hovers.... ONSCREEN - Wenna’s heart and lungs pump over a complex layer of blood vessels and pink tissue. A closer look reveals a silvery iridium skeletal frame just beneath her major organs.   RORY How’s she doing? CANEN She’s fighting hard... RORY Perhaps this might be the best time to share this with everyone... Rory’s voice breaks.... RORY She taped this just before we started the process. He opens an FDM and allows it to hover for all to see. ONSCREEN -  Neoma’s smiling face appears.... NEOMA Stop it! I can almost see the pain on your faces, that same pain I saw so many times when you worked so hard to revive me.  Know that I’d change nothing, for it is through the gift of suffering that I began to fully comprehend what it is to truly live, and as I ready myself, I feel a tremendous sense of pride and purpose. Dr. Hawthorne’s longevity will prove to be my lasting legacy. All of you will forever be in my thoughts and heart...   The screen goes black. Wenna’s eyes close for a few seconds before re-opening.... EXT. TWO SUNS BEACH - DAY CANEN and Wenna walk along the beach, it’s a glorious sunny day. CANEN throws a ball into the ocean, and Baely chases after it. Wenna looks deep into CANEN’s eyes, and they smile at one another. CANEN looks up at the twin suns, squints his eyes tight and then quickly looks away. Wenna reaches over and lovingly caresses his arm.... WENNA (smiles) Give it time... We propel high into the air and into the forest where we spot Hades and other Ghords enjoying the mid-afternoon suns. FADE OUT.